I use Miracle Gro every 14 days on most things, but side - dress the heavy feeders at the proper stages of growth with a small amount of 8-8-8

EG

I use a complete organic fertilizer as championed by Steve Solomon.

Here is a link that might be useful: Complete Organic Fertilizer Article

thanks for the input. i'm not sure that i trust miracle gro as being a safe fertilizer for plants i plan to eat. i know they do make organic, but still...

steve solomon's fert seems like a more organic choice.

anyone try fish emulsion?

i'm not sure that i trust miracle gro as being a safe fertilizer for plants i plan to eat.

There is nothing wrong with Miracle-Gro wrt human health. Plants take up minerals in elemental form.

I don't use it in my garden, but not because it is dangerous.

The basic difference between an 'organic' salt and a non-organic salt (or granular, for that matter) is that no petrochemicals are applied (altho as in any organic fert product, petrochemicals are used in the manufacture and shipping of the product). Maybe no mined P as well...

Dan

beginnerkelli - In your original post, you didn't specify that you wanted an organic fertilizer. Here's the thing about most organic fertilizers - it takes alot of it. Sure, it's slow release (which is a good thing), but the results I get with the ferts of my choice are completely satisfying - as my photos depict. I've read Steve Solomon's book, and he makes some valid points. Just think how boring gardening would be, if we all used the same method. :-) If you could get your hands on a large amount of rabbit manure, that would be an excellent choice....

EG

You're supposed to fertilize? LOL. Good question!!
I toss bunny poo and worm castings on top, does that count as fertilizing? I've never put anything else in the garden except for the compost when I started and when I replant.
Oh, as I'm writing this I see EG's post right above about rabbit manure. Let me tell you something - I only have one rabbit and he puts out a ton of bunny berries for the garden!! :) So I guess that answer my Q too :)

i'm a vegetarian...can i poop in the garden?

hehehe just kiddinggg

I only fertilize container plants. I figure there's enough good stuff in the soil/compost I plant in already in the garden and I get some huge plants, so I must be right!

Since I have been building up I burn through a lot of my compost so I also add a bit of wood ash, bone meal and blood meal. I should have enough for compost tea with ebson salt as a foliage spray. I am interested in trying weed teas. The main thing I want to avoid is nitrate fertilizers which build up salts in the soil and tend to make everything sterile.

I use worm compost. Just my two cents. You can make it yourself (OK

EG: do you use the slow release stuff, like Osmocote (pellets) or diluted Miracle gro with sprayer or both? I usually put osmocote down before I plant and then not sure if I should suppliment with liquid on a regular basis. Would that be overkill?

fanfortony - Here's how I do mine, and have excellent results...

The MG I have is a large box that was bought 3 or 4 years ago, and I just take about 8 tablespoons and mix it in a 5 gallon bucket of water. This is done every 2 weeks.

For the heavy feeders, I use 8-8-8 at the critical stages of growth for each plant -

Cabbage, broccoli - as soon as the heads begin to form
Corn - when it is 8" tall, and again when it's knee high.
Tomatoes - only after the plants have set their first fruit. If done earlier, you will grow a huge bush, with no fruit.
Okra - as soon as the first pods are harvested.
Melons - when the vines begin to run
Potatoes - when the sprouts emerge from the soil.

I've never used Osmocote, so I really can't say....

EG

thanks for the info, EG. i received some free worm castings today. i'm not sure what to do with it. any suggestions?

beginnerkelli - i'd sprinkle those around the plants, then see if I could get more! They are really good....

EG

thanks EG. i was mixing the compost today and saw that i have new tenants! saw one worm a few weeks ago, saw two today. i guess i'll have my own castings soon enough! =)

EG - What's the NPK of that miracle grow?

Just curious which one you use. Some of them are really heavy on Nitrogen so I've been staying away from them, but maybe I shouldn't?

I just bought a re-purposed milk jug filled with a dry all purpose fertilizer made by Terracycle (I bought it at Target). It contains worm castings, bone meal, feather meal and that sort of stuff. The directions say 1 tsp/ 6 inches growth every 3 months.

Sounds like a great responsible company. Any one have any experience with it?

EG

Do you use Miracle Gro in your SWCs for tomatoes also? Seems like I read somewhere not to use it. I'm a Miracle Gro fan so I was just wondering.

Stacey

I use Fish emulsion, 2 tsp (one kid medicine cup) to one gallon of water, put it in a watering can and it waters about 3 of my 4x2 beds. I also have kelp meal called "sea magic" from Park seed that I use. Every 2weeks or so. One of these days I will figure out how to put pictures up and show you my tomato seedlings.

jwstell - I'm not sure....i'll have to look on the box when I can think to.

Stacey - I do not. I only mixed 2 cups of 8-8-8 in with the pro-mix, as it was being put into the swc's.

EG

Is anyone there?????? looking for some answers about fertilizing SFG> Mary Ann

whats your question?

Oh Hi. Guess I have not been getting any emails from this forum but Thanks for cking ! I read The SFG book and he says fertilizing in not necessary. I used five different types of compost cow, hen, mushroom, and one more to set up the SFG. I have been having lots of insect problems but the plants that are not being infected with the insects don't seem to be producing very well. Bush Beans for example. Do you use any fertilizer other than compost. I am currently trying vermicomposting but not enough there to use yet. and it is a SLOW process. thanks !