Organic Gardening Using Organic Fertilizers

admin July 27, 2024

 Organic gardening contributes well to the ecosystem because organic fertilizers are made up of natural substances and are environment friendly. They release nutrients slowly but consistently and such steady supply to the plants avoids food contamination. Furthermore, they improve soil structure and its fertility. Soil enriched with organic fertilizers improves its water retention ability as well as feeds the plants. (Zhou, 2022)

Organic gardening enriches soil with organic materials and appreciates natural growth of beneficial organisms, which resultantly enable plants to get required nutrients and strength from the soil to protect themselves from pests and harmful pathogens. 


Organic and chemical fertilizers boost the plants' growth in the same manner, but natural substances behave gently towards the plants and overall environment; moreover, they are easy to digest. While inorganic fertilizers contain synthetic chemicals and pesticides that are harmful, not just to plants but also to the environment. Organic fertilizers are highly recommended for edible gardening, such as vegetables, fruits and herbs. (Ye, 2022)

Organic pest and disease management involves a gentle approach towards pests and diseases, it takes steps to control diseases right before they occur. Ensure inspection of the garden at regular intervals and remove affected areas of plants.

Organic fertilizers can be categorized into two; solid fertilizers and liquid fertilizers. Solid fertilizers are mixed in soil, may be at the time of sowing seeds or later during the growing season. They boost the soil with nutrients without harming plants. Organic liquid fertilizers can be showered on foliage as well as into the soil. They can also be blended with water for dropping into the soil.

Three main sources to obtain organic fertilizers are; animals, plants and minerals. Let's discuss them in detail:-

Animal-Based Organic Fertilizers:

Cow Dung Manure. It is one of the most commonly used organic fertilizers in both small and big yards and gardens. Its availability and usage are quite easy; dry the manure and mix it in the soil. It is used to enrich the soil with nutrients, increases moisture, enhances metabolism and speeds up growth. Other than cow, manure of horses, goats and chicken (poultry) can also be used as organic fertilizers. These manures contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium which are essential for garden plants to nourish well.

Blood Meal. A slaughterhouse byproduct made up of dried blood of animals, carrying high nitrogen elements is used as organic fertilizer for gardens. It is a fast-acting fertilizer usually used for leafy plants. 

Bone Meal. It is another byproduct from the animal industry, made up of animal bones that provide strength to roots due to the high percentage of phosphorus present in it. It is also helpful in establishing newly planted trees and shrubs.

Fish Meal. It is a fertilizer made up of fish in addition to animal bones & blood, which makes it an all-in-one meal. It takes nitrogen from blood, phosphorus from bones and potassium from fishmeal making it all-purpose fertilizer that can be used for gardening in general and for edible gardening in specific.

Fish emulsion. It is another animal-based organic fertilizer, also known as fish fertilizer made up of byproducts of fish meal and fish oil. Its purpose is to provide nitrogen-filled nutrients to the plants. It is a thick concentrate needed to dilute in water before watering plants. It will have a strong fish odor which may disappear in a day or so.

Plant-Based Organic Fertilizers:

Garden compost. It is nutrient rich fertilizer made up of garden and kitchen waste; dead or fallen leaves, weeds, kitchen scraps include eggshells, veggie peels etc. Compost may smell bad or get messy, if not made in the right way. The best way to compost is to place a compost bin in the garden to store garden and kitchen waste, it will convert the waste into organic compost that has the ability to give a new life to the soil.

Vermicompost. It is made up of biodegradable wastes using earthworms. It allows turning organic matter into nutrient rich compost, instead of dumping into landfills. This fertilizer enriches the soil with minerals & nutrients, enhances soil structure and plant's moisture resistant capacity. 

Cottonseed Meal. Nitrogen dominant fertilizer is a source of providing micro and macronutrients to the plants. It also helps in reducing soil pH.

Seaweed. An organic, non-toxic fertilizer used to enhance the immune system of plants to make them stress & weather resistant. It contains high minerals, nutrients and potassium that help in prevention of plant diseases. Seaweed can be used as solid or in liquid form, once or twice a month. 

Mineral Organic Fertilizers:

Greensand. It is an organic mineral fertilizer used to stimulate productivity of plants and trees, especially their flowering and fruiting ability. It is an olive-green sandstone containing huge amount of glauconite, iron, potassium and magnesium. It also increases the water content of the soil.

Perlite. A popcorn shaped white volcanic rock used as mineral additive for soil. It can be used in the soil to make it aerated or can be scattered on the surface where it behaves like a wicking agent and slightly get absorbed deep down into the soil making ways for water drainage.


REFERENCES

Post a Comment

0 Comments