The ingredients in organic fertilizer come from nature. Organic fertilizers provide the needed macronutrients of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Many different ingredients make up an organic fertilizer, which may include animal byproducts such as fish meal, fish emulsion, bone meal, bat guano, poultry humus, blood meal, feather meal, and assorted manures. Plant sources include kelp meal, cottonseed meal, soybean meal, corn gluten meal, compost, and alfalfa meal. Rock sources include limestone, rock phosphate, and Chilean saltpeter. Does this Spark an idea?
Mother Nature-made Fertilizer
Organic fertilizers are made from natural processes that occur daily. These include manure production from farm animals, and waste leftover from the slaughtering of animals. Utilizing these resources reduces the use of fossil fuel that would be used to synthetically create fertilizer. This reduction in fossil fuel use reduces the production of greenhouse gases. This allows the gardener to reduce his or her gardening carbon footprint.
Slow-released Fertilizer
When an organic fertilizer is applied to the garden, it is released to the plants only when the soil is warm and moist. This coincides with the time the plants need the fertilizer. Fertilizer that is released slowly over time is called a slow-release fertilizer. This type of fertilizer has been found to slightly reduce the runoff of nutrients compared to inorganic fertilizer, which typically is in a quick-release form.
Waste Into Space
Organic fertilizer uses materials that have been viewed as waste products. Bones from slaughtered animals, manure from animal production, and even some rocks have been discarded into landfills or dumped in rivers as waste. The production of organic fertilizers now creates a market for these products, and keeps them out of landfills and rivers.
Long-term Improvement
Organic fertilizers have been found to improve the soil over time. This creates an environment in which it is easier for plants to take up and utilize nutrients.
Make at Home
Organic fertilizer can be made on an as-needed basis from ingredients found at the local home improvement center, nursery or farm store. Some of these same ingredients can also be found around your neighborhood, or even at the zoo. Restaurants and coffee shops sometimes save the scraps of vegetables and coffee grounds that can be turned into compost. Zoos sometimes market their exotic animal manure for gardens.
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