The use of potassium nitrate in the garden and in the garden

Plants, especially those living on poor soil, need nutrition in order to grow and develop normally. Potash fertilizers help crops more easily tolerate dry and frosty days; potassium is required for flowering plants when budding.

One of these mineral fertilizers is potassium nitrate.

The composition and properties of potassium nitrate

So what is potassium nitrate - It is a potassium-nitrogen fertilizer used for fertilizing cultivated plants on all types of soil. This fertilizer improves the vital activity of plants, starting from the moment of planting. Saltpeter improves the function of the roots to consume food from the soil, normalizes the "respiratory" abilities and photosynthesis. Thanks to fertilizing potassium nitrate, the plant acquires the ability to resist and not to succumb to diseases.

In the composition of potassium nitrate two active ingredients: potassium and nitrogen. According to its physical properties, potassium nitrate is a white crystalline powder.With long-term storage in the open form, the powder can be compressed, but will not lose its chemical properties. However, you need to store potassium nitrate in a closed package.

Application of potassium nitrate

Root and foliar fertilizers with saltpeter are used in gardens and gardens. In potassium nitrate there is practically no chlorine, which allows it to be applied to plants that do not perceive this element: grapes, tobacco, potatoes. Well respond to fertilizer saltpeter carrots and beets, tomatoes, berry crops such as currants, raspberries, blackberries, flower and ornamental plants, fruit trees, bushes.

Potassium nitrate is often used in the garden as a feed for cucumbers during fruit ripening. This somewhat inhibits the growth of greenery and increases the size of vegetables.Since cucumbers are unevenly sown, part of the fertilizer goes to the formation of freshly tied cucumbers.

There is no particular difficulty in how to use potassium nitrate as a fertilizer. Top dressing with this mixture can be spent all season. In stores, fertilizer is packaged in convenient dosages: smaller packages for small summer cottages and large packages of 20-50 kg for large farms.

Safety measures when using fertilizer

Before fertilizing potassium nitrate, some precautions must be taken: It is necessary to work with nitrate in rubber gloves, since the fertilizer uses a liquid solution, for safety you need to cover your eyes with glasses. It is advisable that you wear tight clothes, and the presence of a respirator is not hurt: saltpeter vapors are unsafe for health.

Potassium nitrate is an oxidizing agent that reacts with flammable substances. It is necessary to store such a substance in a tightly closed bag, avoiding the dangerous proximity of combustible and flammable substances. In the room where saltpeter is stored, you can not smoke, it is recommended to close the room from children.

Fertilizing potassium nitrate, you need to take care of safety measures for plants. To fertilizer is better absorbed, as well as to compensate for the lack of moisture, fertilizer saltpeter combined with irrigation. Nitrate is not abused on acid soils, as the fertilizer slightly oxidizes the soil. To avoid plant burns, fertilize potassium nitrate is applied carefully, trying not to fall on the leaves and stems.

Making potassium nitrate at home

Before making potassium nitrate, it is necessary to carry out preparatory manipulations. To get started, get the necessary substances for preparation: ammonium nitrate and potassium chloride. These reagents, being fertilizers, are in any garden shop, at the price available.

Now we proceed to the production of potassium nitrate at home.To make it all happen at its best, follow the following procedure:

1. Mix 100 g of potassium chloride and 350 ml of distilled hot water. You need to stir until the potassium chloride is completely dissolved, then strain it thoroughly.
2. Pour the filtered mixture into the enameled container, put on the fire and at the first sign of boiling, stirring slowly, pour in 95 g of ammonium nitrate. Still stirring, boil for three minutes, then remove from heat and let cool.
3. Pour warm solution into a plastic bottle and allow to cool completely. When the solution is cold, put it in the fridge for an hour, after the time has passed, move it to the freezer, hold it there for three hours.
4. After all the cold procedures, remove the bottle and carefully drain the water: potassium nitrate in the form of crystals will remain on the bottom. Dry the crystals on paper in a dry and warm place for several days. Saltpeter is ready.

Today, many gardeners refuse mineral fertilizers in favor of organic matter alone. Experienced farmers do not recommend this, as this category of fertilizer is indispensable for obtaining a good harvest, for maintaining immunity in plants and their winter hardiness.