Alfalfa Pellets
jalilu
9 years ago
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renais1
9 years agoKimmsr
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Peat moss, alfalfa hay, alfalfa pellets, or alfalfa meal?
Comments (38)Jeri made me laugh, that was funny! Humor is badly need in this forum. Dry air is made of 78.09% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, and the rest of argon and carbon dioxide. That explains why poor drainage wet clay soil can turn roses yellow ... the roots can't breathe. My Eglantyne rose was yellowish, until I fixed the drainage. MiracleGro potting soil comes with enough nitrogen for 3 months. I had one geranium in MiracleGro and was annoyed that the leaves are so dark green with few flowers (I don't fertilize that pot). There's one pot that I ran out of MiracleGro and put 1/2 garden dirt in ... I actually like that geranium better: it was shorter, more blooms, and lighter green leaves ....easier on the eyes. A friend asked me about phosphorus, so I'll post the info. here: The NPK value of oak leaves is 0.8 /0.35/ 0.15 Maple leaves is similar to that, so it's twice higher in nitrogen than phosphorus. Once decomposed, the value of phosphorus rises. Most decomposed organic matter is high in phophorus, such as sewage sludge at NPK of 2/ 1.9 / 0.3. Animal tankage (manure without the fat and gelatin) with NPK of 8 / 20 / 0. Other high sources of phosporus are rock phosphate and bone meal with NPK of 4 / 21 / 0.2. Drawback of rock phosphate and bone meal: they can only be utilized at pH at or below 7, according to University of Colorado Extension. Since I'm lazy in pruning I would rather sacrifice top growth for more root and flowering, or less nitrogen and more phosphorus. Leaves and stem store plenty of nitrogen, and unless the plant is completely yellow, there's no need for nitrogen. Even then, fixing the drainage and fluff up the soil with organic matter helped my roses to green up without the need for chemical nitrogen (also highest in salt). Adding air to the soil by making it fluffy is the cheapest way to give nitrogen to roots, considering that dry air is made of 78.09% nitrogen. Composting scraps from kitchen is another cheap source of nutrients, considering Cantaloupe rinds has NPK value of 0 / 9.77 /12.0 ... high in phosphorus and potassium. Potato skin has NPK value of 0 / 5.18 / 27.5 ... also high P and K. Nothing beats banana peels in potassium, with NPK value of 0 / 3.25 / 41.76. Potassium is need to counteract the salt in manure, and to fight diseases. This post was edited by Strawberryhill on Wed, Feb 20, 13 at 11:48...See MoreTried alfalfa pellets.
Comments (24)No problem sc77 - I'm not having a problem with the cost because it balances out in other ways. I've been gardening organically for 30+ years. Now you know why it's so expensive to buy organic food. I actually haven't fertilized our lawn in about 20 years. [g] So I guess I can splurge for a couple of years to give it a little shot in the arm. I have a lot of clover in my lawn, we cut it high in the heat, and water it when necessary and that's about it. We've been babysitting our son's dog and so the lawn is looking a little less than pristine lately, so I thought in the Fall, I'd lay down some seed in a few spots and do a little fertilizing for a change. I am very committed to non GMO seeds and buy all my seed from companies that don't carry it. I don't really use soy products anyway and Corn is not one of our regular vegetables. I just checked FEDCO again and yes, they have the soybean meal that is non GMO, but only the alfalfa meal is organic too. So that is what I'll use. I feel good about supporting a company that has made that commitment not only to organics but to non GMO too. I'd guess our lawn is less than 2,000 sq feet, luckily, so that shouldn't be so bad....See MoreAlfalfa Pellets vs. Alfalfa Meal
Comments (4)Meal from my feed store is straight alfalfa, no additives. If you don't see what you want, just ask at the counter. Most feed stores are happy to order for you at no charge with their next order from their distributor - that's what mine does and they were even familiar with it's use on roses. Next time, I think I will get the pellets though. The meal is so fine, it tends to fly around when scooping and distributing....See MoreAlfalfa Pellets - Bermuda lawn
Comments (3)You can use organic fertilizers any time of year. Regarding different types: last time I was at one feed store in San Antonio they asked me if I was feeding rabbits or putting it on the lawn. I told them I was putting it on the lawn and they changed to a bag with no vitamins added to it. Cheaper, too. Personally I don't care. I got the cheaper stuff....See Morejalilu
9 years agomissymoo23_(z9a_Tx)
9 years agorenais1
9 years agomissymoo23_(z9a_Tx)
9 years agochigardenlady
9 years agorenais1
9 years agorenais1
9 years agoCarrie Beth (zone 9b)
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agobossyvossy
8 years agochigardenlady
8 years agobossyvossy
8 years agospedigrees z4VT
8 years agochigardenlady
8 years ago
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