Commonly Asked Questions Regarding Our Organic Fertilizers

How does Organic-Gro compare with major brand chemical fertilizers in coverage?

Organic fertilizers are added to lawns and gardens for totally different reasons than you would add chemical fertilizers.  Organic or natural products are added to build soil, improve fertility and help develop and maintain the ideal growing medium for the turf.  The golf course industry recognizes the benefits of organics so much that they have been recommending the application of at least 50% organic products annually for golf course maintenance.  They recognize organic fertilizers can help prevent many diseases common to turf.  So while you are covering less area per bag with our organic products than with a chemical fertilizer, you're applying 70 - 80% organic matter*, which actually rebuilds your existing soil.  Plus the fertilizer supplies the necessary nutrients to feed your lawn for an extended period of time.  Typically our product will continue feeding your lawn for a minimum of ten weeks, with a maximum of twelve weeks. See "How do I apply Organic-Gro?" for coverage details.

* Analysis by A&L Analytical Laboratories, Inc., Memphis, TN 38133.

back to top

I have small children and pets, is Organic-Gro safe to use around them?

YES.  Our products are ALL NATURAL.  They contain NO synthetic chemicals, no  pathogens or bacteria.  You can feel safe using them anywhere, indoors or outdoors, and children and pets can play in your yard while you are applying the product without fear of harmful side effects *.  The products' poultry litter base has been modified at the molecular level processed through three sterilization stages including being cooked at high temperatures. The end result is a safe, mildly-earthy smelling product, which contains absolutely no synthetic chemicals. It can even be spread on your lawn or garden by hand.

Method	Fecal Coliform MPN  Cfu/g (Confirmed)	Salmonella (MPN)  Cfu/g
58751 8-2-4	< 1	< 1
58752 4-6-4	< 1	< 1
Method Reference: Standard Methods for the Analysis of Water and Wastewater, 20th Ed. 1998

back to top

Are organics as good as chemicals?

Yes, in many respects they are better.  First, let's address that there is a time and a place for the use of chemical fertilizers.  However, chemicals are synthetic sources of nutrients, which feed plants.  Natural fertilizers are a natural sources of nutrients, which feed plants, in addition to beneficial  microbes and earthworms.  The earth and the things that grow in it have a natural system design, which works out best when it it is fed naturally.  Organic-Gro feeds the soil and lets the soil and the soils natural caretakers, microbes and earthworms, feed the plant.

back to top

Do they work like chemical fertilizers?

No. Chemicals feed the plants only. While you see immediate results with chemicals, say two to three days for green up, they do nothing to improve the soil itself. Our natural fertilizers release small amounts of nutrients immediately to feed the plant, and release the balance over an extended period of time. Dramatic green-up will be apparent after about seven days. And while our natural  fertilizers are time releasing nourishment to the lawn over an extended period of time, they are also restoring the tilth of the soil. Soil becomes less compacted making it easier for roots to spread. Improved tilth, or soil texture, also means air is better able to reach the root zone aiding growth. Microbes and earthworms are fed and can reproduce in abundant numbers to help further aerate the soil and help it resist disease.

back to top

Would you say Organic-Gro fertilizers are completely safe for the environment?

YES, because they are  ALL NATURAL ORGANIC MATERIALS.

back to top

Why is healthy soil important in promoting plant life and why does an organic program work best? 

Healthy soil is the single most important factor in promoting plant health. Soil is composed of Water, Air and Organic matter (both living and dead). In concert with other living organisms like beneficial insects, earthworms and microbial life forms, a symbiotic system is formed. When soil conditions are optimal and a conscientious organic horticultural program is applied, this system has the ability to be largely self sustaining as well as naturally pest and disease resistant.

In the long run, the cost for maintenance is minimized, because of the strength inherent in good health. Healthy well balanced soil makes it possible for all the organisms in a given Ecosystem, like your backyard, to naturally live and grow. This in combination with appropriate, readily available nutrients promotes Deep Root growth, and long-term health.

In any soil there should be a healthy balance of key components to support plant growth. This not only includes equal portions of the basics, Water and Air, but also up to 50% "Organic Matter" containing minerals, living organisms and humus derived from previously living organic material. (Source: US Dept. of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service "Organic Matter in Soil")

back to top

What do we say when someone asks "aren't organics weak compared to chemicals?"

To the uninformed, organic or natural products  are sometimes called "weak" especially when compared to chemical fertilizers. Generally people are referring to the fact that the chemical fertilizers have higher N-P-K values. The N-P-K values (the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium percentages) are higher in chemical fertilizers than in natural or organic fertilizers because chemical fertilizers have no natural organic ingredients. 

Natural  fertilizers are a separate class of fertilizers. Comprised of 70-80% natural  matter and naturally occurring nutrients, natural  fertilizers could be referred to as "value added" fertilizers. That's because all natural products  are low in the N-P-K numbers but strong in natural  matter. Where some natural  fertilizers have a "weakness" is in the high water solubility of their nutrients. Their nutrients can be washed away with normal watering or rainfall. This also occurs in highly water-soluble chemical fertilizers. So the key is in keeping the nutrients highly in-soluble in water. 

Organic-Gro is not a weak natural product…rather it is a unique natural product. Through our patented process we have created a truly SLOW RELEASE NUTRIENT natural  fertilizer from poultry litter. The nutrients necessary to continue feeding your lawn or your garden, your trees or your flowers do not wash away, do not evaporate away, but stay right where you spread them, doing just what they are supposed to do: feed your lawn or your garden for several months, with just one application. Currently there is no other poultry litter derived natural  which releases its nutrients over an extended period of time like Organic-Gro, without leaching and without burning the plant or the turf. Organic-Gro is likewise superior to the chemical/natural  fertilizer blends for the very same reasons: it contains no synthetic chemicals, it nourishes the soil and grass plants naturally, and it won't wash away in heavy rains or burn the turf if applied as directed.

back to top

"I don't want to change my regiment!"  (Our response to this objection)

To begin a natural  fertilizing program, what we are suggesting is that you simply REDUCE your regiment if you are not comfortable changing it. Consider doing what many in the golf course industry are doing - go at least 50% natural  to start. If the benefits weren't evident to golf course maintenance professionals, do you think they would risk using natural  products? Instead of spreading chemical products four or five times a year, or more, reduce BY TWO the number of chemical fertilizer applications for every ONE application of Organic-Gro. If you decide to use a program of Organic-Gro fertilizer and chemical products you will at least be heading in a more environmental direction. Be aware that the use of any chemical products will require precautions in accordance with the manufacturer's notice. 

OR DO WHAT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE DOING EACH DAY AND SIMPLY GO 100% ORGANIC OR NATURAL RIGHT FROM THE START! In just a few years using Organic-Gro you will develop healthy, nutritious soil which by nature will provide the natural combatants to weeds, including crab grass and pests. 

Think of it. A lawn care product that only has to be applied two or three times a year MAXIMUM. One of those applications can be late in the fall when the grass goes dormant, another in the spring, and depending on your location, maybe a third in late summer. Or whenever you like - that's it! Spend half the time you used to spend fertilizing your lawn and your grass will look better than ever! 

back to top

How do I apply Organic-Gro?

You can use whatever fertilizer spreader you currently own or you can broadcast it with your bare hands. Set your spreader to the appropriate setting for your type of spreader (many spreader types and their settings are listed on the back of the Organic-Gro bag). One 40 lb. bag covers 8,000 square feet. For your initial application we suggest doubling up coverage to cover 4,000 square feet. Don't worry if you get a little carried away or drop the bag, a heavy application in one area or even all over your yard is not going to harm anything. Our products are free of synthetic chemicals. The special patented process we use ties up the nutrients making them slowly available to plants, so they can't release too much at any one time and harm your turf when applied as directed. Your pets and your children can play in the area even as you are applying Organic-Gro.

back to top

I live near a lake.  Can I apply Organic-Gro near the lake and feel safe about it?

The Organic-Gro line of natural products is  eco-friendly when applied as directed. The fertilizer is a natural slow-release product, which means the nutrients (the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) have minimal leaching. Unless your top soil is literally washed away into a lake, stream or river by flood waters, the natural matter and SLOW RELEASE nutrients in Organic-Gro will stay right where they belong, feeding your lawn or plants for months.

back to top

What is Organic-Gro derived from?

The base ingredient is raw poultry litter. We add hydrolyzed feathermeal, volcano phosphate rock, and potash. (We also add molasses to our Organic-Gro Indoor & Container Plant food.) We blend these with other natural  ingredients and create a pathogen free* slow-nutrient-release fertilizer that can make anyone look like they were born with a green thumb! 

Method	Fecal Coliform MPN  Cfu/g (Confirmed)	Salmonella (MPN)  Cfu/g
58751 8-2-4	< 1	< 1
58752 4-6-4	< 1	< 1
Method Reference: Standard Methods for the Analysis of Water and Wastewater, 20th Ed. 1998

* Analysis by A&L Analytical Laboratories, Inc., Memphis, TN 38133

back to top

Why do you use poultry litter?

Poultry litter has been effectively used as a fertilizer by farmers in our country, and others, for decades. But it's not the most convenient form for most homeowners to handle when fertilizing their lawns, in part because it's just not easily available. In its raw form it can also 'burn' plants. Our process stabilizes the nutrients in the litter and molecularly converts it into a well balanced slow-release fertilizer for most residential and commercial uses. Organic-Gro will not "burn" your grass or plants when applied as directed.

back to top

Since Organic-Gro starts with poultry litter, are there any bad odors?

NO.  Much like chemical fertilizers, there is a slight odor when you first open the bag, but that dissipates quickly.  Because of the special process, the product smells more like rich earth.  After it is applied, the minor earthy odor will dissipate in a few hours.

back to top

What different products do you currently offer?

ORGANIC-GRO 8-2-4 All Natural Fertilizer for Lawn & Turf is sold in 40 lb. bags. You will see a dramatic green up in seven to ten days and it will last for ten to twelve weeks, with just one application. 

ORGANIC-GRO 4-6-4 All Natural Fertilizer for Flowers and Vegetables is a product that is also in 40 lb. bags as well as convenient 25 lb. and 6 lb. bags. It was specially formulated for maximum yields in your flower and vegetable gardens. Be prepared to be giving your tomatoes, corn and cantaloupe away to the neighbors! 

ORGANIC-GRO 4-6-4 All Natural Fertilizer for Indoor and Container Plants comes conveniently packaged in 1-½ lb. zip-lock bags. 

back to top