Organic fertilizers: types and important recommendations for use

 No matter how far the modern chemical industry develops, organic fertilizer remains the most suitable and affordable option for vegetable gardens and orchards. These are primarily cattle manure, compost, ash, peat, etc.

Manure as fertilizer

Manure, most often cow dung, is one of the most widespread organic fertilizers for both rural residents and summer residents, although it is somewhat more difficult for the latter due to the location of the plots. The use of manure implies its introduction into the soil for digging in large quantities from the autumn season. Of course, there are certain bookmarking norms, which many gardeners forget about. On average, the rate is from 30 to 40 tons per hectare, once every four years. Exceeding the frequency or rate of laying is fraught with an excess content of the substances supplied with it, especially nitrogen, which can have an extremely negative effect on the prepared soil. Mature vegetables grown under these conditions have a high nitrate content.

The moment when it is necessary to use manure also plays a role - when fresh, it is a breeding ground for bacteria, weeds and all kinds of pests, so it is imperative to wait for the process of overheating.

Attention should be paid to acidic soils - manure, unfortunately, contributes to even greater oxidation due to its properties. The solution may be the use of horse, instead of cow, or combined with liming of manure. Avoid contact of manure with plant roots during planting - due to the concentrated composition and high content of ammonia, a burn is possible upon contact with the subsequent destruction of plants. If the manure is well rotted, you should not be afraid of this.

Compost

Compost is a plant-based alternative to manure that you can prepare yourself. The advantages of this type of fertilizer are the cheapness and practicality of preparation, moisture conservation, and the creation of the necessary looseness of the soil for growing plants.

In essence, compost is a product that is obtained by the “maturation” of organic waste under the influence of microorganisms, insects and, naturally, the environment. But first you need to figure out - what exactly can be used for composting, and what not?

So, the most suitable compost materials are:

- Fallen leaves; trimming raw vegetables and fruits; eggshell; cut grass; thin tree branches; feathers; sawdust.

What not to use:

- Fruits and vegetables that have undergone any processing; infected and diseased plants; citrus peel; perennial weeds.

The process of composting is as follows: a kind of "drainage" from the branches is laid at the bottom of the conditional tank, then the rest of the organic waste follows, compost is layered with layers of earth to achieve the best effect during ripening. It is not advisable to prepare compost from any one material, because the lack of balance will most likely result in ordinary rot. It will not be superfluous to mix the maturing compost from time to time, enriching it with oxygen, which in turn accelerates the necessary processes.

Signs of matured compost - the consistency is soft, loose, crumbly, the color is dark, the smell of damp forest soil.

Contraindications to compost fertilization is a high nitrogen content in the first year, therefore it is not recommended to plant crops in the soil that quickly accumulate nitrates: spinach, beets, radishes.

Fertilizer ash

Not in the least inferior to the above, ash takes the place of an excellent fertilizer, known to everyone. Refers to mineral residues generated by the incineration of certain substances. The most common wood ash is rich in potassium and phosphorus.

When fertilized with ash, the soil undergoes a deoxidation process, which also contributes to the suppression of pathogenic microflora and effective control of insect pests. The soil is fertilized with ash, as a rule, in dry form, however, even in liquid form, it can retain a lot of useful substances and be used in mineral solutions.

It is necessary to be careful when using this fertilizer and combine it with crops that prefer slightly acidic and alkaline soil. It is not recommended to use ash together with fertilizers containing nitrogen, because ash, in its function, simply neutralizes their action and effect.

Peat

A less popular but effective organic fertilizer is rotted and compressed plant and even animal residues. The natural environment for peat formation can be considered swampy areas in conditions of high humidity.

The low prevalence of peat is due to the fact that its use in its pure form is reflected in an extremely low effect due to the low content of nutrients for growing plants.

The main function and purpose of peat is the enrichment of the land itself, because favorably affects its physiological properties.

Considering each fertilizer separately, it cannot be said that it is perfect and universal. For each there are exceptions, contraindications and disadvantages. When choosing, it will be most reasonable to start from a specific culture, as well as the composition of the soil allocated for fertilization.