Stunted plant growth, noticeably sparse leaves, brown leaf tips and edges, and discoloured and wilting lower leaves can all point to fertilizer that is applied too generously. Plants take up nutrients at its best when the soil pH is neutral, that is not too acidic or too basic. Too much fertilizer alters this balance as the added soluble salt compounds make the soil more acidic.
How to Diagnose and Fix Over-Fertilized Soil for Healthy Plants
If you suspect over-fertilization is affecting your garden, it’s important to act quickly to mitigate further damage. Start by examining the symptoms in your plants and soil. Look for obvious signs such as crusted salt deposits on the soil surface, which indicate excessive fertilizer build-up.
Test your soil’s pH and nutrient levels using a reliable kit to understand the extent of the issue. If needed, amend the soil by adding organic matter like compost or mulch to help restore balance and improve its structure. Keep monitoring your plants’ progress and adjust your fertilizer application to avoid future complications.
Gardeners may be tempted to rinse excess fertilizer away with irrigation. This is a terrible idea. The soluble salts can leach into the soil around your garden, including the gardens of your neighbours and the natural environment, while most of it will stay behind in the soil.
Why Over-Fertilization Happens
Over-fertilization often occurs when gardeners mistakenly believe that more nutrients will lead to faster or healthier plant growth. While it is true that plants require essential nutrients to thrive, too much of a good thing can be harmful. Misreading fertilizer instructions or applying excessive amounts in an effort to ‘boost’ plant health are common mistakes. Another factor might be a lack of awareness about the specific nutrient needs of certain plants, leading to the overuse of general-purpose fertilizers.
Seasonal changes, such as slowing plant growth in colder months, may also reduce the plants’ ability to absorb nutrients, causing a buildup in the soil. Finally, without proper soil testing, it is easy to misjudge the nutrient levels already present, inadvertently adding more fertilizer than necessary. Being mindful of these causes can help prevent over-fertilization and its damaging effects.
How to Fix Over-Fertilized Soil
The best way to restore your garden soil is to apply Stanler’s mushroom compost and organically enriched topsoil. Organic compost is pH neutral and will always improve soil that is too acidic or basic. It’s better to avoid fertilizers in general and work on improving your soil over time with slow composting green waste, compost and a growth base like our compost-enriched topsoil.
If you have any questions about how to improve your garden soil condition, feel free to contact us. We are really passionate about helping people everywhere in South Africa grow lush gardens that are environmentally sustainable.
Preventing Future Issues
To ensure your soil remains healthy and fertile, it’s important to adopt proactive strategies for ongoing maintenance. Regular soil testing is crucial and allows you to monitor pH levels and nutrient content accurately, ensuring you avoid over-fertilizing. Incorporating organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure can continually enrich your soil while also promoting good drainage and moisture retention.
Rotating crops and planting cover crops like clover or mustard can help maintain nutrient balance and reduce the risk of compaction or depletion. Additionally, mulching around plants reduces water evaporation and suppresses weed growth, creating a more stable growing environment.