Organic Fertilizers - How do you know?

There are a lot of products floating around saying "for organic gardening" or "natural" etc.  For the average consumer this is confusing...and to some extent, that is by design.  Everyone wants in on the perceived cash cow.

First thing to understand; the term "natural" means very little.  There are exceptions, but do not spend the time trying to figure that out.  I do not.

Second, if you want to be absolutely sure that you are growing organically, using inputs that USDA certified organic farmers are utilizing, look for the OMRI label.

OMRI is short for Organic Methods Review Institute.  They have only been around since 1997 but have accelerated to become THE certifier for organic certified inputs.

This is not to say that other inputs are not allowed for organic production, but if it is OMRI certified, then a proxy for the entire industry has stamped it, organic.

If you are selecting a pesticide, fungicide or fertilizer simply look for the OMRI label.  You may have a tough time finding this label at your local hardware store or big box retailer.

In terms of local guidance and help, OMRI has recently launched a program to certify local suppliers as experts.  But as of now there are only three stores listed on the site. 

You can start your search by seeing what is on the OMRI list of certified products.  But...it is quite a long list.

My recommendation is to start with groworganic.com.  I have no financial interest in their firm. (wish I did!)   They do a great job of offering a massive amount of organic inputs at a reasonable price; and packaging for the small gardener or professional grower.

They also do a great job of describing how the inputs were derived.  For example, we love their liquid kelp product. 

"Cold-processed liquid kelp. Enzymatically digested, concentrated liquid extract of California Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana), harvested from kelp beds in the Pacific Ocean off the Northern coast of California. Freshly harvested kelp is rapidly processed at low temperatures, using naturally occurring enzymes isolated from the kelp, to digest and liquify the chopped kelp into a dark liquid extract.

This cold water enzymatic process preserves all the very important hormones, auxins, giberillins, enzymes, proteins, vitamins and minerals found in Bull Kelp, which is internationally recognized for its high concentration of active compounds that greatly stimulate the growth and productivity of plants. Product is then stabilized with the addition of natural humic acids which have been digested with enzymes and mixed with the kelp concentrate."

Almost sounds good enough to pour it on your breakfast cereal.  

There are many, many great sources for OMRI certified products, so hopefully folks that read this article can add their favorite in the comments section.

Hope this helped!