Foliar Feeding is the act of feeding plants by applying liquid fertilizer to their leaves. The practice forms a lot of what liquid plant food supports. However, concerns remain. Many farmers wonder if their crops are getting the most micronutrients in this action.

Many have debated what’s the best way to apply Micronutrients. After all, it’s easy to record and get a sample of soil micronutrients. Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus are the big three that drive most soil growth. But, what about the litany of other micronutrients?

Foliar Feeding micronutrients

Most farmers concur that their crops need 8 essential micronutrients. Those micronutrients are as follows:

  1. Boron
  2. Chlorine
  3. Copper
  4. Iron
  5. Manganese
  6. Molybdenum
  7. Nickel
  8. Zinc

 

Foliar Feeding works in the sense that it’s a direct application. Some might worry about leaf burn, but a steady and informed hand can keep such maladies from taking place. For liquid plant food and similar applications to take effect, they must be placed directly into the plant. Therefore, we have foliar feeding.

Treating soil and other applications can help propel a plant’s growth, but it’s just part of the battle. The three key nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) working together with the above list of 8 micronutrients is the only way to ensure healthy crop growth.

You may think that the NPK fertilizer you pick up at the local Tractor Supply might be cutting it but look at your yield. How much was lost due to heavy rain or heat waves? Do you know if your crops are directly getting micronutrients? When was the last time you took a soil sample?

It’s never too soon to start thinking about what your crops pull out of the ground. When in doubt, reach out for help from your friends at Circle S Farm Supply. After all, we have our fair share of experience working the land.