FERTILIZED vs. UNFERTILIZED Plants -- You Won't Believe the Difference!

[@waynebusse6376]

Those are some of the healthiest cucumbers I've ever seen. You fertigation and spray program is really working. Thanks for putting up this video...

[@gardeningwithhoss]

You're welcome Wayne. We've been very happy with our cuke production this year.

[@joelhenderson3951]

They are really pretty Travis. Our temps here in Oklahoma are now 101 to 105 it's really hard to keep it all going even with dip tape.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We've been surprised at how long we've been able to keep these going. Very unusual for this time of year.

[@Farmd427]

The Stonewall cucumbers you guys are selling have to be the most productive cucumbers around! I’ve given away so many bags of cucumbers, I’m having trouble finding folks to take them. I only have six plants and I’m harvesting 15-30 cucumbers a week for going on six or seven weeks now. Best harvest day I filled two Walmart bags of cucumbers. I don’t eat them, but I just like growing stuff. This is definitely a major producer with great disease resistance (package).

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Good to hear you're having great success with them as well. They are heavy producers, vigorous and hardy.

[@DeepSouthHomestead]

Awesome job on the comparison

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks y'all!

[@HippocratesGarden]

Obvious difference between the two, no denying one set of plants is receiving much more of the needed nutrients and micronutrients than the other, however there is a different perspective which may not be obvious to many. If.. If using "fertilizer" (which is specifically geared to feeding the plants, and has nothing to do with the soil) makes a noticeable difference, especially - this much - of a difference, the take away isn't how - good - fertilizer is. but how lacking the soil is naturally in the needed nutrients. If the majority of the water and nutrients are coming from a drip line, with the soil simply being a non-nutritive media to hold the roots, (which seems to be case), then they are essentially being grown in an outdoor hydroponics system with occasional rain etc. This is simply my personal opinion. btw, got the over the shoulder harvesting bucket.. love it!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

You are correct in that healthy soil will require fewer inputs. Some soils/climates will hold nutrients and amendments much better than others. In many cases, our sandy soil can be exactly what you deemed it -- "a non-nutritive media to hold the roots." We add significant amounts of compost and heavily cover crop in an attempt to reduce inputs, but it gets consumed pretty quickly and you usually can't even tell any was added a few months after the fact. Glad you like the picking bucket!

[@janeeceberry2121]

Thank you!! I'm growing cucs and I was wondering if I should fertilize them since they grow so easy! Looking forward to harvest.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We've been spoon feeding ours very small amounts every couple weeks. Just a little 20-20-20 and MicroBoost.

[@MikeCunninghamcgf3477]

Beautiful cucumbers. Question, when did you plant? Are they still going strong in August? What are you doing to control insects and diseases? Thanks for all your great information!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks Mike. We planted these back in May. The production has started to decline in early August and we'll probably pull them up in the next couple weeks. We've been using a weekly pest program rotating Spinosad + Complete Disease Control one week and then Bt + Copper + Neem the following week.

[@MikeCunninghamcgf3477]

Thanks that’s very helpful

[@wildthoughts6959]

Great informative comparison . Those cucumbers look awesome . Happy farming .

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thank you! You too!

[@EVILCROWNOFFICIAL]

Wow thank you for telling us

[@garyschmelzer]

What is your pesticide schedule on those cucumbers. Thanks for the awesome video Travis appreciate that

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Spraying every Sunday evening. Spinosad + Complete Disease Control one week, then Bt + Copper + Neem Oil the following week.

[@garyschmelzer]

@@gardeningwithhoss thanks

[@christiebetts4970]

Wow! What a differience! I have Alabama red clay.I've always used fish fertilizer as one of my nutrients,this year stray cats dug up my seedlings after using it

[@Fitforthejourney]

Christie Betts Hi from Alabama! Where about are you from? Im in the Birmingham area.

[@christiebetts4970]

@@Fitforthejourney Same here

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Uh oh. We use fish fertilizer (hosstools.com/product/liqui-fish-garden-fertilizer/) too. It helps to prevent adding too many salts to the soil.

[@judilynfitz5863]

Very informative video, thanks for sharing.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

You're welcome Judilyn!

[@kansasgardener5844]

Nice looking cucumbers 👌 Here I have already removed all the plants due to the fact they had every fungus you can think of. I started using a fungicide but by then it was too late! My plants produced well for a while but they were all but dead so I removed them. Maybe someday I will be able to grow great looking plants like yours.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Ours don't look like this every year, but we have really babied these. A solid spray program and fertilizing schedule really helps.

[@kansasgardener5844]

@@gardeningwithhoss I'm definitely going to try that next year. What do you spray them with to keep leaf spot,blight and powdery mildew at Bay?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

For disease control, we rotate our Complete Disease Control and Liquid Copper products weekly.

[@kansasgardener5844]

@@gardeningwithhoss ok thank you.

[@129kittykati]

I have a question. Can I use 20-20-20 to start a new in ground garden area? I have never used anything. I'm looking to do something organic.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

If you're going organic, you should try something like our Liqui-Fish. The 20-20-20 is not organic, although it works really well.

[@129kittykati]

@@gardeningwithhoss thank you so much. Are all the fertilizers safe for growing food to eat? Sorry all new to this.

[@daniellebaker5250]

I put my veggie garden in an old corral this year. Hasn't had livestock in it for a couple years. In the process of buying a little rototiller, we didnt get much in the ground til very late. May was cold and wet! I haven't fed a thing. The green beans came up rather white, nothing took off quickly. In some places 6 inches of soil, in others 1 inch of soil above a concrete hardpan. ( the old rototiller didnt till up all the plots) a neighbor said the area is deficient in iron. Nothing looks burned though. Practically none of the popcorn came up, so I reseeded with ambrosia. But everything is nice and green now. The soil should be good for nitrogen and potassium, yes? I heard of soaking old rusty nails in a spray bottle then spraying on the plants as a foliar application? Any thoughts? Love your videos!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Save your time with the rusty nails and just get some of our Micro-Boost (hosstools.com/product/micro-boost/). It's good stuff -- includes iron and all the other essential micronutrients.

[@flowergrowersmith449]

In Australia there's really no option. Our soil is generally so poor - thin topsoil, low fertility etc. Sure, compost is nice for structure but honestly you can't beat a slow release quality fertiliser !

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Indeed it is necessary for those types of soils.

[@ozmee1954]

Can you show how to hook up the injector, close up of the drip tape, and how to use a timer?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We've got a video coming soon on nuts and bolts of a drip tape system. We've got several videos out on our channel showing how to hook up the injector, but can certainly do another one.

[@pegpeg3939]

Great video..love the visual proof

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for watching Peg!

[@pegpeg3939]

Thank you for teaming up with the stivers. I just love them

[@scootermom1791]

Hilarious video but very helpful, too. I was thinking there's no point in adding fertilizer to vegetables, but now I see why people do this. 🙂

[@diyguy2383]

Yeah I thought I wouldn't need 8t until every plant in my garden was 6" tall at 2 months of growth haha. Man was I wrong.

[@universalscience360]

What ratio of fertilizer is best for cucumber?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

cucumbers have low nitrogen requirements, but they need high potassium and high phosphorus levels.

[@universalscience360]

@@gardeningwithhoss Thank you.

[@harveyrousejr.2069]

WHICH SETTING DO YOU SET YOUR INJECTOR ON?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Fast. Always Fast.

[@sternwendy]

What do you use for insecticide?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Spinosad, Liquid Copper, Pyrethrin (Take Down), Bt, Complete Disease Control -- we usually make cocktails depending on the crop and specific pest pressure.

[@exotictones1054]

Can't seem to get any cakes to climb.maybe using the wrong one's?and do you sell that trellis those are on?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

yes we do hosstools.com/product-category/garden-supplies/plant-supports/

[@Horse237]

The larger and wider leaves can do more photosynthesis and capture more carbon to feed the soil biology in terms of glucose so they can feed the plants. Old timers used to feed the soil molasses to feed the soil biology.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Bigger leaves is almost always a good thing!

[@user-et8sn3hy8r]

Thanks for your video

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for watching

[@bmw3842]

The EzFlow is the best investment i have ever made .It cost me $300.00 .My Crape Myrtle trees last year were night and day compared to the year before . And my Canary date palm just took off. My front yard is amazing ,my neighbors who just water ,they look pitiful.

[@josephalexander2837]

Thank you 😊

[@gardeningwithhoss]

You're welcome 😊

[@Whitshobbyhomestead]

I have about a 3000sq ft garden. I use drip irrigation. My experience with a mazzei injector, it’s been an experience to say the least; not enough flow, not enough pressure, not enough pressure difference across the injector, etc. anyway, I’m looking at your injector can I expect the same challenges or is a little more simple. I don’t always fertilize the whole garden at the same time due to new plants or no plants. Will your injector make it more simple, Whit

[@Whitshobbyhomestead]

Sorry, not to over complicate but is you injector suitable for calcium nitrate?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We think the EZ-FLO is very easy. If you only want to fertilize certain rows, you would need to put valves on the row starts for each row. That way you can water/fertilize only certain rows at the time. If you're planning on just fertilizing a few rows at the time, get the 3/4 gallon. If you're going to be doing 10-12 rows at a time, get the 2 gallon model.

[@darshanpatel9815]

should i prune cucumbers by cutting off side shoots and let them grow in one vine? or not

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Some greenhouse growers will do that, but don't see any need to do it if you're just growing them on a trellis outside.

[@Daniel-nf8pp]

Thanks. Peace.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Peace.

[@VastCNC]

I had good luck with your brass siphon mixer last year but with a new valves timers and pressure reducers I don't think I have enough pressure/flow to kick in the siphon. Does the EZ flow work a little better than the brass in less than ideal conditions?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

The brass siphon mixer is designed to be used in short hose situations -- like watering transplants in the greenhouse or hand-watering containers around the house. For an in-ground or larger garden, you need the pressurized tank like the EZ-FLO.

[@52CA]

Up here on Ohio I can’t keep cucumber alive for the cucumber beetle. It appears you must not have any pest pressure as good as those plants look.

[@small-timegarden]

Did you train the vines or did they climb on their own?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Train them a little initially, but they climb the netting pretty well on their own.

[@small-timegarden]

@@gardeningwithhoss It's funny that they would need training in the beginning because when I used to plant them on the ground they use to find everything the climb onto😄

[@jenkitching43]

Is fertilizer and plant food the same please?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Plant food is a natural product made by plants. Fertilizer is a manufactured product used for assisting plant growth. Plants can produce plant food by themselves via photosynthesis. Fertilizer needs manual placement to enrich the soil with essential macronutrients.

[@danielbirt5818]

Hi. Nice video. Great comparison brother. I live in South Carolina 100 miles from the coast and it is basically beach sand lol. Question can you physically notice a difference using that fertilizer over say ah 19-19-19 granules? Just curious. I've never incorporated liquid fertilizer but always wanted to make up a system similar to yours and try a couple rows out in the garden. Curious bc i use an above ground irrigation system with gear drives I built. Thanks in advance

[@gardeningwithhoss]

yes, we think so

[@larrymoore6640]

Good information. Travis rather then tear up those unfertilized cucumbers why not try fertilizing them???

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We planted a cover crop of Sunn Hemp in this plot right after we shot this video. The other row was producing so well that we didn't really need anymore. We just planted the others to show the difference.

[@memowilliam9889]

I can’t afford to fertile that often. I might as well go to the store and buy vegetables.

[@BRExteriorPro]

Amazing good video

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks!

[@cindyjohnson4208]

We have a fugus in our soil, we are planning on planting clover to kill the fugus. Have you every heard of doing this. Your crop look awesome. Thanks for a your video's. God bless

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Never heard of clover as a bio-fungicide.

[@marysewell9200]

Peroxide is very good at killing fungus and bacteria in your soil, however it also kills the good bacteria. It adds oxygen to the soil and if you wait for a good heavy rain, you can add back the good bacteria with some good compost.

[@danieltrevino589]

I did a burn piles of roots a sticks on mine then raked it all over. Looks good.

[@UNVACCINATED20]

I used hoss 20/20/20 on my watermelons and never saw such large leaves.

[@10KeyZ209]

Of course the nutrient fed ones are better. Plain water has no nitrogen phosphate or potash

[@gardeningwithhoss]

It seems obvious to some, but to others it doesn't.

[@bencyber8595]

how to understand the soil

[@eric8851]

Cucumbers!??? That is so intense I thought it was kudzu!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

It does look a little like kudzu!

[@whitneymichelle8300]

Headed to town right now. 😂

[@wolfrojo8940]

Is a big difference

[@keptyeti]

"Should I fertilize my garden?" "I don't know. Is it fertile?"

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Good question.

[@hercule1610]

I had to laugh at myself because my fertilized cukes look like your unfertilized ones. I’m using the fabric bags this year and have no idea how fast the fertilizer is going through the bag with watering and rain.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Uh oh. Yeah you could be leaching many of the nutrients out of the bags.

[@watermelonlalala]

My cukes are in plastic buckets and bins and they look pretty much the same now. I thought they had just got to the end of their life and were dying. I fertilize them the same as my tomatoes and the tomatoes look okay. I still got plenty of cukes without all the big green leaves. I do like the look of the healthy plants, though.

[@Mourad1m]

Where do you live Sir?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

south GA

[@wildthoughts6959]

I never fertilize my fruit trees because they are very productive. Should I ?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

yes at least once a year

[@wildthoughts6959]

@@gardeningwithhoss thanks

[@radow869]

I need good pickle making cuc's.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

You should give Max Pack (hosstools.com/product/max-pack-cucumber/) a try. The production is unbelievable.

[@YoMamaBoyfriend007]

You’ll also be eating that synthetic fertilizer you’re putting in the soil. I’d take the non fertilized veggies any day.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Here's an interesting fact. Organic fertilizers have to be broken down into ammonium and subsequently nitrate before they can be absorbed by the plant. So whether you use a conventional or organic fertilizer, the plant is absorbing the same thing -- nitrate. So there's no difference in what you're actually eating. You're welcome.

[@YoMamaBoyfriend007]

I said non fertilized. Allowing those plants to form a symbiotic relationship with the microbes is what nature intended. I’ll take all natural for $200 Alex.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

@@YoMamaBoyfriend007 cucumbers don't grow naturally in nature. Neither do squash, tomatoes, peppers, etc. These are varieties that man has cultivated and they tend to require more nutrients that any soil symbiosis can provide.

[@cbk1232]

If you fertilize, you still don’t get the pesticides

[@richardruss7481]

You are comparing feeding someone a diet of Mcdonalds hamburgers for every meal or only giving them only water. None of those cucumbers had healthy soil, so while those fertilized cucumbers (like most of the people i see eating at Mcdonalds) might look nice and fat, i doubt they are very tasty or healthy for you.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

I think you would be very surprised if you tried them. All of our weekly vegetable bag customers have been saying that they are the best cucumbers they've ever had.

[@richardruss7481]

@@gardeningwithhoss They say the same thing at mcdonalds.

[@miltkarr5109]

​@richardlruss7481 lol @organiccult eating nutrient deficient food, anemic and potassium deficiency mumbling dachemicals! Dachemicals!