How to Make an Effective Organic Fertilizer
Soil conditions vary greatly from region to region, and some gardeners and farmers may find themselves in greater need of specific nutrients than growers in other areas. One of the benefits of making homemade organic fertilizer is the ability to tailor the ingredients of fertilizers to the needs of your soil and crop. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 20-quart plastic bucket
- Gloves
- Old pot or saucepan
- Soil testing kit (or other testing method)
- Seed meal
- Blood meal
- Dolomite/calcite/lime mixture
- Bone meal
- Kelp meal
Instructions
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Assess the quality of the soil and determine the crops you wish to plant. Some plants love acidic soil; others thrive in an alkaline environment. It is important to know the chemical components of your soil so that you can pick crops that will thrive and mix fertilizer to suit the needs of your soil. Soil testing kits are available in garden centers, but many land grant universities such as Michigan State and Penn State offer free soil analysis.
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Use an organic fertilizer calculator to determine the ratio of ingredients that best suit your soil and crop and the amount of fertilizer you should apply to your soil. A generic recipe for organic fertilizer is: 3 parts seed meal, 1 part blood meal, 1 part dolomite/calcite/lime mixture, 1/2 part bone meal, 1/2 part kelp meal.
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Mix your personalized fertilizer in a plastic bucket, and use the saucepan for measuring. Steve Solomon, a contributor to Mother Earth News, uses a 20-quart plastic bucket as a mixing bowl and an old pot for a scoop.
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Broadcast (evenly sprinkle the fertilizer) over the growing area prior to planting.
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Tips & Warnings
Plants require macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, calcium and sulfur. Consider the importance of different elements for your crop. Nitrogen promotes growth. Phosphorous helps plants fruit and flower. Potassium aids in the development of strong root systems. Trace elements and micronutrients such as iron, manganese, copper, zinc, boron and chlorine further enable plants to thrive.
Lime is an extremely alkaline substance that is beneficial for vegetable gardening but not necessary for flower growth. Over-liming the soil can be damaging to plants and soil. Ensure that you are using the correct amount of lime.
Do not apply lime while applying manure. The chemicals in lime will react with the nitrogen and produce ammonia, which is damaging when inhaled.
