Organic Fertilizers

When bringing up the topic of organic fertilizer the fist thought that comes to mind for most is compost and manures. A natural by-product from a living organism. Generally compost and manures are the two most common organic fertilizers that a home gardener thinks of.

Organic fertilizers are a much larger category than most realize. It includes blood-meal, compost, cottonseed meal, fish emulsion, manures and a list of other minerals. It even includes sludge that has been processed from sewage treatment facilities. Along with these are synthetic organic fertilizers like urea that is processed from inorganic material.

When choosing organic fertilizer it is best that you read label to make sure that you know and understand the proper application, there intended use and if and precautionary measures are needed when handling the product. Most organic fertilizers are not as high in there nutrient values as a chemical fertilizer and release nutrients at a slower and longer rate.

Organic fertilizers are both healthier for you and the environment. Fertilizing with organic material also creates a healthier and happy plant and planet.There are no chemicals in organic fertilizers that get passed on to the fruits and vegetables that we eat. It also stops from polluting our air and ground water supplies.

Organic fertilizers that are made by the home gardener are commonly made up of organic matter such as cow manure, chicken manure, green manure and/or compost. Mixing cow or chicken manure to your compost will greatly increase the benefits of the compost and by adding to the structure of your garden soil when used. It also helps to activate the enzymes that naturally occur in the soil so the nutrients from your compost can be absorbed more easily for your plants to benefit from.

The one thing about making your own compost blend of fertilizer is that you wont know the nutrient value that it contains. Testing your compost can be done the same way you test you garden soil with a soil testing kit.This will let you know what the ph level is in the compost along with the nitrogen, phosphorous and potash values. If there are any amendments that are needed they can be directly mixed into the compost and adjusted before they are applied.

Compost mix can also be blended for indoor plants and is also beneficial when added to your potting soil mix. It will add nutrients to the soil that are beneficial to indoor plants. The adding of organic matter to improve the soil structure to your potting soil and will also add the nutrients that plants need over a longer period of time than using commercial fertilizers.

A environment friendly and healthy way of gardening. Organic Gardening is away of gardening in harmony with nature. Growing a healthy and productive crop in a way that is healthier for both you and the environment.

John Yazo

[http://www.organicheirloomgardening.com]