Natural organic fertilizers
Such fertilizers have the most beneficial effect on the elemental composition of the earth, on its various characteristics (water and air permeability), and ensure the stability of its structure. As organic matter decomposes, it improves the humus layer, and this in turn significantly increases fertility and the amount of nutrients. In addition, the presence of natural fertilizers in the soil has a positive effect on any biological processes occurring there and activates the vital activity of microorganisms.
Organic fertilizers better than their artificial counterparts, therefore, whenever possible, you should use natural fertilizer, which can be of animal or organic origin. They have different effects. If the former change the chemical composition of the soil more, then the latter change the physical characteristics. However, the bulk of organic fertilizers successfully combine both of these qualities, and it is not at all difficult to use at least a couple of types of fertilizers simultaneously to enhance their positive effect.
Almost all fertilizers of this type contain a set of elements necessary for plants: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, various microelements, vitamins, hormones in a form in which green pets can absorb them.
First on the list of such fertilizers is deservedly manure, but not ordinary slurry, but so-called stall manure. Its composition is determined by what animal it comes from and the material of the bedding on which the animal is located in the place where it is kept. For example, the material can be straw, peat, sawdust, wood shavings. The first material from this list is probably the highest quality, has an excellent structure, and, in addition, straw saturates the manure with nutrients as it rots. Peat is second on the list, but manure based on this material is not used so often, although it is also of fairly high quality and absorbs animal feces well, retaining ammonia and nitrogen. Sawdust and wood shavings are sometimes used to prepare fertilizer, but their effectiveness leaves much to be desired.
Depending on what animal it comes from manure, a distinction is made between cow (mullein), horse, goat, sheep, pork and rabbit manure.
The most popular is horse manure, which is characterized by multiple pores and lightness. When decomposed, it produces much more heat than any other type of manure. The release of heat is based on the fact that the fertilizer, piled up, heats up as a result of the processes occurring in it, i.e. Microorganisms actively develop, manure decomposes, heat and a large amount of nitrogen are released. Since a lot of heat is generated, this type of manure is often used to heat greenhouses. The decomposition of the fertilizer occurs quickly, and accordingly the earth quickly heats up, and therefore it is best to use it on heavy, dense soils that take a long time to warm up - this will balance the processes and slow down the decomposition, and the soil will begin to warm up. On such soils, you can create a warm bed with the help of horse manure. The method of application is as follows: embed it in the ground every 2-3 years at a small or medium depth.
❧ Herbs infused with rainwater can be used as fertilizers. This product has a positive effect on plants. To prepare fertilizer, first collect the necessary herbs, put them in a barrel, which is left open, since rainwater will collect in it, and when the barrel is filled to the brim, it is closed. The infusion is stirred periodically.
The effect of sheep and goat manure is similar to that of horse manure. They are also heat producers, quickly decompose and can cause harm to plants. If possible, such manure should be used on heavy soils. Cow manure, or mullein, is denser in structure than horse manure, decomposes more slowly and produces less heat. Therefore suitable for use in any soil. But mullein contains a lot of key nutrients for plants, including nitrogen, which it contains in a form convenient for absorption. How often cow manure needs to be applied depends on the type of land: if it is heavy, dense, damp soil, then the fertilizer is applied once every 3-4 years, since such manure rots slowly. If the soil is average, then once every 3 years. In this case, manure is introduced to a shallow depth. If the soil has a light structure, then it is fertilized once every 2 years, planting it deeper, because manure decomposes quickly and nutrients quickly go to depth.
Fertilizer based on pig manure is the most undesirable. The reason is that it has a watery structure and a very slow decomposition process. Although such manure contains a lot of nutrients, they are contained in a form that is not very convenient for absorption. It is considered cold, which means low heat transfer. Do not use pig manure in heavy soils, which will further inhibit biological processes. Fertilizer can be applied to sandy soils, but it is better to use a different type.
Rabbits produce manure that is extremely rich in nutrients, and there are more of them than in other manures, but it is rarely used and is usually used to create compost mass or in the form of liquid fertilizer. The latter is prepared as follows: take 1-2 kg of rabbit droppings in a bucket of water, mix, leave for a little while, waiting for the pieces of droppings to disperse. And they use it this way: they dig small holes and fill them with slurry at the rate of 1.5 liters per square meter, after which they cover the holes with earth.
Regardless of the type of manure, you should follow some rules for handling it. Under no circumstances should you use fresh Fertilizer, since as it decomposes, poisonous gases penetrate into the ground, which are harmful to plant roots, and as a result of intense heat transfer, plants get burned. In addition, not all substances in manure decompose, and although they contain nutrients, they are in a form that is not digestible by plants. Manure also contains a lot of weed seeds, which will certainly sprout when they fall into the ground. Therefore, manure must be ready for use, i.e., already decomposed to a certain extent.
A popular organic fertilizer is bird droppings, which are superior in nutritional value to manure. It decomposes very quickly and is extremely active. Therefore, in a fresh state, it is contraindicated to use it under plants. There is an option to add it to the ground during autumn digging (about 250 g per square meter), but usually it is used to prepare compost or left to rot. In principle, the droppings can be used in powder form, for which it must be crushed and then scattered under the plants (40 g per square meter). Some people mix manure with peat and get ready-to-apply fertilizer.
When crushing animal bones, bone meal is obtained, which in itself is already a good fertilizer, since it contains a lot of calcium and phosphorus. Apply to the soil at the rate of 3-4 kg per square meter. Decomposition in its natural state is slowed down, so to speed up the process, the flour must be ground as finely as possible or filled with water until completely dissolved. The only type of soil where decomposition occurs quite quickly without additional tricks is light soil.
The word “organic” has recently become increasingly popular – adherents of a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition are willing to overpay several times just to have organic products on their table. In fact, “organic” has never lost its relevance in crop production - gardeners have always used organic fertilizers for their gardens and considered them the most useful and valuable.
However, in most cases, natural fertilizer is still used in combination with “chemical” mineral ones, and only a few farms use exclusively natural fertilizer to increase productivity and improve its quality.
Is it possible to get a rich harvest at a summer cottage without the use of chemical fertilizers, how to make organic fertilizers with your own hands and what they generally are, and when it is necessary to apply organic fertilizers, and when you can do without them - we will consider in this article.
What is organic fertilizer?
First you need to decide what natural (natural or organic) fertilizer is. As is clear from the name (and synonyms), this is a composition that is of “natural” origin. In other words, no artificial additives are used in its production. But in fact, this is a fertilizer that nature itself “produces.”
In scientific interpretation, organic fertilizers are those that contain plant nutrients in the form of organic compounds. The composition also contains nitrogen, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and other minerals, but they are “obtained” naturally, without artificial chemical reactions.
Most often, organic fertilizers are “formed” without any direct human intervention at all. For example, the production of nitrogen fertilizers requires large-scale production with a complex system of laboratory research and long-term production “chains”. In the case of “organic” nitrogen, it is released independently during the breakdown of waste products of animals or other plants. Nitrogen in this “form” is much better absorbed by plants, which means they grow better and at the same time produce a richer, more useful harvest.
Can we say that organic fertilizers are better than mineral ones? It is quite difficult to answer this question unambiguously. Adherents of “organic crop production” will answer “yes” without a shadow of a doubt, but most summer residents are more likely to agree on the advisability of using a complex of organic and mineral fertilizers, citing their own experience as an argument. Indeed, almost all gardeners use both natural and chemical fertilizers to fertilize the soil and improve the quality of the crop - alternating them or combining them. In other words, the choice is yours...
What types of organic fertilizers are there?
To an ignorant person, only at first glance it may seem that behind the phrase “organic fertilizers” there is some kind of “special forces unit” hidden. Most people know that this is a generalized and “cultivated” name for... manure. However, manure is only one of the types, and it has many “subspecies”.
- manure (various animals),
- droppings (different birds have different values),
- composts,
- peat,
- sapropel,
- food waste, etc.
In fact, all types of natural fertilizers can be called universal - they are perfect for feeding the vast majority of garden and vegetable crops. Only the application rates and application period differ, but this is more about the “preferences” of the plants themselves (for example, some need to be fed earlier and more often, others later and only a couple of times per season).
Paradoxically, man has learned to produce even organic fertilizers (in the good sense of the word). Not every summer resident can afford to stock up on, for example, mullein or pigeon droppings. Special farms or industries that produce organic fertilizers come to his rescue.
Ideally, of course, this process should consist exclusively of collecting and packaging waste products of animals, birds, plants, etc. However, “industrial” organic fertilizers go through several more stages (for example, purification or “settling”) and only after that they reach store shelves.
Some types of natural fertilizers are additionally enriched with certain substances (this is how “complex organic fertilizers” are obtained), mixed with other types of fertilizers, or produced immediately in the form of a ready-to-use solution (such as liquid organic fertilizers).
The use of “industrial” organic fertilizers is a convenient way to feed plants. Their instructions, as a rule, contain all the necessary information about the composition, application rates and methods of application. For example, there is a fairly popular type of “industrial” organic fertilizer among summer residents - Bud. It is considered a stimulator of flowering and fruit formation.
There is an opinion that by using Bud, you can reduce the amount of barren flowers several times and increase the number of ovaries. Some also note that Bud helps improve the taste of garden and vegetable crops. A number of summer residents use Bud to accelerate the ripening of fruits in unfavorable weather conditions. You can also use Bud as a means of increasing immunity in plants.
In stores, Bud is sold as granular formulations or powder. The instructions for the drug contain information on methods of use, preparation proportions and application rates. We can say that Bud is a universal fertilizer that is suitable for a wide variety of crops: tomatoes, cabbage, currants and even eggplants.
When using Bud on the site, do not forget about safety precautions.
How to use manure?
Manure as a fertilizer is very popular among gardeners. It is considered one of the best ways to effectively and safely feed plants on the site. However, as we mentioned above, manure varies and for different crops it is better to use different types of manure (and some are better not to use at all).
Mullein
So, for example, mullein fertilizer can be said to be universal. Its composition is rich in substances beneficial to plants, which are contained in the best form for absorption by plants. Unlike pig manure, mullein contains less nitrogen and more potassium.
Horse dung
But horse manure as a fertilizer is best used in combination with other types of manure or diluted with straw, sawdust, water, etc. Horse manure has a very high content of “active” nitrogen, which “saturates” plant fruits with nitrates. For the same reason, the use of horse manure is more advisable in the fall (for example, as biofuel for greenhouses or creating “warm beds”), so that by spring the manure has time to decompose and hazardous substances have time to disintegrate.
Application
Regardless of the type of manure, it is not recommended to use it in “fresh” form. Firstly, the composition may contain pathogenic microorganisms, worm eggs or pathogenic bacteria. Secondly, the concentration of substances hazardous to plants in such manure is much higher - you can simply destroy the crop.
The use of manure has several features: if it is used at the stage of less decomposition, it is better to apply it in the fall, respectively, manure at the stage of greater decomposition is applied in the spring.
The universal norm for applying manure is 5-10 kilograms per square meter (it all depends on the quality of the soil and the “demandingness” of the crops). High-quality manure can be applied 2-3 times per season.
Experts recommend settling fresh manure (this recommendation applies to all types of animal manure) for at least 4 months (and sometimes up to three years), or mixing it with “neutralizing” components - ash, straw, lime, etc. In addition, bird droppings improve the quality of animal manure - some gardeners consider this mixture ideal for feeding plants.
Bird droppings: which one is better and how to apply it?
Some gardeners consider manure too “hard” a fertilizer, preferring a “softer” one - bird droppings. Which, by the way, can exceed some types of manure in terms of the amount of useful substances. Thus, pigeon and chicken droppings are considered the most valuable, while duck and goose types of organic fertilizers are the least “useful” for plants.
Pigeon
Pigeon droppings as a fertilizer are very popular not only among summer residents, but also among gardeners. It is believed that its composition is optimal for feeding all types of plants, helps strengthen the immune system and is especially useful for warming the ground in areas where heat-loving plants grow.
Experts do not recommend using pigeon droppings as fertilizer in dry form. It is better to use it in liquid form, infusing it for 3-5 days, and then diluting it with water in a ratio of 1 to 10. Most types of bird droppings are applied using the same scheme.
Quail
When it comes to various types of organic fertilizers and bird droppings, one cannot help but mention quail humus. Recently, even those who have never been interested in poultry farming have begun to actively breed quails. Quail eggs and meat are considered more healthy (and even dietary) than similar “products” of other types of birds.
Processing quail droppings into fertilizer is also a very profitable process - quail humus is perhaps the most concentrated of all types of bird droppings, so it is not recommended to use it in a “fresh” form - this can lead to burns of the soil and plants. However, in terms of its value (nutrient content), quail humus is superior to some types of animal manure.
Recycling quail droppings is essentially composting. It is kept in a container, sprinkled with layers of sawdust and straw. Typically, the process of processing quail droppings into humus takes about a month. Then the sawdust “filled” with useful substances is distributed over the site as fertilizer, making sure to dig up the soil immediately after. The optimal time for applying processed quail humus is autumn.
Another way to use processed quail humus is to prepare a solution. Quail humus is diluted with water in proportions of 1 to 1 and infused for a month, and then diluted with clean water in a ratio of 0.5 liters of humus per 10 liters of water. After such processing, quail humus can be used for watering and feeding indoor plants and garden crops.
It is noteworthy that not only bird droppings are used in crop production, but also other “derivatives” of birds. For example, egg shells.
Eggshells as a fertilizer are primarily a source of calcium. Moreover, calcium is in a form easily absorbed by plants.
Eggshell fertilizers can be an affordable and easy way to increase crop yields on your property. Most people cook eggs every day and throw away the shells. And if you collect it and “prepare” fertilizer, you can save on buying fertilizers in the store.
To make fertilizer from egg shells, you must first crush them. You can use a coffee grinder for this or simply break the remaining eggs with a hammer. Then the powder is poured with hot water and infused for a week. The disadvantage of this fertilizer is the unpleasant odor, so it is better to infuse the egg shells in the garden.
The prepared solution is mixed with water in a ratio of 1 to 3 and watered over the plants. There is no need to purify the water from egg shells. Moreover, you don’t have to fill the powder with water, but pour the crushed egg shells directly into the holes (this is usually done immediately before planting the plants).
What is sapropel and how to use peat as a fertilizer?
If you have ever watered flowers with water from an aquarium, you have probably noticed that after this they begin to grow much better and become stronger. Just as sea water is good for humans, water and silt are good for plants. Sapropel is a special type of silt (bottom sediments, to be precise).
True, it is not “mined” in every body of water - only with stagnant water (lake or pond) and has a number of special properties that ordinary sludge does not have. Sapropel as a fertilizer is considered one of the most valuable, since it contains not only the remains of lake plants, but also plankton.
Sapropel fertilizer contains humus (in fact, the most fertile part of the soil) and a large amount of calcium. It is used to improve the structure of the soil, if the humus layer in the soil is not sufficiently developed, and to increase the fertility of the soil.
We can say that this is a universal remedy - it is suitable both for strengthening adult plants and for improving the survival rate of seedlings. Even if the condition of the soil on the site leaves much to be desired, applying sapropel several times during the season will significantly improve its quality (mainly due to the fact that the humus will become “denser”). Sapropel fertilizer is also used for indoor plants.
Peat
In addition, peat is actively used in agriculture as a fertilizer. It contains few nutrients, but has a number of other properties important for the proper development of plants. For example, peat compositions, like sapropel, can be used to increase humus and improve soil structure.
It should be noted that humus is a complex of various organic compounds with a large supply of nutrients. It is formed mainly in the soil during the life of the organisms living in it: microbes, small animals and fungi. It is believed that the productivity of soil with a high humus content is 70% higher than that of soils where humus is not “developed” enough.
In addition, peat as a fertilizer is useful to use in the early stages of plant development to insulate the earth.
Peat is a fertilizer that is not used directly for feeding crops. It is rather an “auxiliary” substance. For example, on soils enriched with peat, the nitrate content in fruits is almost halved, and the negative effects of pesticides are almost completely neutralized. In addition, regular application of peat will increase humus, which means making the soil more fertile for several seasons.
If you nevertheless decide to use peat as a fertilizer, it is better to apply it in the fall so that the maximum amount of useful substances is “released” by spring. In this case, the soil will need to be dug up only immediately before planting seedlings or seedlings.
Peat can be used “on its own”, or in combination with superphosphates, mixing granular fertilizers with slurry.
Is it possible to make organic fertilizer with your own hands?
Every summer resident has his own secrets, and many of these secrets relate to recipes for preparing organic fertilizers. Almost anything of “animal or plant” origin can be used as a base. We have already said that eggshells are very popular as fertilizer, but in addition to eggs, you can also use other food waste.
For example, banana peels are often used as fertilizer; many “prepare” mixtures using wood shavings and dry branches as a base, while others use sawdust as fertilizer on its own or as part of it.
In other words, you can use any food waste, plant debris, herbal infusions, etc. as natural plant fertilizers. And you will receive a rich and high-quality harvest.
Organic fertilizers are those fertilizers that contain plant nutrients primarily in the form of organic compounds. These include manure, composts, peat, grass fertilizer and others.
Article outline
Organic fertilizers are substances of natural origin, the producer of which is nature. They contain the necessary elements for active and fruitful plant growth.
In most cases, the production of organic matter occurs without human intervention in the process of decomposition of products from the vital activity of plants or animals. The advantage of organic fertilizers is that plants absorb them very quickly, which cannot be said about fertilizers created by chemical means.
But no one can say with certainty that organic matter is better than mineral fertilizers. Since all gardeners are inclined to believe that in order to obtain a large and high-quality harvest, it is best to use fertilizers in combination, alternating them according to the prescribed standards.
Why organic fertilizers are considered the most valuable
Organic fertilizers are the safest of all, since they are created naturally and contain exactly those useful microelements and exactly in the proportions that the plant needs.
Organic fertilizers contain mineral elements such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen and others.
Organic fertilizers consist of substances of animal and plant origin, which, when decomposed, form minerals - while carbon dioxide is released into the earth's layers, which plants need for photosynthesis.
Organic fertilizers and their types
There are many types of organic fertilizers, the production of which is developed not only in our country, but also abroad. However, there are the most common types that are used almost everywhere for any crops in the homestead.
The most popular organic fertilizers are
- manure,
- compost,
- bird droppings,
- vermicompost,
- peat,
- grass fertilizer,
- humus.
Organic Fertilizer – Manure
Manure is the most popular organic fertilizer. It consists of animal excrement, which contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, as well as straw or hay. Manure is divided into subspecies depending on the living creatures that produced it. The most popular manure is cow manure. Horse and sheep are also in demand, but they are not always available both in terms of price and where to purchase them (you're lucky if you have your own horses and sheep).
Cow manure differs from horse and sheep manure in its high content of mineral elements. Horse droppings are valued for containing large amounts of nitrogen and potassium.
It is recommended to apply manure to the soil after three months of settling, since fresh manure contains unprocessed weed seeds, a variety of painful bacteria, and helminth eggs. Fertilizing can be done with diluted manure (the so-called slurry), which has a beneficial effect on all garden crops.
Cow manure is a universal complex fertilizer, which contains a lot of elements with a predominance of calcium and nitrogen. When used, the soil structure becomes better, air permeability and thermal properties improve, which affect the development of microorganisms. After its application, the soil is saturated with nutrients not only during the period of manure application, but also retains nutrients for 2-3 years.
Cow dung is divided into subtypes:
- Fresh- it can be used in different ways, the main thing is not to apply it just before planting, since as it decomposes, the temperature rises, which can cause the roots of young plants to burn. It is mainly used for creating compost pits, preparing mullein (liquid fertilizer) and during the autumn digging period (it is simply scattered around the garden).
- Liquid fertilizer (mullein) is considered the most effective - it is easily and very quickly absorbed by both soil and plants, and also does not contain pathogenic bacteria or weed seeds.
- Rotted manure It is mainly used for spring plowing or pouring it directly into plant holes. It is also suitable for mulching many plants.
- Slurry– This is the liquid part of cattle manure. The main value of this subspecies is the high content of not only calcium, as in previous types, but also nitrogen. But there is not enough phosphorus here, so it is recommended to combine the slurry with mineral phosphate fertilizers. The liquid should only be used in diluted form.
Horse manure is an effective and popular organic fertilizer. When it is used, active plant growth occurs, fruiting increases, and plant immunity to various diseases and adverse external factors increases. The fertile period of horse manure reaches 5 years.
Horse manure contains many microelements, the main ones being: nitrogen (most), potassium and phosphorus.
There are 5 types of horse manure:
- Fresh;
- Half-rotted;
- Horse manure in granules;
- Horse manure humus.
Which fertilizers are better – organic or mineral?
Bird droppings are an effective and valuable organic fertilizer. The most saturated with useful microelements is considered to be the droppings of chickens or pigeons. The droppings from geese and ducks are less valuable. When applying this fertilizer, dosages must be strictly observed, otherwise, if there is an excess of it, nitrates may accumulate in plants.
The preservation of beneficial properties in the soil after applying fertilizers reaches up to 3 years, taking into account intensive use.
Organic bird fertilizer can be used in three ways:
- In the form of dry feeding (directly pouring into each hole).
- Using an aqueous solution, which is one of the most effective fertilizing, due to the fact that the penetration of nutrients into the plant occurs faster with water.
- Poultry fertilizer in compost - this method of application best preserves its beneficial qualities, but has a long preparation time, reaching up to 6 weeks.
Vermicompost
Vermicompost is an organic fertilizer obtained through the processing of substances by Californian worms. The production of this concentrate is carried out by special organizations.
Vermicompost has a lot of advantages, the most important of which are:
- The concentrate contains no pathogenic bacteria, eggs and helminth larvae, which are neutralized during processing by worms.
- Low amount of heavy metals.
- This fertilizer is environmentally friendly.
- The concentrate contains a high content of the elements most necessary for plant life, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
You should also know about the following properties of vermicompost:
- All elements are contained in the most accessible form, unlike enzymes in conventional manure.
- The structural state of vermicompost is considered very good and favorable for the soil, and when it gets into even the most unfavorable soil for growing (for example, clay), its structuring occurs, which is very important. An air-water balance that is favorable for the root system is also created.
- It has a pH of about 6.5, helping to neutralize high acidity of the soil if necessary.
- It has a beneficial effect on all plants without exception.
Organic fertilizer – wood ash
Wood ash is an organic fertilizer whose composition of chemical elements changes depending on the age of the plant being burned. But the main composition of wood ash is calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium. These elements are always present, only the quantity can change.
Ash is a universal fertilizer that increases the speed of movement of nutrients through plant cells. Ash also normalizes the flow of all biochemical processes.
Wood ash is used on acidic types of soil to deoxidize them and improve the soil structure.
There are two types of ash: vegetable and stove ash. Their preparation, as the name suggests, is done in an oven or in a box with small holes. To obtain high-quality fertilizer, it is better to use trees located in an environmentally friendly place for fire.
When using branches collected near the road, heavy metals may accumulate in the ash. Ash from burning household waste or synthetic materials will cause complete harm to plants, to the point that they may perish.
Wood ash is suitable for all plants, but there are crops that love it more than others, these are the nightshade family, as well as cucumbers and eggplants.
Fertilizers such as wood ash, peat, manure, and droppings are also called dry organic fertilizers.
Dry fertilizers are applied during autumn plowing or to fertilize trees and shrubs, spreading it around the circumference of the trunk. The main condition for its effective action is the need to sprinkle it with a layer of earth and moisten it.
Peat
Peat is also an organic fertilizer; it is formed by rotting and decomposition of both plant and animal residues in conditions of low oxygen availability. This process occurs in swampy areas, where plants and dead individuals gradually accumulate and are pressed. There are three types of peat:
- Horse- this is fertilizer collected on the top of the relief. In terms of the composition of useful elements, it is the poorest. High-moor peat is an acidic fertilizer.
- Transitional peat, as the name suggests, is located between highland and lowland. The degree of its decomposition is much higher than that of the previous one, which affects the result after its application.
- Lowland peat is the highest quality fertilizer, since all its components are completely decomposed, its pH environment is slightly acidic. This type of peat has a uniform structure. Lowland peat contains 50 percent humus, which is of great importance for soil fertility.
Lowland peat should be used in combination with other types of fertilizers, since peat has an insufficient amount of nutrients, and those that are present are in a form that is difficult for plants to absorb.
Obtaining organic fertilizers is possible using compost pits.
The contents of compost heaps are very rich in all useful elements that are necessary for the active growth and fruiting of plants. The main advantage of compost is the ability to make it yourself without spending much on its ingredients.
Compost is made in a specially prepared pit or large box. To prepare it, you must follow some rules, otherwise the fertilizer will not be of the best quality.
Let's start with what you can use:
- Various food waste.
- Fruits and vegetables in any form.
- It is advisable to make a manure layer.
- Straw, pine needles, sawdust (all this is necessary for layers of compost).
- You can use shredded paper, cardboard, napkins.
- Ash, peat.
- Bones.
- Human and animal excrement.
- Tops of crops such as potatoes and tomatoes.
- Inorganic and synthetic materials.
- Organic materials that have been treated with herbicides or insecticides.
The key to successfully obtaining organic fertilizer is maintaining a balance in laying the layers, as well as caring for the pit. To obtain a quick result, it is necessary that the pit is kept warm and humid - for this it must be periodically watered with water and covered to retain heat in it. If the compost is in the sun, it is not necessary to cover it.
The ripening time of compost depends on its components. The minimum period is 3 months, and the maximum is 1 year. There are storage compost pits that mature as they are layered.
Phosphorus organic fertilizers
Phosphorus can be obtained not only from chemicals, but also from organic substances.
Bone meal is the most common phosphate fertilizer, obtained by processing the bones of livestock. The main advantage of this fertilizer is the absence of chemicals in it.
It must be used on land with a lack of phosphorus; the deficiency can be determined by observing the crops growing on it.
Liquid fertilizer is an infusion of manure, grass or other elements. To produce liquid fertilizer, you can use all types of organic substances by infusing them for a certain period of time. The main rule for obtaining high-quality fertilizer is compliance with dosages and time for its maturation.
The essence of liquid fertilizer production is the fermentation of grass or manure. Their main property is a gentle effect on all crops and their uniform distribution in the soil, as well as protection from harmful insects when they spray the stems and leaves of plants.
The types of liquid fertilizers depend on the material used to make them. Liquid fertilizers can be made from grass, manure, ash, or a combination of organic elements.
Granular organic fertilizers - they are produced from manure by undergoing special treatment at high temperatures, crushing it and granulating it.
Granular fertilizers have some advantages:
When fertilizing with such fertilizers, the chemical composition of the soil is restored, its acidity is normalized and the growth and fruiting of plants is enhanced.
Technology for applying organic fertilizers
The nutrients in organic fertilizers are in an easily digestible form, so no matter in what form they are used, they will be beneficial. But we must remember that oversaturation with fertilizers can cause harm not only to vegetation, but also to people, since there may be an accumulation of nitrates and harmful substances in the fruits.
The approximate dosage of fertilizers per 1 square meter is about 3–4 kg (assuming light soil type). On clay soils, the norm should be higher - within 8 kg per 1 square meter. Basically, organic matter is added when digging up the soil. In cases of local fertilizing, the dosages are different (depending on the type of soil and type of crop).
The timing of fertilizing is determined based on the external condition of the plants or according to general recommendations. If there are doubts about whether it is worth feeding or not, it is better to postpone this event, since excess fertilizer can harm the plants. The quality of the soil is also of great importance, which can be determined in several ways:
- If no lumps form during digging, then the soil is light.
- If a lump forms when you squeeze a handful of soil in your palm, it means the soil is clayey, that is, heavy.
Also, the acidity of the soil has a great influence, which can also be determined by certain signs, for example, if a border with a white coating forms along the edges of the beds, then the acidity of this soil is exceeded.
Crops such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and eggplants are fed more than once, but throughout the entire growing season. But it will be enough to feed plants such as potatoes or garlic during the planting period. Strawberries are fertilized during flowering and fruiting. Flowers, both garden and indoor, are fed during the period of their growth and flowering.
Feeding period
You can feed plants at different times:
- During the sowing period, this is the application of fertilizers during the formation of beds or directly into the wells of crops during the process of planting them.
- In the post-sowing period, this means fertilizing the crops after the first three leaves appear on them.
Methods of fertilizing:
- Investing organic matter in the root zone - liquid organic matter or slurry is used.
- The foliar method can be carried out during seed processing.
- Fergitation - involves the addition of organic matter during the irrigation process.
- Applying dry organic fertilizers - this method is mainly used for trees and shrubs, as well as garden flowers.
To summarize the above, it is clear that organic fertilizers are created by nature itself from plant and animal material. It contains many different elements, the composition of which depends on the origin and type of fertilizer, but the main ones and important for good growth and a rich harvest are potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus.
Fertilizer application depends on the variety of crops, their needs, quality and type of soil. But with a strong desire, a good and high-quality harvest can be grown on any land with any quality, the main condition is the right fertilizer.
How to effectively use organic fertilizers - video
nutrients and maintaining turgor...
c) an organelle that ensures the accumulation of starch1.a) an organelle that participates in the process of formation of organic substances of the cell.... b) a cell organelle that participates in the storage of nutrients and maintaining turgor... c) an organelle that ensures the accumulation of starch in the cells of tubers and bulbs , rhizomes...d) a cell structure that ensures the interchange of substances between other cells... e) a cell organelle that gives color to fruits, seeds, flowers... 2. One of the functions of the root is the absorption of water from the soil. But it is known that if there is too much water in the soil, the plant may die. Explain this fact. 3. Why is a protozoan cell considered an independent organism? 4. Why do ducks and other waterfowl often dive into the ice holes of a zoo pond during the most severe frosts? 5. It is known that photosynthesis proceeds successfully under conditions of good lighting and starch is formed. It is also known that potato tubers are in the ground, i.e. in complete darkness. However, they contain a huge amount of starch. Where does it come from? Describe this process step by step. small amounts in the cells of tubers, bulbs, rhizomes...
d) the structure of a cell that ensures the exchange of substances between other cells...
e) cell organelle that gives color to fruits, seeds, flowers...
2. One of the functions of the root is to absorb water from the soil. But it is known that if there is too much water in the soil, the plant may die. Explain this fact.
3. Why is the protozoan cell considered independent? stump 1.a) an organelle involved in the process of formation of organic substances of the cell....b) a cell organelle involved in the storage of nutrients and maintaining turgor...c) an organelle that ensures the accumulation of starch in the cells of tubers, bulbs, rhizomes...d ) a cell structure that ensures the exchange of substances between other cells... e) a cell organelle that gives color to fruits, seeds, flowers... 2. One of the functions of the root is the absorption of water from the soil. But it is known that if there is too much water in the soil, the plant may die. Explain this fact. 3. Why is a protozoan cell considered an independent organism? 4. Why do ducks and other waterfowl often dive into the ice holes of a zoo pond during the most severe frosts? 5. It is known that photosynthesis proceeds successfully under conditions of good lighting and starch is formed. It is also known that potato tubers are in evil, i.e. in complete darkness. However, they contain a huge amount of starch. Where does it come from? Describe the step-by-step progression of this process by the organism?
4.Why do ducks and other waterfowl often dive into the ice holes of the zoo pond during the most severe frosts?
5. It is known that photosynthesis proceeds successfully under conditions of good lighting and starch is formed. It is also known that potato tubers are in the ground, i.e. in complete darkness. However, they contain a huge amount of starch. Where does it come from? Describe this process step by step.
As long as agriculture has been developing on Earth, people have been using organic fertilizers to obtain good harvests. The types and their characteristics must be taken into account when using, since each of them has its own characteristics. Some need to be added to the soil in the fall, others at the time of planting, and others throughout the growing season. The value of organics lies in its beneficial effect on the condition of plants, in improving the soil, in increasing yields and in its low cost, because every farmer can prepare it in his personal subsidiary plot.
Organic fertilizer: what is it?
Many will immediately say manure and compost. The answer is correct, but incomplete, because organic fertilizers are human and animal waste, as well as household and even industrial waste, which contains substances necessary for the development of plants in the form of organic compounds. This may include:
Bird droppings;
Feces;
Waste from wood processing factories (sawdust, tree bark, etc.);
Green manure plants;
Compost;
Bone meal;
Humus;
Complex organics.
Chemical composition
As you can see from the list above, there are a wide variety of organic fertilizers. The types and their characteristics mainly depend on the source of production, and in addition, on the technological process of fertilizer production. Any of them contains:
Calcium;
Special (a very valuable element that improves soil structure).
In small quantities, organic fertilizers include:
Sulfurous acid;
Silicic acid;
Oxides of some metals and other chemical elements.
Let's take a closer look at what and how much is contained in each type of organic fertilizer.
Manure
This very valuable fertilizer is nothing more than the feces of domestic animals, with the exception of cats and dogs. Depending on the type of animal, organic fertilizers of different composition are obtained. The types and their characteristics also depend on the stage of the preparation process, which are as follows:
Fresh manure (applied only in the fall, the soil is immediately plowed after that);
Semi-rotted (the straw in it becomes dark and easily separates into pieces);
Rotten (homogeneous dark mass);
Humus.
The higher the stage of manure preparation, the more it loses its mass, and the better the organic matter decomposes in it and the quality improves.
It is equally important on what kind of litter this fertilizer is prepared.
As you can see from the table, pig manure has very little calcium, so lime is added to it.
Rabbit manure is also a good fertilizer. But for nutria, you can only use rotted manure or add it to compost.
Storage methods
Manure from different animals is, among other things, a variety of organic fertilizers. The types and their characteristics directly depend on how they are stored. The methods may be the following:
1. Loose styling. Stacks up to 3 m wide and up to 2 m high are made from fresh manure and are not covered with anything. With this method in stacks (t = +70 °C), the preparation process takes approximately 4-5 months, during which up to a third of the original mass is lost.
2. Tight styling. The same piles are made from fresh manure as with loose laying, but the manure is compacted tightly and covered with an airtight film. In such stacks the temperature does not rise above +35 °C even in summer. Decomposition with this method lasts about 7 months, and up to 1/10 of the original mass is lost. Dense packing is the most acceptable storage method.
3. Loose laying with compaction. A low, loose pile up to 3 m wide is made from fresh manure. On the fifth day, it is compacted, and a new loose layer is laid on top. This is repeated until the stack reaches a height of two meters, after which it is covered with film. Completely rotted manure is formed within 5 months.
How to use
The use of organic fertilizers, in particular manure, has its own little tricks. So, horse manure is ideal for warm beds because it contains little water. It is buried in special trenches dug along the perimeter of the bed, and after it is no longer needed, it is scattered across the field. On light soils it is better to use manure from cows, and on heavy soils - from sheep, goats and horses. For spring crops, fresh or half-rotted soil is plowed into the soil in the fall, and humus is added in the spring. If there is little fertilizer, it is advisable to apply it not to the entire area, but only to the holes. When planting trees, it is very useful to add up to 10 kg of humus into each hole.
Important! Fresh manure should not be applied to any crops. It releases ammonia, which is harmful to plants. There are no general standards for applying fertilizers, since they are different for each crop and directly depend on the quality of the soil.
You can find manure extract in stores. It is also an excellent fertilizer, but only for plants. It is useless for improving the condition of the soil.
Liquid organic fertilizers, their types and characteristics
There are a variety of fertilizers that you can make yourself without spending money. Those who have the opportunity use manure. It can be used in solid form, or you can make liquid organic fertilizers from it - slurry and mullein. The latter is prepared by pouring water over cow excrement. It is used to fertilize absolutely any plants, even flowers. At the same time, take 1 liter of mullein per bucket of water. There is no need to prepare slurry. It is the liquid part of manure. Liquid fertilizers include herbal infusions and even human urine, but more on that below.
As can be seen from the table, there is almost no phosphorus in this fertilizer, so superphosphate (about 15 g per liter) is added to the slurry.
Litter
It is believed that the best organic fertilizers are obtained from the droppings of pigeons and chickens. The waste of geese and ducks is somewhat worse in quality.
Bird droppings should be stored in a closed container or by composting with peat, straw, sawdust, as it very quickly loses its nitrogen component. Bird grass is used to feed vegetables, fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs, and flowers. It is not added in its pure form, but filled with water (1 part of organic matter per bucket of water) and left to infuse for up to 3 days. After this, dilute it again with water, taking 1 measuring part of the infusion and 10 measuring parts of water.
Human feces
Some gardeners don't even know what exotic types of organic fertilizers there are. One of them is our feces. Previously, absolutely everything was fertilized with these waste products, they were even sold. Now this type of fertilizer is not popular, although it is almost the best. It should be noted that feces refers not only to feces, but also to urine, which is also suitable as a fertilizer. The only caveat is that nitrogen evaporates from it almost instantly, so the biomaterial must be covered with soil immediately after application.
As you can see from the table, feces are ideal for improving soil quality.
Of course, many farmers are disdainful to even think about using human excrement as fertilizer. For those who are more loyal to this, it is important to know what methods exist for preparing such organic matter. To remove the unpleasant smell, the “raw materials” need to be covered with peat or, in extreme cases, leaf soil. You can also make compost heaps from leaves and plant debris, placing feces in them in layers. They must mature for at least 3 years.
Urine is used immediately as a fertilizer. For trees, it does not need to be diluted. For other crops, it is advisable to dilute with water in a ratio of at least 1:4. It is also useful to water compost heaps with urine.
Peat
To the question: “Which fertilizers are organic?” many will answer: “Peat.” It is widely advertised, all flower shops actively sell it, and many gardeners and gardeners strive to use it. However, there are not so many substances useful for plants in peat to fertilize everything indiscriminately. In addition, you need to take into account that there are different types of peat, which differ significantly in quality.
As can be seen from the table, peat, especially lowland peat, is advisable to use on acidic soils. All types of peat should be used only to improve the quality of soils, regulate their humidity, as well as to create high-quality compost and for mulching any crops, but not for fertilization.
Sapropel
Some types of organic fertilizers are familiar to us from balneological procedures in sanatoriums. This is the silt of lakes, ponds, and any reservoirs with stagnant water, called sapropel. It is used especially a lot in the Rostov region due to the huge reserves in Lake Nero. Sapropel, which is plant and animal remains, accumulates in water bodies for decades. During this period, it gradually decomposes, turning into a valuable organic fertilizer, which contains a lot of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and 4 times more nitrogen than manure. Sapropel can be used unchanged or added to compost. Before adding it to the soil, it must be ventilated, shoveled and frozen so that all substances unnecessary for plants are removed from it.
Sawdust, tree bark, bone meal
There are cheap and very useful organic fertilizers for improving soil quality. Their types and characteristics are as follows:
1. Sawdust. They perfectly loosen the soil, improve its moisture capacity and air permeability, but absorb nitrogen from it. The acidity of sawdust is quite high (pH about 3-4), so before applying it should be mixed with slaked lime and complex mineral or only nitrogen fertilizers. You can also moisten them with animal urine or liquid mineral fertilizers. It is better to use rotted sawdust or add it to compost heaps.
2. Tree bark. These wastes are used to create compost. To do this, fresh bark is crushed, placed in a hole, and complex moisturizers are added. The fertilizer will be ready in about six months, during which the pit with bark must be periodically moistened and its contents shoveled.
3. Bone meal. It reduces soil acidity well and is ideal for wetlands. Bone meal contains all the elements necessary for the growth and fruiting of plants. The only caveat is that you only need to use it fat-free (evaporated and dry).
Green manure
The application of organic fertilizers may differ significantly from the methods indicated above. We are talking about green manure - plants sown on the field before planting the main crops or after harvesting. These include: sunflower, mustard, lupine, clover, legumes, oats, vetch, olive radish and other early ripening crops that produce a lot of green mass. The use of green manure is most effective on sandy and humus-poor soils, but can be practiced on any soil. In terms of the content of useful elements, green fertilizers are almost identical to manure. For example, lupine produces approximately 4 kg of green mass per 1 m2. They contain on average 18 g of nitrogen, 4.8 g of phosphorus, 6.8 g of potassium, 19 g of calcium, 4.8 g of magnesium. The technology for fertilizing a plot with green manure is as follows: after harvesting the main crop, the seeds of the selected plant are sown on the field (some can simply be scattered across the field, others need to be planted in furrows), watered if necessary, and after waiting for the buds to appear, mowed. The green mass can be plowed into the ground, placed in compost pits, and fed to livestock. Some green manures (mustard), in addition to fertilizing the soil, help destroy bacteria in it, such as root rot, nematodes, late blight and others.
Nettle
If you need to fertilize a small bed, you can make an excellent fertilizer from nettles. It is cut off, placed in a container and filled with water. Nettle fertilizer is prepared for 3-5 days, during which the contents of the container must be mixed. To eliminate the unpleasant odor, you can add valerian rhizome, and to speed up the process, add bread, yeast, and sourdough. The finished fertilizer must be filtered and used, adding 1 measuring part to 10 measuring parts of water.
Complex organic fertilizers
This is one of the best, most balanced types of fertilizers, suitable both for feeding plants and for improving soil quality. For their production, the industry uses the biofermentation method, which consists of the oxidation of organic elements with atomic oxygen. This releases a type of chemical energy that is extremely useful for the microorganisms needed by plants. They produce complex organic fertilizers from dung, sawdust, manure, peat and similar natural products. The preparations “ZhTSKKU”, “Piska”, “COUD”, “GUMI-OMI”, “Biohumus” are very popular. Basically, they are all concentrated and very easy to use.