Whether an amateur or seasoned garden, it is easy to forget about the vital importance of using fertilizers for both vegetables and ornamental plants. Whilst specimens may seemingly be growing well, by the addition of some nutrient rich feeds they could thrive with even more vigor. Allowing for bumper harvests of food, or gardens exploding with flowers like never before, many organic fertilizers are free and easy to make and use. And with naturally occurring nutrients adding a much needed life force to garden spaces, you can also ensure that your gardening practices are giving something back to the local environment.

Manure

Manure is the number one way to enrich any soil and is a fantastic source of nutrients. Most stables, or even local farms, will have an abundant amount of excess manure from mucking out animals. Whilst some may charge a small fee for bags of this gardening black gold, it is often free, allowing gardeners to take as much as they wish.

It is vital that manure is used in the correct way in the garden to avoid its high concentration of richness from burning plant roots and leaves. It is therefore perfect for use through the winter months, and you can lay it on the surface of flowerbeds and vegetable plots after most plants have become dormant. Broken down by winter frosts, it can then be dug into the soil the following spring, adding fantastic enrichment. Alternatively it can be used in compost heaps at any time of the year, going through a natural rotting down process, and adding to the compost medium.

Vermicompost and Worm Tea

Another great source of free and high nutrient materials, these two fertilizers can be produced easily at home by simply having a worm farm. Easy to manage and keep, worm farms are a great way of composting kitchen scraps and waste quickly, and they produce material high in goodness in a relatively fast turnaround. Munching their way through green waste, worms produce castes, high in nutrients, and collectively known as vermicompost. Meanwhile, the moisture from the farm drains to the bottom of the device where is can be siphoned off, usually through a tap. Known as Worm Tea, or Worm Wee, this can be diluted to one part tea, ten parts water, and is a fantastic liquid feed for plants.

Comfrey, Borridge, and Nettle Feed

Whilst Comfrey, Borridge, and Nettles are often most commonly associated as weeds, they are a fantastic source of nutrients for those who want to make a free fertilizer. The process is extremely easy, and additionally makes use of these plants as you weed them out from gardens. Simply take a sealable tub, cram in as many nettles, comfrey, or borridge as possible, and fill approximately a quarter of tub with water. Place the lid on the tub and leave for several weeks, allowing bacteria to start the breakdown process. The resulting liquid is a fantastic nutrient rich drench that can be used for plants, and diluted by at least one part liquid feed to one part water, will make ornamental flowers and vegetables thrive.

For any gardener, the use of fertilizers should be commonplace. However, with many great enriching materials easily produced or gathered for free, there is no need to spend a fortune. And with organic products also eco-friendly, you can ensure both your garden and local environment thrive.

Geoff Wakeling is a writer with Brookside Patio Furniture which specializes in Wicker Patio Furniture.

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