What Are Some Organic Fertilizers?

As the interest in Organic Gardening increases, many people are looking for organic fertilizers. Some go to the local garden store and announce, “I need organic fertilizer for house plants.” Others request everything from organic fertilizer for herbs to organic fertilizer for citrus trees.

Some know exactly what organic fertilizer they need. Others are new to Organic Gardening and have no idea. Their question is more likely to be, “What are some organic fertilizers?”

PlanTea

First, for those who need organic fertilizer for house plants, there is a convenient fertilizer by the name of PlanTea available at PlanTea.com. This fertilizer is made of all natural, organic ingredients. It is safe to use on all edible plants and houseplants. It is also safe around children and pets. PlanTea smells rather sweet, with the blended fragrances of flowers, vegetables, and dried kelp.

Animal-Based Organic Fertilizer

Organic fertilizers are usually animal-based or plant-based. Quite simply, they are the remains of animals or of plants. The animal-based fertilizers are usually bird and animal manures.

You can usually buy bird and animal organic fertilizer as processed, composted products in bags, or in some raw form. Be sure your animal-based fertilizer is from animals that eat vegetation and not meat. Health concerns can arise if you use manure from animals such as cats and dogs, since their digestive systems contain bacteria that are harmful to humans. All animal-based organic fertilizer should be aged or composted before use to remove E. coli and other potentially dangerous pathogens.

Other animal-based organic fertilizers that are suitable for gardens are:

* Bloodmeal and animal tankage products from meat processing plants
* Crabwaste
* Fishmeal
* Mushroom compost waste from Florida’s mushroom industry, since the compost contains 20% chicken litter

Plant-based Organic Fertilizer

The plant-based organic fertilizers are compost, cover crops, mixed organic fertilizer, ocean products, and plant manures.

* Compost is made up of organic wastes such as come from your kitchen and yard. In fact, you can make your own compost. Ask for instructions at your gardening store, or look Online.

* Cover crops are sown right into the garden area, usually in the late summer or autumn. They are cut down when about half grown, and plowed into the soil - or used in compost. You will want to allow a few weeks between the time a cover crop becomes fertilizer and the time you plant in that garden.

* Mixed organic fertilizers will be available through your local or Internet garden store. Most are mixed to address specific soil needs.

* Ocean products, such as kelp and other seaweeds, can be the perfect organic fertilizer for certain soils. They are usually purchased dried and processed.

* Plant manure as an organic fertilizer may need more time to break down, but when mixed with other fertilizers, can be an excellent addition. Certain plant remains can be mixed into the organic garden soil to improve it.

No one organic fertilizer is perfect for every soil condition. Have your soil tested to see which is best for your garden.