Organic gardening involves a system that centers around
healthy soil - a mixture of sand, clay, silt, and
decomposed organic material (humus). But even when the soil
is well-balanced and healthy, plants benefit from additions
of specifically formulated organic fertilizers.
You can buy prepared organic fertilizers, or blend
individual fertilizer ingredients for specific purposes,
such has high nitrogen blends for leafy greens or high
potassium blends for root crops.
Since the following organic fertilizer recipes all involve
dry ingredients, they can be blended ahead of time and
stored in labeled plastic containers with lids. Most
gardening centers will have the individual ingredients, but
if you can't buy them locally, they are available from
online sources, such as WhitneyFarms.com which sells only
organic products.
For all of the following recipes, make any amount using
the volume ratios given. Use anything from a yogurt
container to a lemonade pitcher as a scoop. Each full scoop
equals one part.
An all-purpose, basic organic fertilizer recipe is useful
to have on hand in a large quantity. If you're making a big
batch, mix it up in a wheel barrow and stir to blend with a
hoe. Then store in a labeled, plastic container with lid.
Basic Organic Fertilizer Mix:
~~For use as at planting time or side dressing for all
types of plants~~
3 parts blood or fishmeal
3 parts steamed bone meal
1 part kelp meal
1 and 1/2 parts Sul-Po-Mag (a brand name at Whitney Farms
for a sulfur, potassium, and magnesium mixture, but you can
substitute any such mixture.)
The following specially formulated mixes are fast acting
and work well when used at planting time and as side
dressings. Although these balanced mixes will generally
give desired results, soils do vary. You can experiment and
find what works best for your soil.
Generally, the fertilizers are applied at the rate of: 1/2
cup per transplant, or 5 pounds per 100 square feet or 100
row feet.
High Nitrogen Mix
~~For plants that are grown with the leaf or follar
structure as the edible part~~
4 parts blood meal
2 parts cottonseed meal
1 part steamed bone meal
1/2 part Sul-Po-Mag (a brand name source for sulfur,
potassium, and magnesium)
1/2 part kelp meal
High Potassium Mix
~~For crops that are grown with the root or tuber as the
edible part~~
2 parts cottonseed meal
2 and 1/2 parts Sul-Po-Mag
1 and 1/2 parts steamed bone meal
1 part greensand
1 part kelp meal
High Phosphorous Mix
~~For crops that are grown for the fruit or seed as the
edible part~~
4 parts steamed bone meal
1 part fish meal
1 part meat and bone meal
1 part soft phosphate
1/2 part Sul-Po-Mag
1/2 part kelp meal
Additional ideas for organic fertilizers include an Acid
Mix for plants that prefer lower pH, (blueberry,
strawberry, potato, tomato and squash); or a Super Grow Mix
that has two ingredients for each nutrient, releasing at
different rates.
About the Author:
Life-time gardener Judith Schwader specializes in organic gardening
methods. She shares expertise, humor, and advice for your gardening
success at A to Z Gardening.
Also visit FB Home for additional
home and garden information.
