Blue fertilizer is a controversial topic in the gardening world. Advocates swear by Blaukorn as a problem solver. Opponents despise the fertilizer as a blue poison. What actually is blue fertilizer? For which plants is the fertilizer suitable? What should be considered when using it? These and other questions receive a comprehensible answer here.

Anyone who likes organic is at the wrong place with blue fertilizer

Table of Contents

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  1. the essentials in brief
  2. What is blue fertilizer?
  3. For which plants?
  4. Blue fertilizer for lawns
  5. when to fertilize
  6. Blue fertilizer application tips
  7. frequently asked Questions

    8. the essentials in brief

    • Blue fertilizer is an industrially produced mineral complete fertilizer with a high proportion of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
    • Blue fertilizer is suitable for lawns and for plants with a high nutrient requirement, such as perennials, shrubs, conifers, fruit trees and vegetables.
    • It makes sense to use blue fertilizer from March to September as a short-term growth motor when plants are suffering from an acute lack of nutrients and organic natural fertilizers are taking too long to work.

    What is blue fertilizer?

    Blue fertilizer is a chemical fertilizer

    Blue fertilizer is a fast-acting, mineral artificial fertilizer from industrial production. In 1927, BASF launched the first complete artificial fertilizer under the name Nitrophoska, which was primarily used in agriculture and horticulture. Since then, the composition and ingredients have been tweaked a lot. Modern results are products with different recipes, tailored to the end user. One of the best-selling complete fertilizers for the hobby garden is Compo Blaukorn NovaTec as NPK fertilizer 14+7+17(+2) with this composition in detail:

    • 14% nitrogen (N)
    • 7% phosphorus (P)
    • 17% Potassium (K)
    • 2% Magnesium (MgO)
    • as well as trace elements

    Two criteria qualify this blue fertilizer as a suitable artificial fertilizer for the hobby garden: A special nitrification inhibitor slows down the rapid conversion of nitrogen into nitrate and thus extends the effectiveness of NovaTec to four to ten weeks. Furthermore - compared to blue fertilizer for agriculture - the phosphate content is greatly reduced because the soil in most allotment gardens already contains plenty of phosphate.

    Blue fertilizer benefits

    • quick result
    • Low in chloride and therefore suitable for salt-sensitive plants
    • Precise nutritional information on the packaging and therefore easy to dose
    • Fertilizer does not need to be incorporated
    • Available as fertilizer granules and liquid fertilizer

    Blue fertilizer disadvantages

    Due to its disadvantages, blue fertilizer should only be used for specific reasons

    • no build-up of hummus
    • no vitalization and promotion of soil life
    • pollutes groundwater, seas (algal blooms), rivers (fish kills), lakes (overturned inland waters)
    • Extinction of species as a result of creeping nitrate inputs into the soil
    • Danger of overdosing and over-fertilizing
    • must be rained in to avoid burning the leaves

    In view of these advantages and disadvantages, there are primarily two reasons for using mineral blue fertilizer: 1. Plants suffer from growth depression and significant deficiency symptoms that call for immediate growth support. 2. A soil analysis shows significant nutrient deficiencies that cannot be remedied by natural, organic soil additives such as compost.

    The following video explains in a practical way how to use blue fertilizer correctly with important information on advantages and disadvantages.

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    For which plants is blue fertilizer good?

    Blue fertilizer corrects acute nutrient deficiencies in numerous ornamental and useful plants. First and foremost, heavy to medium-consuming plants benefit from the immediate growth spurt of the artificial fertilizer. On the other hand, the chemical turbo fertilizer is not recommended for wild perennials and other weakly consuming plants with a soft spot for poor conditions. The following table gives an overview of which plants in the hobby garden blue fertilizer is suitable or unsuitable or harmful:

    perennials flower shrubs vegetables fruit no blue fertilizer for
    geraniums tulips rhododendron cabbage berry bushes orchids
    delphinium daffodils roses potatoes fruit trees wild perennials
    phlox imperial crowns Cherry Laurel Hedge tomatoes strawberries ornamental grasses
    thimble summer flowers conifers beans rhubarb hydrangeas

    How much you fertilize the plants with blue grain depends on the composition of the product and the specific nutrient requirements. For this purpose, please consult the manufacturer's information on the packaging.

    Special case: blue fertilizer for lawns

    Heavily used lawns appreciate blue fertilizers

    Ornamental and noble grasses are actually among the weak-consuming plants that are unsuitable for the administration of blue fertilizer. If, on the other hand, the noble grasses gather to form a dense carpet of lawn, there is an increased need for nutrients as a result of this monoculture. Primarily on heavily used playing and sports lawns, fast-acting blue grain is useful as a start-up fertilization in spring and stimulates growth.

    The green lawn joy does not last long because the growth spurt from blue fertilizer quickly fizzles out. Simply re-fertilizing with the blue pellets harbors the great danger of over-fertilization with fatal lawn damage. An organic lawn fertilizer continues the blue grain immediate effect with a natural long-term effect. As soon as the green area has completely absorbed the complete mineral fertilizer, smart hobby gardeners apply 50 to 60 grams of horn shavings (€32.93) per square meter of lawn or an organic lawn fertilizer with a bio certificate. If blue fertilizer gradually runs out of breath after four weeks, organic fertilizer has caught up and jumps into the breach with natural nutrients. The result is a velvety green lawn cushion over a humus-rich subsoil full of soil life.

    digression

    Blue fertilizer is poisonous

    Improper use of blue fertilizer is harmful to human and animal health. Direct skin contact triggers allergic reactions including blistering and chemical burns. If large amounts of blue grain dust are inhaled, there is a risk of shortness of breath, pulmonary edema and even pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs). Intentional or accidental ingestion leads to nausea, vomiting, convulsions and circulatory failure. If even the smallest particles of the blue granules get into the eyes, the eyeball is rinsed out with clear water for several minutes with the lid lifted. Because blue fertilizer is so toxic, home gardeners should always exercise caution when handling it and strictly follow the manufacturer's recommended safety precautions.

    When should you fertilize with blue fertilizer?

    You can fertilize with blue fertilizer from the beginning of spring to the end of summer

    The window for using blue fertilizer is open during the growing season from March to September. At this stage, there is the best chance that most of the nutrients will actually be absorbed by the plants. Outside of the vegetation period, the ingredients in blue grain are useless because neither soil organisms nor the soil benefit from the artificial fertiliser.

    Weather conditions also play an important role in deciding when to spread blue fertilizer. The sky should be overcast and the weather should be rainy. Under these conditions, you avoid the risk of the plant leaves suffering massive burns from the sun's rays because the blue fertilizer granules remain on them.

    tips

    To the question: "Blue fertilizer or horn shavings?" There is only one answer for natural hobby gardeners. If you want to harvest organic vegetables, feed weak plants with an organic nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Horn shavings are made from grated horns of slaughter cattle and contain up to 14% nitrogen. The single-nutrient organic fertilizer is non-toxic, environmentally friendly, good for soil life and encourages the growth of vegetables for carefree, healthy enjoyment.

    Use blue fertilizer correctly - tips for hobby gardeners

    Acute nutrient deficiency is the most common reason why concerned hobby gardeners prescribe blue fertilizer for their plants or lawn as an immediate aid. In order for the advantages of the mineral artificial fertilizer to unfold optimally and the disadvantages remain within an acceptable range, important aspects must be observed during use. The following tips sum up how to use blue fertilizer competently:

    • time: overcast, rainy weather between March and September
    • protective measures: Gloves, safety goggles, long-sleeved clothing, ideally a respirator
    • dosage: dose sparingly according to the manufacturer's instructions
    • fertilize plants: Distribute blue fertilizer directly onto the root disk by hand, do not sprinkle onto the leaves
    • fertilize lawn: Fill the spreader with blue fertilizer, walk the lawn in strips without overlapping

    It is important to note that you always pour in blue fertilizer with a watering can, water hose or lawn sprinkler. The longer blue grain remains on a plant surface, the greater the risk of burns on leaves and blades of grass.

    frequently asked Questions

    Is blue fertilizer suitable for hydrangeas?

    Despite their similar color, blue manure and hydrangeas don't get along very well

    Although hydrangeas have a high need for nutrients, mineral fertilizers are not recommended for the beautiful flowers. Hydrangeas want slightly acidic soil with a pH value of 5. Blue fertilizer with a concentrated load of phosphorus increases the pH value, which hydrangeas respond to with poor growth and pronounced flowering laziness. Furthermore, a high dose of phosphorus on blue hydrangeas will fade the color. The better nutrient supply for pompous flowers and bright blue is a special hydrangea fertilizer.

    Is there a difference between blue grain and blue fertilizer?

    No, there is no difference between blue grain and blue fertilizer. Both terms refer to the mineral complex fertilizer with the blue beads, which is commercially available in various compositions. Commercial name for the artificial fertilizer is blue grain. The product name blue fertilizer is rarely used.

    Dog poisoned by blue manure. What to do?

    Typical symptoms of blue fertilizer poisoning are increased salivation, vomiting, cramps and shortness of breath. Sometimes your dog's lips and tongue are still blue. Secure and soothe your tormented four-legged friend, but without putting on a muzzle sling. If your darling has thrown up or passed out, put your body in a stable side position and make sure you keep your airways clear. Never induce vomiting. Immediately after these measures, you do not lose valuable time, but go to a veterinarian.

    Can you dissolve blue fertilizer in water?

    Blue fertilizer granules can be dissolved in water and used as liquid fertilizer. Please pay special attention to the dosage. Just 2 to 3 grams of the blue granules are enough for 5 liters of water. Leave the solution overnight for the granules to completely dissolve. After use, wash the watering can thoroughly to remove toxic residues from the bottom of the can. We recommend buying ready-made blue fertilizer in liquid form.

    tips

    With a compost in the natural garden, the ecological credit is bulging. Garden and kitchen waste turns into a dark brown, forest floor-scented organic fertilizer for all ornamental and vegetable plants. Balcony gardeners set up a worm farm, hire hard-working compost worms and in this way produce rich compost fertilizer for a very healthy snack garden in tubs and boxes.

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Garden design