Organic Potassium for Plants

Sources

• Potassium, or potash, used as an organic fertilizer can come from numerous origins. Among the excellent sources of potassium are palm bunch ash, other wood ashes, greensand, ground rock potash, potash salts, seaweed and tobacco stems, all of which can be used alone or combined with compost or manure. Further organic potassium sources include alfalfa and kelp meals, potassium sulfate and granite dust.

Benefits

• Growing plants need adequate supplies of potassium to enable enzyme activity, photosynthesis and water movement. Potassium helps to build plants with solid stems and stalks and good bud formation. It also promotes disease resistance and protects growing plants from effects of the cold.

Application Tips

• For ash, work 1 to 2 lbs. per 100 square feet into the soil. If using potassium as a dressing, use 1 tbsp. per plant around the base, approximately 5 inches from the stalk. For ground rock potash, spread 5 lbs. per 100 square feet three weeks before planting. Always follow fertilizer instructions carefully.