Tomato Facts

Selecting the best organic fertilizer isn't uncomplicated. There are so many to choose from, and most of the commercial ones have a lot of promises. Perhaps you have contacts who have tried this or that formula and you ask around since you want to try finding the best fertilizer that you can make use of before planting season comes.

Here is a word of advice from one gardener to another. The best fertilizer for a garden must help make best use of the organic environment where your plants are developing. This could mean going for the variant that will match your soil type, climate and crop nutrient needs.

Let's suppose you know for sure (through various tests) that your top soil is acidic or basic, and somehow deficient in some important trace elements. You can use natural fertilizers to supply the desired mineral. Several organic fertilizers have formulations that have this exact function.

The next thing to think about is your crop's growth pattern. Many ornamental plants, such as azaleas and rhododendrons, mature well in acidic soil. In the case of these plants, having iron, manganese and sulfur (and their derivatives) may help. If the soil in your garden is acidic, then it’s best to select fertilizer mixtures that can supply what the soil naturally lacks.

Root development of crops can improve by applying seaweed fertilizers. Bat guano, which holds a high quantity of phosphorus, can also enhance budding and fruiting, and add to the creation of greener leaves. Bone meal can promote root elongation in transplants and seedlings, as well as accelerate the growth of floral buds. Alfalfa meal can discharge minerals rapidly into the soil, making it ideal for growing roses. Other variants of organic fertilizer include fish emulsion, kelp, corn gluten meal, greensand, compost, worm castings, and chicken and cow manure.

Liquid fertilizes such as fish emulsion can instantly provide nutrients to crops because the formula can be taken up fast. Because of this, an organic fertilizer in liquid form can be applied on leaves.

If you're still not sure which is the best fertilizer for your plants, verify the amount of trace elements in a commercial formula and compare the mineral absorption rates.

It's also useful to find out how much nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium the organic fertilizer has.

So many choices! You can use several on different crops if you want to evaluate and contrast the advantages of each fertilizer. Thus, looking for the organic fertilizer to use on your plants can take a while. But if you've the patience to observe the way your crops respond to each one, you’ll soon find the right one for your gardening needs.