Top 10 Best Organic Fertilizers in the Philippines 2020 (Plantmate, Nature's Bio, and More)

Technically, organic fertilizers are still processed, although minimally. What makes them organic are their natural ingredients, such as powdered minerals and waste products from animals and plants. As they decompose, they release nutrients, add microorganisms, and retain water making the soil much healthier. 

The best benefit that we could get from them is safety, though they require more time and effort. These fertilizers are strongly advised to be used when growing fruits and vegetables and in lawns that serve as a playground for children and plants because of their minimized exposure to toxic chemicals.

You need to carefully consider some things when you're buying an organic fertilizer, especially if you're a newbie in the green world. Here are some guides that can help you decide what organic fertilizer to buy.

Each type of organic fertilizer has its manufacturing process, characteristics, and nutrients. They are also made from different organic ingredients such as fish, farm animals, sand, and rock. Read further to know how they differ from each other and to determine which suits your plants.

Fish meal and fish emulsion do the same job by providing primary nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. They also act as food for the good bacterias that also helps with the plant's growth. 

Fish meal is made by grinding, pressing, and drying fish bones, scales, and skin, making them useful instead of throwing them as a waste. They are buried in the soil to transfer the nutrients to the plants' roots, while the plants need to be watered heavily to produce significant results. 

On the other hand, fish emulsion is made by immersing the fish waste with water and other organic ingredients, usually for seven days. The liquid is separated from the soaked fish waste, and it is ready to be poured on the soil or sprayed on the leaves.

Animal manures are the most readily available organic fertilizers that use the waste of farm animals such as chicken, cow, horse, sheep, and pig. These organic fertilizers are the most recommended because they contain a high level of nitrogen, which supports plant growth, and are easily found in the market.

They are often bought composted, as raw manures take longer to break down and might contaminate your soil. They are safe from weed seeds and have reduced odor. They are usually broken down with a temperature of at least 140°F or 60°C  for six months or longer so that the plants will absorb the nutrients quickly and effectively.

Shellfish meals are produced by composting shells of crabs, shrimps, and lobsters, hence the name. It is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and magnesium to strengthen the roots. It also promotes the growth of helpful and healthy microorganisms and earthworms as they eat it when fertilizers are buried deep in the soil.

Greensand fertilizer is a natural mineral from ocean floors, often used to raise and maintain sensitive plants as it slowly releases and distributes nutrients so that the plants' roots won't burn.

The sand is mixed with a slightly green color because of the glauconite, which means that it contains a high level of iron, potassium, and magnesium. It is mainly used for making the soil healthy. 

It has many other benefits such as loosening soil, especially clay soil, allowing the oxygen to penetrate, improving moisture retention to keep the plants hydrated, and enhancing the roots' growth. Please take note that it should be used directly in the soil as it is not water-soluble.

Rock Phosphate, also called rock dust, is essential since plants need a large amount of phosphate to grow strong and healthy. It is primarily used by those who have flower, fruit, or vegetable plants because it makes the plants' roots healthy. However, due to a lack of resources, rock phosphate is for sale in the market as an organically-processed product.

Organic fertilizers are available in two formulations: dry and liquid. Dry organic fertilizers are processed into granules while maintaining its organic properties. They are cheaper than the liquid form. It is used by burying it deep into the soil, or 2 inches below the side of the plant.

On the other hand, liquid fertilizer is much easier to use because it gives you two options: apply it directly to the soil without digging, or spray it on the plants. It also works more efficiently than a dry organic fertilizer because it spreads through the soil when applied.

To grow healthy and bountiful plants, they must be provided with essential nutrients known as the NPK: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Nitrogen makes the leaves of your plants green, phosphorus is responsible for maintaining the strength of roots, and potassium aids photosynthesis and food formation.

When you buy an organic fertilizer, you will notice that three numbers are usually located below the product name. They indicate the NPK content of it. For example, if an organic fertilizer has 5-1-1 NPK, it has 5% nitrogen, 1% phosphate, and 1% of potassium. 

To determine the right amount of fertilizer NPK you'll have to buy, it will depend on what plants you currently have, what soil you're growing them with, and their situation. For example, if you notice that your plants' leaves are getting discolorations, you should use a fertilizer with a high nitrogen percentage.

A general all-purpose use organic fertilizer usually has a ratio of 5-5-5 NPK. It will maintain and support your plants' balanced nutrition. Just make sure to buy an organic fertilizer containing not more than 10% of each of the three nutrients. Organic fertilizers should be gentle so that they won't over-nourish or even kill the plant.

There are a lot of organic fertilizers in the market and it comes in different types. To make it easier for you to find the perfect organic fertilizer for you, here is a list of the best organic fertilizers that you can buy online.

If humans enjoy cocktail drinks, soil, too, would love to have an organic fertilizer mix! Garden Tips YouTube channel shares a fusion of organic fertilizers that you can use in any plant type. 

Ingredients:

• Decomposed Cow Dung
• Homemade Compost or Vermicompost
• Bone Meal Powder (Stera-Meal, Fish Meal, Blood Meal or Soy Meal)

Optional Ingredients:

• Neem Cake Powder or Karanj Powder
• Mustard Oil Cake Powder
• Epsom Salt

Procedure:

1. Weigh each ingredient. All of them must be of equal parts except for Epsom salt, which should be half the amount.
2. Pour them into one container.
3. Mix them and pour on the soil.

Note: Add a small amount of lime or wood ash if the soil is too acidic. Pour alum powder if the soil is too alkaline. 

Calling all plantitos and plantitas! Before bringing out your green thumb, here are some articles about the best plants that you can add to your hobby. Surely, you would want to have some of them and find out where can you purchase them.

Plants are kind of hard to maintain and manage unless you have the right organic fertilizer for them. When buying an organic fertilizer, decide what type of fertilizer and its formulation are needed, and always remember to check its NPK proportion because it might lead to unhealthy results.

Taking care of plants means being good stewards of the environment. If we can do this, we will reap the benefits soon – healthier air, more beautiful surroundings, and safer ingredients on our tables.

Author: Roel Pillas Malubay

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