Organic Garden Fertilizers

Deciding on organic garden fertilizers may be an overwhelming task for the novice gardener. A garden soil test kit will make the decision easier. Purchase a soil test kit at any home and garden supply store and follow the instructions to determine the soil pH. Knowing how each natural fertilizer interacts with the soil, is the next step in deciding which organic garden fertilizers are best.

A Few Organic Garden Fertilizers

• Bonemeal
• Plant-based fertilizers
• Soybean meal
• Seaweed meal
• Rock Phosphate
• Organic garden potash (plant source)
• Gypsum

Bonemeal, which promotes root growth should be used as a base dressing before planting shrubs, fruit, and other perennials.

Plant-based fertilizers are comfrey, alfalfa, and soy to feed vegetables.

Soybean meal is a high-nitrogen source and should be used on annual vegetable beds or as a base dressing in poor soil.

Seaweed meal helps build up humus levels in soil. Apply to annual beds, fruit trees, bushes and lawns.

Rock phosphate is used to correct a phosphate deficiency. This is a good non-animal alternative to bonemeal.

Organic garden potash is released over one season and is used to feed fruit and vegetables.

Gypsum supplies calcium without altering pH. A gypsum/dolomitic limestone mix (80:20) can be used to help lighten heavy clay soils.

How to Alter the pH of the Organic Garden Soil

To raise the pH of the soil, use ground limestone which is calcium carbonate or use dolomitic limestone (calcium magnesium carbonate). These slow-acting limestones are gentler on the soil than slaked or hydrated lime. Apply in the fall to give time to take effect before the next growing season. Keep in mind that it may take a year for the full effect to take place.

Precautions to Take

Always follow basic hygiene when applying any fertilizer. Wear gloves when applying and wash hands thoroughly after applying. This is especially important when using animal based products. Do not add anymore than the instructions suggest. Do not gather seaweed from the beaches. All of these organic garden fertilizers should be purchased at a garden supply store.

Chemical fertilizers result in sappy growth and cause plants to be more susceptible to insect invasion and late spring frost. For these reasons alone, natural fertilizers make sense. Consider that chemicals also leach into the rivers and streams, a danger to wildlife known carcinogens, and there’s no reason not to use organic garden fertilizers. With a little research on natural fertilizers, the novice gardener will soon be a master gardener. Not only that, wonderful, delicious vegetables and fruit will be enjoyed by the entire family.