organic fertilizer, should we use it?

I know a few gardeners that extoll the virtues of packaged organic fertilizers. I've never used them because I have more compost and manure than I can use. Recently I have discovered that the manufacturing process is not at all kind to the environment or to those that live near the manufacturers. If my friends that go organic knew this I'm sure that this would not sit well with them because they care about the environment. I'm not saying that anyone should go with the chemical alternatives but I think they ought to consider going back to compost and manure.

muddy

 

I agree Muddy, I try to use as much compost as I can and manure when I can get my hands on some. Richard won't let me have bunnies and I want some. We do have lots of leaf mold and I compost my grass clippings and kitchen scraps along with the leaves.

 

I use spent compost from Monterey Mushroom plant.It is the best I ever used.Jubabe uses it also.You can almost see the plants grow in it.I get mine early so it can go through the winter months and rain and then it want be to strong.It is organic from what I understand.All that goes into it is raw materals.Smells to high heaven.

 

You can make your own organic ferts. I by bags of bat guano and make a tea with them. You can make a compost tea as well.

I do buy alaska fish emulsion though. Plants love that stuff.

 

I don't buy fertilizer at all. I use my own compost and pond water. Best fertilizer I have found.

 

Pondlady Jan is on to something here; if anyone has aquariums the waste water at water-change time is loaded with nutrients.
Hank

 

I'd never thought of using pond water! Would the water from my fish tank (inside)work the same way?

 

I never knew that pond water can be used as fertilizer until now. Wouldn't the "green thing"(algae) be harmful to the plants?

 

When we do a water change on our koi pond we run the water through a piece of hose into the flower bed. They love it.

 

The more water we can use before it goes down the storm drain, the more it helps, not only our gardens, but our planet.

 

How is organic fertilizer bad for the environment? I just bought some called Terracycle. It's made from worm castings and packaged in recycled pop bottles. I haven't had the chance to use it on my plants yet.

 

How about Well water???

 

Yes it will. I might not use it (aquarium water) for seven days before harvest, but that is caution of mine, and not science.