Natural fertilizers for vegetable garden??

[LikeTiffany]

Anyone know some brands or DIY natural fertilizers for a vegetable garden? We have kale & lettuce, squash, berries, garlic, carrots, beets. Also sunflowers on the side. Would like to make sure I’m using nothing synthetic. We did a soil test already and it’s very alkaline, very little nitrogen and phosphorus.

 

[Meadowlark]

Welcome back @LikeTiffany...don't be a stranger.

I make my own from cow manure compost and plants especially legumes.

However, I see a lot of folks recommend Espoma and if I were to purchase fertilizer it would be that one.



You are wise to get your soil tested in advance of planting. How high was the ph reading? You may need to consider adding elemental Sulphur to lower that ph for those veggies. That is something that takes time, as in months, so plan ahead.

 

[LikeTiffany]

Welcome back @LikeTiffany...don't be a stranger.

I make my own from cow manure compost and plants especially legumes.

However, I see a lot of folks recommend Espoma and if I were to purchase fertilizer it would be that one.

View attachment 116048

You are wise to get your soil tested in advance of planting. How high was the ph reading? You may need to consider adding elemental Sulphur to lower that ph for those veggies. That is something that takes time, as in months, so plan ahead.

Thank you! I don’t know about the pH other than it was very alkaline. I may have to keep the sulphuric in mind for next year since things are already planted this time around

 

[LikeTiffany]

Welcome back @LikeTiffany...don't be a stranger.

I make my own from cow manure compost and plants especially legumes.

However, I see a lot of folks recommend Espoma and if I were to purchase fertilizer it would be that one.

View attachment 116048

You are wise to get your soil tested in advance of planting. How high was the ph reading? You may need to consider adding elemental Sulphur to lower that ph for those veggies. That is something that takes time, as in months, so plan ahead.

Also, with a fertilizer that isn’t liquid, can I just plop some on top of the soil or mix it in around the plants? Since they are already established. But I don’t want to disturb roots too much. Is liquid fertilizer best right now? Sorry for all the questions-this is my first time having a garden!!

 

[Meadowlark]

The ph is important...especially the farther from neutral you get. Too far and certain veggies will not produce.

What did your soil test recommend? Generally, they recommend specific amounts of fertilizers to enable growing the veggies you want in the space you have.

Follow that recommendation.

 

[Meadowlark]

As far as liquid vs granular, either is fine as long as you follow the recommended amounts per the soil test. If granular, you will need to water it in well. Since your plants seem to be established, you may need to make several applications of partial amounts to reach the levels per the soil tests.