Fertilizing Your Vegetable Garden

Vegetable garden success begins with soil preparation and continues with quality care.

Your garden will need nutrients. Composted manures and fertilizers labeled for general use or vegetables can be used to supply these nutrients.

There are many fertilizing techniques. Some gardeners put fertilizer in the bottom of their rows under a layer of soil before planting. Others spread fertilizer in small trenches dug on either side of planted rows. Just make sure that tender roots are not in direct contact with the fertilizer.

You can also scatter fertilizer over the entire garden area, either by hand or with a spreader. Avoid depositing fertilizer on young plants as it may "burn" them.

Fertilizer should be applied to the garden just before planting and then on a regular schedule throughout the season. Have your soil tested before purchasing fertilizer. Testing is available through your county Extension office.

UF/IFAS Sites

• Florida Gardening Calendar
• Vegetable Gardening

UF/IFAS Publications

• Fertilizing the Garden
• Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide
• Producing Garden Vegetables with Organic Soil Amendments
• Soil Preparation and Liming

Also on Gardening in a Minute

• Maintaining the Vegetable Garden
• Vegetable Gardening: Introduction

Other Sites

• Fertilizing for a Successful Garden--Utah State University Extension (PDF)
• Fertilizing the Vegetable Garden--Virginia Cooperative Extension
• Fertilizing Vegetables--Clemson (SC) Cooperative Extension
• Fertilizing Your Garden: Vegetables, Fruits, and Ornamentals--Oregon State University Extension (PDF)
• Vegetable Garden: Soil Amendment and Fertilization--Colorado State University Extension (PDF)