Heavy Feeders are those vegetable plants that need soils rich in ALL nutrients. They are HUNGRY plants, and like growing children, needs lots of food to keep them healthy. Here are some simple tips to follow:
1. Three to four weeks before planting heavy feeders, apply lime (granular lime- follow package directions for amount to apply).
2. Two weeks after liming, plant your heavy feeder plants making sure to start with soil rich with organic ammendments like compost and use an organic granular fertilizer (like Epsoma that has trace minerals. Make sure to read the package for directions on how much to apply....more is not necessarily better ).
3. About 8-10 weeks after planting, side dress your plants. Do this by mixing fertilizer into the top inch of soil, 4 inches away from the stem.
Heavy Feeders: celery, melons, tomatoes, corn, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, eggplant, squash
Moderate Feeders (give them an initial good start, but don't need side dressing): broccoli, chines cabbage, spinach, brussel sprouts, kale, swiss chard, cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower, parsley, lettuce
Light Feeders (undemanding and they will grow in most soft fertile soils): beets, onions, carrots, potatoes, garlic, radishes, leeks turnips
