Calcium Ammonium Nitrate: An Essential Fertilizer for Your Garden

Calcium Ammonium Nitrate: An Essential Fertilizer for Your Garden

What Is Calcium Ammonium Nitrate?

Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) is a balanced nitrogen fertilizer that keeps plants strong and productive. It combines ammonium nitrate with calcium carbonate, which stabilizes the nitrogen and reduces soil acidity.

It dissolves quickly, making nitrogen available right when plants need it. No waiting, no guesswork.

Why Use Calcium Ammonium Nitrate?

Nitrogen fuels leaf and stem growth, but too much can scorch plants. CAN delivers nitrogen steadily, preventing the feast-or-famine cycle that pure ammonium nitrate can cause.

Calcium in CAN strengthens cell walls, reducing issues like blossom-end rot in tomatoes and peppers. It's the backbone of sturdy, disease-resistant plants.

How and When to Apply

Vegetables and Fruits

• Side-dress tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers once flowering starts.
• Apply to leafy greens early for lush, steady growth.
• Use on strawberries and fruit trees in early spring for vigorous shoots.

Lawns and Ornamentals

• Broadcast over grass in early spring and late summer for deep green color.
• Feed roses and perennials at the start of the growing season.

Apply when soil is moist, and water it in lightly. Dry application followed by rain works too, but don’t pile it up—concentrated nitrogen burns roots.

Common Pitfalls

Too much CAN can push plants into overdrive, producing weak, sappy growth that attracts pests. Stick to recommended rates. More fertilizer doesn’t mean better plants.

Don’t mix it with urea or ammonium sulfate—different nitrogen sources can cancel each other out or acidify soil unnecessarily.

“A well-fed plant is strong, but an overfed plant is weak. Fertilizing is about balance, not brute force.”

Storage and Safety

Store in a dry place, tightly sealed. Humidity turns it into a sticky mess. Keep it away from direct sunlight and open flames—though stabilized, ammonium nitrate is still an oxidizer.

Wear gloves when handling; prolonged exposure can irritate skin. Wash hands after use.

Final Thoughts

Calcium Ammonium Nitrate delivers nitrogen and calcium efficiently, making it a powerhouse for strong, productive plants. Used correctly, it’s one of the most reliable fertilizers you can keep in your gardening arsenal.

In conclusion, Calcium Ammonium Nitrate improves soil quality and enhance nutrient uptake, and it also promotes healthy root development and overall plant vigor.

This versatile fertilizer is highly compatible with various soil types and is easy to apply, ensuring convenience for both novice and seasoned gardeners alike. By incorporating Calcium Ammonium Nitrate into your gardening routine, you can witness your plants thrive, with luscious foliage, vibrant blooms, and abundant yields.

Remember to follow the recommended usage instructions and tailor the application rates based on your specific plant requirements. With this valuable addition to your gardening arsenal, you can nurture a flourishing garden that will impress and delight!