Natural Fertilizers

Natural fertilizers include cow or horse manure, worm castings, peat, sewage, bat guano and other stuff. Green manure crops are also grown and used to add the necessary nutrients to the soil needed for proper plant growth. Natural minerals such as mine rock phosphate, potash and limestone are also considered natural fertilizers.

Manufactured natural fertilizers include compost, bloodmeal, bone meal and seaweed extracts. Other natural manufactured fertilizers are digested proteins, fishmeal, etc.
The decomposing “left overs” from old crops is another source of natural fertilizers.

The amounts of nutrients in natural fertilizer are considered to be a bit on the modest side, but natural fertilzers have some advantages. Organic growers will save a lot of money by producing some or all of their own fertilizer. Also, by using natural fertilizers the grower does not run the risk of having too much of any particular nutrient that could kill the plants before they’ve gotten started.

The ideas of organic agriculture have swung pendulum the other way in thinking about plant nutrition. The role of humus and other natural fertilizers and organic components of soil are believed to believed to be key in severl areas. Some these areas are boosting existing nutrients in the soil so that good growth and producting is achieved with lower amounts which means less waste of resources. By using natural fertilizers you have the nutrients being released at a slower and more consistent rate…which helps to avoid the boom-and-bust pattern that can lessen the amount of produce grown. And, natural fertilizers improve the soil structure.

Natural fertilizers have the advantage of avoiding some of the long-term problems you get with the regular and heavy use of man-made fertilizers: natural fertilizers virtually eliminate the "burning" of plants that one can get eith the artificial fertilizers. The degredation of"soil health", which leads to loss soil stucture, and the reduced ability to absorb moisture, the lightening of soil color, and many other problems that artificial fertilizers regularly cause due to over use. And, of couse, there is the cost, which has gotten to be quite pricey, and the cost is still rising.


The last 10-20 years has seen a rise in the return to a more natural way of life and cultivation and producing your own natural fertilizer is one of the ways that can help cut down on landfill waste and enrich the soil. By starting a compost heap and/or using one the composting bins available on the market, you can be well on your way to a more natural and health gardening experience.