The root vegetables love Phosphorus (P) this nutrient helps grow terrific potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, beets and turnips. Phosphorus is also important for the early growth of young plants because it stimulates root growth. It is very important to any vegetable that forms roots underground.
Soil test is the best way to find out if you need more phosphorus, many plants will produce telltale signs of deficiency. Lower plant leaves will turn a purple or an unusually deep green. When you dig up these vegetables you will find stunted roots as well.
Spreading commercial phosphorus fertilizer, marked 0-20-0 on the bag, will correct the deficiency. This fertilizer is often called "superphosphate" it is rock phosphate treated with an acid to help spread through the soil.
Rock phosphate is a good natural source of phosphorus which you can find in many garden centers.
The best rule of thumb is to spread 6 - 8 pounds of rock phosphate per 100 square feet of garden, this application will take care of this deficiency.
It is also helpful to mix a little bone meal, which is high in phosphorus, into the seedbead where I will be planting my root vegetables. The advantage of using bonemeal is that it won't burn the seeds so I can sprinkle it right over the seeds and plants.
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