5 Type of Best Organic Fertilizers That You Must Have for Your Home Garden

Organic fertilizers are a substance composed of animal or vegetable matter used alone or in combination with one or more non synthetically derived elements or compounds. 

These fertilizers are naturally produced and are materials that can be added to soil or plants, in order to provide nutrients and sustain growth. 

Typical organic fertilizers include all animal waste including meat processing waste, manure, slurry, and guano, plus plant-based fertilizers such as compost.

Importance of Organic Fertilizer for Home Plants

Organic fertilizers are important for building soil and plant health. They have many benefits including:

Adding Micronutrients to the Soil: Organic fertilizers add key micronutrients and minerals to the soil that plants need to grow well. This includes calcium, iron, and zinc which plants will need in small amounts.

Feeding Worms: Organic fertilizers contain organic matter that feeds worms. Worms help your plants and soil by breaking down the organic materials and making the nutrients available to the plants.

Feeding Soil Bacteria: Organic fertilizers feed soil bacteria which love to eat and break down organic matter. They release the nutrients including nitrogen from the fertilizer so the plants can absorb it.

Improving Soil Structure: Organic fertilizers improve soil structure, promote microbial activity, and increase nutrient availability. This leads to healthier soil and improved plant growth.

Improving Water Retention: Organic fertilizers that contain organic matter help to increase the amount of water the soil can hold.

These benefits make organic fertilizers a great choice for home gardening. They not only provide essential nutrients for plant growth but also contribute to the overall health of the soil ecosystem.

Types of Organic Fertilizers

Compost 

Compost is a carbon-rich fertilizer derived from organic materials, including livestock manures, and other organic materials or mixed materials used to supply nutrients to soils. 

It is usually of plant origin, but often includes some animal dung or bedding. Compost provides many benefits as a soil amendment and a source of organic matter by improving soil biological, chemical, and physical characteristics.

Manure 

Manure is an organic fertilizer made from the dung of domestic livestock including horses, cows, and poultry.

 

It may also contain urine and bedding material like straw or sawdust. Manure contributes to the fertility of soil by adding organic matter and nutrients, such as nitrogen, that are utilised by bacteria, fungi, and other organisms in the soil.

Bone Meal

Bone meal fertilizer is made from steamed animal bones, which are then ground into a fine powder or granules for application on plants or crops. 

It is rich in calcium and phosphorus, which are essential nutrients for plant growth.

Blood Meal

Blood meal is a quick-acting organic liquid fertilizer made from byproducts of the meat packing industry. 

It is rich in nitrogen, which is beneficial for plants, helping to make them healthier and stronger.

Fish Emulsion

Fish emulsion is a quick-acting organic liquid fertilizer made from byproducts of the fish oil and fish meal industry. 

It is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, plus trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, sulfur, chlorine, and sodium.

A list of organic fertilizers provided below: –

• Manure: made from animal excreta (cow dung & goat droppings).
• Compost: organic matter decomposed through composting.
• Rock Phosphate: sedimentary rock which contains high amount of phosphate minerals.
• Chicken Litter: consists of chicken manure and sawdust.
• Bone Meal: a mix of ground slaughter house waste products like animal bones.
• Vermicompost: compost made from worm castings.
• Compost Tea: a liquid fertilizer made from compost.
• Mycorrhizae: a fungus that helps plants absorb nutrients.
• Blood Meal: a dry powder made from animal blood.
• Banana Peel Fertilizer: a liquid fertilizer made from banana peels.
• Comfrey Liquid Fertilizer: a liquid fertilizer made from comfrey leaves.

Difference between Organic and Synthetic Fertilizers

Organic Fertilizer

• Organic fertilizers are prepared by composting organic materials like animal waste, fish meal, cottonseed meal, blood meal, bone meal, fish emulsion, liquid seaweed, milk, leaves, vegetables, plant food, etc.
• Unlike synthetic fertilizers, organic fertilizer helps to amend the soil quality for a longer duration.
• Organically derived fertilizers don’t directly provide nutrients to plant roots but stimulate beneficial soil microorganisms to improve the structure of the soil. The soil microbes play a pivotal role in converting organic fertilizers into soluble nutrients that plant roots can absorb.
• Alaska Fish Emulsion Fertilizer 5-1-1 is the primary example of organic fertilizer.

Synthetic Fertilizer (Non organic Fertilizers)

• Synthetic fertilizers are prepared by combing various inorganic chemicals in the lab. The variation in nutrient proportion may depend on the type and use of the fertilizer.
• The big advantage of using synthetic fertilizers over organic is that synthetic fertilizer provides immediate results. It’s packed with a higher dose of N P K that can immediately provide nutrients to the plant roots through soil water.
• Plumeria 10-30-10 is the primary example of synthetic fertilizer.

Benefits of Using Natural Organic Fertilizers

Improvement in Soil Structure

Organic fertilizers have been known to improve physical properties of the soil, such as reducing bulk density, increasing water infiltration rate, porosity, aeration, and improving saline water leaching. 

They also decrease acidity. Organic fertilizers can improve soil structure, texture, water holding capacity, and nutrient holding capacity. 

The organic matter present in organic fertilizers improves the soil’s ability to hold onto water and nutrients.

Promotion of Beneficial Soil Microbes

Organic fertilizers promote the growth of beneficial soil microbes. They contain organic matter, which helps microbes thrive. 

Organic fertilizers are beneficial in promoting the soil organic matter contents and bacteria growth, which are important to further increase the effectiveness of soil nutrients, improve soil fertility, and enhance soil productivity. 

They also allow more beneficial communities to colonize the roots and promote soil microbiological health.

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Reduction of Harmful Chemicals in the Environment

Organic fertilizers, being derived from natural sources, release nutrients slowly and in a more controlled manner. 

This reduces the risk of nitrogen loss to the atmosphere, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution associated with fertilizer use. 

The adverse effect of synthetic chemicals on the environment can only be reduced or eliminated by adopting new agricultural technological practices such as shifting from chemical intensive agriculture which includes the use of organic inputs.

 Organic cultivation also significantly increased soil microbial diversity by applying organic fertilizers without any synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which protected the soil from pathogen infection and helped in degrading external pollutants.

How to Make Organic Garden Fertilizers at Home

You can make organic fertilizer at home using kitchen waste, coffee grounds, eggshells, and manure tea:

Composting Kitchen Waste

Composting kitchen scraps is relatively straightforward and doesn’t require much specialized knowledge. Here are the steps:

• Collect biodegradable waste from your kitchen.
• Once it reaches a good amount, add it with the same amount of dried leaves or box cover into compost bins.
• Stir the mixture. This mixture slowly starts to break down and convert into compost in a period of 4-5 weeks.

Using Coffee Grounds and Eggshells

Coffee grounds and eggshells make a great fertilizer for your garden. Here’s how to use them:

• Crush the eggshells into small pieces and mix them with the used coffee grounds.
• Sprinkle the mixture across the soil bed.
• Continue to stockpile these two ingredients because you’ll want to repeat the process every few months to refresh the soil.

Making Manure Tea

Manure tea is a nutrient-rich concoction for your garden that is easy to make and apply. Here are the steps:

• Fill a five-gallon plastic bucket or other container two-thirds of the way full with water.
• Add enough manure to fill the bucket the rest of the way.
• Let this steep for a day or two, stirring once or twice a day.
• After steeping, leave it alone for an hour so the solids settle to the bottom, then simply pour the liquid into another container.
• Dilute your manure tea before using it on your garden plants. Use water to dilute the manure tea; it should ideally be the color of weak tea, a pale brownish-yellow.

Remember, always use organic waste that is safe and free from disease or harmful substances.

Application of Organic Fertilizers

When to Apply Organic Fertilizers

Organic fertilizers are generally applied before planting or early in the growing season to provide a solid nutrient foundation. 

Additional applications may be necessary during peak growth periods or when plants show signs of nutrient deficiency, such as yellowing leaves or stunted growth.

In general, you’ll want to add an organic fertilizer in the spring, before you plant. You can also add a layer of compost in the fall.

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How to Apply Organic Fertilizers

Organic fertilizers can be used in the same way as regular chemical fertilizers. If you are buying premade organic fertilizers, read the instructions on the box and err on the side of caution when deciding how much to apply. Organic materials can be broadcast on the surface and tilled or watered into soil, or applied in a narrow band on or beneath the surface. A common fertilizer spreader will often work well for applying small quantities of organic fertilizer.

Remember, it’s always a good idea to test the pH levels and the soil acidity in your garden before you start applying fertilizer. Too much of a good thing can easily be as bad as a hands-off approach. For instance, phosphorus, which is a main component of most fertilizers, will only work at a certain pH range. Adding unnecessary nutrients or organic material can also cause environmental problems since these compounds get washed away in heavy rains and pollute nearby waterways.

Conclusion

Organic fertilizers play a crucial role in maintaining the health and productivity of your garden. They provide essential nutrients to plants, improve soil structure, promote beneficial soil microbes, and reduce harmful chemicals in the environment. 

By using organic fertilizers, you’re not only nourishing your plants but also contributing to a healthier ecosystem.

Here’s a recap of the importance and benefits of using organic fertilizers:

Adding Micronutrients to the Soil: Organic fertilizers add key micronutrients and minerals to the soil that plants need to grow well.

Feeding Worms and Soil Bacteria: Organic fertilizers contain organic matter that feeds worms and soil bacteria, which help your plants and soil by breaking down the organic materials and making the nutrients available to the plants.

Improving Soil Structure: Organic fertilizers improve soil structure, texture, water holding capacity, and nutrient holding capacity.

Improving Water Retention: Organic fertilizers that contain organic matter help to increase the amount of water the soil can hold.

Reduction of Harmful Chemicals in the Environment: Organic fertilizers, being derived from natural sources, release nutrients slowly and in a more controlled manner, reducing the risk of nitrogen loss to the atmosphere, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution associated with fertilizer use.

In conclusion, using organic fertilizers is a simple and effective way to boost the health and yield of your home garden while also contributing to a sustainable environment. I encourage everyone to explore the use of organic fertilizers in their home gardens. 

Not only will you see a positive impact on your plants, but you’ll also be taking a step towards a more sustainable and healthier planet. Happy gardening! 🌱