Show l ti I I L. L I Starter Fertilizer Is Not Enough Nutrient Reserve I Important Important- Factor Adding a starter fertilizer at nt planting time lime Is like serving an nn appetizer appetizer ap before dinner You have to provide a main course If U you expect your crops to be well fed Some farmers figure they have done the whole Job when they put In the starter fertilizer The starter start start- er gives the plants lants quick early growth Dut But by itself the starter fertilizer cannot provide enough nourishment to carry the crop through to maturity To do an all season all season job jab of feeding feedIng feedIng feed- feed Ing crops the soil soli must have a arc re reserve reserve re- re serve of nutrients Otherwise the plants will starve In midsummer First step In assuring a well- well stocked pantry of nutrients Is Isto Isto isto to have your soil soli tested The test will tell you what nutrients are c Starter fertilizer will wUl only tart start your crop not carry earry II it through the summer lacking and how much are needed to provide crops with a balanced supply of nitrogen phosphate and potash Best Dest way to fit the soil for m mum returns from fertilizer Is to build up It its its' organic matter con can tent This can be done by growing legumes such as alfalfa or sweet clover regularly In the rotation and feeding them plenty of fertl lizer The organic matter added by bythe bythe bythe the legumes repairs damaged soil soli structure and Improves drainage When filth drainage a and d tinn are good crop roots can do their job of feeding the growing plant |