In a humus-rich garden soil, billions of busy microorganisms mobilize the nutrients contained therein so that your vegetable and ornamental plants thrive. Only when the subsequent delivery from this process stalls do fertilizers make up for the deficiency. Organic fertilizers are very popular in home gardens that are cultivated in a natural way, because no one wants to expose their he alth to the uncertainties of chemical mineral fertilizers. This guide gets to the heart of how to properly fertilize your garden according to ecological principles.
How do you fertilize the garden ecologically?
To fertilize the garden ecologically, we recommend using garden compost, horn shavings, green manure or horse manure. A soil analysis should be carried out in advance to determine the nutrient requirements and to optimally supply the garden soil organisms.
Soil analysis provides information about nutrient requirements
Defects in plants or the lawn are simply an indication that the ecological balance of the soil has become imbalanced. This can be either an oversupply or an undersupply of nutrients. By taking soil samples from 5 to 10 places at 3-year intervals and having them analyzed in a special laboratory, you can be sure whether and in what form fertilization is necessary.
Fertilize properly with compost – this is how it works
During the vegetation phase, there is a lot of activity among soil creatures in the garden soil. Nutrients in the soil must be processed by microorganisms so that they are available to your plants. By fertilizing organically at this time, you are feeding the busy helpers in the soil so that they don't run out of steam at peak times. The ideal food for worms, insects, bacteria and colleagues is compost. Fertilizing properly with this all-purpose weapon is incredibly easy:
- Dig up the soil in autumn and incorporate 5 liters of compost per square meter
- Spread ripe compost on the ground from March to August
- Easyly incorporate 3 to 5 liters per square meter with the rake
- Then sprinkle with water or nettle manure
You don't have to manage your own compost heap (€43.00 on Amazon). You can purchase finished compost packed in bags from specialist retailers or from the local composting facility.
Organic fertilizers for the home garden – a brief overview
In addition to garden compost, there are other options available to you for an ecological supply of nutrients. The following list introduces you to proven natural fertilizers:
- Horn shavings: rich in nitrogen, ideal as a supplement to compost with 100 to 300 grams per square meter
- Green manure: sow in autumn, mow and dig in spring
- Horse manure and stable manure: valuable, natural nitrogen suppliers as an alternative to compost
Plants in pots do not have to forego the benefits of organic fertilizer. Homemade plant manures made from nettle and comfrey leaves are easy to administer thanks to their liquid form. Dilute the manure with water in a ratio of 1:10 and apply the solution directly to the substrate every 2 to 3 weeks from March to August.
Tip
With every bag of peat-containing potting soil that you carelessly leave lying around in the garden center, you are making a valuable contribution to preserving our nature. For more than 60 years, the misconception that peat is a miracle ingredient as a soil additive has persisted. Since then, more than 90 percent of irretrievable moorland has been destroyed. In fact, you can keep the growth of your plants in the vegetable and perennial garden going better with renewable peat substitutes, such as coconut fiber, wood fiber or bark humus.
