Main constituents of some allowable organic fertilisers

Figures are percentages, N = nitrogen, P = phosphorus, K = potassium, Ca = calcium, S = sulphur, Mg = magnesium

Fertiliser N P K Ca S Mg

Allgro Industries' sewage sludge 2.0 0.8 0.2 - - -

Barner grass - fresh, dry 1.3 0.4 4.5 0.2 - 0. 1

Basalt dust
(includes trace elements Cu, Zn, Mo, B) - 0.4 1.4 9.0 - 7.5

Blood and bone 5.0 5.0 - 10.0 1.0 -

Bracken fern - fresh, dry 2.0 0.2 0.5 - - -

Chicken litter* - average local 3.5 1.9 1.3 2.6 2.0 0.5

Comfrey - fresh, dry 0.75 0.25 0.2 - - -

Compost - farm
(including manure) 2.5 1.5 1.5 - - -

Compost - home
(including garden waste etc) 1.0 0.4 0.5 0.2 - 0. 1

Compost indore method
(60% moisture) 0.5 0.3 0.8 - - -

Dolomite - Flinders - - - 13.0 - 8.0

Dolomite - Mudgee - - - 21.0 - 11.0

"Dynamic Lifter" (standard) 3.0 2.5 1.6 7.0 - -

"Granomag " - - - 0.8 - 56.0

Green manure
(av) - fresh, moist 0.4 0. 1 0.4 - - -

Gypsum - - - 20.0 18.0 -

Hay - lucerne 2.5 0.5 3.0 - - -

Hay - grass & clover 1.5 0.4 1.6 - - -

Lime - - - 40.0 - -

Manure* - dairy cow - fresh, dry 3.0 0.5 2.0 - 1.2 -

Manure* - feedlot 1.4 0.7 1.4 0.3 1.8 -

Manure* - sheep - fresh, dry 3.0 0.6 2.0 - 0.4 -

Manure* - pig - local, dried 3.6 1.0 2.4 - - -

Molasses - dried 1.4 0.3 4.0 1.75 0.4 -

Mushroom compost 0.5 0.12 - - - -

"Organic Life" 4.0 3.0 2.0 4.5 0.5 -

"Quinphos"
(includes trace elements Cu, Zn, Mo) - 12.7 - 33.0 0.5 -

"Reactorphos"
(includes trace elements Cu, Zn, Mo) - 9.0 - 33.0 0.5 -

Seaweed - fresh 1.3 0.5 3.0 - - -

Seaweed meal 0.5 0.06 0.02 - - -

Straw 0.4 0.2 1.0 - - -

"Terra Firma" 3.0 1.8 1.6 2.5 1.0 -

Wood ash 0.1 1.3 5.0 - - -

*Please note: All manures need to be composted.
Figures for natural substances are averages, and may vary in specific samples. Names in quotes are proprietary products - please check with suppliers/manufacturers for more information and possible changes.

(Information supplied to TROPO by Dave Forrest at TAFE Rural Studies,Wollongbar, 1992, updated 1993)

Remember that good organic practice aims to minimise the use of inputs from outside the property and to build up an integrated farm or garden ecosystem based on healthy soil and natural nutrient recycling.

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