navigating the world of organic inputs

InputsAmendments to increase soil fertility

Jenny Jack Sun Farm, Pine Mt. Ga

Start with a Soil TestSoil Testing Labs: 1. Waters (Georgia)2. UGA Extension3. Waypoint Analytical (Virginia)

Late Fall/ Early Winter are optimum times to test to be prepared for next season

CompostMost importantinput for building and maintaining healthy, living soil

Compost • Inoculates the soil with beneficial microbes and increases Organic Matter. • As soil organisms decompose Organic

Matter, nutrients are converted into simpler mineral forms that plants can easily use.• Organic Matter improves the texture of

soil and increases the water holding capacity. • Diverse microbial life found in compost

colonizes the soil and competes with disease-causing microbes.

Role of Nitrogen• Responsible for vegetative growth; an important factor

in photosynthesis (why deficiency show up in yellowing of leaves).

• Availability in the soil depends on factors including the temperature and moisture of air and soil, the composition and condition of soil, and the activity level of soil organisms.

• It’s so transient that most soil labs don’t include it among the parameters they test for in a soil sample.

Nitrogen SourcesAnimal Manure Based Compost

• While organic compost contains nitrogen, compost alone often does not provide an adequate supply for many vegetable plant’s needs..

Nitrogen SourcesFeather Meal- 13-0-0• Semi-slow release, providing plants with nitrogen over an extended period of time. • Begins to release its nitrogen within 4-7 days of application. Most of the nitrogen is released at a steady rate as plants metabolize the nitrogen for 3 months or more. The remaining nitrogen will release for up to another 3 months.

Nitrogen SourcesBlood Meal- 12-0-0• For use when plants need instant nitrogen or forheavier N feeders like cabbage or corn. • Can be used to heat up compost pile. •  Side dress vegetables at 2 lbs. per 100 row feet or 300-500 lbs. per ac.• Also used to repel wildlife.

Nitrogen SourcesAlfalfa Meal 3-2-2• Excellent general fertilizer; good source of micronutrients• Increases soil microbial activity• Application Rates: 2 1/2 lbs. per 100 sq. ft., in compost

making you can add 6 cups per cu. yd. of material.

Nitrogen SourcesSymphony 5-4-3 (Composted Chicken Manure)• All Purpose Fertilizer with Calcium and Micronutrients

such as Boron, Zinc, Mg, Sulfur• Manure comes from USDA organic egg laying

operationOther poultry manure based fertilizers are usually

from broilers. Commercial broiler operations tend to be fed large quantities of antibiotics and hormones. This egg farm also raises a lot of their own organic grains for their operation.

Symphony 5-4-3• VEGETABLES: 60 - 80 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. or 1 ton per

acre. Apply more lightly for short season vegetables or multiple applications.

• TREES: 5 - 10 cups of fertilizer for each inch of trunk diameter.

• FLOWERS: 30 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. Apply once or twice per season.

• Homemade Potting Mix: 6 cups per 20 gal. coir/worm castings/vermiculite

Nitrogen SourcesFish Emulsion• Different brands have different amounts of nutrients; most

around 2-3-1• Ground fish, transformed into liquid.• Immediate source of nutrients• Look for brands produced using a cold process so that it

contains all the nutrients, vitamins, enzymes and natural growth hormones.• Can be sprayed as a foliar spray, used in drip lines, or as a

soil drench

Role of Phosphorus • Phosphorus is critical in root development, crop

maturity and seed production.

• Tightly held in the soil, so concern in organic farming is with accumulation, not deficiency.

• Chicken manure based composts are higher in Phosphorus than cow manure based.

Phosphorus SourcesBone Meal 2-14-0• An excellent calcium source at 20%. Use where

immediate phosphorus is needed.• Vegetables and flower gardens: apply 10 lbs per 1000 sq

ft. or as needed Rock Phosphate 0-3-0• 23% calcium• Apply 300 - 500 lbs a year per acre to slowly build up

your phosphate levels over time.

Role of Potassium • Essential for a vigorous root system, improved plant

growth and disease resistance, as well as fruit and vegetable quality (taste!)

• It's important for a plant's ability to withstand extreme cold and hot temperatures, drought and pests.

• Very mobile, so prone to leaching esp. in sandy soils

Potassium Sources- faster availabilityPotassium Sulfate, 0-0-50-Sulfur 17% • Application Rate: can vary from 1 to 10 lbs per 1000 sq. ft.

It is best to apply according to your soil test.

Bio Link Liquid Potassium, 0-0-6• Contains 6.0% soluble potash ; can be used in drip line

systems.• Foliar application: 1-4 quarts per acre (2 oz. per gallon of

water). Can also be used as a soil drench

Potassium Sources- faster availabilityWood Ash• 3-7 % K• Effective 1-4 months• Also provides Phosphorus• Alkaline (raises soil pH; makes acidic soil more neutral)

Potassium Sources- slower availabilityKelp• 4-13 % K• Effective for 4-6 months• Application Rate: 10-20 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft., 400 - 800 lbs.

per acre.Granite Dust• 3-6 % K• Very slowly released over 3-5 + years• Substitute for Greensand (no longer available?)

Role of Calcium• Plants use calcium to produce cell walls and root tips.

• Calcium-deficient roots are stunted and short, and they lack the strength to push through the soil. Calcium-deficient fruit may develop blossom-end rot, a common problem for tomatoes and peppers.

• Improves Soil Structure• good for compacted soils

Calcium Sources• Limestone- provides Ca and neutralizes acidic soil

• Dolomitic Lime will also provide Mg, another essential element for plant growth• Use Hi-Cal lime if Mg is sufficient

• Gypsum- use to provide Ca if soil pH does not need to be altered

• Argonite and Crab Shell are other organic sources of Calcium

Micronutrient Sources Azomite

• Mined volcanic mineral has over 66 minerals and trace elements

Sea 90Salt crystals from dehydrated sea water

Kelp Meal

All of these sources help re-

mineralize the soil and can be used to

supplement livestock feed

Homemade Potting Mix• 1 block coir• 6 gallons worm castings• 3 gal vermiculite• 6 cups Symphony (compostedchicken manure)

Potting up (for 4 inch pots; tomatoes, peppers, etc.)6 gal compost, 4 gal castings, 3 gal coir, 2 gal vermiculite, 4 cups Symphony.

Tomato Planting

References• http://

extension.oregonstate.edu/douglas/sites/default/files/documents/lf/orgfertval.pdf • List of organic sources of NPK and compares availability and

rate of release

Building Soils for Better Crops by Fred Magdoff

http://7springsfarm.com/organic-farming-gardening-supplies-catalog

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