Organic Fertilizer - Vegetable Based Fertilizer
by John Yazo
Organic fertilizers made from vegetation usually have a low to moderate nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium value. The nutrients from this type of fertilizer are slow release but become quickly available in the soil for your plants to use. Some organic fertilizers even provide extra doses of trace minerals and micro-nutrients. This type of fertilizer can be purchased at most local garden centers.
Some of the most common plant-based fertilizers include the following ingredients:
* Alfalfa meal is made from alfalfa plants and pressed into a pellet. It is a beneficial way to add nitrogen and potassium to the soil, along with trace minerals and growth stimulants. Adding it to your compost will speed up the composting process.
* Compost is a great way to add organic matter to your garden soil. It usually doesn't add much in nutrient value as just a plant based fertilizer, but it does enhance and help to make available nutrients in the soil.
* Corn gluten meal is made from corn. It comes in a powder form and contains on average a 10 percent nitrogen value. It should only be applied to actively growing plants because it can inhibit the growth of seed. Some manufacturers recommend allowing a one to four month waiting period after applying this product before you plant seeds. This also depends on your soil and weather conditions. Using it on lawns in the early spring is an excellent way to get your grass to green and to prevent annual weed seeds from germinating.
* Kelp and seaweed is made from sea plants. It comes in a liquid, powder or pellet form. It adds valuable micro-nutrients, growth hormones and vitamins that can increase crop yields along with reducing plant stress due to drought. It can also increase the frost tolerance of plants. It can be applied directly to the soil or used as a foliar spray.
* Humus, humic acid or humates are all common in organic fertilizer products. They are organic compounds found in compost. They increase soil microbial activity, improve soil structure and enhance root development in plants. They have no nutrient value, but are needed to support the soils microbial life.
Organic fertilizers unlike chemical fertilizers need a good healthy soil structure to benefit the plants you are growing. Soil structure is the key to a healthy and productive organic garden.
More on Organic Fertilizers and Soil Amendments
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