By Luke Hendryx: Ag and Natural Resource Extension Agent – Brewster and Jeff Davis Counties
We have been blessed with some recent Spring rainfall over the past several days, which will significantly contribute to a seasonal green-up that will help to kickstart our growing season. This early season rainfall is particularly important this year due to the fact that we have an abundance of forage remaining from last year’s growth which in turn leads to a significant increase in wildfire risk. When West Texas misses out on spring moisture, which is not at all unusual, summer thunderstorms bring a large dose of anxiety with them as the lightning produced is a major contributor to wildfires.
Another significant benefit of Spring rainfall is the nutrient profile, specifically nitrogen, that rainfall provides to both our native plants populations and home landscapes. These April showers essentially serve as nature’s fertilizer and help all plant varieties as they come out of dormancy. Proper fertilization is essential for our native species, but is also extremely critical for healthy lawns, gardens, and trees in domestic settings. Looking at fertilizer options can be confusing, as there are many different options depending on the target plant’s nutrient requirements. Fertilizer labels generally include a three-number ratio, designating the amount of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium included in that particular product. While all plants require different nutrient rations, I have found that in general, the most critical nutrient to add to trees, lawns, and gardens in our part of the world is…you guessed it, Nitrogen. Nitrogen is the mineral plants need in the largest quantity, regardless of whether nitrogen is applied as plant material, manure, or waste by-products – i.e. organic, or as synthetic fertilizers i.e. -inorganic. It is important to remember that it is not always a one-size-fits-all approach when implementing proper fertilization.
The most reliable way to ensure that you are providing the proper nutrients for your particular plants, in your particular setting, is through a soil test. Soil tests are used to estimate the types and amounts of soil nutrients available to plants and can be used as an aid in determining your specific fertilizer needs. Properly conducted soil sampling and testing is generally a cost-effective tool when identifying types and amounts of fertilizer needed to improve plant performance. One question that often comes up with individuals conducting at home soil tests is which testing option to select, as there are quite a few options available. These various options include tests for routine nutrients, micronutrients, boron, detailed salinity, lime
requirements, texture and organic matter. The routine test determines the soil pH, salinity, nitrates (NO3-N), and levels of the primary nutrients (P – phosphorus, K – potassium, Ca – calcium, Mg – magnesium, Na – sodium, and S – sulfur) available to plants. The routine test will provide the basic N-P-K fertilizer recommendation for selected crops and this test generally meets most application needs for homeowners.
Your local County Extension office can provide soil sample bags, sampling instructions and information sheets for mailing samples to the Soil, Water, and Forage Testing Laboratory in College Station, Texas. For more information, or to be added to the Extension email list, please contact the Brewster-Jeff Davis County Extension Office at (432)-837-6207 ext. 114, or by email
at luke.hendryx@ag.tamu.edu
