A couple of weeks ago our family went out and bought a pig. In honor of this little creature, this post is going to highlight some of naturally produced fertilizers that are out there and that are great for lawn and garden usage.
Pig Manure (see our piglet above!):
According to http://farmingfriends.com/pig-manure/: "Pig manure makes good compost as the pig muck is mixed with straw.Pig manure has a very high nutrient content and is rich in potash and phosphorus.Not only does pig manure enrich the soil which helps plants to grow but it also helps improve the soil structure as the straw (plant material content) in the manure helps the soil to hold water. Pig manure can be applied to root crops especially leeks and potatoes. It is important to remember not to apply fresh manure to plants and crops as the manure will scorch the plants. Let the manure mature or apply the manure and work into the soil four weeks prior to planting.
Cow Manure:
Well-aged cow manure is one of the best organic fertilizers
you can apply to lawn turf. It is high in nitrogen and many other trace
nutrients but releases its benefits slowly over time so burn and stress on the
grass are not an issue
Read more: How to Put Cow Manure on Grass | Garden Guides http://www.gardenguides.com/81319-put-cow-manure-grass.html#ixzz1velnlAoY
Read more: How to Put Cow Manure on Grass | Garden Guides http://www.gardenguides.com/81319-put-cow-manure-grass.html#ixzz1velnlAoY
Chicken Manure (we also have some of these on our small household farm!):
Per: http://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-help/Can-I-use-chicken-manure-in-my-garden-H66.aspx- Chicken manure makes great compost for fertilizing your garden. However, we recommend you compost it first: don't add it directly in quantity. Uncomposted chicken manure is very "hot": too much nitrogen can burn your plants. Once your manure is composted, it is great for your garden, however.
Chicken manure does not acidify soil: it tends to raise the pH. Actually, one study demonstrates that chicken manure is as effective as lime in raising soil pH (making it more basic rather than more acidic). That same study shows that plants can absorb more calcium from the manure than from lime due to the fact that so much calcium and magnesium are contained in the manure. Poultry litter contains about 100 lbs. calcium per ton (dry weight). Composted chicken manure supplies nutrients and organic matter for your soil--improving its "tilth"--makes phosphorus more available and reduces your soil's aluminum toxicity.
Chicken manure does not acidify soil: it tends to raise the pH. Actually, one study demonstrates that chicken manure is as effective as lime in raising soil pH (making it more basic rather than more acidic). That same study shows that plants can absorb more calcium from the manure than from lime due to the fact that so much calcium and magnesium are contained in the manure. Poultry litter contains about 100 lbs. calcium per ton (dry weight). Composted chicken manure supplies nutrients and organic matter for your soil--improving its "tilth"--makes phosphorus more available and reduces your soil's aluminum toxicity.
Horse Manure:
Horse manure stands out as by the far the best manure around for soil improvement. It is usually very cheap or free and it is readily available around horse stables. Horse manure is not as strong a fertiliser as chook, cow or pig poo – but it is the best organic additive for soils. Get more details at: http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/article.php?id=6087.
Do you have any other ideas on natural and organic fertilizers for lawn and garden? Please share! Comments are open!
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