1. Basic Soils, Watering and
Fertilizing
Heidi Kratsch
University of Nevada Cooperative
Extension

2. Soil and Plants
 Anchorage and
stability
 Aeration
 Water
 Nutrients

3. Soil
textural
triangle
NRCS, Bozeman Mont.

4. Depth (Feet)
0
SAND SILT 1
CLAY
2
3
Water movement through different soil types

5. What affects water loss from
plants?
 Sunlight
 Temperature
 Humidity
 Wind

6. Large leaves have more pores
What our eyes see What our eyes can‟t see

7. How to water your plants
 Applying too much
water at one time
leaches nutrients from
the soil.
 Applying water too
frequently suffocates
roots.

8. Get your hands in the soil!
 Dig down 4 to 6
inches in the soil.
 If the soil feels dry
and crumbly, it‟s time
to water.

9. Deep watering encourages deep
roots
Deep rooted plants are less susceptible to water stress

10. How much do I water?
 Sandy soils need
water more
frequently.
 Water more
frequently in hot
weather.
 New seedlings or
transplants need
more frequent
watering.
 Large, deep-rooted
plants need deeper
watering.

11. Watering methods
 Hand watering
 Time consuming
 Are you providing
consistent amounts to
each plant?

12. Watering methods
 Furrow irrigation
 Wide and shallow
rows
(no more than 3-4
inches deep)
 Must have level
ground.
 Best with large plants
(like tomato) in sandy
soils.

13. Watering methods
 Soaker hose
 Easy
 Inexpensive
 Saves water
 Hoses must be
replaced often.

14. Water methods… Drip
irrigation
Mulch to
prevent
water
evaporati
on

15. Stake tubing to keep in place
Internal emitter

16. External emitter staked on a riser
Attach an external
emitter to the end
of ¼-inch feeder
line and stake with
a riser to mist
plants.

17. Ends must be capped or clamped to
maintain water pressure.
Hose end cap Hose end clamp

18. Need a water source
Automatic timer
Main line Filter
riser Pressure regulat

19. Purchasing Fertilizers
Terminology:
 Balanced (16-16-16)
 Complete (5-10-15)
 Single element
(46-0-0)
 Numbers refer to
percentages of
nitrogen (N),
phosphorus (P), and
potassium (K)
N P K

20. Types of fertilizers
 Synthetic fertilizers
 Organic fertilizers
(bone meal, compost,
manure, etc.)
www.farmphoto.com

21. Organic vs. synthetic fertilizers
Synthetic Organic
 Provide a quickly  Goal is to enhance
released source of soil for beneficial
nutrients on demand microbes that can
 Can cause leaching decompose organic
 Fertilizer burn
matter.
 Slowly released
 Timing is important!
 Lower nutrient values
 Look for certified
organic products.

22. Organic fertilizers
Organic sources of N Synthetic sources of N
 Bat guano  Ammonium sulfate
 Blood meal  Ammonium nitrate
 Cottonseed meal  Urea
 Fish emulsion
 Fish meal
Organic source of P
 Bone meal

23. Nitrogen Deficiency
 Reduced growth
 Smaller leaves
 Chlorosis (yellowing)
 Common in sandy
soils low in organic
matter
 Over-irrigation

24. Phosphorus Deficiency
 Important in flower,
fruit, and root
development
 More often a result of
cold soils – roots
cannot take up the
nutrient
 Common ingredient in
Purpling of leaf veins from phosphorus
“starter” fertilizers deficiency

25. Potassium Deficiency
 Many functions
including
movement of
sugars in plants
 Leaches readily
from soils – do
not overwater.
Potassium deficiency of soybean plants

26. Nevada soils are alkaline
 Alkaline soils: pH is above 7
 Soils that have not been greatly weathered or
leached
 Soils high in calcium
 Reduces solubility of all micronutrients
Adapted from library.thinkquest.org by A. Miller

27. Adapted from ag.arizona.edu by A. Miller

28. Fertilizing is a two-step
process
FIRST:
Leafy Root
 Use a balanced  Use a low N complete
fertilizer early in the fertilizer early in the
season. season:
 10-10-10  6-24-24
 16-16-16  6-12-18
 8-16-16
eavy feeders require a SECOND fertilization with N during the seaso
Corn, garlic, onions, potatoes

29. Sidedressing
 Apply fertilizer 3 to 6
inches to one side of
plant or row.
 Water it in.
 Keep dry fertilizer off
the leaves.

30. Artichokes
 Grow from transplants
or seed (transplant 3- „Green Globe‟ heirloom
4 weeks before FF
date).
 Requires cool temps
to initiate a flower
stalk.
 Drip irrigation is best;
keep soil moist; roots
are shallow. Artichokes are flower buds.
 Requires high N (21-
0-0) every 4 weeks
starting 1 month after
transplant.

31. Beans
 Water: „Blue Lake‟ – pole type
 Keep soils moist but
not wet.
 Water most critical
during flower and pod
development.
 Fertilize:
 Work 8-16-16 fertilizer
into soil before
planting.
 No fertilizer after that.
Lack of flower development or “stringy” beans indicate water or he
Harvest before bean seeds develop – beans become tough.

32. Peas
 Watering:
 Regular watering,
„Super Sugar Snap‟
especially at time of
flowering.
 Harvest when pods
are plump.
 Fertilizing:
 Incorporate 8-16-16
pre-plant.
 No further N required; Stringy peas are caused by
plants fix their own N. heat or water stress.

33. Beets
 Grow from seed.
 Water regularly using „Detroit Dark Red‟
drip irrigation to keep
soil moist.
 Moisture fluctuations
cause root cracking.
 Fertilize before
planting with 8-16-16.
 Weed control is Heat and water stress may
essential! cause woody beets.

34. Carrots
 “Double-dig” heavy
soils. „Imperator‟
 Water
 Use drip irrigation if
possible.
 Avoid over-watering
to prevent hairy roots
and forking.
 Fertilize:
 Apply 8-16-16 pre- Uneven watering causes root cra
plant.
 No further N required.

35. Broccoli
 Best grown as
transplants. „Calabrese‟ heirloom
 Water:
 Deeply and infrequently
to encourage deep
roots.
 Use mulch to conserve
water and control
weeds.
 Fertilize:
 Pre-plant fertilize with “Buttoning” soon after transplant
balanced fertilizer (16- can be caused by water or
16-16). nutrient stress.
 Sidedress with (21-0-0)
4 weeks after planting.

36. Brussels sprouts
 Grow from seed started
indoors.
„Long Island Improved‟
 Water:
 Deeply and infrequently
to encourage deep
roots.
 Use drip to provide
even moisture. Use
mulch.
 Fertilize:
 Work balanced fertilizer
into the soil before
planting.
 Sidedress with (21-0-0) Uneven watering promotes
once or twice before splitting, bitter taste and tip
sprouts form. burn.
 Avoid fertilizing during Harvest sprouts from the
head development. bottom up.

37. Cabbage
 Start early – plant in
ground where peas „Red Acre‟
grew last year.
 Water:
 Water deeply and
frequently.
 Moisture fluctuations
may cause head
“splitting.” Keep heads
up out of the soil.
 Fertilize:
 Work balanced fertilizer Tip burn also occurs in cabbage.
into the soil before Uniform irrigation with moderate
planting. fertilization will prevent this
 Sidedress with (21-0-0) problem.
4 weeks after

38. Cabbage/brussels sprout tip burn
 Calcium not
transported to rapidly
expanding tissues.
 Common in sandy
soils.
 Caused by any
condition that favors
rapid growth.
 Avoid excess N during
head formation
Tip burn on brussels sprou
 Maintain P:K ratio of
1:1

39. Kale
 Fertilize: „Dwarf Siberian‟
 Organic matter and
complete all-purpose
before planting
 Sidedress with N 4
weeks after
transplanting.
 Water:
 Deeply and frequently
without allowing soil Moisture fluctuations cause
to dry out. kale leaves to become
 Use drip irrigation and tough and develop off
mulch. flavors. A light frost
intensifies flavor of fall-
planted kale.

40. Lettuce
 Cool season veggie;
temps above 80 F reduce „Black Seeded Simpson‟
seed germination.
 Water:
 Water regularly to prevent
drought stress; uneven
moisture causes tough
leaves and off flavors.
 Fertilize:
 Work in all-purpose Lettuce tastes best when
balanced pre-plant. grown rapidly and
 Sidedress with N after 4 harvested before the heat
weeks. of summer.

41. Kohlrabi
 Least hardy of the
cabbage family „Purple Vienna‟ heirloom
veggies – plant seeds
1-2 weeks before last
frost date.
 Water:
 Frequently – shallow
roots
 Fertilize:
Moisture fluctuations
 Amend soil with
organic matter and cause stems to be
complete fertilizer. tough and woody.
 Sidedress with N 3 Temperatures below
weeks after planting. 45 F trigger flowering.

42. Leeks
 Water:
 Roots are shallow;
„American Flag‟
provide water regularly.
 Fertilize:
 Amend soil with organic
matter and complete all-
purpose fertilizer.
 Sidedress with N in May
and early June (fish
meal works well).
 Mound soil around stalk
(below joints) to keep
stalks white and mild. Weed control is especially
important during the first 2
months of growth.

43. „Red
Bulbing onions Torpedo‟
intermediat
e day
 Intermediate or neutral day
onions best in northern „Super Star‟ white (day neutral)
Nevada.
 Water:
 Water regularly due to
shallow rooting.
 Stop watering when tops fall
over.
 Fertilize:
 Work OM and all-purpose
balanced fertilizer pre- If you plant your onions
planting. too late in the season,
 Sidedress with extra N in late they may not form bulbs
May and in June – affected by day

44. Garlic
„Chesnok Red‟ hardneck
 Hardy perennial –plant dry
bulbs late Sept to Nov.
 Hardneck vs softneck
varieties
 Water regularly but stop
when leaves turn brown
and tops fall over.
 High nutrient
requirements
 Amend soil with organic
matter and complete „Early white‟ softneck
fertilizer at planting.

45. Sweet Corn
 Requires maximum
90 days to maturity from seed
sunlight; warm season
„Silver Queen‟ white heirloom
 Water:
 Regular water, esp.
during tasseling, silking
and ear formation.
 Fertilize:
 Amend soils with
compost + 16-8-8
fertilizer.
 Sidedress with 46-0-0 Drought stress during ear
when plants have 8-10 formation decreases yield,
leaves and again when lowers kernel quality and
silks appear.
affects flavor.

46. Cucumbers
„Marketmore‟
 Love sandy soils and lots
of room!
 Fertilize before planting
with all-purpose complete.
 Sidedress with N fertilizer
when runners develop.
 Water deeply by drip or
furrows
 Over- and under-watering
causes:
 Bitter fruits
 Pointed ends
 Misshapen
Cucumber plants are vining and benefit from a

47. New Zealand Spinach
 Warm season spinach
variety. “New Zealand‟
 Soak seeds 24 hours prior
to planting.
 Water: will tolerate periods
of drought but tastes better
with even watering – Use
drip irrigation.
 Fertilize:
 Incorporate organic matter
prior to planting.
 Sidedress with OM or high- New Zealand spinach is
N fertilizer through the relatively pest and
season. disease free.

48. Potato Irregular soil moisture
causes abnormal tuber
 Grown from “seed pieces” growth.
 Soils must be 50 F
 “Hill” soil around plants as
they grow to prevent tuber
“greening.”
 Water:
 Deep, regular watering with
drip irrigation.
 Reduce water as leaves
yellow and die.
 Fertilize:
 Pre-plant with balanced
fertilizer
 Sidedress with (21-0-0) after Many potato varieties
seedlings emerge. will grow in northern
Nevada.

49. Tomatoes
„Sugar Sweetie‟ cherry
 Grow from plants or
seed.
 Determinate vs.
indeterminate
 Water:
 Water deeply using drip
 Use mulch to keep soil
moist.
 Fertilize:
 Amend soil with OM +
balanced complete
fertilizer. „Early Girl‟ bush style
 No fertilizer after

50. Blossom-end rot
 Occurs on blossom
end of “fruits.”
 Caused by decreased
availability to calcium
 Inconsistent watering
practices.
 Apply mulch
 Avoid fertilization with
N during early fruiting.
 Do NOT apply lime or
gypsum.