Gardening newbies often assume that simply placing a seed or plant in soil and watching it flourish is a straightforward process. However, the reality is that plants require a diverse range of complex nutrients, which are not always readily available in backyard soils. The likelihood is that your soil lacks essential components that your plants need to thrive. One effective way to bridge this gap is by incorporating organic fertilizers into your gardening routine.
The 6 Best Organic Fertilizers
When it comes to choosing the best organic fertilizers for your plants, you’re spoiled for choice. Consider Neptune’s Harvest Organic Hydrolized Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer, a popular option among gardeners. Jobe’s Organics Vegetable & Tomato Fertilizer Spikes offer targeted nutrition for specific crops, while Humboldts Secret Golden Tree: Best Plant Food for Plants & Trees provides a balanced blend for trees and shrubs. For hydroponic systems, SEA-90 Organic Fertilizer is a reliable choice.
Alternatively, Fox Farm FX14049 Liquid Nutrient Trio Soil Formula offers a comprehensive range of nutrients for soil-based plants. But if you’re looking for our top pick, Unco Industries Worm Castings Organic Fertilizer is the way to go.
Our Top Pick for the Best Organic Fertilizer
When it comes to our top recommendation for an organic fertilizer, we wholeheartedly endorse the Unco Industries Worm Castings Organic Fertilizer. The unique benefits of earthworm castings make them an excellent all-purpose option that can be used with most plants without any adverse effects. Furthermore, this product has been known to enhance soil quality, making it a valuable addition to your gardening routine. To learn more and check the current pricing on Amazon, click the link provided.
How to Choose Fertilizer
When it comes to selecting a fertilizer, the options can be overwhelming, with both organic and non-organic alternatives available. While non-organic fertilizers may seem like a convenient choice, they often contain petroleum-based products that can harm soil health in the long run. In contrast, organic fertilizers offer a more sustainable solution for nourishing your plants. To make an informed decision about which organic fertilizer to choose, consider the following factors:
Soil type
Understanding the type of soil you have is crucial when it comes to choosing the right fertilizer. Most people have a combination of clay, sand, and loam, with one or two types dominating the mix. Sandy soils excel at drainage but struggle to retain nutrients, while clay soils are incredibly fertile but prone to drainage issues. Loams, on the other hand, offer a balance between the two.
When selecting a fertilizer, it’s essential to consider your soil type to ensure it doesn’t get washed away in sandy soil or cause calcium deposits in clay soil due to poor drainage. If you’re lucky enough to have loam, you’ll likely only need a basic fertilizer tailored to the type of plant life you’re nurturing.
Needed Nutrients
When determining the best course of action for your garden’s soil health, it’s essential to identify the specific nutrient deficiencies it may be facing. A straightforward way to do this is by conducting a basic soil test. While these tests are typically inexpensive and can be facilitated through local horticulture extensions, there are also at-home testing options available.
Once you’ve received the results of your soil test, you’ll have a comprehensive breakdown of the nutrient composition in your soil. This information will enable you to select a fertilizer that addresses the specific gaps in your soil’s nutritional profile.
What do the numbers mean?
Organic fertilizers typically display their nutrient concentration as a percentage, known as the NPK ratio. This acronym represents the proportions of Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium in the formula. For instance, a 6-12-0 fertilizer contains 6% nitrogen, 12% phosphorus, and no potassium. When selecting an organic fertilizer, it’s crucial to consider not only these primary nutrients but also secondary micronutrients and minerals that can replenish specific deficiencies in your soil.
Fertilizer Form
When it comes to fertilizers, you’ll typically come across two main forms: liquid and dry. Dry fertilizers tend to release their nutrients more gradually over an extended period, making them suitable for general plant maintenance and rebuilding soil health. They’re ideal when you need a steady supply of essential nutrients for your plants.
On the other hand, liquid fertilizers are designed to provide a rapid boost of nutrients, which can be particularly useful during periods of stress or when your plants require an extra kick. For instance, in late summer when heatwaves and suboptimal watering conditions take their toll on blooming plants or vegetables, a dose of liquid fertilizer can be just the thing to help them recover and see out the rest of the season.
6 Best Organic Fertilizers – Reviews
Neptune’s Harvest Organic Hydrolized Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer
Neptune’s Harvest combines the benefits of fish emulsion and seaweed in a convenient formula. This unique blend helps build natural sugars in plant leaves, making them stronger and more resilient to dry or extreme heat conditions. The result is healthier flowers, fruit, and foliage with extended shelf life for fruits. The product is easy to use: simply dilute the liquid in water according to instructions and use as a foliar spray or for watering plants.
While it has its advantages, Neptune’s Harvest also has some limitations. For instance, it works best for flowers (and certain vegetables) but may not be suitable for all plant types. Additionally, if not mixed or stored properly, the product can develop an unpleasant odor. However, dogs and cats seem to disagree, as they find the scent irresistible. Amazon offers pricing information for this product.
Jobe’s Organics Vegetable & Tomato Fertilizer Spikes
Jobe’s has revolutionized fertilization by introducing a convenient spike system that eliminates the need for mixing, carrying, or storing liquids. Simply bury the spikes near the plant’s root system and let the nutrients be absorbed effortlessly. The 2-7-4 formula, comprising nitrogen, phosphate, potash, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur, provides a balanced feed for your plants. With Jobe’s, you can avoid the drawbacks of liquid fertilizers, such as dilution and inconvenience.
However, one potential issue is that animals may dig up the spikes. To prevent this, consider setting up a barrier until the fertilizer has dissolved to a point where it benefits your plants. On the plus side, Jobe’s spikes are OMRI listed, making them a trustworthy choice. While they offer many advantages, you should be aware that using these spikes for larger gardens can become expensive.
Humboldts Secret Golden Tree: Best Plant Food for Plants & Trees
Humboldts Secret Golden Tree: A Premium Fertilizer for Thriving Plants and TreesThis potent, professional-grade fertilizer unleashes its full potential by activating enzymes in plant roots, stimulating growth, production, and improved photosynthesis. Its nutrient-rich formula benefits a wide range of plants, including vegetables, flowers, and roses.
Conveniently packaged in a 2-ounce bottle that yields an impressive 28 gallons of fertilizer, this concentrated formula is perfect for storing and using as needed. Larger sizes are also available for more extensive fertilization projects. Simply follow the label instructions, taking care to heed the cautionary notes. Before using Humboldts Secret Golden Tree at full strength, it’s recommended to conduct a small test with smaller amounts to gauge your plants’ response.
This precaution helps prevent potential issues with fertilizer burn when transitioning to the recommended amounts. Most users can expect positive results with proper application.
Overall Pros:* Highly potent and professional-grade formula* Concentrated for easy storage* Extremely affordable* Effective for a broad range of plant typesCons:* May cause fertilizer burn, especially if not tested first* Container quality is somewhat lacking* Mainly marketed for cannabis cultivation (though suitable for other plants)To learn more or purchase Humboldts Secret Golden Tree, visit Amazon today!
SEA-90 Organic Fertilizer for Hydroponics
SEA-90 is a versatile fertilizer that excels in hydroponics and offers a convenient solution for gardeners who also care for animals. Its natural, odor-free composition makes it suitable for both applications, as it provides essential minerals to plants and livestock alike. The water-soluble formula allows for easy use with a sprayer, streamlining your gardening process. Moreover, the product is OMRI certified, ensuring its quality and safety.
One important consideration is that SEA-90 can slightly raise the soil’s pH level, which may affect plants that thrive in more alkaline environments. However, many common shrubs, trees, and flowers prefer acidic conditions, so a simple soil test can help you balance the pH levels. The pros of using SEA-90 include its odor-free nature, livestock additive capabilities, and OMRI certification. While it’s not perfect, this product generally receives an ‘OK’ rating due to its limitations.
Fox Farm FX14049 Liquid Nutrient Trio Soil Formula
Fox Farm’s three-part fertilizer system has garnered significant attention in gardening communities, despite its premium pricing. This comprehensive solution caters to distinct stages of plant growth, comprising Grow Big Hydro for lush foliage development, Tiger Bloom for early bloom and flower formation, and Big Bloom for continuous root health maintenance and nutrient cycling.
Although suitable for late-season flowering and vegetables, users must be mindful of potential pH level increases in the soil. Regular testing can help maintain balance. The same trio is available for hydroponic growers, with formulations clearly labeled. While ease of use and a provided feeding schedule are significant advantages, the initial cost may deter some enthusiasts. Furthermore, there’s no flexibility to purchase different sizes.
Nonetheless, the product remains a reliable choice, as evident by its popularity on Amazon.
Unco Industries Worm Castings Organic Fertilizer
One of the most unique and effective fertilizers is made directly by nature itself – worm castings. These natural pellets are created by earthworms as they process soil and redeposit broken-down nutrients in a form that’s easily absorbed by plants. Unlike other fertilizers, worm castings provide both quick and long-term feeding without altering the pH of the soil. This makes them an excellent all-around fertilizer for most types of plant life.
With worm castings, you don’t have to worry about measuring exact amounts or expending energy to break down nutrients – the earthworms do it all for you. In fact, using worm castings can even attract more worms to your garden as the health of your soil continues to improve.
The benefits of worm castings are numerous: they provide easy-to-use nutrients in two forms, relieve plants from laboring to push roots into compacted soils, and offer a non-toxic and odor-free alternative to synthetic fertilizers. The only potential drawback is that packages have a shelf life and may not add significant benefits if you already have earthworms in your compost bin. Overall, worm castings are a cost-effective and natural way to support plant growth and soil health.
Our Top Pick for the Best Organic Fertilizer
Our top recommendation for an organic fertilizer is Unco Industries Worm Castings Organic Fertilizer, a product that has earned its place as a reliable all-around solution. The earthworm castings it contains offer a balanced blend of nutrients that can benefit most plants without any adverse effects. Moreover, this fertilizer also works to enhance soil quality, making it an excellent addition to your gardening routine.
