How to fertilize currants, gooseberries and blueberries in the fall: expert advice

Autumn is a good time to fertilize berry bushes. Timely and complete fertilization will help currants, blueberries, and gooseberries strengthen their roots, safely overwinter, and ensure a high-quality and abundant harvest next season.

The timing of the last fertilization of the year varies depending on weather conditions. OBOZ.UA tells you how and when to fertilize berry bushes.

When to fertilize shrubs

Climatic and weather conditions in different areas can vary significantly, so the timing of fertilization should be tied to the behavior of garden plants. Experienced gardeners, for example, say that fertilization can begin immediately after the fruiting of garden trees is complete. This can either be in mid-September or extend to the end of October.

Which fertilizers should not be applied in the fall

You should forget about nitrogen fertilizers from mid-summer. The fact is that nitrogen is necessary for plants to build up green mass, and promotes the formation of shoots and leaves. Of course, such activity would be inappropriate on the eve of winter cold and hibernation.

Nitrogen fertilizers reduce plant hardiness, so it's better to avoid them in the fall. The ideal time to use them is spring.

How to fertilize raspberries, gooseberries, currants, and blueberries

Autumn fertilization should be based on phosphorus and potassium. Phosphate fertilizers help plants develop and grow their root system, which is very important in the fall.

You can use either simple superphosphate (20% phosphorus) or double superphosphate (49% phosphorus). Double superphosphate has less ballast, and the desired effect is achieved in small doses.

Potassium increases the immunity of plants. Potassium sulfate (potassium sulfate) is an ideal fertilizer on the eve of winter - this preparation does not contain harmful chlorine.

You can also add potassium magnesium, because magnesium will protect against the development of interveinal chlorosis. There are special fertilizer complexes for certain types of berry shrubs.

Please note that phosphorus is poorly soluble in water. It is better not to distribute the granules on the soil surface, but to bury them to a depth of 7-10 cm.

It is advised to feed currants in the fall with a mixture of 1-2 tbsp. tablespoons of superphosphate and potassium sulfate. Powder consumption is up to 20 g per 1 square meter. The fertilizer should be evenly distributed along the edge of the trunk circle and the soil should be thoroughly watered. Potassium magnesium can also be combined with watering.

Natural and organic fertilizers

Organic fertilizers such as manure, vermicompost, humus, compost, and others are always appropriate. Manure can only be used in a rotted form. Organic matter not only enriches the soil but also improves the quality of its structure, without creating mineralization problems that occur with an excess of chemical fertilizers.

Wood ash is a real storehouse of trace elements: potassium, phosphorus, iodine, boron, chromium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and other nutrients.

Each crop has individual requirements for fertilization. Gooseberry care involves applying the last fertilizer at the end of September.

For raspberries, at the end of October, you should apply organic matter at the rate of 3 kg of manure per bush.

Currants are usually fertilized twice: at the end of September and in late October. As a fertilizer, you can use, for example, ½ bucket of manure for each bush.

There are certain signs that will show what the plants need:

• if there is a lack of boron, the yield will be reduced, but there will be buds on the young shoots;
• magnesium deficiency causes the leaves to turn yellow from the center to the periphery;
• phosphorus deficiency is manifested by thin, weak shoots;
• potassium deficiency – by weakened leaves, which look as if they have been burnt.

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