Sugar Sweet Sugar (C12H22O11) Sugar is a carbohydrate and in the case of plants, (crude) sugar is the product of photosynthesis. More photosynthesis equals more sugar (carbohydrate) and thus the plant’s ability to hold more nutrients. Sugar in solution sprayed on plants and soil remedy many ailments.
Plants with higher sugar content have a higher tolerance to frost damage.
Sugar is a good source of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen which feds the microbes in the soil.
A solution of sugar water is effective against most funguses
Spraying potato plants with sugar water is said to eliminate potato bugs
A typical sugar dose for spray application is:
1-2 pounds in 20 gallons of water for one acre.
2-4 cups per 20 gallons of water
1-2 cups per 10 gallons of water
½ to 1 cups per 5 gallons of water
¼ to ½ cups per 2.5 gallons of water
2 – 4 tbsp per 20 cups (US)
6 – 12 tsp per 20 cups
1/3 to 2/3 tsp per cup of water
Green Manure Crops Green manure or cover crops are planted to improve the quality and fertility of the soil. Cover crops are sown, then just before the plants go to seed, they are turned under, adding organic matter, nutrients, and humus to the soil.
Hairy Vetch adds nitrogen to the soil
Daikon Raddish (annual) has a deep taproot that loosens the soil and brings up nutrients form the subsoil. It also produces more organic matter per day then almost any other cover crop.
Alfalfa (perennial) sends down deep roots and brings up nutrients.
Red Clover adds nitrogen and organic matter to the soil.
Legume – peas adds nitrogen to the soil
Oats or barley add more organic mass to the soil than most cover crops, but less nitrogen fixing.
Fall Rye planted in late summer early fall can be difficult to kill in the spring. Back To Your Roots Soil Solution Inc. Back to Your Roots folks are out of Shellbrook, Saskatchewan and offer wonderful products for both the farmer and gardener. Some of the products include:
GSR Calcium (both Grow Mix for the spring and Dormant Mix for fall application)
