Organic Fertilizer for Flowers and Vegetables

Vegetables require commercial or organic fertilizer during their growing season.

Any flowering vegetable or flower garden is a joy to see, but requires work and preparation beforehand, and during the growing season. The plants need rich, nutritious soil and fertilizer during their growth. Green-minded gardeners choose organic soil and fertilizer for more natural plants.

The Facts

Organic soil and fertilizer is all natural and includes only plant and animal matter. These products have no synthetic additives, and do not go through any processing.

Effects

Organic soil and fertilizer creates long-lasting nutrition, as it adds to the soil instead of traveling straight into the plant's roots the way commercial fertilizer does. Gardeners who use organic soil and fertilizer build their soil for better sustainability.

Types

Retailers sell organic compost, soil and fertilizer for use in the garden, but many gardeners choose to make their own. Compost piles with kitchen and garden scraps and well-rotted manure are two sources of organic compost or fertilizer for plants.

Organic Mulch

Another important aspect to organic gardening is organic mulch, which sits on top of the soil to maintain warmth and moisture. As the mulch breaks down, it adds more nutrition to the soil for the plants around it.

Application

Gardeners who choose to use organic compost or fertilizer instead of synthetic fertilizer should apply it to the garden once a month, to maintain a high organic nutrition level in the soil.

References

• Washington State University: Organic Gardening
• University of Illinois Extension: Illinois Vegetable Garden Guide: Step 5 -- Prepare and Care for the Soil Properly
• Cornell University: Site and Soil