Planting Corn

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
behillman Plantersville, TX(Zone 9a) Apr 04, 2012

I just saw the movie called King Corn. They talk about the explosion of farmers growing lots & lots of corn to be used for corn syrup. They use a fertilizer called Anyhydrous Amonia. It comes as a gas. Does anyone use amonia for fertilizer? Is this good & organic?

Post #9069832
Quote
Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Apr 04, 2012

not consider organic, but widely used. takes special equipment for application. you have to know what you are doing, not for amateurs.

Post #9069928
Quote
yardener Greenfield, OH(Zone 6a) Apr 05, 2012

You can use household ammonia in a hose sprayer. I think its a 20 to 1 ratio and spray over the top. I've done it but can't say I saw a difference.
As for doing it like the farmers, it does require special equipment and it wouldn't be worth the cost on a small scale.
One advantage of ammonia is that it doesn't break down into nitrates like other nitrogen fertilizers, but still, I wouldn't know how to use it in the garden.

Post #9070633
Quote
ParmaJon Portland, OR Apr 06, 2012

certainly not organic. I wouldn't wanna work with it, especially in any sprayable/inhale-able form. There are much better, naturally bio available fertilizers out there.

Post #9071958
Quote
Doug9345 Durhamville, NY(Zone 5b) Apr 06, 2012

This gives an overview of handling it.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/cropsystems/dc2326.html
To quote a line from the article

Quoting:
The properties of this fertilizer make it one of the most potentially dangerous chemicals used in agriculture.

Post #9072468
Quote
kittriana Magnolia, TX(Zone 9a) Apr 08, 2012

I ran an anhydrous rig many years ago - depends on the soil you use it in as to it's effectiveness as well, it's a very dangerous gas- even a slight leak from the gas as it drifts over your garden can kill the plants- not to mention anyone downwind. A mor solid form of nitrogen than anhydrous is ammonium nitrate- if you can still get it- and I believe it is still used by farmers- anhydrous is drilled into the plowed field before planting, ammonium nitrate is applied to growing plants

Post #9074749
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP