7 Natural Fertilizers That Promote Plant Growth

In the past few years, we’ve seen a change in the way the World proceeds about its doings. People have gone through quite a few revelations, which have in general placed an impact upon their perceptions and outlook. Ever since, we’ve grown more aware of the toxicity rates of chemicals and chemical products, an organic trend has swarmed over the multitudes with people making choices to lead an ‘organic lifestyle’. Supermarkets and flea markets now have separate sections labeled as ‘organic produce’. And organic farming means that the farmers use the most conservative feed, and fertilizers, only then can their produce be termed as organic.

In farming, organic or natural fertilizers have gained a special place and there are several types of fertilizers today that cater to the needs of organic farming. In order for a fertilizer to be considered organic, it has to come from natural sources. Some of these have been gone over and detailed below.

1-Banana Peels

Bananas are available in the markets year round and are the favorite fruit of many out there. Rarely a house doesn’t have any banana peels lying around. And if more people took into consideration the fact that they can be recycled in a sustainable way, our Earth would have much less baggage. Banana peels after composting, when returned to the soil; help provide nutrients like Potassium, Nitrogen and Calcium to the plant. Or you can let them compost naturally by burying them in the soil before planting. They help in the fruit formation and the plant strength they propagate is especially essential for vertical veggies.

2-Coffee Grounds

Do not dispose of the coffee remnants in the bottom of your mug after your morning ritual. Instead kill two birds with one stone, and recycle them as an organic lawn fertilizer. They are an excellent addition to your compost pile, especially beneficial for acid loving plants like tomatoes and roses. Or you can dilute the grounds and pour them over the soil, though it won’t be as effective. These grounds have been claimed to produce some of the largest and plumpest melons, carrots etcetera. They are believed to add nitrogen and other minerals and vitamins to the soil, which in turn reduces the risk of insect infestation.

3-Grass& Weed

Looking for a great organic fertilizer? Well look no further than beneath your feet. Grass clippings once diluted, and then set-aside for a few days before straining the liquid proves to be a rich source of nitrogen, oxygen and phosphorus for the soil. Once sprayed over the soil, even miniscule grass can do wondrous remarkable things to your organic gardening endeavors. Weeds can also be added as they also break down quite easily and benefit the richness of your soil. In fact, grass/weed is one of the best fertilizers.

4-Manure

Manure is probably one of the oldest means for fertilizing land out there. It provides all the necessary nutrients like Potassium, Nitrogen and Phosphorus that are essential for plant growth, development and propagation. However, manure from livestock should be used; the one from household animals contains pathogens, which causes more harm than benefit. Composted manure and the manure that has aged for quite some time will be the most useful in richening the soil. However proper and guided use of manure is necessary, in order for manure to prove to really be the best organic fertilizer.

5-Bone meal Fertilizer

Bone meal is a quite useful albeit unfamiliar organic fertilizer. It is essentially what the name implies, bones that are ground to powder form before steaming sometimes, which helps the plant to get more benefit from it. Plants need it for stronger development of roots and growth of flowers. It is an ideal supplement for bulbs and roses that needs phosphorus to boost up. Its N-P-K ratio is usually around 4-12-0, which may alter in steamed bone meal. As it is implied from the ratio, it is basically a great use of Phosphorus for a soil but doesn’t provide any Potassium and not necessarily enough Nitrogen to the plant; Even though it also provides Calcium.

6-Egg Shells

Mainly composed of Calcium Carbonate, which is what agricultural lime is composed of, broken egg shells from your breakfast will prove to be a great source of Calcium, Potassium as well as traces of Phosphorus which when combined, provide all the nutrients in a fertilizer. You won’t need to waste your money on buying lime when eggshells simply solve any deficiency of Calcium that may exist in the plant. Powered eggshells or eggshell tea are both equally effective, giving your plants an essential boost.

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7-Fish Emulsion Fertilizer

Albeit a stinky alternative, fish and its by-products will make your soil rich and fertile, with a healthy N-P-K ratio of 5-2-2. This contributes towards one of the most powerful natural fertilizer. Which means your plant is getting the essential nutrients for its propagation and without seriously denting your bank account too. How about that for a budget cut?

Learn How to make fish fertilizer

Thus, all these fertilizers are great replacements for the synthetic and chemical fertilizers in the markets. Think wisely, choose wisely and live wisely.