Top 10 Organic Fertilisers For An Allotment

Introduction

Step By Step Video

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When growing fruit and vegetables at home or on an allotment the question inevitably arises as to what organic fertiliser to use. Some people are lucky with their soil and find that their first year produces a good harvest with little addition.

Working the soil year in year out will mean that nutrients are deleted and without putting something back yields are likely to reduce and there is a greater chance of unhealthy plants.

There is a scientific way of working out what nutrients your soil needs, and soil testing kits are available to show whether your soil is acid or alkaline as well as nitrogen, phospherous and potash levels. Once you know this you can then find the right organic fertiliser match to improve your soil. This article is not about the scientific way.

The thing with allotments, and large vegetable patches at home, is that they are big. Two compost bins will not provide enough organic fertiliser. The biggest challenge for an allotmenter on a budget is often to find enough organic fertiliser (each year) for their plot without breaking their budget.

At my allotment, and thanks to the hard work of the organising committee, they source a big pile of well rotten horse manure from a local stables. Not everyone is so lucky, so here is a list of organic fertilisers for the home grower. I hope it is helpful. (Not ranked in priority, and remember to rot down before using.)

You may also like to watch my video series on YouTube showing how to grow green manures.

1. Compost made from hot composting

Whilst traditional composting works fine, the problem is that it is slow, and especially so in winter. A traditional compost heap can take 12 months to make compost, and given the slow speed, this requires a lot of space to make enough compost for a whole allotment plot. Hot composting is completely different, as it is possible to make a bin's worth of compost in 4 - 6 weeks. If a gardener regularly empties and fills their bin, and stores the ready-made compost somewhere until it is required, an allotment holder can achieve self-sufficiency in making enough compost for their needs. You may like to see my hot composting guide.

2. Horse manure

Often a combination of horse bedding and manure. This can be an excellent source as it should be available in large quantities and at a low price (free) if you’re lucky. There is debate over the amount of weed seeds it may contain as a horse’s gut won’t break down the seeds. Rotting down the manure solves the problem.

3. Green manures

This is where you scatter sow seeds of fast growing plants (green manure) in late summer to provide ground cover (blocking out weed growth) with the intention of cutting back the following spring (strimming) and then turning into the soil to fertilise it. This can be an excellent and cost effective way of fertilising soil, but it can be hard work especially if you miss the optimum moment to cut back and the plants grow too strong. See green manure on Amazon UK.

4. Wormeries

Wormeries naturally produce liquid from the composting process and this can make a good fertiliser. Simply dilute the worm liquid with water and you should have a plentiful supply of liquid feed during the growing season. See wormeries for sale on Amazon UK.

5. Comfrey

Like pig manure, this is not one for people with a sensitive nose. When comfrey leaves rot they give off a black liquid that can be diluted to make a highly nutritious liquid feed. To avoid smells, place the comfrey leaves in a big bucket with a hole in the bottom (don’t add water) and collect off the excess liquid at the bottom.

6. Chicken poo

A great rich source. Many allotmenters now keep chickens, and chickens have their coup and pen that makes collecting droppings quite straightforward. After composting, this can be an excellent way of feeding your plot.

7. Rabbit droppings

Great if you have big rabbits – if not you may want to read on.

8. Sheep or goat

High in nutrients. The challenge is collecting the droppings…

9. Cow manure

Another excellent source. A cow’s gut will break down the weed seeds, but compared to horse manure it may be available with less organic content (straw).

10. Pig manure

Smelly!

Failing all of the above, an alternative is to look for dry fertilisers. However, these may not be organic and are often made from the waste products of the animal farming industry (ie not vegetarian).