There is a lot that has been said about organic products—but there still lies a lot of mystery and confusion about such products.
We’ve all seen the organic section at garden centers that have fertilizers, mulches, pesticides, and other organic agricultural products. However, if you somehow end up getting a bag or sack of fertilizer that is marked as “organic,” do you really know what it contains and what it specifically is in the first place?
It can be really tempting to just pick up anything that has a label with the word “organic” in it. For the most part, you should be able to do that! However, there are some things you should look out for to be sure you’re getting the right products for your needs.
Of course, before going into the benefits, it’s important to know how to tell what organic fertilizer exactly is in the first place.
Natural Ingredients
By default, organic fertilizers are made from natural animal materials, mined rock minerals, and natural plant components. Some ingredients include crushed shells, dried and powdered blood, finely pulverized fish, ground bone, guano, manure, phosphate rock, and wood!
Inorganic (synthetic) fertilizers can have organic ingredients in them also. However, while it moves quickly in order to nourish the plant, it does not enrich the soil at all. That poses a possible buildup of toxic salts in the soil when it’s overapplied.
There are different types of organic fertilizers that can come in the form of liquids, powders, or solids. Each one of those types has different ways of application. There are organic fertilizers which are guano or manure-based, which comprise of droppings from bats, livestock, seabirds, and worms. Bagged organic compost generally has a mixture of organic ingredients that include food scraps, leaf mold, and manure. A number of other elements you can look for include blood meal, bone meal, fish emulsion, or shellfish fertilizer.
Check the Label
Since a number of synthetic fertilizers have some organic materials, the label can very well say “made with organic materials”—even if it is neither truly natural nor organic fertilizer! That can be frustrating and quite dangerous for the soil you plan to use it in.
Some of the key phrases and words to look for in order to be sure you’re getting a product that has natural, safe ingredients are “low analysis,” “natural organic,” and “slow release.” Be wary when you see something that is labeled as organic, but has a nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (N-P-K) ratio that adds up to more than 15.
Soil Improvement
When organic fertilizers and materials are used, the soil texture improves greatly. This allows for water to hold in the soil longer and increases the activity of bacteria and fungi in it. Aside from helping your plants, the soil would benefit as well! This is a stark contrast to synthetic fertilizers, which deplete the nutrients in the soil it is used in, rendering it unproductive.
Since the overall health of your plants and soil are the biggest priority, it is key to look into long-term care solutions.
Conclusion
There are a large number of benefits to using organic fertilizers for your soil—they are easy to apply and are incredibly convenient in the first place! More than anything, it is incredibly safe for you, your family, your pets, and even the environment. For the best results, make sure to find a reliable supplier of quality organic products in order to get authentic organic fertilizer.
Are you looking for quality organic fertilizer to boost the health of your agricultural land? Organic AG Products has everything you might want and need! We have a suite of products to cover all of the needs in an organic farming system. Browse our store and find the best products to supplement your produce’s growth!