Gardening is work that can be either hard or easy, but much of that depends on the beginning steps that are undertaken before the plants begin to sprout up.
Below are ten organic fertilizers that aid in fast plant growth and health. They contain no artificial ingredients, no genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and are certified by the Organic Materials Review Institute (ORMI).
BEST CHOICE
Unco Industries (WWSB15LB)
Best Organic Fertilizers in Our Rating
- The material has been sifted through prior to packaging
- There are no seeds within the soil builder, which reduces the chances of weeds growin
- Water stays in the soil longer, lowering the number of times that manual watering will need to be done
- Universal volume
Selecting the Best Organic Fertilizers in January, 2021
Product | Dimensions | Weight | Brand | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Unco Industries (Editor’s Choice) ![]() | 14 x 8 x 4 inches | 15 pounds | Unco Industries | Check Price |
EarthPods Premium![]() | 2.6 x 2.6 x 2.8 inches | 2.4 ounces | Earthworm Technologies | Check Price |
Jobe’s Organics 9026 (Editor’s Choice) ![]() | 6 x 2 x 9 inches | 4 pounds | Jobe's Organics | Check Price |
Neptune's Harvest![]() | 4 x 4 x 9 inches | 2.25 pounds | Neptune's Harvest | Check Price |
Dr. Earth Organic![]() | 3 x 8 x 10 inches | 3.3 pounds | Dr. Earth | Check Price |
Plant Magic Plant Food![]() | 8.4 x 6 x 1 inches | 8 ounces | Organic Plant Magic | Check Price |
VermisTerra - Standard![]() | 10 x 4 x 12 inches | 10 pounds | VermisTerra | Check Price |
Root Naturally![]() | 9 x 2 x 6 inches | 2 pounds | Root Naturally | Check Price |
Liquid Kelp Seaweed![]() | 7 x 4 x 11 inches | 8 pounds | GS Plant Foods | Check Price |
SEA-90 Organic Fertilizer![]() | 6 x 5.4 x 3.6 inches | 5 pounds | SEA-90 | Check Price |
1. Unco Industries (WWSB15LB) : Best Organic Fertilizer For Indoor and Outdoors (Editor’s Choice)
They have lots of healthy bacteria that grows from the waste, which helps increase plant growth at a high rate of speed. The product has been sifted through before shipment, so there’s less work for you to do when it arrives.
No seeds exist in the Wiggle Worm Soil, so you won’t see any weeds sprouting when placed into the ground. And moisture will stay in the bag for a while, so long as you’ve stored it properly. But while it does work at a quick rate, some people may not notice much growth in the first week, especially those with indoor plants.
- The material has been sifted through prior to packaging
- There are no seeds within the soil builder, which reduces the chances of weeds growing
- Water stays in the soil longer, lowering the number of times that manual watering will need to be done
- Growth may start slowly in the early stages
2. EarthPods Easy Indoor Plant Food :Â Best Organic Fertilizer For Easy Application (People’s Choice)
Use them for your plants, small trees and scrubs. You’ll see growth quickly, but the product is also safe to use with other heavy fertilizers if you wish.
Application is lightning fast. Just pop them in the soil making sure to do it in strategic locations where the bacteria will reach the plant best. Roots and the center portion around the stem are good places.
- With the product, dissolving in liquid shouldn’t be necessary for most plants
- Since the plant food is encased in small pods, applying can be done within seconds
- Safe to use in potted gardens both indoors and outdoors
- Depletes fast; people with lots of pottery or large gardens may need more than one case
3. Jobe’s Organics Vegetable & Tomato Fertilizer : Best Organic Fertilizer For Small Gardens
The combinations make for a great bacterial increase, whereby your budding plants will begin to germinate in record time.
In fact, that’s what this product is best for, so use it when you’re into the beginning stages of growing your plants.
- Ideal for youthful plants that have just begun to sprout
- Allows citrus plants to grow very fast, results will be seen within the first two weeks
- Ingredients list a varied combination of bacteria; non-synthetic materials included
- Contains a very strong odor that won’t go away quickly
4. Neptune’s Harvest Organic Hydrolized :Â Best Organic Fertilizer For House Plants
Instead of a big bag of waste material, the solution is liquid and contains fish extracts and seaweed. These can be used on plants of any age, so pour a little into the ground around any dying plants that you want to revive.
You will see them rejuvenate within a week’s time. But just like the previously viewed product, this one also contains a very strong odor.
- The product lasts for a very long time and can be used months after purchase
- Produces good yields for both home fruits and veggies
- Contains seaweed and fish extracts, a combination that’s known to encourage a plant’s natural ability to produce sugars
- If the fertilizer touches the skin, the smell will linger for a long time, even after washing
- Must be mixed with water prior to treatment
5. Dr. Earth Organic 5 Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Fertilizer Poly Bag :Â Best Organic Fertilizer For Fast Germination
Ingredients have no GMO or artificially produced material; what you’re getting is all natural compost made by a brand with a great reputation.
This brand has been certified by OMRI and lists it on the bag itself. There are also instructions for beginners or those who have varied plants and must prep them differently.
- No GMOs or other unnatural components
- Tested and certified by OMRI for having organic and probiotic compounds in the ingredients
- Easy to follow instruction listed on the back of the bag
- Although the product is effective, growth may not be comparable to that of natural composting from home
6. Plant Magic Plant Food 100% Organic Fertilizer :Â Best Organic Fertilizer For Outdoor Fruit
If you place it in the soil of a nearly dead plant in your garden, chances are high that it will be green again within weeks. But that’s not the only thing this bag is good for.
Use it for indoor scrubs and/or fruit, taking the proper steps to moisturize if portions of the bag are dry.
- Has the potential to revive small dying trees
- Great for household scrubs and potted tomatoes
- Not messy to handle, application is fast and doesn’t require meticulous preparation
- Easy to use all of the contents of a bag in just one session
7. VermisTerra – Standard Earthworm Castings :Â Best Organic Fertilizer For Mixing
But surprisingly, the contents inside are quite pleasant to the senses, and won’t result in the odor hanging around your home.
After you place it in the pots, just water and wait for germination.
- Has a pleasant smell that’s not strong or irritating
- Can be used as a tea for bacterial growth
- Germination will be noticed in just one week for most potted fruits
- Portions of the bag may appear to be slightly too moist, others too dry
8. Root Naturally Azomite Rock Dust :Â Best Organic Fertilizer For Reviving Dying Plants
If yours can be described as such open up the resealable container and place some around the roots, being sure to hit the areas that are close to where you put the seeds.
- Clears away premature rot in days, especially with indoor plants
- The bag can be resealed to prevent drying
- Produces root growth and livens scrubs that may appear to be dead already
- Can be mixed with compost for added nutrients (for the plants)
- The bag tears easily and recommended to be placed in a separate container, if stored
9. Liquid Kelp Organic Seaweed Fertilizer 1 Gallon : Best Organic Kelp Fertilizer
Germination may even take place within a day if you prepare the soil correctly, so take your time in getting things done when you begin with the kelp.
- Made only from one single seaweed plant
- Can be sprayed right on the plants, or put sparingly in the soil
- The kelp will create germination quickly and cure all blossom rot
- Not recommended to apply during direct sunlight
10. SEA-90 Organic Fertilizer for Hydroponics :Â Best Water Soluble Organic Fertilizer
It’s water soluble, so add a little bit and it will dissolve into your plant’s roots at a quick rate producing germination in as little as 24 hours.
However, depending on how you prep the soil, pH levels can rise with this product.
- The ingredients are water soluble and can be prepared within minutes
- Great for farm plants, citrus trees, and flowing indoor plants that may have received little sunlight
- Results can be seen within only 24 hours of use
- Will increase the acidity levels in the soil
Best Organic Fertilizers – Buyer’s Guide
Without fertilizer, it would be extremely difficult to grow some plants. But even with it, growth may not always happen at the speed that you would like. That’s why you should know as much about the product that you intend to buy as you can. Use the information below to help you shorten up your picks from the fertilizers above.
Know your Plants
Different plants have different ways in which they should be grown. For most, their growth rate will be exceedingly fast when cared for with good fertilizers or composts. To do this, you should stick with an organic fertilizer that doesn’t contain any GMOs or synthetic chemicals. These can harm your soil, and make plants grow much slower than using all natural ingredients.
The products reviewed above contain all sorts of organic material, from earthworm castings to seaweed and fish. Such material will allow bacteria to thrive in the soil, which is what plants need from the roots in order to become strong.
Clear away any Bad Soils
If you haven’t changed out the soil in your pots for a long time, you should do so before using any organic fertilizers. This will ensure that everything starts out fresh, and boost germination time as well. Check your water levels but also make sure that your fertilizers have a good amount of moisture. But don’t put in too much water.
So long as the soil is moist, things should be okay for you to water sparingly in the first week or two. But as mentioned in the last section, find out what things will make your particular plant grow faster, because they may not need to be watered at all in this stage.
Making a Tea
When growers refer to making a “tea” from fertilizer, they are talking about the mixing of other organic materials with it. This usually involves some form of compost or other worm-based waste that can produce lots of bacteria from the soil at a quick rate. it involves adding water and heating the mixture, being careful to not overheat it to the point where the bacteria and nutrients inside will die.
Once it settles at normal temperature, you can place it in your pots or garden. This doesn’t have to be done during the seedling stages, either. Older or dying plant may revive quickly again by using this process alone.
Learning How to Wait
For some, this can be the hard part. Waiting for germination can take anywhere from one day to one week or longer. This is entirely up to the plant you’re working with. But if it does take too long, then chances are high that you either prepped the soil incorrectly or did not add enough water.
There are all sorts of issues that can affect the growth rate in plants, some of which may involve the weather. Sunlight and temperature can also be a huge factor. Make sure that you’re treating your plants during the right seasons if you work outside in a garden. Doing your garden work during the right time of your can yield better results for the soil and your plants.
Common Issues
One of the most common complaints about fertilizers is the smell. Organic fertilizers are even worse at times, especially those with fish or seaweed-containing ingredients. The smell of such products may linger around the pots you place them in if you’re growing indoor plants. But even working in an outdoor garden may make the area have an unpleasant smell. Of course, this isn’t always the case, but there is something that you could do to deal with it. The first is picking an alternative that doesn’t have a bad odor. And the second is just waiting until it dissipates.
The smell comes from bacterial waste, and lets you know that the soil’s become ready to take on fast plant growth. Additionally, another complaint is the bags they are oftentimes sold in, which aren’t always very strong. This is to be expected from organic fertilizers, given the environmentally-minded nature of the companies that sell them. You could always place it in a different container, or simply appreciate the awareness that such an issue brings to the importance of recycling.
Conclusion
It’s hopeful that you have an idea about which products you want, which was reviewed above. They are all amazing in one way or another and will give your garden or home plants the strength and energy they need in order to thrive.
If you are planting vegetables or fruits for cooking, then the taste and consistency will be similar to what you may have had with plants obtained from your local farmer’s market. But out of the ten evaluated, the Unco Industries Wiggle Worm Soil Builder and EarthPods Easy Indoor Plant Food are the best for the largest variety of plants and soil conditions.
Yet, this is in no way a dig at the others, and they could always have more of something that you’re looking for that the picks mentioned. Whichever you end up choosing, you’ll be well on your way to having a plentiful and greener garden!
Hugo says
SEA-90 Organic Fertilizer for Hydroponics is last but not least! This fertilizer starts working on the first day of usage, so you’ll probably get the right result if you follow the prescriptions. Good luck!
Kira says
I’ve used Dr. Earth Organic 5 Tomato a couple of times and every time I was shocked with the result – it was amazing. So, recommended this fertilizer for everyone who’s searching for something cheap but effective.
Macy says
I need such a fertilizer which can be used inside and outside. It shouldn’t be very harmful to me and my family’s health. Do you think I’ll succeed in searching?
Benjamin says
You know, there aren’t many effective organic fertilizers on the market. That’s why I was surprised by seeing so many options in one place. Hope, I’ll succeed in finding the right one.
Tiara says
I know that every case is individual and it’s weird to recommend everyone the same product. But if you’re really looking for something reliable – try EarthPods Premium. This organic fertilizer really changed the way I take care of my garden and gave me great results.
Jully says
There’s another thing: different plants require different fertilizers. At least that’s my experience. I can only say with confidence that The Dr. Earth really helped me with tomatoes!
Dolly says
I used The Unco Industries Wiggle Worm Soil Builder in my country garden for my outdoor flowers. They noticeably revived, the bushes became more magnificent and brighter. The result is very satisfying.
Alan says
You may not believe me, but the young apple tree in my garden, which suffered from frost, came to life after applying Plant Magic Plant Food!
Eric says
Started using the Neptune’s Fertilizer a few years ago when it was recommended by my local nursery. Used in on a recently planted, but dying Alaskan Blue Spruce Cypress tree, which was severely damaged by salt water in Hurricane Sandy. Looks great
Isaiah says
Seems like Neptune is working quite well, I have a plant container with tomatoes, borage, and basil growing altogether and they are doing great since I’ve been feeding them once per week.
Justin says
Now I never use synthetic chemical fertilizers for my garden because (a) they are notorious for going into your local water bodies as run-offs and gradually but steadily disturbing your local ecosystem and (b) they basically destroy all the beneficial bacteria and fungi that you might have in your soil that keep the soil healthy and promotes healthy growth in plants. So, organic fertilizers are the best choice.
Philipp says
Jobe’s is my garden friend. I have already given away many tomatoes and eggplants to friends and neighbors which is something I never expected to do when gardening only in containers. Yes this fertilizer is smelly but once worked into the soil it doesn’t have any odor, for humans at least.
Rosy says
Plant Naguc production is always good. I used partly all of their fertilizers and bio waters. higly recommended!
Mortimer says
Agreed about plant magic. I used this fertilizer last summer and had perfect flowers for all the season!
Jemma says
I have used this product in the past and it works great for me on tomato plants. It is also a good product for use in compost tea made for tomatoes and peppers.
Jina says
I had an indoor jasmine bush that was pretty much dead. Gave it a shot of Neptune’s stuff and it came back livelier than ever and blooming more than it ever has.