Price of organic fertilizer-anyone found a good retailer?

15 years ago

Visited my local HD yesterday and was shocked at the fertilizer prices - $35 for my usual lawn fertilizer and $13 for Vigoro palm fertilizer that was $10 just a few months ago. I assume that the rise in oil prices is to blame. It probably will be months before fertilizer prices decline again, if at all. Since organic fertilizer doesn't use oil byproducts, I assume that it should be a better buy now that prices of fertilizer have exploded. Has anyone found a mass retailer of organic fertilizers? HD has a limited line, with small bags at high prices. I use about six 50-lb bags for each application on my acre. I'd go broke if I paid HD prices. I live on the Treasure Coast.

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Comments (13)

laura1
15 years ago
Somethings are never easy. I get an organic fert. out of South Carolina called Purely Organic from the HL Sealy Co. Sometimes the guy makes special trips to fla for rose societies or I PU mine at a convention in Jan. in Tallahassee. Espoma is mostly organic and easier to find.

As for the price of the fertilizer you are partly right. The price of phosphate has gone up from about $300 a ton to $1100 a ton and now is "down" to $900...this according to my supplier in Plant City. China is a big consumer/buyer of our fla phosphate. hmm
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annafl
15 years ago
Hi palmcityfl,

I find that buying organic fertilizer packaged as granules is very expensive. Instead, I opt to go to my local feed store and buy 50 lb. bags of alfalfa pellets, soybean meal or cottonseed meal. The alfalfa and cottonseed meal runs about $12, the soybean meal almost doubled in the last year and I recently bought one for $19! Will stick to the others for now. Don't know if there is a feed store that is not too far for you.

The nutritional benefits from the organic granules and these grains is about the same, and the latter is much cheaper. They (especially the alfalfa) will stink a few days after you apply and wet it, especially if the weather is warm. Other options are free coffee grounds (which have similar NPK as compost), which you can get from Starbucks or any local shop that is willing to partner with you. Of course, adding grass clippings with dried oak leaves is another option that will compost in place. I'm sure it's very slow acting, but in the long run will enrich your soil. Home made compost is fun and wonderful for the garden, of course, I can never make enough, even as hard as I try.

Anna
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castorp
15 years ago
I second Anna's suggestions. The feed & seed is the way to go.

Bill
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williea
15 years ago
I use TurfPro, and I buy it on the web. They sell liquids as well as dry product in 40 lb bags and up to 1,000 lbs and more. It is very economical, because the liquid is super-concentrated and you get good coverage and benefit, including a full spectrum microbiology package. It is also 100% naturally organic. You can find it at www.turfprousa.com or try this internet distributor www.ecofriendlyonline.com because sometimes they can negotiate a bit of a discount on volume purchases.

Here is a link that might be useful: TurfPro online Distributor
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palmcityfl
Original Author
15 years ago
An update to my post - fertilizer prices are skyrocketing due to demand from developing countries like China and India, not oil prices. Farmers are especially feeling the pinch, which should hit hard this spring. What about fish emulsion, an organic fertilizer that's been sold for years? I couldn't find any at HD, Lowes or Walmart. Are there any retailers that sell it? And cottonseed meal? Its another organic favorite.
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wanda662
15 years ago
What about plain old horse manure or compost?
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williea
15 years ago
PalmCity: Try the guys at EcoFriendly, they will work with you on price if you buy any volume from them. Call Rob Adams at 321-202-0525, or email him RAdams@ecofriendlyonline.com I am in the turf and landscape business, and I order from them monthly, and they are very customer service oriented. The TurfPro is a super concentrated liquid, and its very cost effective, and it works.

Here is a link that might be useful: EcoFriendly distributor of TurfPro
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teka2rjleffel
15 years ago
I've had the same problem. Fish fertilizer seems to be gone. I have checked probably 8 stores that would have carried it.
Cool Roses in West Palm (1-561-684-2421)
usually carries Purely Organic. It is a really good organic fertilizer. I paid $35 last year for a 50 lb bag. I am going up this weekend to get more if they have it.
Nancy
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palmcityfl
Original Author
15 years ago
I found a solution to sky-high fertilizer prices - horse manure! I posted on Craigslist asking for manure and received several replies from horse ranchers offering free manure for pick-up. I bought a used trailer for $100 and I've picked up a dozen loads so far. The manure is already composted and mixed with pine shavings. Spreading it around trees and on lawns is easy, it breaks down within a few weeks and disappears into the soil. The smell only lingers for the first few days. Horse farms in my area are plentiful and I can have all the manure I want for free! No ill effects so far, but does anyone know of any?
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annafl
15 years ago
Palmcity, good for you!!! I am envious at your never ending free source of manure! What a great find, a win-win situation and only for the asking. FREE! Congrats.

The only time you have to worry about horse manure is if you apply fresh, non-aged manure to edibles in a veggie garden. It can have bacteria that may not be sufficiently washed off before eating. However, manure that has been composted or just aged for a few months can be used there too. With ornamentals all you have to worry about is it can burn your plants if it is real fresh. Not just the manure, but especially the urine in the bedding material. It sounds like you are getting the aged or composted stuff, so no worries. Wash your hands when you go inside. Personally, I would love a couple of truckloads if I could get my little hands on some.

Another aside. Not only is this free for you, good for the horse farmer, and good for your plants, but it is good for the environment. You are providing an easy to use up product for your plants that won't get into our water supply. You are also improving your soil in ways you don't even know. Manure/bedding is a soil conditioner, improving tilth and good microbial populations/earthworms. Sooo... keep on piling it on! Great job on every count.

Anna
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flyingfish2
15 years ago
Hi Palm City,

I live out 714 and up 609 at Treasure Coast Airpark and would love to get a load of the horse waste :>) One man's junk is another man's treasure applies here.

Would you list which barn you are getting your treasure at.

Bernie
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luvinlif18_yahoo_com
12 years ago
I sell my rabbit manure if anyone is interested. It is one of the best fertilizers you can get because you can add it directly to whatever you need with no to compost first since it will not burn. You can contact me at luvinlif18@yahoo.com
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Gaziger
12 years ago
Regarding organic fertilizer both prices and availability in Florida. Has anyone tried Mighty Grow Organics processed poultry litter fertilizer? I am curious if anyone has any experience with it.

Gaziger
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Price of organic fertilizer-anyone found a good retailer?

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