whats a good organic fertilizer?

I got a lot of good responses on my last topic, My summer crops are not growing, Help. So what is a good organic fertilizer?

I am really disapointed because I thought that my worm compost was going to be the best organic fertilizer you could use. Apparently not.
Or did I not apply the vermicompost right? any suggestions on Organic fertilizers?
thanks
Kirk

Composts and soil amendments take time to work, so you may be doing everything right and not seeing results quickly enough to get your plants growing now. I know that Miracle Grow makes a certified organic fertilizer that is very quick acting. It won't solve your soil problems for the long run, but will give your plants what they need right now.

I've not used it, but Gardners Supply also has an organic fertilizer:

http://www.gardeners.com/All-Purpose-Plant-Fertilizer/Landscaping_OrganicFertilizers,11835,default,cp.html?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=Google&utm_term=organic_fertilizer&SC=XNET8019&gclid=COie-NOEkqICFc5P2godBVQqhg

I realise that few of us want to resort to chemicals, but there are times when the choice is to let the plants suffer now as we continue to amend the soil or give them a shot in the arm. That choice, of course, has to be up to you.

I agree. Using a chemical fertilizer has the advantage of showing improvement within a few days. Organic fertilizers work, but more slowly. So if your plants are stressed it makes sense to get them some food right away and then worry about them eating right from now on.

AS I am sure everyone is tired of hearing, after miracle grow, I use fish emulsion, epsom salts, and ground cal/mag tablets. This does not cover every single nutrient and I was thinking of picking up some ironite to fill in the only big gap I can find.

I commented on this in the other thread but will add here as well. I use organic bloodmeal as an additional fertilizer.

have you tried any of the Fox Farm Products. Some of them are organic. I got one that is liquid. Works very well.

I recommend the fertilizers -- all strictly organic -- from Gardens Alive. I have used their products for decades with awesome results, including this year: Tomatoes Alive jumpstarted plants that had sulked for weeks in my first 4x4 bed. I noticed a huge difference after only two days. So much for slow-acting!

They also sell specially-mixed fertilizers for corn, flowers, root crops, roses, regular veggies, etc. And I love their liquid kelp spray. I usually buy Tomatoes Alive, Veggies Alive (since tomatoes, peppers and eggplants don't need as much nitrogen as other veggies), and a new bottle of liquid kelp every spring.

And no, I don't own stock in the company! I just really like their products and their customer service has always been very helpful.

Also, the Gardens Alive website features the archives from Mike McGrath's You Bet Your Garden. Just reading through his articles will give you more info on gardening organically than you ever thought possible, and as a side benefit you get to laugh your whatzit off. Laughter is good for us!!!

http://www.gardensalive.com/

first thing is first.......check your soil to see what it's lacking. That'll give you an idea of which material (N-P-K) you need to pump up.

this is good reading:

http://www.cleanairgardening.com/fertilizeguide.html

Fish emulsion is my plant "fast food" of choice.

We made a bad batch of Mel's Mix - we used only three composts and apparently none were very fertile - and the plants in those boxes were yellowing, not growing, and just looking terrible. Two catnip plants turned red! I mixed up a couple of gallons of fish emulsion and poured around each plant, and within two days the color was much better on everything and within a week they were growing much better and looking darker green. Another dose two weeks later really brought them alive and they are now doing fine.

The only fertilizers I use are compost, fish emulsion, and kelp. I have used Gardens Alive! in the past - they do make good, organic products same with Dr. Earth, Foxfarm, Gardeners Supply. I just haven't had a need for them.
Using at least 3 different types of compost should keep your garden healthy. Not necessarily three different brands but three different ingredient types i.e. poultry, mushroom, worm castings, plant based, steer, etc. Don't forget to add more compost when replanting.
I use compost on my lawn, around fruit trees, in shrub and flower beds. The kelp and fish emulsion are usually just used on everything but my Square Foot Garden. They both have micronutrients and kelp has been shown to protect plants against disease (and possibly work as a cure), and help plants be more drought and frost resistant.

Thanks for the info beuna, do you use a dry powder kelp?
Did I read correctly that you use the fish emulsion and kelp on everything except your SFG? Why is that?
How much fish and kelp do you mix for your plants, trees etc.?

Little Thumb

Beuna, where do you buy kelp?

I use liquid kelp purchased from a local garden center. Sometimes you can find a fish emulsion/kelp mixture. I have not found so much need to use it on my Square Foot Garden although there should not be a problem with doing so.

Thanks beuna, I'll keep it in mind. Maybe it will help some of my sick plants.