Best Organic Fertilizer Brands To Use In House Garden

Organic farming and gardening techniques have been in use since humans started growing plants. An Organic fertilizer contains enzymes, trace minerals, vitamins and a lot of organic matter that are 100 per cent useful to plants as well as soil as opposed to synthetic fertilizers. If you want to know about the best organic fertilizer on the market, then you are in the right place. 

Organic fertilizers support and stimulate the natural process that plants use to feed themselves. With regular usage, they also increase the soil organic matter and improve water holding capacity as well as aeration of the soil. Overall this provides a better physical growing environment to the plant. Any great organic fertilizer will have an optimal ratio of NPK for plants to grow.

Organic fertilizers are made with natural ingredients like animal waste, plant scraps and minerals. Some of them are available in dry form, while others in liquid concentrate. The advantage of using organic fertilizer is they require minimal processing, are easy to use and have a consistent texture. The best organic fertilizer will make the plants healthier by providing balanced amounts of nutrients and quality ingredients.

Before we jump onto the best organic fertilizer list, let us learn a little about different types of fertilizers and things to keep in mind when choosing a fertilizer for your garden.

Types of Organic Fertilizers

Choosing the right type of organic fertilizer for your garden is extremely important. There are varied types of fertilizers available in the market; some are entirely animal-based or plant-based, whereas others may include a combination of animal-plant-mineral ingredients. For picking the right fertilizer, there is a lot more thought that goes into more than just personal preference. 

Plant-Based

Plant-based organic fertilizers include ingredients like alfalfa meal, cottonseed meal, compost, seaweed and soybean meal. Organic soybean meals and cottonseed meals give upto 7% nitrogen, yet most plant-based fertilizers are low in nutrient content. 

These fertilizers help in improving the natural plant growth stimulants and carbon enzymes to improve soil condition. Plant-based organic fertilizers break down easel and are the best soil conditioners. 

Animal-Based

Animal-based fertilizers use bone meal, blood meal and fish meal that help to add higher levels of micronutrients, nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus content. These fertilizers are made using waste materials of fish and meat. Bone meal and blood meal are granular products that release the nutrients slowly throughout the growing 

Mineral

Not every inorganic fertilizer contains synthetics. Mineral fertilizers are not entirely organic because they do contain carbon, but some of them are used in the organic fertility system. Mineral-based fertilizers are a great source of trace elements that are not found in other fertilizers.

For example, rock phosphate is a great source of phosphorus mined from clay deposits. It also contains high calcium content along with traces of magnesium, nitrogen, potassium, manganese, iron, boron and copper. 

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Things To Consider When Buying the Best Organic Fertilizer

Every organic fertilizer is not created equal. Before picking the best organic lawn fertilizer for your vegetable or fruit garden, you need to keep a few things in mind like weather conditions, season, fast-acting products and the content of nutrients etc. certain fertilizers can even have an influence on the soil structure of your garden. Different types of crops have different requirements; you need to buy a fertilizer that fulfils those needs. 

Dry vs Liquid

There are two texture variants available in the market- organic liquid fertilizer and dry organic fertilizer. Dry fertilizers should be mixed into the soil properly to get the best results. Unlike synthetic fertilizer ingredients that dissolve with rain or irrigation, organic fertilizers need to be broken down properly by soil microbes so that they get absorbed by the crops. You can use a dry organic fertilizer at the time of planting to provide a slow, long-lasting feed that lasts the entire growing season. 

On the contrary, organic liquid fertilizer is a quick feed option. These come in concentrate form that is mixed with water for the application. You need to mix the concoction in a way that matches the strength of the crops you are fertilizing. For instance, leafy green vegetables need full-strength fertilization when they mature. Use organic liquid fertilizer to provide a nutrient boost at the time of the season. 

Nutrient Content

Fertilizers include macronutrients like phosphorus(P), nitrogen (n) and potassium(k). These three elements are important for plant growth. You can check the nutrient content of the fertilizers on the packaging; mostly, it is indicated as 10-10-10 representing N-P-K. Phosphorus helps to promote root development, fruiting and flowering, whereas nitrogen stimulates lush leafy growth. Potassium is important for regulating metabolic processes and boosting the plant defence against diseases and pests.

There are other seven micronutrients that plants need in smaller quantities for overall health like zinc, boron, manganese, iron, molybdenum, copper and chlorine. Check the content label for the number of micronutrients. Organic fertilizer manufacturers include fungi and dormant bacteria that culture within the products to improve fertilizer and inoculate gardens’ efficiency.

Plant Type

Fertilizers are available in many different ratios like 10-10-10, 0-5-0, 5-10-5, 1-0-0 etc. This is because every plant has different needs in terms of nutrient content. Leafy plants like salad greens and lawn grass are always hungry for nitrogen. Other fruiting plants like cucumbers, tomatoes, sweet corn consume a balanced ratio of nutrients but at relatively high levels. 

Shrubs, landscape perennials, and trees have low nutrient requirements but can still benefit from the regular application of nutrients are low-to-moderate levels. 

Desired Effect

When you go out to shop for the best organic fertilizer, your ultimate goal should be the motive of application. Dry fertilizer provides a slow, long feed that gives bursts of nutrients in the growing season. Organic liquid fertilizer gives a quick feed to crops but does not build long term fertility. You can use both types of fertilizers that complement each other. 

There is another type of organic fertilizer known as soil builders. These are applied in bulk as mulch or soil amendments. New gardeners use soil builders like compost and worm castings to benefit their soil. Soil builders are comparatively low in plant nutrients but can help to transform the structure of soil with humic acid, organic matter, and population of microbes. 

Soil Condition

The choice of fertilizer also depends on the type of soil. If the soil is poor for plant growth like gravel, soil or hardpan, add generous amounts of organic matter in the form of leaf mould, compost, aged hardwood chips or manure. The best garden strategy is to build a great soil structure using soil builders, then using organic fertilizer.

For a perfect fertilization strategy to suit your garden soil, you can do a soil test. Take a sample of soil and go to the local Cooperative Extension Service. They will test the soil and give you an appropriate soil for the number of nutrients, pH levels and other necessary things you need to take care of to turn it into a productive garden. Annual soil testing can help you create an effective fertilization plan.

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Best Organic Fertilizer Brands In The Market:

Several brands are famous for the best organic fertilizer, so picking one can be an overwhelming process. The below recommended best organic fertilizer products vary in their effectiveness, nitrogen content and other ingredient lists. Find the best organic fertilizer for a thriving indoor garden.

Jobe’s Organics 09524 Purpose Granular Fertilizer

Jobe’s Organics fertilizer is available in granular form and is a fast-acting balanced fertilizer made with bone meal, feather meal, sulphate of potash and processed poultry manure. This organic lawn fertilizer also includes strains of beneficial bacteria, fungi, and archaea that quickly transfer the nutrients to plants. 

With time these microbes help to improve the overall soil structure. Jobe’s organic granular fertilizer is best for regular maintenance of perennials, annuals, trees, edibles, shrubs and outdoor gardens.

One turn off about this product is that it can release an excessive odour. To minimize the odour, try mixing it with other fertilizers in soil instead of using it directly on the surface. One other side effect of using organic fertilizer is it encourages superficial fungal growth on the soil’s surface and attracts insects, worms; however, these are not harmful to plants in any way.   

            Espoma PT18 Plant Tone

Another most loved organic lawn fertilizer is Espoma Plant Tone. This is a slow-release 5-3-3 organic fertilizer made with poultry manure, feather meal, bone meal, cocoa meal, greensand, cottonseed meal, humates, sulphate of potash magnesia and sulphate of potash.  

This fertilizer also has added microbes that activate in the soil to boost the efficacy of fertilizer and improve soil structure. Espoma makes an excellent all-purpose choice for all-season blooms, trees, vegetables and shrubs. 

However, this fertilizer is not appropriate for houseplants until you keep it outdoors. This is a high-quality product but can release an odour. Mix it well into the soil to minimize the smell and store the unused fertilizer in a sealed container.

   Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer

Milorganite Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer is another slow-releasing fertilizer 6-4-0 NPK, which is composed of heat-dried microbes digested in the organic matter in wastewater. This fertilizer is mostly used to maintain golf courses.

Milogranite contains 4% iron for strong root development and lush green growth for upto ten weeks. This product is safe to use on grass and is also factory tested for compliance with EPA standards. 

You need to be patient to see results, and it may take 8-10 weeks to see full results when you use it on a rejuvenated lawn. If this fertilizer does not show results that there are high chances that you have poor soil in your lawn, get it tested at the Cooperative Extension Service. 

Neptune’s Harvest Organic 

Neptune is the best organic liquid fertilizer created in 2-3-1 NPK using seaweed and North Atlantic fish. This liquid concentrate can be used on most types of indoors and well as outdoor plants. All you need to do is mix the concentrate into the water, as mentioned in the label direction and use it on the plants’ root zone. 

A little amount goes a long way with this fertilizer. You need only one tablespoon of concentrate per gallon of water for houseplants. Outdoor plants will require 1/8th cup liquid per gallon of water. The high phosphorus content helps to stimulate deep root growth while improving fruits and flower quality.   

This fish-based concentrated fertilizer has an odour, so it may leave a strong scent behind if you use it undiluted. However, the smell fades quickly, even if used indoors. Check the fertilizer package for any leaks or damage upon arrival, and remember to always use gloves when diluting.

Jobe’s Organics All-Purpose Fertilizer Spikes

If you are looking for the best slow-release organic fertilizer, then try Jobe’s Organics in 4-4-4 NPK directly on plants’ root zone. This fertilizer makes the job easy as it does not require any mixing or measuring. You can use the 50 spikes included for both outdoors and indoor pots and in planting beds. 

During early summer or spring, you just have to insert the spiked around every plant. The beneficial microbes in the formula helps break down the fertilizer for plants, thereby increasing organic soil content and boosting the plants’ disease-resistance in the growing season. 

Make sure to insert the spikes fully into the soil and cover after installing. Some of the beneficial microbes included in these spikes are Mycorrhizal fungi that appear fuzzy white if not buried properly. 

 Espoma Bio-Tone Starter Plus Plant Food

If you are a new gardener and have recently started, then Espoma Bio Tone fertilizer is the right pick for you without any doubt. This organic fertilizer is available in 4-3-3 ration and is derived from poultry manure, feather meal, bone meal, greensand, alfalfa mean, sulphate of potash, humate and sulphate of potash magnesia, plus added beneficial microbes in 13 varied species.  

Bio-tone contains a unique formulation with the incorporation of humates, which are complex organic molecules formed within the earth during the decomposition process of animals and plants. Humates neutralize soil and improve the nutrients intake of plants. The beneficial microbes mixed in Biotone consist of 10 different fungi species that work together with plants to increase root mass by 30 per cent and make the root healthy. 

The nutrient mix contains slow-release 2.4 per cent nitrogen for long-duration feed. You can use this organic fertilizer during planting time for outdoor plants and during repotting for indoor houseplants. Be sure to mix it properly into the soil to eliminate the smell. Also, you might notice some fungal growth on the soil surface, but that is completely normal.

Earth 707P Organic Fertilizer

Are you looking for a good organic fertilizer for flower plants? If yes, then you should definitely get your hands on Dr Earth 707P in 3-9-4 NPK made with alfalfa meal, fishbone meal, feather meal, mined potassium phosphate and soft rock phosphate.

High phosphorus content is really beneficial for fruiting and flowering plants, including rhizomes and bulbs. It is completely free of wastewater sludge and chicken manure, meaning no bad odour. 

Dr Earth fertilizer contains excellent microbe content with more than 20 species of beneficial fungi and bacteria to boost plant immunity and increase nutrient efficiency. Simply mix the fertilizer into the soil before planting for heavy flower and fruit yields and root establishment. 

This organic flower fertilizer is made to use in dry form and can be used both before and after planting. You can check the label for directions for making fertilizer tea which is very beneficial for fruit plants. 

Wiggle Worm 30-lb Worm Castings Organic Fertilizer

If you want a soil builder that can be trusted and effective, look no further because Wiggle Worm is the best organic soil builder fertilizer. It is made of 100 per cent screened worm castings without any filler or chipped woods. Earthworms are the best soil builders that can consume large amounts of rich organic material. The raw material included in this fertilizer contains a wide variety of trace elements and minerals. 

The worms can digest the material to physically or chemically convert them into a fertile soil amendment. The end product formed helps to improve the water holding capacity of the soil along with aeration. It also contains many beneficial microbes that help in root development and can help to boost overall plant vigour and health.

The best thing about this fertilizer is that it contains odourless and nutrient-rich components to be added to any organic gardening system. This is ideal for use in both outdoor and indoor pots, including flowers, fruits and other houseplants. You only need to use ½ cup per plant and make it 1 cup per foot of row. Remember, a little goes a long way with this fertilizer. Keep applying it every two months interval in the growing season.

Read More: 8 Organic Pest Control Tips For Your Garden

How To Use Organic Fertilizer?

The key to using the fertilizer effectively lies in understanding how they work. Organic fertilizers need warm temperature and some time for soil microbes to consume the product and break down into plant ready nutrients. In cool weather, the fertilizer can take even more time, around six weeks, to show results. Typically two weeks is the average time during the growing season. 

The benefit of using organic fertilizer for vegetables, fruit plants or any other house plants is that the slow-acting products keep feeding the plants throughout the gardening season. Start early by fertilizing the soil at the time of planting seeds or two weeks before planting. 

Incorporate the fertilizer into the top 3-6 inches of the soil layer where the soil microbes can easily access it. You can use organic liquid fertilizer to supplement dry fertilizer when the plants need an extra boost, like when tomato plants start flowering and cabbage stars to form heads.  

Three important tips for using organic fertilizers:

• Incorporate the fertilizer nicely into the soil for maximum results.
• Apply the dry fertilizer at the start of the growing season once.
• Use organic liquid fertilizer when growing plants need extra nutrition. 

Final Words:

Organic fertilizers are the best way to improve the overall health of soil and plants. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, they do not create salts like nitrates that can kill beneficial soil microbes; instead, organic manure feeds them. 

All the ingredients of organic fertilizer are 100 per cent usable by plants, and it keeps releasing essential nutrients slowly throughout the growing season. Using harsh chemical-based synthetic fertilizers can damage the soil microbes and beneficial microorganisms like centipedes, earthworms, and millipedes, which are essential for the soil’s natural processes. You will find something suitable for your garden or lawn in the above-mentioned list of best organic fertilizer.

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