The Type of Fertilizer That Includes Manure & Compost

Bat Guano

• Bat guano is animal manure used in many organic commercial fertilizer blends. It is high in nitrogen, the element need in large amounts for plants to grow and thrive. Bat guano is used in dry powered form. It may be applied directly to plants as a foliar spray, compost tea or mixed with homemade compost as general purpose fertilizer. It stimulates the growth of the soil microorganisms that create nutrients for plant growth.

Pet and Farm Manures

• Dog and cat manures are not recommended for use in backyard compost bins to make fertilizer. Household pet manure may contain organisms such as roundworms that are detrimental to human health. Farm animal manure from pigs, horses, sheep and chickens are used in both organic and non-organic fertilizer as a valuable source of nitrogen. Synthetic fertilizers also contain nitrogen created in chemical processes.

Compost

• Compost is made by layering green nitrogen-rich plant materials with brown carbon-rich materials in a bin or pile. Water and oxygen stimulate the decomposition process, which results in mature compost fertilizer in three to six months. Commercially available fertilizer often contains composted materials. Fertilizer is a state-regulated industry which does not come under the jurisdiction of the USDA National Organic Program. Some fertilizers labeled as "natural" or "organic" may not adhere to national organic standards. The OMRI provides lists of fertilizer products that are meet strict organic standards.

Types of Fertilizer

• Fertilizer that uses animal manure and compost is available in liquid, pellet, and granule forms as well as powdered. Homemade backyard compost is the least expensive form of fertilizer. Compost tea fertilizer is made by soaking a handful of mature compost in a bucket of water overnight. The high nutrient-content tea is used in a nozzle or hand-held sprayer as a foliar spray. Plants absorb the nutrients through their leaves and stems.