Kelp meal
Organic Sources of Potassium ( K ):
• KELP — usually between four and 13 percent potassium . There are various formulations of seaweed fertilisers on the market rich with other micronutrients as well .
• WOOD ASH — generally ranges between three and seven percent potassium . Wood ash also contains calcium .
• GRANITE MEAL — this ranges between three and six percent potassium and is a byproduct of mining operations .
• GREENSAND — this is typically about five percent potassium and is a type of marine sand which also improves soil structure .
There are , of course , several other nutrients needed for plant growth such as calcium ( Ca ), which can be derived from organic sources . Some of these sources include materials from the sea such as clam and oyster shells or mined materials such as dolomite ( limestone ) or gypsum . All these organic sources of calcium typically deliver up to or beyond 30 percent calcium . Other organic sources of nutrients have multiple benefits . Burned eggshells have trace amounts of phosphorus and potassium in addition to calcium . Fish emulsion is a great source of organic nitrogen , but also has some phosphorus and potassium .
When soil pH needs to be adjusted , there are several organic options for that as well . If the pH needs to be adjusted , some truly organic nutrients or amendments include peat moss , sulfur ( S ), and cottonseed meal . Wood ashes or ground limestone ( dolomite ) are both excellent sources of calcium and are also effective in raising pH . There are thousands of possibilities for organic sources of nutrients , all which could be approved for use in organic plant or food production . It is important to note some items may themselves be organic or contain organic ingredients but contain some other non-organic aspect which would render the whole product to be considered non-organic . Knowing how to read a label properly or looking for third-party certification on a product can help the grower know if he or she has an organic nutrient .
Certifying Agencies
In the world of organic foods , such as those you might find at your local grocery store or farmer ’ s market , there are several government and thirdparty certifiers whose sole role is to ensure the organic integrity of a food product . When it comes to organic fertilisers or nutrients themselves , Australia Certified Organic ( ACO ), is the largest organisation Down Under .
The group provides certification services to operators from all sectors of the organic industry . Certification ensures compliance with national and international production standards and allows trace back of all products to their origin . It should be noted ACO has not reviewed all products on the market . A manufacturer must submit its products for review . There may be products that indeed fit the bill of truly organic but cannot be sold as such until they have been approved . Similarly , there may be products making an organic claim , but have not been reviewed by ACO . These products should be viewed suspiciously .
While ACO-approved products do not represent 100 per cent of the truly organic products that are on the market , growers who are not sure of the authenticity of a product ’ s claim should stick with those products bearing the ACO label to ensure they have truly organic nutrients .
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There are thousands of possibilities for organic sources of nutrients , all which could be approved for use in organic plant or food production .”
34 Maximum Yield