Organic Fertilizer

The key to successful flowers and vegetables in your organic garden is healthy soil first, organic fertilizer second. In fact, the improvement of the soil is what organic gardening is all about. Experienced gardeners know that feeding the soil is what helps plants grow and thrive. Adding liquid organic fertilizer is another great method during the growing season.

All fertilizers contain trace elements of minerals, which plants need in small quantities. The three major nutrients are shown on all fertilizer packages (organic and chemical), often as three numbers, which are percentages of the total package. In order of these numbers, they are:

• Nitrogen (N) – promotes green, leafy growth
• Phosphorous (P) – encourages fruit growth and strong roots
• Potassium (K) – creates larger, more colorful flowers and helps in overall plant strength

However, plants also need a variety of micronutrients in trace amounts that are just as essential to proper growth and production. Not just that, the soil itself needs to have good structure to hold these minerals, excellent water-retention abilities and pockets of oxygen. Synthetic fertilizer can not achieve this. Fortunately, orgamic materials do, and as an organic gardener, this is what you will be concentrating on.

Add Compost Before Organic Fertilizer

Adding organic matter, usually through compost and composting manures, are the main sources of soil fertility. These organic materials provide food to earthworms, beneficial bacteria and micro-organisms in the soil. All these creatures, seen and unseen, break soil down into compounds and nutrients in the decay of this material, nutrients that can then be absorbed into the plants roots.

Organic matter also improves soil structure and texture, allowing the ground to better retain water and allow pockets of oxygen to exist. Both soil microbes and plant roots need oxygen to survive.

By adding organic matter once or a few times per year, you will not only create great soil that supports healthy plants, but you will also solve most of the problems experienced by conventional gardeners, such as disease, insect infestations and low vegetable yields.

Organic Lawn and Vegetable Fertilizers

The following organic fertilizers are commonly used on your lawn and vegetable gardens, and come in both dry and liquid form.

Compost

Compost is the best all-purpose organic fertilizer out there, and can be used on all plants. Compost is generally not considered a fertilizer because it is used more to increase the “bulk” of your soil. However, it is a vital component in your garden because it increases the health and richness of your soil. Think of it as the construction material of your soil and the protein for the earthworms and microbes found in your soil. These organisms in turn unlock the minerals and nutrients found in the decayed organic material in the compost and surrounding soil.

Compost can be easily created from your kitchen waste in a compost bin, and is high in nutrients, humus and soil microorganisms.

Compost tea

A highly concentrated liquid brewed in water using a special blend of compost. Sprayed on plants and soil, compost tea has been shown to suppress disease, fight toxins, and increases nutrients available to the plants. Some gardeners say it makes vegetables taste even better.

Organic weed and feeds

Corn gluten meal has been shown to be a great pre-emergent natural herbicide, meaning it does not allow a weed seed to germinate. Studies show it does take a few seasons, with a 60% effectiveness rate after the first season, and over 90% after the third season. As a bonus, corn gluten meal is an excellent source of nitrogen for existing turf! Note that it should be used on existing lawns. Wait 4-6 weeks before seeding your lawn with new grass.

It is also a good idea to test your soil – Weeds take over lawns mainly because the pH of the soil is not balanced, encouraging weeds that prefer acidic or alkaline soils. By knowing how to rebalance the soil, you encourage the strong growth of your lawn, crowding out existing weeds.

Organic Potting Soil

A special blend of compost is used in this mix, including humus (the final product of compost), worm castings (yes, nutrient-rich worm poop!), and calcium for root growth and minerals. Coir is added to keep the soil light and fluffy, allowing for long-term water retention.

You can, of course, mix organic potting yourself yourself. If you have ready-made compost, simply mix with coir or vermiculite and builder’s sand to create a loose, fluffy soil with high water-retention and spaces for oxygen – a perfect combination for houseplants.

Organic flower and bulb fertilizer

Using compost helps condition the soil in your flower beds, allowing it to better retain moisture and allowing roots to grow faster and grab essential nutrients. Special organic mixes are measured with the right mix of essential minerals based on the type of plant. Compost and natural meal additives also do the same thing. Two important meals include:

• Kelp Meal – A brown seaweed, it is a powerful source of potassium and dozens of trace nutrients. Excellent for your lawn and flowers.
• Bone meal – Source of phosphorus and calcium, it is great for root growth, bulbs and transplants
• Alfalfa Meal – An extremely potent source of essential nutrients and minerals, it also contains Triacontanol, a natural plant growth hormone. Alfalfa meal contains millions of beneficial microbes, which upon contact with the soil will immediately convert soil ingredients into plant-available nutrients. In fact, many gardeners have reported their soil heating up due to the activity, so either dust it lightly on top of the soil (within and the heat might damage the roots) or, better yet, mix it with compost tea for an energy boost. Also, add to your compost pile.

Nitrogen-rich Organic Fertilizer

Nitrogen is what gives plants their green vibrancy, and is available in many different forms. Nitrogen is broken down into nitrates, which are water-soluable and absorbed through the roots. If you previously resorted to chemical fertilizers, be aware that most organic fertilizer is slow-release, as nature intended. This means your plants will not burst into leafy glory as quickly, but then, you place too much stress on the plant if you do.

Do not use fresh manure on your garden, as the nitrogen content is too high, and could burn your plants – not to mention the smell and risk of pathogens. Blood meal is a great nitrogen additive, as is guano (usually bat or seagull.) Finally, green manure is the practice of growing nitrogen-producing ground cover, such as alfalfa or clover, then plowing them into the ground (or adding them to the compost), as a source of nitrogen.