Fertilizers: Organic Fertilizer Type

In order to promote vigorous plant growth in their landscapes and gardens, home growers are now recognizing the need for supplying the nutrients in a timely fashion . This application of nutrients can be done using either inorganic fertilizer type or organic fertilizer type.

A growing number of home growers are now using the organic fertilizer type over the inorganic fertilizer type due to the ongoing environmental concerns, since inorganic fertilizer types may contain harmful chemicals and a concentrated amount of nutrients that may leach into the soil.

Unfortunately there is a common misconception that using organic fertilizer is safer for plants. The truth is, inappropriate or improper application of organic fertilizer types can be just as harmful to plants as chemicals. Organic fertilizer, if not properly applied, can actually contribute to ground water pollution as well as cause nutrient deficiency and toxicity, or even induce salt burn.

The nutrient needs of plants vary according to soil conditions, previous inorganic or organic fertilizer types used and the plant type that is being grown. To find out what specific nutrients are required in an organic fertilizer type, it's importatn to conduct a soil test.

Organic fertilizer types are specifically designed to contain high amounts of Nitrogen because most nutrient deficiency in soil is Nitrogen-based. Lawn and turf grass as well as vegetable and fruit gardens will grow quite slowly if soil is deficient in Nitrogen. In order to increase vigor in lawn grass and improve crop yield, the best organic fertilizer types to use are seaweed extracts and fish emulsions, which are rich in soluble Nitrogen and trace elements.

Always check the labels of the organic fertilizer types you're planning to use for the numbers that stand for the concentration of the three major nutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). For instance, an organic fertilizer type with a formulation of 6-12-0 contains 6% Nitrogen, 12% Phosphorus and 0% Potassium.

You will find other ingredients in organic fertilizer types including sulfur, iron and zinc. Other than supplying plants with the necessary nutrients needed for growth, organic fertilizer types also contains organic matter (inorganic fertilizer types don't have this in their formulations). This organic matter augments the water retention of soil and also improves drainage and tilth.

When you get your soil test results in and it indicates that some nutrients have high or excessive content levels, you should select an organic fertilizer type that has lower concentrations of these nutrients. An excess of nutrients in an organic fertilizer types can cause leaching and imbalance that reduces plant growth. However, if your soil test report indicates that Nitrogen is needed, then select an organic fertilizer type with high Nitrogen content, such as blood meal or kelp meal. If you find that your soil is deficient in both Phosphorus and Nitrogen, then an organic fertilizer type rich in both nutrients is advisable. If none is available, then using two organic fertilizer types, each rich with either specific nutrient, can be used.

Be aware that many organic fertilizer types contain high levels of salt that could cause “burning” of plants. Organic fertilizer may be broadcast on the surface or applied directly into the soil by tilling or watering. Using a spreader is one way to make sure you don't over apply your chose organic fertilizer types into your soil.

Spreaders can be adjusted to suit different fertilizing needs. When broadcasting organic fertilizer with a spreader, it's important to make sure you note the width of the spread path and the distance traveled so that you don't over fertilize different strips of your plants or lawn.