Choice of Fertilizer

Hi! Everybody!!

I have been using fish emulsion for my monthly fertilizer feeding of my plants. However, I really feel guilty leaving the odor for the poor neighbors to suffer. I have been putting off fertilizing the plants for two weeks now because of this. Does anyone have any suggestions for a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen but odorless or acceptable odor for close range neighbors?

Thanks,

Chuck

Chuck, are you wanting just organic? If not, what about Miracle Grow? Too low in N?

I like this stuff: http://www.milorganite.com/homeowners/products.cfm

Fly Girl,

I eventually used Miracle Gro and it has worked out pretty well. Claypa, I think I will try the Milorganite fertilizer next time.

Thanks to both of you,

Chuck

Chuck don't they have an odorless fish emulsion.

Jeri

Dear jeri11,

I surfed google trying to find anything about odorless fish emulsion. They didn't have anything that I could find so I really don't know if they have an odorless fish emulsion. If you can find out anything about it, I would be interested in trying it.

Thanks,

Chuck

Dear Claypa,

I found out that the closest stores that carry Milorganite fertilizer did not have the Nitrogen fertlizer anymore. (At least this is what they told me on the phone.) I am waiting for a call from Grangetto's Home and Farm Gardening Center about twenty miles from here. If they have it, I will purchase it on Monday.

Thanks for telling about this fertilizer.

Have a Good Day!!

Chuck

Chuck, I have to warn you about Milorganite...it's a product you might want to research before you use it. I use it, knowing what it is......but it kind of has a 'weird' smell.

Claypa....would you say Mil. has a certain odor to it?

I know the EPA has standards and makes sure all the toxins and metals are out of the product, but I don't think I would put it on my veggies.

Not really.....a little more than most fertilizer, but nothing like fish emulsion or steer manure, which I have heard comments about after I used it. Supposedly deer don't like the smell of it. The things I like about milorganite are it's cheap, it's great on the lawn too, and it's the only fertilizer I know that puts the EPA standards and how they exceed them on their site.
I have a feeling if miracle-gro could say they met or exceeded the EPA's 'exceptional quality' standards, they'd mention it on their site, but they don't. I bet milorganite went out of their way to make a better product because of the cootie factor / stigma of being former sewage sludge. I feel safer using it than I do steer or chicken manure, for sure.
This is from their f.a.q.'s on their site:

I have been using an organic fertilizer ; Foxfarm Peace of Mind for veggies. I have to say I am impressed. I use it on everything from the zucs to the pansies to the ferns and they are all doing very well. I usually put some at the bottom of a 2 liter bottle, fill with water and let set and use that on the plants and flowers. The smell is *manury* if that is a word, but it goes away quickly and is not too strong.

That makes sense to me. My DH has a co-worker that also does landscaping on the side on the weekends. They work in a machine shop and when we moved into our house he told him to make a bucket of different metal shavings. He said everytime I plant something to sprinkle metal shavings in the bottom. He said as it goes rusting it lets out nutrients that plants need and like to grow stronger. I can't really tell you if this is true or not. I haven't planted a rose bush without putting the shavings in there yet and they all seem to be doing fine. As are the oleander that got neglected last summer. I'd probably feel better using this product than the method I've been using.lol At least it meets EPA standards.

Try Maxi-Crop -- it's a seaweed emulsion. No odor and a little goes a long way; just a capful in a gallon of water. I spray it as a foliar spray and I have to say my plants are doing so much better. You have to call around to find it. some nurseries have it and some Ace Hardware stores. You won't find it at HD or Lowes. This product was highly recommended at our Master Gardener classes. You can spray it on anything - flowers, fruits, veggies, trees, citrus. I love the stuff. I may even end up gargling with it one day - LOL....

Orchid do you remember the size and price at Ace?

For anyone living in or around Houston, I saw the seaweed emulsion at Houston garden center. I don't recall the brand but I know I saw it nex tto the fish emulsion.

Hi Chuck,

Sorry it took so long to reply but we had our RU for the Mid South Forum this weekend and just got home.

Here is one of the odorless fish emulsions but there are many more and also try the kelp emulsions.

http://www.planetnatural.com/site/alaska-fish-fertilizer.html

Jeri

There are two sizes of Maxi Crop - I bought the 38 oz (1 liter) bottle for $9.99). You shouldn't pay more than that. As I said, a little goes a long way; a capful in a gallon of water.