Kelp Organics All Natural Fertilizers Often we are asked how an organic fertilizer with a low N-P-K analysis (such as Kelp Organics All Natural Garden & Shrub Food 5-5-5+1% Iron) can be as effective as a synthetic fertilizer such as 10-15-19. It’s true that synthetic fertilizers can have more immediate effects, because their chemical alteration makes them more readily available to plants. Organic fertilizers rely on soil microbes to break them down first, so the noticeable benefits appear after a longer time period. You could say synthetic fertilizers feed the plants, whereas organic fertilizers feed the soil that feeds the plants. However, organic fertilizers play a much broader role than just providing nutrients. By encouraging beneficial soil microbes, these microscopic garden helpers also change unavailable nutrients in the soil into plant-usable forms, help to break down clay soils and build humus in sandy soils, increase water penetration and moisture retention and improve drainage and air infiltration (often the most limiting aspect of plant growth). Earthworms are also attracted to soils high in organic matter and play a significant role in soil structure and fertility by acting as tiny tillers to increase pore space, while their castings (droppings) provide a nutrient-rich source of organic fertilizer. Therefore, the repeated use of organic fertilizers helps build a solid base for nurturing plants. Kelp Organics Lawn Food 9-2-4+1% Iron and Kelp Organics Garden & Shrub Food 5-5-5+1% Iron are both 100% all natural and are eligible for the new Canadian Standards for Organics. They contain the following: • Feather Meal: Contains fairly high nitrogen levels that are slowly released over a 4-month period. • Dolomite Lime: A good source of magnesium and calcium, two secondary nutrients often lacking in west coast soils. Naturally mined. • Sulphate of Potash (Potassium sulfate): A two-nutrient fertilizer containing potassium and sulphur. Nearly every aspect of plant growth is dependent on adequate supplies of potassium, while sulphur aids in the uptake of other nutrients. Naturally mined. • Kelp Meal: An excellent source of micronutrients often lacking in poor soils. • Iron: Provides quick green-up. Sources: www.cmg.colostate.edu/gardennotes; www.bigquill.com; http:// en.wikipedia.org