What fertilizer to use?
 

I know compost would be ideal here, but what other fertilizers are out there that are a good green option?

When I saw the title of your thread, I was going to say compost until I read your post and saw that you had put it there already. I will still say it 'compost'. If you are buying the bagged variety, don't buy any with biosolids. You can also uses corn gluten. It is pretty expensive but will help block weeds as well as fertilize. I don't have much experience with green fertilizers since I often use the synthetic slow release kind. I am slowly moving toward green alternatives. It would be a good idea to know what your soil needs. Have it tested or test it yourself. No reason to add what you don't need.

Fish emulsion, blood meal, worm castings or living fertilizer such as clover or soybeans may all be good options.

You may be able to get some good ideas from Organic Gardening or the Rodale Institute. The Rodale Institute has done some interesting studies on no-till or low-till farming using cover crops.

Find somebody making BioDiesel, and make some fertilizer out of their by products.

I totally don't know how; but I know it is possible.

Thanks for the advice. I actually had the same question since I fertilized tonight. For someone like my mom who doesn't compost and would just need something in a bag, I knew there had to be some better options, :)

The compost in a bag like you get at the home center usually has some natural fertilizer in it besides just yard waste. It may even have a combination. You will often find composted chicken manure, cow manure, bat guano, worm castings, or biosolids (digested sewage) listed in the ingredients. No matter the ingredients, it is always a good idea to wear gloves when spreading. Compost fertilizes, builds soil structure, retains moisture, and improves drainage. It will improve any soil.

People who are unwilling to use animal and fish products should probably ignore my fish emulsion and blood meal suggestions from my last post.

I looked a little more at the Rodale Institutes website yesterday. It also appears that the organic farmers will sometimes add Rock Phosphate as well as lime to the soil. Again it depends on the soil test.

You can buy granular corn gluten meal form your local feed store. It is the ideal alternative to chemical fertilizer as it will prevent weeds (grass seeds too) from germinating and has about 9% nitrogen and most importantly is 100% organic. You and your kids can also walk right away on your yard unlike other fertilizers.

You could pee on it. I've read about people doing that.

It's as natural as it gets. :)

I didn't see what you wanted to fertilize specified. Different plants have different needs and I'd recommend different things. If you're just looking for something safe and generic I'd just top dress with good compost.

Good point strider. I was thinking just in general for our vegetable garden.

Compost tea would be even better, i can speak by experience.