Amending the soil with organic fertilizer is a must to support healthy plant growth. After every growing season, the soil loses essential nutrients, and without soil amendment, crops from the next season won’t absorb many nutrients from the ground.
While chemical fertilizers are widely used and readily available, organic fertilizers are safer and more eco-friendly. If you’d like to try organic farming and use natural fertilizers, this guide is for you. We’re outlining the best organic fertilizers to grow various crops:
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What Fertilizers Are Best For Vegetables?
Choosing the best natural fertilizers for your garden will depend on the kinds of vegetables you want to grow and your garden’s soil type. Some of the most commonly used natural fertilizers are compost, manure, fish emulsion, seaweed extract, and humic acid:
Compost: This natural fertilizer is made from broken-down organic matter like kitchen scraps and yard waste. A compost pit or bin is filled with layers of brown and green materials, and microbes break these materials down into natural fertilizer. Compost improves soil structure and brings nutrients back into the soil.
Manure: Animal dung is aged and composted before being turned into organic fertilizer. Cow, chicken, and horse manure are often used as natural fertilizers. Manure boosts soil fertility while improving the soil’s ability to hold water.
Fish Emulsion: This is a liquid fertilizer derived from fish byproducts. Applied in soil, fish emulsion gives a quick boost of nutrients. This is an excellent natural vegetable fertilizer. The fish emulsion is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Seaweed Extract: This fertilizer is made from processed marine plants like kelp. Aquatic plants are a rich source of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and antioxidants that make vegetables resistant to pests and diseases.
Humic Acid: Humic acid is a natural fertilizer consisting of molecules that bind with soil nutrients and support plant nutrient uptake. Humic acid is produced by decayed matter. It has been used for decades in agriculture to improve plant health, boost soil fertility, and support crop root development. It comes in liquid and granulated forms.
Do Plants Grow Faster with Organic Fertilizer?
Yes, plants grow faster with organic fertilizers, which is why growers have been using these products to improve soil health. Organic fertilizers are a rich source of essential nutrients plants need to grow healthy, particularly nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Below are just some of the many reasons why plants grow faster with organic fertilizer:
Slow release of nutrients: Nutrient burn and other problems associated with overfertilization are common when using chemical fertilizers. Natural fertilizers release nutrients into the soil gradually. This allows plants to absorb these nutrients slowly and prevents nutrient shock or burns.
Improved Soil Consistency: Not all garden soils are ideal for planting vegetables. Loose, sandy soils and compacted, dense clay soils do not have the ideal structure to support certain plants. Amending the soil with natural fertilizers improves the soil structure and its ability to hold water while boosting air circulation.
Supports microbial activity: Microbes in the garden help plants grow healthy. Because organic fertilizers are made from natural materials, these products support microbial activity. Safe and eco-friendly: Using organic fertilizers is 100% safe and sustainable. It’s good for you and the environment. Natural fertilizers do not cause pollution nor leach chemicals into the soil. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that chemicals are not ending up on your plate when using natural fertilizers.
What is the Best Way to Grow Organic Vegetables?
The best way to grow organic vegetables is to use environmentally safe practices and avoid synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals that pollute the soil and waterways. To grow organic vegetables, here are some tips:
Start with healthy soil: Healthy soil is the foundation of successful gardening. Use a potting mix that’s formulated for the kinds of crops you’d like to grow. Amend the soil with natural fertilizers after every harvest season to bring nutrients back into the soil. Check the soil’s pH and consistency before sowing for the best results.
Choose vegetable varieties to grow: The second step is choosing the crops you’d like to grow in your garden. Be sure that the growing environment is suitable for these plant varieties. We also suggest trying companion planting to prevent pests and maximize the growing space.
Water as needed:
- Check the watering needs of your crops because over-watering can lead to diseases and pests.
- Install an efficient irrigation system to keep the plant roots hydrated but not soggy.
- Water only as needed and avoid wetting the leaves to prevent fungi and pests. Over time, plants grow healthy and resistant to pests and diseases.
Control pests naturally: Implement natural pest control measures to avoid using pesticides and herbicides. Companion planting, crop rotation, plant covers, protect crops from pests. Landscape fabric protects from weed growth. Make a habit of checking for signs of pests and diseases to prevent these from spreading.
Why Use Organic Soil Conditioner
What are the benefits of soil conditioners? Check out our list below:
Improves soil fertility: Organic soil conditioner like humic acid is made from natural materials. It improves soil health without polluting the soil. This is the best kind of fertilizer to use for soil amendment. Natural fertilizers are a rich source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are vital for plant growth.
Improves soil structure: Most vegetables cannot grow in loose sandy or dense clay soils. Amending the soil with organic fertilizer helps improve soil consistency and promote better aeration. This makes it easier for plants to grow healthy in less-than-ideal growing conditions.
Reduces soil erosion: Using organic fertilizer regularly reduces the risk of soil loss. Organic
fertilizer improves the soil’s ability to hold water and nutrients. This minimizes the risk of erosion in sloped areas or regions with heavy rains.
