“ Individual organic dry ingredients allow the cultivator to tailor the soil composition to the specific crop .”
The following ingredients are commonly used by organic cultivators to amend their outdoor soil . These can be mixed ( amended ) into the soil at the beginning of the season and / or used as a top-dressing as needed :
• Blood meal is a very rich , fast-releasing nitrogen source . Blood meal is a great additive for plants requiring high amounts of nitrogen .
• Fish meal is another fast-releasing nitrogen source . Fish meal is a great nitrogen additive that enhances microbial life in the soil and also contains a significant amount of phosphorus , which helps trigger root development .
• Feather meal is a slow-releasing nitrogen source best used for plants requiring high amounts of nitrogen over a three to four month period .
• Soybean meal is a slow-releasing nitrogen source , but not quite as slow as feather meal . Soybean meal is a great additive for plants needing adequate nitrogen for two to three months and a little phosphorus boost to help promote fruiting or flowering .
• High-nitrogen bat guano is rich in micronutrients , beneficial microbes , and , of course , nitrogen . The fast-releasing nitrogen and its beneficial diversity make high-nitrogen bat guano the fertilizer of choice for many organic growers .
• High-phosphorus bat guano is an excellent source of phosphorus and is known to not only increase flower / fruit sets , but also their size , aroma , and flavor . Many brands of high-phosphorus bat guano are also a great source of calcium .
• Bone meal is an excellent phosphorus source and is revered for its ability to promote strong root development . Bone meal is also a great source of calcium .
• Fish bone meal is basically the same thing as bone meal except it is derived from fish . A great source of both phosphorus and calcium .
• Seabird guano , like bat guano , is known to increase the amount of flower / fruit sets and their size . An excellent source of phosphorus and micronutrients .
• Rock phosphate is a slow-releasing phosphorus source that is commonly extracted into a liquid form to increase availability . Best used for plants needing a slow and constant release of phosphorus .
• Hardwood ash is the original source of “ potash ” fertilizers . Hardwood ash can be used as a direct soil additive to increase potassium levels .
• Kelp meal is a source of readily available potassium and a variety of micronutrients and plant hormones . This great soil additive can also increase overall plant health and vigor .
• Greensand is a slow-releasing potassium source . Generally speaking , greensand is used to improve a soil ’ s condition rather than boost potassium content .
• Langbeinite is a naturally occurring mineral and is water soluble . It ’ s a good source of potassium , sulfur , and magnesium .
• Oyster shell is an excellent source of calcium that accelerates root development and , in turn , improves nutrient uptake . Oyster shell also works as a pH buffer , helping to keep the soil from becoming too acidic .
• Dolomite lime , or sweet lime , is a great pH buffer for any soil composition and ensures the soil ’ s pH doesn ’ t turn too acidic . Also a rich source of calcium and magnesium .
• Glacier rock dust is a soil amendment that revitalizes trace elements and provides a foundation of minerals for healthy plant growth .
• Alfalfa meal is rich in trace elements , but it is the abundance of natural growth stimulators that has gained recognition among organic horticulturists . Alfalfa meal accelerates growth rates while promoting abundant fruit or flowers .
44 Maximum Yield