- their gardens look spectacular. Thanks in advance.Fertilizer
I need some suggestions for a organic fertilizer, I do have compost but my pile is less then a year old and while an area of it is nice and black, most is still a work in progress. I do like to have a good fertilizer. I have tried Garden Tone, I am going to say - it was alight. I didn't find anything extra-ordinary about it. anyone else have good luck with anything. I live near ACE, Lowes, Home Depot and have one large Nursery that carries various things. I could order it online if it is a obscure brand. I would love to hear your suggestions. Please don't say chicken poop - I can't find anyone near me with Chickens, that wants to part with it, or I would be getting that. I have friends with gardens who use that and lets just say I have chicken poop envy - their gardens look spectacular. Thanks in advance.
- their gardens look spectacular. Thanks in advance.You know I have seen that and I know my husband had gotten it in years past for something else, I also saw at ACE a bag that said it was Chicken Compost - I wonder if that is good then. I always like to hear what others use and then try, everytime I buy soemthing it is a junk shoot. It can get costly. Thanks - I will get a bag.
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applestar
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I'm not a fertilizer maven. I do the compost thing, and mulch thing, occasionally toss in rock phosphate, greensand, AACT when mood strikes me. I don't use manure. I plant in overcrowded polyculture beds. And I don't use chemicals.
My garden produces more than I can use and preserve, but I'm sure it has potential to do even better if I dedicated myself to such a goal.
I did notice improved growth and health from using HAY as mulch rather than straw. I didn't get overrun with weeds the way it's always been drilled into me: "STRAW NOT HAY"
Also, I mixed up container mix using two premium potting soil mixes containing compost and mycorrhizae, in addition to the usual compost, garden sill, and sand. I also added DR. EARTH's veg garden fertilizer which I got on sale. my container plants that were repotted using this particular mix grew 3 times the size they started with. So draw your own conclusions.
Oh, there's a "soil conditioner" I like called "Gardener's Gold Bumper Crop". I usually spread some of that in spring in addition to my own compost. One of the premium potting soil is made by the same company. I don't see these at big box stores but at independent nurseries and garden centers.
My garden produces more than I can use and preserve, but I'm sure it has potential to do even better if I dedicated myself to such a goal.
I did notice improved growth and health from using HAY as mulch rather than straw. I didn't get overrun with weeds the way it's always been drilled into me: "STRAW NOT HAY"
Also, I mixed up container mix using two premium potting soil mixes containing compost and mycorrhizae, in addition to the usual compost, garden sill, and sand. I also added DR. EARTH's veg garden fertilizer which I got on sale. my container plants that were repotted using this particular mix grew 3 times the size they started with. So draw your own conclusions.
Oh, there's a "soil conditioner" I like called "Gardener's Gold Bumper Crop". I usually spread some of that in spring in addition to my own compost. One of the premium potting soil is made by the same company. I don't see these at big box stores but at independent nurseries and garden centers.
You might want to consider growing some cover crops; also known as "green manure" crops. Maybe some winter rye grown through the fall/winter, or some legume crops to be turned back into the soil.Avonnow wrote:I need some suggestions for a organic fertilizer,....
Cover crops may not totally replace the use of other fertilizers or manures for you, but they can be another good source for enriching your soil.
I buy quite a bit of Whitney Farms plant food each spring. Since it is a Scott's product, you should be able to find it most everywhere.
Whitney Farms has a composted chicken manure. If your garden center doesn't have it but has other Scott's products, you could likely order it. The NPK for it is 3-2-2.
You don't have to buy the "All-Purpose" or "Tomato and Vegetable Food." The natural lawn fertilizer may be just fine and is probably lower priced. If you need a little more phosphorus than what's in the lawn fertilizer, add some rock phosphate or steamed bone meal.
Steve
Whitney Farms has a composted chicken manure. If your garden center doesn't have it but has other Scott's products, you could likely order it. The NPK for it is 3-2-2.
You don't have to buy the "All-Purpose" or "Tomato and Vegetable Food." The natural lawn fertilizer may be just fine and is probably lower priced. If you need a little more phosphorus than what's in the lawn fertilizer, add some rock phosphate or steamed bone meal.
Steve