Preparing for Spring: A Fertilizer Guide to Kickstart the Season

As winter settles in, the pace of farm life can slow down. For many in the agriculture industry, it’s a welcome break after the hectic harvest season. While the demand for fertilizer may ease during these months, it’s a great opportunity to get ahead of the game and start planning for the upcoming spring. Whether you’re an agronomist, grower, or fertilizer retailer, winter offers a chance to assess needs, review your fertilization strategy, and ensure you have everything in place before the spring rush.

This period of relative calm is the perfect time to think ahead and make the thoughtful decisions that will set you up for a successful planting season. Here are the key things we like to consider when planning our fertilization strategy over the winter:

1. Order Fertilizer Early & Secure Your Supply

Winter is the perfect time to place fertilizer orders. Many growers choose to order early to take advantage of early bird pricing and avoid any disruptions that can arise as demand surges in the spring. By ordering in advance, folks can ensure they have the fertilizers needed when planting time arrives, without the stress of last-minute demands or early season thaw. But ordering early isn’t just about securing products; it’s also about ensuring we have the right products for our fields. During the winter, we can take the time to evaluate fertilization needs—based on soil tests, crop rotation plans, application capabilities and yield goals. This gives us the opportunity to make informed decisions about both commodity and specialty fertilizers that will best support our crops and our operations.

2. Incorporate Starter Fertilizers for Early Growth

With the cold soils of early spring, seedlings need all the help they can get. Starter fertilizers—those applied directly at planting—can make a world of difference in helping crops establish strong roots early in the season. These fertilizers supply key nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, which are essential for seedling growth, particularly in cool, slow-to-warm soils. In addition to traditional starter fertilizers, this is also a good time to consider precision agriculture technologies that ensure fertilizers are applied at the right rates and locations. Precision application not only improves nutrient efficiency but also reduces waste, helping our growers make the most of every dollar spent on fertilizer. ICL’s Nova PeKacid® 0-60-20 is a water-soluble fertilizer that acidifies water, improving phosphorus availability and nutrient compatibility, even in water with high calcium levels. It is a superior source of orthophosphate and potassium, especially in fertigation and starter fertilizers, and has been shown to enhance the availability of P, K, and micronutrients by lowering soil pH at the application site.

3. Assess Micro & Secondary Macronutrient Needs

Winter is also a great time to assess the micronutrient needs of our fields. Micronutrients like zinc, boron, and manganese play a crucial role in crop health and growth, even though they are required in relatively small quantities. Including them in a fertilization program can help improve nutrient availability, soil health, and ultimately, yields. Agrolution pHLow® 11-45-11 +2%Zn, is a great fertigation option for a high-phosphorus starter, enriched with zinc, and has proven to be a well-balanced nutrient combination for early-season plant growth, especially when combined with BIOZ®. Nova ELEVATE™ (1.2 Co + 26 Mo) is a micronutrient foliar that not only improves nitrogen efficiency but also supports key reproductive transitions. In addition to WSFs and liquids, granular specialty products like multi-nutrient naturally slow-release Polysulphate® rounds out a balanced approach. This natural mineral (polyhalite) contains sulfur, calcium, magnesium and potassium in a plant-available form and can be a valuable addition to a pre-plant strategy. It’s a great way to boost soil health and ensure crops not only get off to a strong start but get a season-long supply of valuable secondary macros, plus low chloride K.

4. Prioritize Soil Health Before Planting

Winter provides a quieter period to take stock of soil health and make long-term improvements before the rush of planting season. Improving soil structure, enhancing organic matter, and fostering beneficial microbial life can set your crops up for success in the months ahead. This is also the perfect time to evaluate options like biostimulants, cover crops, and microbial inoculants. These products help to enhance soil fertility, improve moisture retention, and stimulate healthy root growth—important factors when planting season begins. Biostimulants, and enhanced nutrient fertilizers, like BIOZ, can work synergistically with starter fertilizers to enhance root growth and nutrient availability, potentially leading to more productive crops, especially in the face of environmental stressors like cold soil temperatures. Minimal tillage and cover crop incorporation can help preserve soil structure and improve nutrient cycling, ensuring that your fields are primed for maximum productivity.

Wrapping Up Winter Preparations

By using the winter months to plan ahead, growers can get a head start on their spring fertilization strategies. From ordering fertilizer early and assessing nutrient needs to prioritizing soil health and incorporating starter fertilizers, a little proactive effort now can help you reduce costs, optimize yields, and set your crops up for success in the coming season.

Taking time to think strategically in the quieter months means you can hit the ground running when spring arrives—and that can make all the difference in achieving your goals for the season ahead. Interested in learning more or ordering ahead? Contact one of our experts. We’re happy to help.