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| Organic Garden Fertilizers |
Deep litter poultry manure:
Partly rotten litter from poultry houses is an ideal organic compound for soil conditioner. It can be bought from the farm by the load. It is generally unsuitable, however, for amateur gardeners in urban areas as the manure smells considerably and will affect the area. It is usually dry and dusty and requires composting on the heap before use. It must not be applied directly to the soil. It takes some weeks for the straw to break down, necessitating the compost use; however, during break down, it will smell.
Spent Hops:
Breweries in the UK will often sell their hop waste to fertilizer companies, who in turn improve the chemical nature of the hops ready for public sale. It is excellent for conditioning but is expensive in large quantities. Smaller breweries, however, may allow gardeners to purchase directly from them, providing they can move the hops themselves with their own vehicles. Untreated hops, obtained in this way, will improve the condition of the soil, but will contain few nutrients.
Seaweed:
This organic fertilizer is rich in plant foods and nutrients and breaks down quickly into humus. It is rich in potash and nitrogen. It must be stacked for a month at least for the rain to remove the salt content before being dug into the soil at approximately 12lb per square yard of soil.
Sewage Sludge:
This well balanced manure, which can usually be obtained from most councils, is generally not unpleasant to handle – as might be suggested by its name! You will need to contact your local environmental department at your local council if you wish to obtain this fertilizer.
Dried Chicken Manure:
This is extremely rich in nitrogen but may be overpowering if used exceedingly. You would be better advised to mix this thoroughly with peat. It can also be used as a compost activator on the heap too.
Bonemeal:
Made from bones ground up into a small grit like consistency, this fertilizer provides a steady source of phosphates to the soil and can be purchased from most garden centers. It is active for around 2 years in the soil and will release nutrients consistently for this time. It should be applied at a rate of around 4oz per square yard. It should be raked into the soil before planting.
Hoof and Horn:
This is the main source of nitrogen in John Innes potting composts and is particularly sought after for its nitrogen releasing properties. It releases it over a period of several months which is an ideal organic release material for the entire growing season. It is seldom found in garden centers generally, however can usually be found in specialist suppliers or allotment associations but will be particularly expensive.
Dried Blood:
Although sounding particularly unpleasant, this is actually easy to handle, resembling powered chalk. It is an extremely beneficial nitrogenous fertilizer which is used by amateur and professional gardener alike. It is often used organically on the vegetable plot just before planting, at a rate of 4oz per square yard of border, raked lightly into the surface.
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| Organic Vegetable Gardening Feature Article |
| Jobs to do in May (Growing Techniques and Planting) Part 2 |
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