How to Add Phosphorus to Soil: 5 Organic Ways (2024)

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1Natural Sources of Phosphorus

2When to Add Phosphorus to Soil

3Why is phosphorus important?

4How do I know if my plants need more phosphorus?

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Co-authored byBen Barkanand Hannah Madden

Last Updated: September 29, 2023Fact Checked

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Are your plants looking a little lackluster, or not growing as quickly as they should be? If so, your soil could be lacking phosphorus. This important nutrient is essential to any crop you’ll grow, and fortunately, there are ways you can add it to your soil using natural and organic products. In this article, we’ll tell you exactly how to add phosphorus to your soil, as well as when to add it and how to know if your soil needs it.

Things You Should Know

  • Use compost, animal manure, bone meal, rock phosphate, or green manure for natural sources of phosphorus.
  • Add it to your soil 1-2 weeks before you plant for best results. You can also add it during the growing season to give your plants a little extra oomph.
  • Check for stunted plant growth or a dark green coloring on your plants to determine if you need to add phosphorus. You can also use a soil test kit.

Section 1 of 4:

Natural Sources of Phosphorus

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  1. 1

    Compost Compost is a natural fertilizer that releases phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium over time. You can make your own compost out of kitchen scraps at home, or you can buy pre-made compost for your garden.[1]

    • To add compost to your soil, sprinkle 1 to 2in (2.5 to 5.1cm) of compost over bare soil and use a rake or a shovel to mix it with the top 3 to 5in (7.6 to 12.7cm) of dirt.[2]
  2. 2

    Animal manure Animal manure provides phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium to your soil.[3] Simply buy a bag of animal manure and sprinkle 1 to 2in (2.5 to 5.1cm) over your garden. Mix it with the top 6 to 8in (15 to 20cm) of soil to provide nutrients over time.

    • It’s best to buy pre-made manure that’s been tested. That way, you know exactly how much of each nutrient is in the manure before you use it.

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  3. 3

    Bone meal Bone meal is made from steamed animal bones, and it adds both phosphorus and calcium to your soil.[4] To add bone meal to your soil, measure out about 3 cups (384 g) per 100 square feet of soil. Sprinkle the bone meal over the dirt, then mix it into the top 1 to 2in (2.5 to 5.1cm) of soil.

  4. 4

    Rock phosphate Rock phosphate is a sedimentary rock that contains phosphate and almost nothing else. If you’re sure that your soil only needs phosphate (and not nitrogen, potassium, or calcium), buy a bag of ground rock phosphate and sprinkle a 1 to 2in (2.5 to 5.1cm) thick layer over your soil. Use a rake or a shovel to mix it with the top layer of dirt.[5]

  5. 5

    Green manure “Green manure” describes the process of planting crops that are high in phosphorus, then plowing them back into the soil. If you’d like to add phosphorus over a long period of time, plant crops like oat, faba bean, clover, buckwheat, or mustard, and harvest them like you normally would. At the end of the season, till the plant matter back into the soil.[6]

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Section 2 of 4:

When to Add Phosphorus to Soil

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  1. 1

    Add phosphorus to your soil 1 to 2 weeks before planting for best results. Phosphorus usually takes a couple of weeks to be released into the soil. You can use phosphorus at any point in the season, but give your soil a few weeks to absorb it before you start planting.[7]

  2. 2

    Mix phosphorus into the soil during the growing season to give your plants a boost. If you’ve already planted your crops and you’ve noticed them looking a little blah, you can absolutely add phosphorus to the soil around your plants. Simply sprinkle your phosphorous product, like compost, around the plants, and carefully mix it with the top layer of dirt without disturbing the roots of your crops.[8]

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Section 3 of 4:

Why is phosphorus important?

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  1. Phosphorus gives plants the energy to create new tissue. The main thing that plants use phosphorus for is protein synthesis. Without phosphorus, your plants won’t have enough energy or nutrients to create new growth, which can slow or even stop the growing process entirely.[9]

Section 4 of 4:

How do I know if my plants need more phosphorus?

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  1. 1

    Look for stunted plant growth. Plants low in phosphorus won’t grow as quickly as they should. If you’re halfway through the growing season and your plants aren’t as large or tall as you’d expect them to be, there’s a good chance that your soil is low in phosphorus.[10]

  2. 2

    Check for a dark green color on your plants. Plants that aren’t getting enough phosphorus usually have a dark green color on the stems or the leaves. This color will look abnormal and unlike what you’re used to seeing on your plants.[11]

  3. 3

    Use a soil test kit. The best way to tell what your soil is lacking is to use a soil test kit. The test kit will tell you the pH of the soil, as well as what nutrients are there and how much of them there are. Do a soil test kit before the growing season to see what your crops need.

    • In general, the optimal range of phosphorus in a vegetable garden is 30 to 50 parts per million (ppm).[12]
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about soil enrichment, check out our in-depth interview with Ben Barkan.

      References

      1. https://ag.umass.edu/vegetable/fact-sheets/compost-use-soil-fertility
      2. https://earthmatter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/tip-sheet-how-to-use-compost-cpts-htuc-f.pdf
      3. https://extension.unh.edu/resource/guidelines-using-animal-manures-and-manure-based-composts-garden-fact-sheet
      4. https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/bonemeal.pdf
      5. https://extension.umn.edu/phosphorus-and-potassium/understanding-phosphorus-fertilizers
      6. https://cdn.dal.ca/content/dam/dalhousie/pdf/faculty/agriculture/oacc/en/technical-bulletins/2006/OACC_Technical_Bulletin_2006_17_web.pdf
      7. https://www.globalnetacademy.edu.au/grow-better-root-vegetables-by-adding-phosphorus-to-your-soil/
      8. https://www.hortmag.com/smart-gardening/compost-improves-the-garden
      9. https://passel2.unl.edu/view/lesson/0718261a1c9d/2

      More References (3)

      About This Article

      How to Add Phosphorus to Soil: 5 Organic Ways (33)

      Co-authored by:

      Ben Barkan

      Garden & Landscape Designer

      This article was co-authored by Ben Barkan and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, is licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and is a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. This article has been viewed 25,110 times.

      5 votes - 80%

      Co-authors: 4

      Updated: September 29, 2023

      Views:25,110

      Categories: Soil Chemistry

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      How to Add Phosphorus to Soil: 5 Organic Ways (2024)

      FAQs

      How to increase phosphorus in soil organically? ›

      Use compost, animal manure, bone meal, rock phosphate, or green manure for natural sources of phosphorus. Add it to your soil 1-2 weeks before you plant for best results. You can also add it during the growing season to give your plants a little extra oomph.

      What are 5 ways that phosphorus is essential to plant and animal life on Earth? ›

      Phosphorus is a component of many cell con- stituents and plays a major role in several key processes, including photosynthesis, respiration, energy storage and transfer, cell division, and cell enlargement.

      What are organic forms of phosphorus in soil? ›

      Phosphorus Forms Present in the Soil

      Approximately 30 to 65 percent of total soil phosphorus is in organic forms, which are not plant available, while the remaining 35 to 70 percent is in inorganic forms. Organic forms of phosphorus include dead plant/animal residues and soil micro-organisms.

      How to make organic phosphorus fertilizer? ›

      One option is to make a compost tea by steeping compost in water for a few days and then using the liquid as a fertilizer . Another option is to mix bone meal , which is high in phosphorus , with water and use it as a liquid fertilizer .

      Do banana peels have phosphorus? ›

      Banana peels contain lots of nutrients, including potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium—all of which are needed for good plant growth.

      What is the best source of phosphorus for soil? ›

      In organic farming systems, phosphorus is supplied mainly through recycling of on-farm organic materials such as composts, green manures and animal manures. These organic materials contain phosphorus mineralized by soil organisms, making this macronutrient easier for plants to use.

      What are 4 organic compounds that contain phosphorus? ›

      Phosphines, phosphaalkenes, phosphaalkynes, phosphites, phosphonites, and phosphinites are examples of organophosphorus (III) compounds. The Thermo Scientific portfolio includes phosphorus-containing organic compounds suitable for a variety of research and development applications.

      What is the primary source of phosphorus in soil? ›

      Phosphorus inputs to the soil for agricultural purposes are primarily from the application of chemical fertilizer and organic sources, such as manure. Soil phosphorus is generally categorized into three types: soluble phosphorus, labile phosphorus and stable phosphorus.

      Which organic fertilizer is high in phosphorus? ›

      Organic fertilizers that are high in phosphorus such as hair, bone meal or enriched rock phosphate make for a great choice. If you are looking to correct your deficiency more quickly you can always decide to go for mineral fertilizer.

      How to produce phosphorus? ›

      White phosphorus is produced by several methods. One of the most important commercial production processes involves grinding phosphate rock, forming it into pellets, and heating them with co*ke or silica in an electric furnace.

      Can you use banana peels and eggshells as fertilizer? ›

      Furthermore, the use of kepok banana peel as a liquid organic fertilizer resulted in increased plant height, number of leaves, and wet weight of plants. These findings suggest that the combination of banana peel and eggshell as fertilizer can have beneficial effects on plant growth.

      What is the best homemade fertilizer for plants? ›

      "A compost pile would be the natural fertilizer I would strongly recommend," says Kemper. To make compost, take all your scraps (like eggshells, fruit peels, and coffee grounds) and put them into a pile with leaves, sticks, and other organic debris.

      How can I raise my phosphorus levels naturally? ›

      Phosphorus can be found in foods (organic phosphorus) and is naturally found in protein-rich foods such as meats, poultry, fish, nuts, beans and dairy products. Phosphorus found in animal foods is absorbed more easily than phosphorus found in plant foods.

      What can farmers use to replenish phosphorus in the soil? ›

      Application of fertilizer and manure must be done to maximize the chemical and physical availability of the phosphorus to crops while minimizing the risk that the phosphorus might be lost to the environment by runoff or erosion.

      How to fix phosphorus deficiency in soil? ›

      Some of the most effective methods include: Use phosphorus-rich fertilizers: One of the most straightforward ways to fix phosphorus deficiency in plants is to use fertilizers that are high in phosphorus. Examples of phosphorus-rich fertilizers include bone meal, rock phosphate, and triple superphosphate.

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