Fertilizer Guide
Nitrogen Sources:
Ammonium Sulfate (21-0-0) - Provides readily available nitrogen. Helps promote leafy green growth. Can cause soil acidification if overused.
Urea (46-0-0) - Highest nitrogen content of common fertilizers. Readily available nitrogen. Can cause nitrogen burn if overapplied.
Ammonium Nitrate (34-0-0) - Fast-acting nitrogen source. Improves vegetative growth. Can leach if excess water is present.
Calcium Nitrate (15.5-0-0) - Calcium-fortified nitrogen source. Promotes plant growth and strengthens cell walls. Very slow release.
Potassium Nitrate (13-0-44) - Dual nitrogen and potassium source. Encourages flowering and fruiting in addition to green growth. Fast release.
Blood Meal (12-0-0) - Slow-release nitrogen derived from dried animal blood. Feeds soil microbes too. Can attract pests.
Feather Meal (12-0-0) - Slow-release nitrogen from keratin in feathers. Benefits lawns and leafy greens. Low odor.
Fish Meal (8-6-0) - General purpose organic nitrogen source with some phosphorus. Excellent for vegetables and flowering plants. Medium release.
Soybean Meal (7-2-1) - Well-rounded source of N-P-K derived from soybeans. Good for overall plant and soil health. Medium release.
Karanja Cake (6-1-2) - Soil amendment from the neem tree. Provides nutrients and has natural pest repellent properties. Medium release.
Bat Guano (7-3-1) - All-natural fertilizer from bat droppings. High nitrogen plus phosphorus and trace minerals. Medium release.
Phosphorus Sources:
Superphosphate (0-20-0) - Water-soluble fast release phosphorus source. Promotes root growth, flowering, and fruiting.
Rock Phosphate (0-30-0) - Slow-release phosphorus from mineral rock. Builds phosphorus levels in soil over time.
Bone Meal (3-15-0) - Long-lasting slow release phosphorus source from ground animal bones. Also provides calcium.
Fish Bone Meal (4-12-0) - Ground fish bones provide phosphorus and calcium. Slow-release source for flowering plants.
Potassium Sources:
Potassium Chloride (0-0-60) - Highly concentrated potassium for strengthening stalks, root growth, and drought resistance. Fast release.
Potassium Sulfate (0-0-50) - Provides readily available potassium and sulfur. Benefits flowering, fruiting, and disease resistance.
Langbeinite (0-0-22) - Mined mineral that provides potassium and some magnesium. Improves overall plant vigor. Medium release.
Kelp Meal (1-0.2-2) - Seaweed source of potassium, with some nitrogen and trace elements. Boosts plant metabolism. Medium release.
Greensand (0-0-7) - Mined sediment containing potassium and iron. Slow-release source for building soil reserves.
Calcium Sources:
Gypsum (0-0-0 + 23% Ca) - Calcium-sulfur mineral that loosens heavy soils. Vital for strong plant cell walls. Medium release.
Calcium Nitrate (15.5-0-0 + 19% Ca) - Dual nitrogen and calcium source for better calcium uptake by plants. Fast release.
Dolomite Lime (0-0-0 + 22% Ca) - Raises soil pH while providing calcium and magnesium. Prevents blossom end rot. Slow release.
Oyster Shell (0-0-0 + 38% Ca) - Calcium-rich source from crushed shells. Strengthens plants and moderates soil acidity. Very slow release.
Calcitic Limestone (0-0-0 + 32-35% Ca) - Raises soil pH and adds calcium for sweeter fruits and stronger plants.
Aragonite (0-0-0 + 40% Ca) - Natural calcium carbonate mineral that slowly releases calcium.
Wollastonite (0-0-0 + 48% Ca) - Calcium silicate mineral source with high purity calcium levels. Slow release.
Hydrated Lime (0-0-0 + 75% Ca) - Processed lime that quickly raises soil pH and provides very high calcium content.
Magnesium Sources:
Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate) (0-0-0 + 10% Mg) - Provides readily available magnesium and sulfur. Improves nutrient uptake, greener leaves, and overall vigor.
Sulfur Sources:
Sulfur (0-0-0 + 90% S) - Elemental sulfur that slowly releases sulfur into the soil as it's oxidized by microbes. Important for protein formation.
Ammonium Sulfate (21-0-0 + 24% S) - Dual nitrogen and sulfur source. Sulfur aids plant metabolic processes.
Gypsum (0-0-0 + 18% S) - Mineral source of both calcium and sulfur. Loosens heavy soils. Medium release
Elemental Sulfur (0-0-0 + 100% S) - Pure sulfur powder that provides high sulfur levels over time.
Potassium Sulfate (0-0-50 + 18% S) - Combines potassium and sulfur, boosting overall plant health and resistance.
Micronutrient Sources:
Iron Sulfate (0-0-0 + 20% Fe) - Provides iron to prevent chlorosis in plants. Improves green color.
Copper Sulfate (0-0-0 + 25% Cu) - Copper is essential for plant metabolism and enzyme activity. Use carefully in small amounts.
Borax (0-0-0 + 11% B) - Source of boron which aids flowering, fruiting, and cell wall formation. Low concentrations required.
Manganese Sulfate (0-0-0 + 25% Mn) - Manganese promotes photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism. Important for overall plant health.
Zinc Sulfate (0-0-0 + 23% Zn) - Zinc is crucial for growth hormones and enzyme systems in plants. Use sparingly.
General Organic Sources:
Alfalfa Meal (2-0-1) - Well-rounded nutrient profile with growth hormones. Excellent soil amendment.
Cottonseed Meal (6-2-1) - Provides N-P-K plus some micronutrients. Promotes beneficial microbes.
Crab Meal (4-3-0) - Nitrogen and phosphorus source. Slow release. Contains chitin for natural pest protection.
Humic Acids (variable low NPK) - Improve nutrient uptake and soil structure. Chelate micronutrients.
Greenstone (trace NPK) - Rock powder source of minerals. Slowly releases nutrients.
Insect Frass (3-1-1) - From insect digestive waste. Provides nutrients and beneficial microbes. Contains chitin for natural pest protection.
Neem Seed Meal (6-1-2) - Derived from neem tree seeds. Provides nutrients and acts as a natural pesticide.
Seabird Guano (0-11-0) - High in phosphorus and minerals. Activates microbes and improves flowering.
Shrimp Meal (6-6-0) - Good source of nitrogen and phosphorus from ground shrimp shells. Contains chitin for natural pest protection.
Fish Emulsion (variable NPK) - Liquid organic fertilizer derived from whole fish. Provides wide nutrient range.
Fish Hydrolysate (variable NPK) - Enzymatically digested liquid fish fertilizer for rapid nutrient uptake.
Wood Ash (0.3-0.5-4) A natural source of nutrients like potassium, calcium, and magnesium that can raise soil pH, drainage, and pest resistance.
Manures:
Worm Castings (variable low NPK) - Rich in humus and beneficial microbes. Excellent all-around soil amendment.
Steer Manure (0.7-0.3-0.6) - Well-balanced nutrient profile. Builds soil microbe populations over time.
Chicken Manure (1-0.8-0.5) - Nitrogen-rich. Heats up fast so compost well before applying.
Turkey Manure (3.5-2.5-1.5) - High nitrogen and phosphorus content. Excellent for fruiting crops.
Rabbit Manure (2.4-1.4-0.6) - Balanced N-P-K source that's easy to use without excessive heat.
Llama Manure (1.6-1-2) - Higher potassium levels. Promotes flowering and fruiting plants.
Horse Manure (0.7-0.3-0.6) - Similar to steer manure. May contain more weed seeds.
Slilca Sources:
Potassium silicate: Quickly absorbed by plants when applied as a foliar spray or soil drench. Provides a fast boost of silica to support plant health and resilience.
Silicon dioxide (diatomaceous earth): Slowly improves soil quality and nutrient availability over time when added to soil or used as soil amendment. Helps promote healthy soil structure, improves water retention, and increases nutrient availability for plants.
Sodium silicate: Quick-release form of silica, but must be used with caution and proper dilution to avoid harming plants. Enhances plant growth and development by providing readily available silica to plants.
Mineral Sources:
Azomite Powder (0-0-0.2) - Rock powder with over 70 minerals and traces of nutrients.
Granite Meal (varied minerals) - Ground granite supplies wide range of minerals over time.
Basalt Rock Dust (varied minerals) - Volcanic mineral source with potassium, iron, calcium, and more.
Sea-90 (90 trace elements) - A natural mineral fertilizer made from oceanic minerals. Promotes soil health, increases yields, and enhances overall plant quality.
