| An invaluable guide to all gardeners and farmers is a | | | | growing plants, used as a mulch, or added to the |
| soil test. A soil test will indicate when and how to | | | | compost pile. When you keep a high humus content |
| increase applications of fertilizer. First these tests will | | | | in your soil many of these fertilizers will be more |
| show what elements are needed most, then future | | | | readily available. They will also stay available over |
| tests will show how your fertilizing program is | | | | several years. Organic fertilizers are available at feed |
| working. With the organic method of gardening you | | | | mills, farm cooperatives, and local garden supply |
| still need to use the numbers as a guide in selecting | | | | stores. |
| the organic materials for your garden. | | | | Natural mineral fertilizers are considered mainstays of |
| When you want to add nitrogen to your soil you can | | | | organic gardening and farming. Natural rock fertilizers |
| take your pick of manure, (fresh or dried),homemade | | | | have been pretty much left out by the average |
| or commercial compost, sludge, and vegetable meals. | | | | gardener. The average gardener needs to take |
| Due to the high nitrogen content of blood meal and | | | | another look at natural rock fertilizers they furnish |
| dried blood 12 to 15, these materials should be used | | | | ample supplies of phosphorus and potash without |
| more sparingly. | | | | which no plant can grow successfully. One thing to |
| For phosphate you may choose from rock, bone | | | | consider is the fact that natural mineral fertilizers put |
| meal, dried blood, vegetable meals, and manures. | | | | essential nutrients into the soil gradually over the |
| Potash sources are granite dust, wood ashes, kelp | | | | years so the plants can absorb them as they need |
| and many plant residues. | | | | them, Because there is no shortages or abundance in |
| These materials can all be worked into the soil in | | | | the soil the plants stay in balance and as the nutrients |
| spring or fall, they can be top dressed around | | | | are released the soil structure improves. |