Creating Natural Plant Food
Our Guide to Four Essential Soil Amendments
In pursuing horticultural mastery, the adventure starts with the ground beneath us — the soil. A fertile, well-nourished soil forms the bedrock of a thriving garden, laying the groundwork for plant development, vigor, and yield. But what elevates standard soil to the level of great soil?
The key is the strategic combination of four specific natural soil amendments: Feather Meal, Bone Meal, Langbeinite, and a hint of Azomite for trace minerals. Each of these components plays a vital role in boosting soil fertility and enhancing the health of your plants.
This guide explores the importance of these amendments and how they synergize to forge a super soil mix for your gardening endeavors.
The Importance of Natural Plant Food
Creating Natural Plant Food helps underscore the pivotal role of organic amendments in fostering a sustainable and productive garden. Feather Meal, Bone Meal, Langbeinite, and Azomite are not just ingredients; they're the building blocks of a thriving ecosystem beneath our feet.
These natural amendments enrich the soil with essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, and an array of trace minerals, vital for plant health.
Unlike synthetic fertilizers, they release nutrients slowly, ensuring a balanced diet over time and minimizing the risk of nutrient burn.
By incorporating these natural plant foods into your garden, you're not only nourishing your plants but also enhancing soil structure, encouraging beneficial microbial activity, and promoting a cycle of health and growth that sustains itself and the environment.
This holistic approach to gardening emphasizes the importance of natural inputs in achieving a lush, vibrant, and productive garden.
The Four Essential Soil Amendments
Each amendment links to our dedicated amendments section, with more details about that specific amendment. Below, we've included the exact ratios, with a link to each amendment in our storefront, so you, too, can craft the perfect plant food blend. We aim for a balanced 15-15-15 plant food mix for this specific blend.
Feather Meal: A slow-release nitrogen source, feather meal supports lush vegetative growth and is especially beneficial for leafy greens and lawns. Feather Meal typically has an NPK value of 12-0-0, which we used in our calculations.
Bone Meal: A phosphorus-rich amendment, bone meal is crucial for root development, flowering, and fruiting. Bone Meal typically has an NPK value of 4-12-0, which we used in our calculations. Sometimes, it is sold with slight NPK variations, like 2-14-0, but generally, our calculations are roughly the same.
Langbeinite: A source of potassium, magnesium, and sulfur, langbeinite addresses the comprehensive nutrient needs of plants without over-saturation. Langbeinite typically has an NPK value of 0-0-22, which we used in our calculations.
Azomite: A rock dust packed with trace minerals, azomite replenishes the soil, promoting plant vigor and disease resistance. For our calculations, we didn't assume any NPK value for this amendment, though some Azomite package labels may show an NPK value of 0-0-0.2 or something similar.
Creating the Plant Food
Suitable for use in vegetable gardens, flower beds, container plants, and more, this natural 15-15-15 Plant Food Mix is easy to apply and safe for the environment. Its gentle, slow-release formula minimizes the risk of nutrient burn, making it ideal for use throughout the growing season.
Whether you're an experienced gardener looking to optimize your organic gardening practices or a beginner eager to see your plants flourish, this natural 15-15-15 Plant Food Mix offers a balanced, sustainable solution to meet your plants' nutritional needs. Embrace the power of nature with this all-encompassing plant food mix, and watch as your garden transforms into a lush, thriving oasis.
Here's our recommended ratio of each amendment to make our all-natural plant food mix. Included is the approximately (rounded) number of ounces of each amendment to use for 16oz, 32oz, and one-gallon applications:
| Amendment* | Ratio | 16oz | 32oz | 1 gal |
| Feather Meal | 28.00% | 5 | 9 | 36 |
| Bone Meal | 44.00% | 7 | 14 | 56 |
| Langbeinite | 23.00% | 4 | 7 | 30 |
| Azomite | 5.00% | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| 100% | ~16~ | ~32~ | ~128~ |
*The links to each amendment will take you to our storefront at Bloom & Garden, where you can purchase in various sizes/volumes.
If you're not looking to craft this natural plant food mix, we can help in our shop. We sell 16oz and 32oz containers of this fantastic all-natural plant food.
Natural Plant Food Application Instructions
General Soil Use:
- Apply 1 cup (approximately 240 mL) of the plant food mix per 10 square feet of soil. Work the mix into the top 2-3 inches of soil before planting to incorporate the nutrients thoroughly.
Established Plants:
- Side dress with ½ cup (approximately 120 mL) of the plant food mix around the base of each plant, gently working it into the soil surface without disturbing the roots. Water thoroughly after application. Repeat every six weeks during the growing season for best results.
Potted Plants:
- Mix one tablespoon (approximately 15 mL) of the plant food mix per gallon of soil at the time of potting or repotting. For maintenance, sprinkle one teaspoon (approximately 5 mL) around the top of the soil every month during the growing season. Water thoroughly.
Watering Solution:
- For a nutrient-rich watering solution, dissolve one tablespoon (approximately 15 mL) of the plant food mix in 1 gallon of water. Use this solution to water your plants every 4-6 weeks. This method is especially beneficial for providing a gentle, consistent supply of nutrients directly to the roots.
Final Plant Food Mix Tips:
- Always water the soil after applying the dry mix to help dissolve the nutrients and encourage their uptake by plant roots.
- Adjust the application rate based on plant size and growth rate. Younger, smaller plants may require less, while larger, more vigorous plants may benefit from slightly more.
- Monitor plant response after application. Signs of vigorous growth and improved health indicate successful nutrient uptake. Adjust as needed based on plant performance and soil conditions.
Following these application instructions will give your plants a balanced blend of nutrients essential for their growth and health. The all-natural 15-15-15 Plant Food Mix supports many plants, ensuring they receive the comprehensive care needed to thrive.
