Which brand organic fertilizer do you use?

8 years ago

Last year the vegetables in my raised bed garden grew quite well (sugar snaps, bush beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, spinach, carrots). This year I'm growing tomatoe and pepper seeds indoors (using a potting soil). I was told that some liquid fertilizer would be a good addition to increase the chances of transplanting well (it's my first time trying).

I have an organic garden, and wondering if people here can offer any suggestions as to what I should buy. Since I only have a few seeds which I'm growing indoors, I'd hope to use the same fertilizer in my raised bed as I do for the indoor seeds.....if that's possible. Thank you

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Comments (8)

kimmq
8 years ago
I have never used an "organic fertilizer" in my planting beds just the compost and other forms of vegetative waste I put there. I have on occasion used "organic fertilizers" on the lawn most of which are not recommended for use where edibles are grown.

What does a good reliable soil test have to say about the nutrients, and soil pH, of your planting beds? Did someone suggest using a liquid fertilizer based on science or just as a wild guess?

kimmq is kimmsr
m_gold
Original Author
8 years ago
The fertilizer was suggested for the indoor seeds I'm growing.
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The 5g Rootmaker container which is black plastic containers with a bunch of holes to help control circling roots probably do not work too good as the mix gets too hot being fully exposed to the sun during the summer. I am not familiar with this specific brand of container, but in general plastic containers with lots of holes all over are superb containers to grow in, even besting unglazed clay or wood containers in some ways. This is because those holes all over allow for superior gas exchange. They come at the cost of the need to water more frequently, but for the grower able to keep up they lead to greater plant growth. Evaporative cooling also moderates the interior temps on really sunny/hot days, but again at the expense of needing to water more often. They also encourage roots to branch out instead of wrap around the inside of containers which is very healthy. On the topic of organic fertilizers, they can work just fine in a container assuming one can get them to break down and release nutrients at a rate that at least very roughly approximates what the plant requires. It's not easy, but I have no doubt some dedicated to this methodology have acquired sufficient skill to make it work. I have tried it and consider it well beyond my own ability, but I am sure there are those who have found ways to make it work very well.
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Thank you for taking the time to post, Al. And I won't initiate an argument, just simply point out that some won't use a synthetic, no matter what. I am one of them. I don't have an idea how or where those types of fertilizers are produced, whereas, organics have been around forever, and therefore tried and true. There are good reasons, recycling not the least (i.e., compost, vermicompost) to incorporate this type of routine, of course. Since the mid-2000's, when coir started to gain traction, there have been many gains made in using coco. The salt issue is almost completely gone. (there are plenty of scientfic studies to show the effects of salinity, and even side-by-sides of different brands) I do believe that the best brands are now well-known. I am more of the mind to use BOTH peat and coir in a mix, to get the best qualities out of both. Again, I like organic growing, and I'll probably always be the one to tell you that there is a taste difference that is a direct trade-off for lack of yield, produced by my lack of cutting edge know-how. Either way, this isn't so much of an attempt to persuade people to choose organic, as to inform those who already have. I have a tomato plant growing right now in a 3 gallon pot, with straight Botannicare coir. The color is a little light, but the leaves are absolutely huge, and the yield is very good. Not as vigorous in growth as my SIP tomatoes in straight peat and perlite, but also a different variety. So take it with a grain of salt. I have only fed the coco with Dr Earth organic ferts, once every two weeks a dose of compost tea, and every other week with fish and seaweed. I water it until it runs out, and then let the excess wick back up over the course of the next day.
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rgreen48
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
If you are looking for a fertilizer to use while they are in containers, and before they are put outside, indeed, a water soluble fertilizer is preferable. There are quite a few, and although I lean organic, I have a bunch of Miracle Gro to use up first so I don't have a brand to offer as much as I would suggest simple fish emulsion. It's 'organic', complete, and has a good NPK ratio for seedling growth. You might also consider worm casting tea. Just don't forget to dilute either for use on tender seedlings.
m_gold
Original Author
8 years ago
Which NPK ratio should I be looking for?
rgreen48
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Well, most fish emulsion is like 5-1-1 or 5-2-2, so it's a good ratio for growing seedlings. Worm castings can vary, but just regular worm castings found in stores and nurseries will be fine for use in making tea.
kimmq
7 years ago
For container growing there are a number of fertilizers listed as organic, most based on ground fish which could present an odor problem in the house. Seedlings do not need to be fertilized until they have developed those first true leaves and then they usually only need to be fed at about half strength.

Scotts Miracle Gro is not an organic fertilizer.

kimmq is kimmsr
m_gold
Original Author
7 years ago
How often do the seedlings need to be fed? The bottle says every three week but if I'm only using such a small amount, should it be a bit more frequent?
rgreen48
7 years ago
"... should it be a bit more frequent?"

Not usually. It depends on a few factors... the medium, type of seedlings, how long they will be in the containers, dilution ratio, etc... but young plants don't have the need for a lot of fertilizer. Neither do they have the ability to use it. The dilution is so that they aren't overwhelmed and burned. You can post in the Growing from Seed forum for more specific advice, but generally speaking... if they need it, feed them lol.

Which brand organic fertilizer do you use?

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kimmq

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Which brand organic fertilizer do you use?

Comments (8)

kimmq

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