Alternatives to Adding NPK Fertilizers

Blood Meal

• Blood meal is the blood of animals collected from slaughterhouses. The blood is dried and sold in powder form for fertilizer. Blood meal contains 15 percent nitrogen, 1 percent phosphorus and 1 percent potassium (15-1-1). In addition to the three main nutrients, blood meal also adds iron to the soil. To apply blood meal to your garden, mix 5 pounds of blood meal into the soil for every 100 square feet of garden space. Do not overapply blood meal, as the high nitrogen level could burn your plants.

Bat Guano

• Bat guano is the feces of wild bats. Companies harvest the guano from bat caves, dry it and sell it as a powder. There are two types of bat guano fertilizer. The first type is a nitrogen-high type of fertilizer that contains 10 percent nitrogen, 3 percent phosphorus and 1 percent potassium (10-3-1). The second type of bat guano fertilizer is high in phosphorus. It contains 3 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphorus and 1 percent potassium (3-10-1). You can apply either type of bat guano fertilizer in powdered form directly into the garden. Mix 5 pounds of the guano into the soil for every 100 square feet of garden area.

Fish Emulsions

• Fish emulsion fertilizers are only available in a liquid-soluble form. It is made from the byproducts of fish processing and is 5 percent nitrogen, 2 percent phosphorus and 2 percent potassium (5-2-2). To apply this type of fertilizer to your garden, mix 6 tablespoons of the fertilizer in 1 gallon of water. Pour the mixture into a garden sprayer and spray directly onto your plants. A drawback to fish emulsion fertilizer is a strong fish smell in the garden that may last for a couple of days.

Alfalfa Pellets

• Adding alfalfa pellets to a garden increases the amount of organic matter in the soil. Alfalfa pellets contain 2 percent nitrogen, 1 percent phosphorus and 2 percent potassium (2-1-2). They also contain trianconatol. Trainconatol is a growth stimulant for the plants in your garden. Mix 2 pounds of pellets into the soil for every 100 square feet of garden space. A problem with alfalfa pellets is that they may contain weed seeds. These seeds can take root in your garden and you will need to remove them.

Animal Manure