The Best Organic Fertilizer for Your Garden

Last Updated: September 13, 2024
Are you an organic gardener looking to feed your plants with natural, chemical-free products? Look no further than organic fertilizer. As the demand for sustainable gardening practices continues to grow, organic fertilizers have become an essential tool for those seeking healthier, nutrient-rich gardens. In this article, we will explore what makes a fertilizer organic, why organic fertilizers are better than synthetic, the importance of understanding NPK ratios, and the best organic fertilizer (with NPK ratios) for 5 common garden vegetables.

I used to use synthetic fertilizers, which definitely made my plants grow big, but the harvests did not taste good at all. My tomatoes just tasted like water, until I switched to organic fertilizers.

I feel like this is what entices people into buying synthetic fertilizers: the size of your plants will increase. However, they seem to always fail to mention how this affects the flavour and quality of your harvests. What a shame.

The Best Organic Fertilizer for Your Garden

In this comprehensive article, you will read about:

What Organic Fertilizer Is: A clear understanding of what makes a fertilizer “organic” and how it differs from synthetic options in terms of composition and impact on the environment.
Types of Organic Fertilizers: An overview of different types of organic fertilizers, including animal-based, plant-based, and mineral-based options, and their specific benefits for various plants and soil types.

Benefits of Organic Fertilizers: The long-term advantages of using organic fertilizers, such as improving soil health, promoting sustainable gardening practices, and providing slow-release nutrients that help plants thrive.
How to Use Organic Fertilizers Effectively: Practical advice on how to select, apply, and incorporate organic fertilizers into your gardening routine for optimal plant growth and soil enrichment.

What Makes a Fertilizer Organic?

Organic fertilizers are derived from natural sources, contrary to synthetic fertilizers. These natural sources may include: plant and animal waste, bone meal, compost, seaweed, and even certain minerals.

Check out FoxFarm Happy Frog organic liquid and granular fertilizers from Nature Hills Nursery! They have some of the highest-quality organic fertilizers.

Animal-Derived Organic Fertilizers

These fertilizers are made from derivatives of animal waste products. Here are a few examples:

Manure: Manure is the composted feces of animals. This can be obtained from many different animals, but the most popular ones are chicken manure, cow manure, sheep manure, and horse manure. Manure typically has a low NPK ratio, which is why it is mostly used for adding organic matter to the soil and improving soil structure.

Bone Meal: Bone meal is made from dried and ground animal bones. This may sound disgusting at first, but it is actually a very sustainable practice because almost nothing goes to waste. When considering the NPK ratio, bone meal is very high in phosphorus (P) and other trace elements that benefit plant growth.
Fish Emulsion: Another sustainable fertilizer option, fish emulsion is a liquid organic fertilizer derived from emulsified fish scraps. Fish emulsion typically has an NPK ratio of about 4:1:1, and it is also very high in other trace nutrients.

Plant-Derived Organic Fertilizers

These organic fertilizers are made from derivatives of plant products. Here a some examples:

Compost: Similar to manure, compost is fully decomposed plant material. Sometimes animal products are included as well, but the bulk of it is plant waste. Once again, compost is not meant to add a large amount of bioavailable nutrients to your garden, but instead it adds organic matter and improves soil structure.
Seaweed Extract: Seaweed extract is a concentrated solution of fermented marine algae. Don’t worry, it won’t add salt to your soil because the collected seaweed is thoroughly rinsed to remove salt water. Seaweed extract usually isn’t high in any of the macronutrients, instead it is added to soil for its micronutrients.

Mineral-Derived Organic Fertilizers:

Mineral-based fertilizers are made from specific minerals in nature. Here are a couple examples:

Rock Phosphate: Rock phosphate is a sedimentary rock that is mined from the Earth. As the name suggests, it is very high in phosphorus (P) and may also contain many trace minerals because of the way it is obtained.
Lime: Lime is not used quite like a fertilizer, but more as a soil amendment. It is made from ground limestone rock and contains magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate. For my chemistry friends, these ionic compounds disassociate in water to produce basic (alkaline) solutions. That being said, lime is added to the soil to increase the soil’s pH from acidic to alkaline.

Unlike synthetic fertilizers, organic fertilizers undergo minimal processing, preserving their natural composition and releasing their nutrients slowly over time. This slow-release nature ensures that plants receive a steady supply of nutrients, promoting healthier growth and reducing the risk of nutrient burn.

Why Choose Organic Over Synthetic Fertilizers?

Environmental benefits: Organic fertilizers are made from sustainable sources, reducing reliance on non-renewable resources. They also help to enhance soil health and structure, promoting the growth of microbes and increasing organic matter content in your soil.

Nutrient absorption: Organic fertilizers improve nutrient absorption by gradually releasing nutrients (slow release) into the soil, ensuring plants have a more balanced intake. This reduces the risk of nutrient leaching and runoff, preventing water pollution.

Long-term soil fertility: Continuous use of organic fertilizers can improve and sustain the fertility of your garden soil. By nourishing the soil, organic fertilizers promote beneficial soil organisms and support a healthy soil ecosystem.

Synthetic fertilizers do the complete opposite of this: they damage the environment, ruin soil health, cause more nutrient leaching and runoff, and destroy your garden soil’s fertility over time. Pick which one you want.

Best Organic Fertilizer For Common Garden Vegetables (With NPK Ratios)

From organic tomato fertilizer, to organic nitrogen fertilizer, these are the NPK ratios for the best organic fertilizer for each vegetable. If you want to purchase any of the listed fertilizers, click on its name to view the product.

Tomatoes: Tomatoes thrive with FoxFarm Happy Frog tomato dry fertilizer, with an NPK ratio of 5-7-3. This organic fertilizer provides the necessary nutrients for strong root development, vibrant foliage, and abundant fruiting. Don’t go too high with the nitrogen, as you will get more leaves than tomatoes.

Carrots: Carrots prefer a lower NPK ratio with a focus on phosphorus. FoxFarm Happy Frog bone meal fertilizer, with an NPK ratio of 3-12-0, is ideal. This is a great organic choice to boost root growth and yield sweet, juicy carrots. Again, avoid high nitrogen.

Peppers: Peppers thrive with FoxFarm Happy Frog all purpose dry fertilizer, with a balanced NPK ratio of 6-4-5 or similar variations. This organic fertilizer provides the necessary nutrients for robust plants, abundant flowering, and bountiful harvests. Once again, avoid high nitrogen to ensure ample pepper production.

Lettuce: Lettuce prefers higher nitrogen levels for lush, leafy growth. FoxFarm Happy Frog 7-3-3 dry fertilizer works well. This fertilizer will give you beautiful green lettuce leaves.

Zucchini: Zucchini plants do well with FoxFarm Happy Frog all purpose fertilizer or similar variations. These fertilizers provide the necessary nutrients for vigorous foliage growth, strong stems, and multiple zucchini harvests.

Not only will these organic fertilizers work as an organic fertilizer for vegetables, but also as an organic fertilizer for lawn growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between organic and synthetic fertilizers?

Organic fertilizers are made from natural sources and release nutrients slowly, improving soil health over time. Synthetic fertilizers, on the other hand, are chemically manufactured and provide immediate nutrient boosts but may harm soil quality in the long run.

How do you apply organic fertilizer in a garden?

Organic fertilizer can be applied by spreading it on the soil surface, mixing it into the soil, or using liquid organic fertilizers as a foliar spray or root drench. The method and timing depend on the type of fertilizer and the specific plant needs.

Is organic fertilizer really better?

Organic fertilizers are much better for you, your plants, your garden, and the environment. Organic fertilizer comes from organic sources, meaning they feed the soil microbiome, which is what feeds your plants.

How long does organic fertilizer take to work?

Organic fertilizers typically take a few weeks to break down and release nutrients into the soil, but their effects are long-lasting. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, which provide a quick boost, organic options improve soil health gradually over time.

How often should you apply organic fertilizer?

The frequency of application depends on the type of organic fertilizer and the needs of the plants. In general, apply organic fertilizers 2–3 times per growing season, but always follow the specific recommendations on the product label.

Can organic fertilizer burn plants?

Organic fertilizers are less likely to burn plants than synthetic fertilizers because they release nutrients slowly. However, using too much or applying fresh manure can cause nutrient imbalances, leading to plant damage. Always use the recommended amount.

Even More Gardening Ideas

Here are a few more posts to get the ball rolling in your garden!

Products

To buy organic, non-GMO lavender seeds, check out SeedsNow.

For a wide selection of perennial garden plants, check out Nature Hills Nursery.

For gardening equipment, check out Bootstrap Farmer

By embracing organic fertilizers in your garden, you are not only providing your plants with essential nutrients but also contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to gardening.

The slow-release nature, reduced environmental impact, and long-term soil fertility make organic fertilizers the top choice for many gardeners. Understanding NPK ratios ensures that you select the appropriate organic fertilizers for different vegetables’ varying nutrient requirements.

So, go ahead and nourish your garden naturally, and reap the abundant rewards of healthy, vibrant plants. Happy gardening!

If you learned something from this article, please share it with your gardener friends or anybody else trying to be more sustainable. Also, consider signing up for our email newsletter. Don’t worry, we won’t send you spam, just new and fresh gardening ideas every Monday and Friday.

If you want to learn more about gardening, foraging, nature, and sustainability, check out The Real Gardener on Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.

Pin this post for later: