Organic fertilizer...does it work?

Ed of Somis · July 23, 2013

I posted this on the Gen. discussion....thinking you are the experts! My container tomatoes are doing well. Some are in custom mix...some in MG type commercial mixes. If I use an organic fert like tomato tone....will that work for me? I have used synthetics so far. I have read about micro herds and the like. Also, there is supposedly microbes in all mixes soils....but maybe not in high enough numbers??? What is the deal?

ubergoober · July 23, 2013

I have always used various organic fertilizers and most of my tomatoes are container grown as well. I have had great success just with keeping up with a regular routine of adding bone meal, fish emulsion, adding a good composted manure to my soil, using epsom salts and using a Green Earth fertilizer every now and again.

Redbaron · July 23, 2013

All I can say is that organic ferts work in the ground. Containers are different, so you'll need to get advise from organic container growers.

Sun City Linda · July 23, 2013

Organic is certainly possible in standard containers and most who are successful add 1/3 to 1/2 manures and/or composts. Easier with some crops than others. Tomatoes as an example are pretty strong growers and heavy feeders. Growing organically in Self-Watering-Containers is a good bit more challenging. I have switched most of my containers and all of my Earthbox SWCs to synthetics.

zipcode · July 23, 2013

Works fine. Although you probably should add some minerals, especially Mg. I personally have had better success with organic than not, for some reason. I use a 7-3-10 made in germany, but I have a feeling 10 is too much K for containers, I'll try next year a 7-3-6.

taboule · July 23, 2013

I've had good success with Neptune liquid ferts both in the ground and in containers.

frankbenjones · July 24, 2013

I have been using the bioflora organic crumbles in both containers and raised beds. Purchased them from Ag RX in Somis (good price compared to buying at the standard retail stores). My tomatoes in 15 gallon containers have done fine with it. I have not tried/compared with non-orgainc ferts though as I am trying to stay organic. I believe it is a 6-6-5 fert with 8% Ca. I do usually add some home made compost to all my containers too.

July 23, 2013	#1
Ed of Somis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somis, Ca Posts: 649	Organic fertilizer...does it work? I posted this on the Gen. discussion....thinking you are the experts! My container tomatoes are doing well. Some are in custom mix...some in MG type commercial mixes. If I use an organic fert like tomato tone....will that work for me? I have used synthetics so far. I have read about micro herds and the like. Also, there is supposedly microbes in all mixes soils....but maybe not in high enough numbers??? What is the deal?

July 23, 2013	#3
Redbaron Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 4,488	All I can say is that organic ferts work in the ground. Containers are different, so you'll need to get advise from organic container growers. __________________ Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture

July 23, 2013	#2
ubergoober Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Brampton, Ontario Canada Posts: 202	I have always used various organic fertilizers and most of my tomatoes are container grown as well. I have had great success just with keeping up with a regular routine of adding bone meal, fish emulsion, adding a good composted manure to my soil, using epsom salts and using a Green Earth fertilizer every now and again.

July 23, 2013	#4
Sun City Linda Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Inland Posts: 2,705	Organic is certainly possible in standard containers and most who are successful add 1/3 to 1/2 manures and/or composts. Easier with some crops than others. Tomatoes as an example are pretty strong growers and heavy feeders. Growing organically in Self-Watering-Containers is a good bit more challenging. I have switched most of my containers and all of my Earthbox SWCs to synthetics.

July 23, 2013	#5
zipcode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Romania/Germany , z 4-6 Posts: 1,582	Works fine. Although you probably should add some minerals, especially Mg. I personally have had better success with organic than not, for some reason. I use a 7-3-10 made in germany, but I have a feeling 10 is too much K for containers, I'll try next year a 7-3-6.

July 23, 2013	#6
taboule Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: MA Posts: 903	I've had good success with Neptune liquid ferts both in the ground and in containers.

July 24, 2013	#7
frankbenjones Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Newbury Park, CA Posts: 51	I have been using the bioflora organic crumbles in both containers and raised beds. Purchased them from Ag RX in Somis (good price compared to buying at the standard retail stores). My tomatoes in 15 gallon containers have done fine with it. I have not tried/compared with non-orgainc ferts though as I am trying to stay organic. I believe it is a 6-6-5 fert with 8% Ca. I do usually add some home made compost to all my containers too.