Organic fertilizers

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dana on August 13, 2009 at 12:19pm

Chicken Poop is highest in nitrogen...plus you get eggs - added benefit. ;^)

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Judy on August 13, 2009 at 1:00pm

That is the plan in the future but need something to use in the fall garden other than the miracle grow/osmocote route. The soil is amended with compost and manure but will need to add something I'm sure at some point to supplement that.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by dan straight on August 13, 2009 at 1:35pm

i use horse manure rabbit manure chicken manure and fish guts and bones from fishing trips

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dana on August 13, 2009 at 1:34pm

I have heard that La Salvia Dairy gives away manure for free if you load it...they charge $10 per truckload if they load it for you.
La Salvia, Jerome Dairy
2900 W Dobbins Rd
Laveen, AZ 85339

Phone: (602) 237-3618

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ericka Cero Wood on August 14, 2009 at 10:02am

Craigs list usually has listing of free manure too. Cow, goat, sheep are best so that weed seeds are usually digested fully. Horse manure has more weed seeds as they have only one stomach. But, we have used horse manure and so far have not noticed anything sprouting that we otherwise would not want. Craigs list is where we found free horse manure. A gal in central/north Phoenix. She had a horse in her backyard...like a normal looking house. Not one that you would say "this must be horse property" house.

Adding manure to your compost now so it has some time to break down a bit would be a good idea. You may be surprised at how good compost will work rather well. And, it is always easier to OVER fertilize then under fertilize. You can kill plants by over fertilizing pretty darn easy. Check out grrlscout's page and this photo of a fertilizing issue.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Judy on August 14, 2009 at 10:17am

Thanks Erica, I understand that adding manure and compost to soil can actually tie up the nutrients for a couple of years until the beneficial organisms actually start adding nutrients and supplemental feeding is necessary during those years for healthy plants. The one girlscout used was one I had heard about and will have to research when plants actually need feeding and at what strength and frequency. And I thought all I had to do was poke seeds in the ground and water! If only it were that easy, huh?

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ericka Cero Wood on August 14, 2009 at 12:15pm

Ken Singh has a "compost tea" that he sells. Only on Saturdays does he sell the tea and his compost. I don't know what the tea costs, but a truck load of compost (like a pickup truck) is around $60.

Here is a link to another thread on Ken and compost in general. Or, do a search on this site for "Ken compost" for more info.

I shy away from chemicals like miracle grow, sticking to compost and rock minerals. Patience is the key. Building soil takes time, and we are trying to grow cover crops to feed the soil. We now have chickens and that has added nitrogen to the soil and our compost. Plants will only take nutrients that they need leaving the rest in the soil. That is how the more potent chemicals can burn the plant, too much of a good thing. Too much chicken poop will do the same thing as it is loaded with nitrogen.

Plus, do not expect home grown veggies to look like store bought ones. The small imperfect veggies never get to the store shelves, and we would all be amazed at what food is wasted in the field because it does not fit the "ideal." Most veggies in the store are "juiced up" just like Barry Bonds on steroids. Look good, but there is a price to be paid-eventually.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Judy on August 14, 2009 at 3:15pm

Erica, we did buy some of Ken's compost which is what I have in my beds now but now have a supply of my own that is finally ready to use. I plan to make compost tea to use too and don't plan to use miracle grow type stuff. And most of my veggies definitely don't look like what we see in stores with the exception of the greens. I had some nice looking leeks and onions though that were every bit as good as "store" stuff, my beets and turnips were pretty small but really enjoyed the tops. Peppers were dissappointingly small, even the jalapenos but the plants are still healthy looking and blooming so maybe we'll get some good ones yet.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by mark dugan on November 24, 2009 at 5:29pm

i like free coffee grounds. starbucks gives them out.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Judy on November 25, 2009 at 7:02am

Coffe grounds are great too and I do use mine in the garden and have gotten some from Starbucks but they must be pretty popular as I usually miss out on them. Thanks Mark.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by mark dugan on November 26, 2009 at 3:03pm

not sure where you roll, but the starbucks at McDowell and 7th st puts them in a bag in the back of there store for people to take everyday.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Judy on November 27, 2009 at 5:17pm

Thanks Mark for the heads up, I'm in Mesa and have 3 near me but they must be popular, just have to keep checking I guess.

▶ Reply to This

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page