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Organic Gardening

How can I make fertilizer starter

18 years ago

I have been using Bio Tone with very good results, the down side is that it does cost money. It gets the biological activity up and running real quick, do you think if I were to mix up some molasses and water it would be a catalyst. I use a wide verity of natural fertilizers,Bio Tone is especially helpful when I don't have any liquid kelp. On the down side, I guess I would need a microscope to check to see if I am staying active or not.Does any one know what power microscope can see these microbes. This stuff really does cost a lot and when when you do as much work as I do it adds up. Oh, forget tap water, the chlorine would kill it quick. I am into maximum results, and this is why I have been using natural fertilizers for 30 years. Sweeter, bigger, more of it and healthier, it is a simple choice, garden as a biological process or chemical soup.

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Comments (9)

pablo_nh
18 years ago
compost?
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squeeze
18 years ago
yes, what are you "starting"? you mean you want to "grow" your own fertilizer? you think that stuff is spendy, wait til you see the cost of the lab equipment it takes to evaluate the microbial life in a sample of anything ..... more of something is not always the way to health, especially with biology!

Bill
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Since you are overseeding you want to use the starter at the very least. Starter is high in P, which is primarily for root growth, important for new grass. It is also pretty high in K, which is also important for seedlings. Most starters contain a fair amount of N as well, it depends on the brand but usually it's in the 16-25 range. If you use the starter at the full bag rate, you can use a reduced rate of the fall fertilizer to get more nitrogen if you want, but it's probably not necessary since you don't want your existing grass growing so fast and lush that it will out compete the new grass.
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I want to make bread with my sourdough starter tomorrow
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Ginny, you will find all kinds of different advice. Here is how I use my starter. When I take it out of the fridge to feed it, I take 2 ounces of the discarded starter (60g) and mix it with 225g of flour and 225g of water. Stir well cover and leave to double. Once it is doubled, I add it to 1000g of flour , 680 to 750g of water, and 26/27g of salt. So based on when you want to make your bread. I would make the preferment now. It should have doubled in about eight hours. Then you can make your dough and put it in the fridge for an overnight longer fermentation. Bake tomorrow. Take the dough out of the fridge about 3 hours prior to shaping. It needs to come to room temperature and start to rise again. Then you can shape and proof and bake. If this is the first time you are using your starter, you might want to add a pinch of yeast just for insurance. Or just take your chances. ~Ann Here is a link that might be useful: Sourdough Bread This post was edited by ann_t on Fri, Nov 14, 14 at 16:51
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how much starter fertilizer to apply? what setting on the spreader?
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Comments (2)
Measure out the fertilizer for the area, put the spreader on a low setting (but one which allows the fertilizer to come out), and make multiple passes (in opposite directions, like north to south followed by east to west) until you run out. The bare spots should be treated like the rest of the yard (neither more nor less). I agree that it is late to be overseeding unless you are in the south.
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deshima
Original Author
18 years ago
Where did you get your degree Bill. Yes more of something is a lot better, more of what the plant needs, and that being excellent biological activity, and various organic acids obtained from humate, a good helping of growth stimulants, but that conversation may be over your head. I am sorry I thought I was speaking with the organic fertilizer group. Yea I want to grow my own crap, can you tell me how, well yes I think you have, you grow it quite well don't you. I can pick up a nice scope of 400 diopters on ebay for about 200 that is not that much. What is a diopter, well go fish?
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squeeze
18 years ago
well sounds like you know all about it and it sure does seem to be over my head, so ..... I'll defer to your superior knowledge of soil science, sorry to intrude

Bill
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stevethelizard
18 years ago
sorry are you talking about compost?? urine is the best thing i have found as an activater i tend to use between
25-50litres for a 1M cube depending on how much woody material is in the heap. do you grow russian comfrey? as this is an amazing plant full of trace elements, finally if you live near the coast and your local laws permit seaweed is another wonderful compost additive the most important thing for good microbial activity is a well managed heap is the right ratio of nitrogen and carbon, turned regularly to keep it well airated i have made 1mcu in about 8 weeks in the past but mostly its about 12 weeks i make about 3 tonnes a year
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Kimmsr
18 years ago
What is the humus level of your soil?
After 30 years it should be high enough so that you do not need to add any fertilizer, if you have been properly tending the soil and adding organic matter every year.
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althea_gw
18 years ago
I add molasses to my aerated compost tea. It could give a boost to Bio Tone. I've never used Bio Tone, only kelp for new plants. I also add nettle and this year will be adding comphrey to my compost tea. Comphrey is said to an excellent compost stimulator.
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deshima
Original Author
18 years ago
First let me think Althea for the comment on molasses. How much do you put in a five gallon bucket. As for humate, these are acids that are used up over a period of time. Certain alkaloids can not be produced with out it being present in the soil, these alkaloids have many benefits such as protecting the plant when stressed and will aid in root development, fruit product, increased sweetness of the fruit and over all vigor. I can not recommend a specific product but they are out there, humate is mined, the best one I know of is in Utah, the mining company is called Rare Earth. I have to run I will apologize to Paul later. OK here goes Sorry old boy aboot the little tiff mate, it was late and I should not have taken it, persona non grata.
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althea_gw
18 years ago
Hi Deshima, I use approximately 2-3 tbls of molasses per 5 gallon batch of ACT. I don't measure with a tablespoon, just pour in from my memory of making gingerbread what looks like 2-3 tbls.
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