FERTILIZER AND SOIL AMENDMENTS

3. composts and similar materials created from once living organisms that are rich in organic matter and only contain small amounts of nutrients
5. mined or man-made materials that act only as wedges in the soil to separate soil particles, increase soil porosity, and improve aeration
6. some organic amendments, like compost, can harbor seeds from undesirable plants that will germinate in planting beds
7. any material that supplies one or more of the chemical elements required for the plant growth and increase soil fertility
10. physical size of the fertilizer component applied to soil
14. chemical properties of each form of fertilizer determine how long it takes that type to be ready for use by the plants
15. nutrients that plants require in the highest concentration and that most frequently need to be supplemented to sustain growth and for overall plant health
16. nutrients plants require for growth that are needed in small quantities

1. application of fertilizer in excess of the capacity of the target plants for optimum productivity.
2. cellulose contained in woody mulches, sawdust, and wood chips need nutrients to decompose
4. material added to soil to improve its physical properties like water retention, permeability, aeration, and structure
8. refers to how acid or alkaline the soil is
9. magnesium, and sulfur
11. how readily nutrients dissolve in the soil water and taken up by plants.
12. nutrients needed in high concentrations but less than primary macronutrients and most soils are not as frequently deficient in these macronutrients
13. minerals (fertilizers) that dissolve in water, but stay behind and become concentrated in the soil when water evaporates from the mix; and can inhibit the uptake of water by the plant