Liquid Organic Fertilizer for Perennials

Benefits

• Liquid organic fertilizers provide several benefits for perennials. They are fast-acting and provide a quick boost of nutrients for seedlings and plants. In addition, they give plants an early start in the growing season by providing nitrogen to plants in a form they can use even if soil has not reached 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Liquid fertilizers are also ideal for container-grown perennials because they saturate the entire root system. Liquid fertilizers are useful for foliar application because the leaf pores will absorb nutrients.

Fish Emulsion

• Fish emulsion is commercially made using the byproducts of fish, including guts and bones. To make it yourself, use any part of the fish. Fish parts are mixed with water and allowed to ferment for two weeks. The liquid fertilizer is applied to perennial leaves for foliar fertilization or to the soil, where it is absorbed by the roots. Fish emulsion has a high nitrogen content.

Liquid Seaweed Fertilizer

• Liquid seaweed fertilizer is useful for an organic garden because of the variety of trace elements and nitrogen it contains. It is made primarily from kelp, a seaweed that can grow several feet. It is also a good choice because kelp grows rapidly and is sustainably harvested. If you live near the coastline and have access to seaweed, you can make your own seaweed fertilizer by rinsing the seaweed to get rid of excess salt, chopping it up into smaller pieces and adding it to a bucket or barrel of water. Let it steep for three to four weeks before applying to perennials.

Compost Tea

• Compost tea is a homemade liquid fertilizer that uses organic matter such as manure, grass clippings, straw, leaves or finished compost. The organic matter is mixed with water, allowed to sit for three days in a barrel or bucket and then applied to plants, including perennials. Mixing a variety of compostable materials will provide the various nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon, that plants need. Compost tea should be used within a day or two to prevent it from fermenting and smelling.