Sustainability.
What are Organic Fertilizers?
The Basics
Organic Fertilizers derived from plant, animal or mineral resources, and combined with organic matter, are ideal for enhancing soil fertility and stimulating plant growth in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. Organic fertilizers add nutrients to the soil for uptake by plants and for use by the myriad of microorganisms that inhabit healthy, productive soil. Fertilizers are available as single ingredient nutrients or as complete blends with multiple applications.
WHAT IS N-P-K?
Understanding the NPK Ratio
Fertilizers are labeled with numbers that represent the percentage of the three primary macronutrients (nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) that are immediately available in the fertilizer. These elements are listed as the NPK ratio. For example, our All Purpose Mix 4-6-2 is comprised of each primary nutrient, whereas our Blood Meal 12-0-0 is a single ingredient source of nitrogen. Each nutrient plays specific and complementary roles. Nitrogen energizes vegetative growth, phosphorus produces expansive roots, flowers, fruits and viable seeds, while potassium (or potash) promotes resistance to disease and temperature stress. Most fertilizers will also contain varying amounts of the secondary macronutrients – calcium, sulfur and magnesium – along with trace elements or micronutrients that also play essential roles in plant nutrition.
To someone accustomed to the higher NPK ratios of chemical fertilizers, such as 18-51-20, the modest amounts occurring in organic fertilizers may appear inadequate. However, nothing could be further from the truth; organics simply break down at a slower rate. Nitrogen supplying organic fertilizers contain insoluble nitrogen that releases slowly with greater effectiveness than conventional fertilizer, thus reducing the need to re-apply fertilizers as often in order to maintain soil fertility. Organics minimize the possibility of “burning” plants with concentrated chemical supplies of nutrients. They improve overall soil health rather than degrade it by encouraging microbial life in the soil to flourish. Since organic fertilizers last longer and release their nutrients slowly, their long-term NPK amounts will be greater and more beneficial than what is shown on the label. Single ingredient fertilizers are used for specific plant needs and in certain stages of a plant’s development. For example, a high nitrogen source like Feather Meal 12-0-0 is used when heavy feeding plants such as corn need an additional boost early in the season. To promote big, beautiful blooms on your flowering plants, utilize a high phosphorus fertilizer, such as our Seabird Guano 1-10-0 or Bat Guano 0-7-0.
Fertilizer Blends, on the other hand, are used for more general needs around the home and garden. Our All Purpose Mix 4-6-2 is ideal for vegetables, flowers and trees as well as house plants. A great advantage of multipurpose blends is that they save gardeners time and labor by offering a variety of single ingredients pre-mixed in exact and balanced proportions.
THE VARIOUS FERTILIZER STYLES
Single Ingredients, Blends, Liquids and Soluble Powders
Organic Fertilizers are sold in three main styles or forms: dry, water-soluble powder, and liquid.
Dry Fertilizers come in several textures: pulverized powder, granulated and pelletized. They can be broadcast or spread over garden soils and lawns, and also incorporated into potting soils prior to planting to provide nutrients to transplants and new plants. Dry organic fertilizers generally meet plant needs by releasing their nutrients slowly over time in a steady supply.
Soluble Powder Fertilizers begin to break down immediately, so they can be applied to the top few 12 inches of soil for quick release, or transformed into a liquid fertilizer for foliar feeding or for use in irrigation systems. A foliar tea can be made by soaking the fertilizer powder overnight in a cloth bag suspended in a container of water. In the morning, empty the residue that is left in the bag around your garden, and pour or spray the richly colored liquid on garden plants.
Liquid Fertilizers usually come as a concentrate and need to be diluted with water before using in your garden or to feed your houseplants. Both teas and dilutions can be applied with watering cans, hose end sprayers, or through irrigation systems in a method known as fertigation. Tea and liquid soil feedings work best after a light rain or regular watering when the soil is more absorbent. Teas and liquids can also be applied directly to the leaves and bark of plants and trees using the above mentioned foliar feeding methods.
Foliar Sprays are several times more effective as a method of fertilizing than soil applications in correcting nutritional deficiencies and stress related problems under some conditions.
For best results, spray early in the morning and when the air temperature is below 85° F.
What Makes Our Down To Earth Fertilizers so Great? Our Product Line Explained
"How to Use Our Natural and Organic Fertilizers" - Videos
Shop our Natural and Organic Fertilizer Selection -
