Dry Fertilizers & Nutrients
QUICK LIST:
NOTE: N-P-K values listed in catalog may differ from actual values.
Common abbreviations: A = acre sqft = square feet
Alfalfa Meal
Alfalfa Meal is an effective soil conditioner and plant-based nitrogen source. When alfalfa plants grow they send long roots down into the subsoil and bring micronutrients into their leaves and tissue. These micronutrients are made available to your soil when you apply alfalfa meal at 3-5lbs per 100 sqft or 800-1000lbs per acre.
Aluminum Sulfate
Aluminum Sulfate helps lower soil pH. Use for acid loving plants such as Azaleas, Camellia, Gardenia, Hemlock, Hydrangea, Holly. Can be used for gardens, trees, and shrubs. A soil test is the best way to determine the amount needed for your garden.
Azomite
Azomite (0-0-2.5, 5% calcium) is a finely ground trace mineral source that has gained a loyal and enthusiastic following over the past few years. Reports abound of tomatoes tasting better, potatoes producing higher yields and storing longer, livestock becoming healthy again and crops resisting pests with the addition of Azomite to the soil, compost or feed. These are just a few examples of the good results that farmers and gardeners are getting with Azomite (A to Z of Minerals & Trace Elements).
Azomite is derived from a natural volcanic mineral deposit in Utah. It is discussed at great length in the book, Secrets of the Soil (currently out of print, but available in most libraries). University research has focused on citrus trees and the poultry industry with new research being done on nursery stock trees. Our experience has shown that the use of Azomite helps to create healthier plants which are better able to resist disease and insects. We've also noticed a dramatic improvement in crop flavor, particularly in tomatoes. Excellent to revitalize old trees.
Use in potting mix, compost and feed at a rate of 1-2% of the mixture. Broadcast or preferably use a drop spreader to apply at 10-20lb per 100 sqft or 250-500lbs per acre. For unhealthy trees, apply 15lbs/tree for the first year and 5lbs/annually. For roses and shrubs sprinkle .5lb around each plant and work into top layer of soil.
Useful on new lawns at 1lb per 10 sqft and on established lawns at 1lb per 15 sqft. If possible pick a day with no wind to spread this light powder.
Blood Meal
Blood Meal (12-0-0) has long been the amendment of choice for organic growers seeking to supply plants with a dose of quick-release nitrogen. Side dress plants during the growing season at a rate of 2#/100 row feet. Can also be broadcast before planting at a rate of 3-5#/100 sf or 500-1000#/A depending on soil requirements.
Crab Shell
Neptune's Harvest Organic Crab Shell is an excellent dry organic source of NPK (2-3-0), Calcium (23%) and Magnesium (1.33%). It will also help with nematode and fungus problems. Here's why: Crab Shell is high in Chitin (Kite-en), which promotes the growth of Chitin eating bacteria in the soil. The exoskeletons of fungus and nematode eggs are high in chitin. When added to the soil, Crab Shell helps to create a hostile environment for the fungus and nematodes by feeding the biological life that eats chitin and chitin based organisms.
For gardens, till the Crab Shell in as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. For perennial crops, apply at the end of dormancy. Mix thoroughly with the soil or growing media, taking care not to apply in concentrated form directly to the roots. To apply as a soil conditioner for fruit groves, ornamental trees, lawns and turf, apply directly as a top dressing.
Epsom Salt
Epsom Salt, or magnesium sulfate, is used where magnesium deficiencies occur in already alkaline conditions. Magnesium oxide (mag-ox) is more common and a less expensive source because of its concentration (60% Mg). Mag-ox has only a minimal effect on pH. Epsom Salt contains 9.8% Magnesium, 2.2% Calcium, and 13% Sulfur.
Feather Meal
Feather Meal, like blood meal, assays to about 12% nitrogen, but it is derived from a very different form of protein. Keratin, a protein that occurs in hair, hoofs, horns and feathers, is very indigestible when fed to animals as a protein or introduced to the soil as a fertilizer. Soil bacteria very tight, and not easily break down the structure of keratin. This attribute makes feathers an excellent long-term source of nitrogen, but not appropriate for the plant’s immediate needs. Many companies provide preliminary hydrolysis (i.e., decomposition) of feathers by autoclaving, a process that cooks the feathers with steam and pressure. This step requires energy, and raises the cost, while providing a disproportionate improvement in nitrogen availability. The microorganisms that seem to be most adept at degrading feathers are often found in the bird’s manure. Therefore, a mixture of feathers and manure (from the same birds) will improve availability, without increasing the costs significantly. This practice would only be appropriate for farmers situated on or near feather producing operations. As processes are developed that make feathers a more available nitrogen source, the costs will continue to rise; not only from the expense of the process, but also because the product becomes more attractive to feed market as a digestible source of protein.
Greensand
Greensand (0-1-7, 3% Mg, 20% Fe) A naturally occurring iron-potassium silicate that has the consistency of sand. It's ability to absorb 10 times more moisture than sand makes it an exceptional soil conditioner. Contains potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus with over 30 trace elements. Greensand will loosen hard soils, bind sandy soils, help regulate soil moisture and stimulate soil organisms. On pasture, hay lands, and cover crops spread 1000#/A. On lawns, ball fields and turf use 100#/1000 sf. Use 100#/tree to the drip line and on vegetables use up to 10#/100 sf or 500-4000#/A depending on soil requirements.
Gypsum
Gypsum is an excellent source of calcium (23%) and sulfur (17%) that is used to correct alkaline and sodic (high sodium) soils, improve the structure of heavy clay soils and protect soils and plants in high traffic areas from winter salt damage. Can be used at any time of the year, but spring and fall applications are better. To remedy salt-affected areas, apply 20-30#/100 sf. On alkaline or heavy soils use 5-15#/100 sf or 500-4000#/A depending on soil requirements.
A Note on Kelp: Kelp meal is made from the sea plant commonly called rockweed and officially named Ascophyllum nodosum. It contains potent concentrations of trace minerals, micronutrients, amino acids and vitamins that stimulate the growth of plants. Most importantly, it contains growth hormones, including cytokinins, auxins and gibberellins that stimulate cell division and help create larger root systems. Research and field trials have confirmed the role of kelp in increased crop yields, drought resistance, stress recovery and resistance to frost.
Kelp Meal
Kelp Meal, Soil Conditioner (a less expensive soil conditioner) is mechanically harvested off the Canadian coast and finely ground to the consistency of salt. It breaks down quicker in the soil because of its smaller particle size. Rates of use are: garden 3#/100 sf, field 200-400#/A, row 2#/100 linear ft., orchard 1# per inch of tree diameter, turf 10#/1000 sf, potting mix 2-3% of volume.
Nature's Turf 8-1-9
Natire's Turf is a designer fertilizer made specifically for turf. Nature's turf 8-1-9 provides nutrients to turf plants in the most efficient manner possible: it enrichens the biological activity in the soil.
Nature's Turf 8-1-9 fertilizes lawns using blood meal, feather meal, (natural) nitrate of soda, bone meal, and natural sulfate of potash. Apply using a drop or broadcast spreader.
Pro Gro
Pro Gro (5-3-4) is a general purpose, slow-release organic fertilizer (North Country Organic) made of bone meal, rock phosphate, oyster shell, kelp meal, greensand, natural sulfate of potash/magnesia, vegetable protein meals, bone meal, natural nitrate of soda and fish meal. NCO has an excellent paramagnetic reading of almost 1200 cgs. Use 2-5lbs per 100 sqft in the garden or 20lbs per 1000 sqft on turf.
Pro-Booster
Pro-Booster (10-0-0) Nitrogen is a major component of life. The hormones, enzymes and chlorophyll in growing plants are all composed with nitrogen. Protoplasm, the living substance of plant cells, is comprised of 40–50% nitrogen ( on a dry matter basis). Plants require more nitrogen than any other soil-boil nutrient. Unfortunately, unlike many other plant nutrients, nitrogen does not exist as a natural mineral in soil. Organic nitrogen from plant and animal wastes must be mineralized by soil microbes into nitrate (NO3) to be used by plants. The only known deposit of natural mineral nitrate on earth is in the Atacama Desert located in Northern Chile. It is mined for agricultural and horticultural use and is commonly known as Chilean Nitrate or Natural Nitrate of Soda. Pro-Booster is an all-new combination of wood humate and natural nitrate of soda, which contains 10% total nitrogen. Pro-Booster is a fast acting fertilizer with one third of its nitrogen immediately available (water-soluble). The organic nitrogen in wood humates (from dried pulping solids) is almost 94% water insoluble and complements the Pro-Booster mix with its slow-release attributes. Pro-Booster can be side or top dressed whenever extra nitrogen is needed. NOTE: We suggest that you take careful consideration of your nitrogen needs. Over applying ANY kind of nitrogen can cause more harm than good.
Pro Holly
Pro Holly (4-6-4) An amendment-based plant food formulated to provide the high level of available phosphoric acid required by acid-loving plants. Use it on hollies, dogwoods, gardenias, marigolds, rhododendrons, azaleas, ferns, hydrangeas, pachysandras and other acid-loving plants. Derived from bone meal, cocoa shells, soya bean meal, phosphate rock, greensand, ammonium sulfate, super phosphate, sulfate of potash, cottonseed meal, leather tankage, chicken manure, animal waste, feather tankage and agricultural slag. Apply 1-3 pounds per tree or shrub in fall for strong spring growth. Can be reapplied in the spring.
Pro Start
Pro Start (2-3-3) is a blend of natural ingredients, including rock phosphate, compost, oyster meal, kelp meal, greensand, dried whey, natural nitrate of soda. Pro-Start concentrates below the soil, toughening plants for winter stress, and promoting the development of healthy root systems. Use as a starter fertilizer or winterizer. As a winterizing fertilizer apply to lawns, fields, vegetable gardens, perennial borders, flowering shrubs, mature fruit trees late in the season. As a starter fertilizer, work into potting mixture, add to transplant holes or apply to new seedbed after seeding. Great for giving transplanted seedlings, shrubs or trees a good start.
Rock Phosphate
Rock Phosphate(0-3-0) has 30% total phosphate with 3% available and 48% calcium. Some tests indicate that up to 7% phosphate is actually available. The greyish-black color comes from a 3% carbon content, and its calcium content gives it approximately one-fifth the neutralizing power of lime. Its principle use is to build long-term phosphate fertility; applications can last up to five years depending on soil conditions. Black rock phosphate spreads easily with a broadcast spreader. Use 5#/100 sf or 500-4000#/A depending on deficiency.
Sulfate of Potash
Sulfate of Potash is a natural potash mineral that contains 51% soluble potash. It also contains trace amounts of calcium and magnesium. Potassium is second only to nitrogen in terms of the abundance needed for plants. Many crops use as much as 250# of potash per A per year. Sulfate of Potash can be applied as a supplement or blended with other natural materials that address your soil deficiencies. Application rates should be based on accurate soil test results. If you also need magnesium, see Sul-Po-Mag (below).