Organic fertilizers are great alternatives to artificial chemical fertilizers and can be used in a wide range of applications, from local produce gardens to commercial flower farms. And a growing number of environmentally-conscious consumers look for organically-grown products, so going organic can boost your business.

Organic fertilizer education and training can teach you about the composition of natural fertilizer, what's right for your local conditions and how to apply organic fertilizers for your purposes. Learning about organic fertilizers could be the first step in improving your products, and thus, your business. Consider the following:

1. Talk to organic fertilizer producers and suppliers. Local vendors will know about soil and weather conditions specific to your area.

2. Take up composting. This is a great way to make your own natural fertilizer.

3. Ensure that you're applying your organic fertilizer the proper way; sloppy or improperly applied organic fertilizers won't give you the results you want.

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Find formal training in organic farming

As the movement for sustainable agriculture grows, the opportunities to find professional training in use of organic farm fertilizers is exploding.

I recommend: Find sustainable farming internships and apprenticeships through the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service or, if you're already an experienced farmer, enroll in The Rodale Institute's Organic Transition Course. The University of Tennessee and many other ag schools now offer courses in farming with organic fertilizer and other sustainable techniques .

Locate organic fertilizers suppliers

A great way to learn about organic fertilizers is to head down to your local supplier. The staff are experts on how to use these items and can give you advice. And if you decide to go ahead and utilize organic fertilizers in your business, you're already at the right place to buy them. If you don't have a supplier that's convenient for you, you can harness the power of the Internet and find out what you need to know about specific products online.

I recommend: Find a supplier near you using the search function at ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Or, you can check out the websites of the organic fertilizer manufacturers at EcoBusinessLinks to learn about how individual products work to determine what's best for your uses.

Make your own products to avoid paying high organic fertilizer prices

The most commonly used natural fertilizer is called 'compost,' which is composed of food scraps and garden materials. Making compost is a relatively passive process as it requires little tending. However, if you want to make large amounts of it quickly, you'll need to really focus on adding to it, turning it and making sure it maintains the proper amount of moisture. Compost bins are easy to build, but there are bins made for commercial organic fertilizer that are larger and have features that make them easier to tend, like the ability to rotate.

I recommend: Learn about composting at Planet Natural, which provides a guide as to what you can and can't put in your bin. You could also try out vermicomposting, which uses worms, by following the guide by Cornell University. Alternatively, you can make compost tea; Howtocompost.org provides information about this liquid form of nourishment.

Learn how to use organic fertilizers for your purposes

Obviously, no matter if you buy or make the proper organic fertilizer, if you don't know how to use it, your products won't grow healthily, nor will your business. Learning when and how to apply these products takes some skill, which will come easier as you learn how to recognize soil and plant conditions that necessitate application.

I recommend: Check out the handy soil care guide at Extremely Green Gardening. The DeFuniak Springs Garden Club also has a great guide that applies to all sorts of plants and vegetation. If you'd rather get hands-on help, talk to the staff at your local Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service office.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the key elements in any organic fertilizer, although they will be present in different proportions. One of the hardest things about using organic garden fertilizer is getting that proportion right. It's a good idea to get your soil tested before you get started.

As today's consumers become increasingly health-conscious, you may be thinking about incorporating organic farm techniques, such as organic fertilizer, when growing your crops. There are many different types of organic fertilizers, and they're usually easier to find and utilize than organic pesticides.

You can find many different types of organic fertilizers, made from a wide variety of sources. Look for granular and liquid organic fertilizers made from both plant and animal sources. These fertilizers provide a natural food for plants, and produce better fruits and vegetables.

1. Research the wide variety of organic fertilizer available on the market today to make the best choice for your crops.

2. Consider the benefits of soil and foliar applied liquid organic fertilizers. Suppliers will always print the recommended application method on the packages.

3. Remember that granular natural fertilizers are long-lasting, and feed the plant through the root system.

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Research the many different types of organic fertilizer on the market today

Consider the benefits of organic fertilizer. It's more difficult to over-feed plants with organic fertilizer and you can't accidentally wash away all of the fertilizer at one time. In addition, organic fertilizer is gentle on the earth, making foods safer for humans and animals. Look at the variety of organic fertilizer to determine the best choice for your business.

I recommend: Browse the selection offered by Bradfield Organics, including their Pasture & Farm Natural Fertilizer. Tainio Technology & Technique has a nice selection of organic fertilizers for many applications, including agriculture.

Consider the benefits of liquid organic fertilizer

Consider liquid fertilizers, which you apply to crops by drip irrigation or fertigation. You should apply some liquid fertilizers to the soil. On the other hand, you should apply others to the foliage.

I recommend: Consider using a liquid organic garden fertilizer like the Alaska Fish Fertilizer offered by Fertile Garden. You can use this product on any indoor or outdoor plant and mix it with organic seaweed fertilizer to make it more complete. Neptune's Harvest also offers liquid organic fertilizers made from fish, seaweed and the both combined.

Research granular organic fertilizer, its benefits and application

Commercial organic fertilizer in granular form usually lasts longer than liquid fertilizers, and feeds the plants through their roots. These are also available from many different companies and from both animal and plant sources.

I recommend: If you prefer the application methods for granular fertilizers, browse the selection from EarthWorks Soil Amendments. True Organic Products offers a range of dry pellet organic fertilizers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get a soil test done before you browse the selections offered by organic fertilizer manufacturers. This way, you'll know what nutrients you need to add to the soil for optimal results.

Whether you plant organic crops or want to make sure chemicals won't seep into groundwater from company landscaping, organic fertilizer can help your products grow. In order to qualify as organic, a fertilizer must be free of chemicals. There are different types of organic fertilizer, which is why it can help for you to understand organic fertilizer key terms. It can also be beneficial to know some of the key terms relevant to fertilizer but not necessarily specific to organic ones.

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Artificial chemical fertilizers

An artificial chemical fertilizer is a synthetic product. While some of the components in chemical fertilizers may occur naturally or even be organic, a large part of the composition is chemically altered material. Other names for artificial chemical fertilizers include inorganic, manufactured or synthetic fertilizer.

I recommend: Danny Lipford compares inorganic to organic fertilizers.

Phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen

Most fertilizers contain three key elements: phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen. Different fertilizers use varying ratios of the key elements, which makes some fertilizers better for specific crops than others. When it comes to organic fertilizer, the chemical composition will vary depending on the organic material used to make it.

I recommend: OrchidPlanent.com provides an overview of the composition of fertilizer.

Compost

Decomposed organic material is compost. You can make it from left over food scraps or other organic material. Many organic farmers use backyard composting, which is the intentional production of compost.

I recommend: TheGardenofOz.org provides an overview of compost and offers examples for naturally occurring compost.

Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting is the process of using earth worms to help organic material decompose. The end result can provide richer compost than other types of composting.

I recommend: Keith Addison provides an in-depth look at vermicomposting.

Local conditions

Some manufacturers of organic fertilizers recommend a specific product based on local conditions. Soil conditions and typical weather are two local conditions that directly affect the type of crop you grow.

I recommend: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations describes different local conditions and provides pictures.

Natural fertilizer

Many people believe that natural fertilizer is organic, but this isn't necessarily true. Natural fertilizers can have synthetic materials in the composition and still classify as natural, but they won't qualify as organic under the rules and regulations established by the USDA.

I recommend: Yardiac.com details the differences between natural and organic fertilizers.

Any business that does landscaping work can benefit from using organic fertilizer. Not only are these fertilizers better for the environment, they are also more cost effective than chemical fertilizers.

When you are preparing your budget to absorb organic fertilizer pricing and costs, it is important to consider the cost of using multiple types of organic fertilizers. Use the following suggestions to help you determine your fertilizer budget:

1. Make every application as easy as possible with organic liquid fertilizers.

2. Include versatile solid organic fertilizers in your landscaping budget.

3. Reap the benefits of using marine based fertilizers in your lawn and/or garden.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider the cost of liquid organic fertilizer

Liquid organic fertilizer is ideal to use as organic lawn fertilizer because the liquid is easy to mix with water and apply to the lawn. For businesses that care for large lawns and gardens, such as lawn care companies, these fertilizers are a cost effective and time effective alternative to solid fertilizers.

I recommend: Surya offers liquid organic fertilizer starting at around $15 for a 1/2 liter or $215 for 2.5 gallons. This company offers quantity discounts on its commercial organic fertilizer, which requires a call or email to the company. EcoChem sells a varied selection of organic lawn and garden products. Organic garden fertilizer, including Maxi Grow, starts at around $30 per liter.

Think about adding solid organic fertilizers to your arsenal

Solid organic fertilizers can be used in a variety of applications. These products can be applied to a garden as is, or they can be mixed with water or other approved liquids to make fertilizer that will fully penetrate the soil. Because of this product's versatility, it is ideal for use on most plants, including plants that are sensitive to over-watering.

I recommend: Blue Rock Station and Llamas ETC are organic fertilizer suppliers. Prices from Blue Rock Station are less than $10 for a dry gallon of natural fertilizer. Llamas ETC sells a 64 ounce pack of fertilizer for $25. Unlike most organic fertilizer manufacturers, this company offers a fundraising package for around $200 that is ideal for clubs such as 4-H.

Opt for marine based organic fertilizers

Some organic fertilizer producers take advantage of the ample marine resources available to create quality fertilizer that can be used in almost any application. From organic seaweed fertilizers to sea mineral and trace element fertilizers, these products are cost effective alternatives to sometimes pricey chemical fertilizers.

I recommend: SeaAgri sells an all natural fertilizer based on sea minerals and trace elements that can be used alone or in conjunction with a water soluble fertilizer. Prices start at under $30 for a 10 pound bag, including shipping. Bulk discounts are available by calling the company. Advanced Marine Technologies sells a liquid fish fertilizer starting at under $10 for a pint. This company sells its product in sizes up to a 4,500 gallon tanker truck.