Author Topic: Organic Fertilizer and Dolomite  (Read 26382 times)

EarthBoxAdmin

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1368
  • Lititz, PA Zone 6A
Organic Fertilizer and Dolomite
« on: June 20, 2017, 09:42:04 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, HeidiSue62. This was originally posted on April 5, 2014.

I am getting ready to replant my EBs for the year, and having sticker shock over the cost of the organic replant kits. Surely there is a cheaper way to do this? Has anyone found a reliable substitute organic fertilizer, relatively inexpensive? I'm sure part of the high cost of the kits is just for the service of putting them together in nice little packets. And is dolomite hard to find? The first nursery I went to didn't carry it.
Thank you,
Heidi

EarthBoxAdmin

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1368
  • Lititz, PA Zone 6A
Re: Organic Fertilizer and Dolomite
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2017, 09:43:12 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Active Member, jena1122. This user is located in Zone 6A. This was originally posted on April 5, 2014.

I don't know about the fertilizer (this is my first year with the EBs) but I got 40 pounds of dolomite (packaged as pulverized lime) at  Lowe's for 1.99 a couple of weeks ago.  The 5-pound bags right next to it cost twice as much.

I have one EB with the organic fertilizer and am going to use regular fertilizer for my others, just to see if there is a difference.

EarthBoxAdmin

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1368
  • Lititz, PA Zone 6A
Re: Organic Fertilizer and Dolomite
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2017, 09:44:41 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, LinFL. This user is located in Zone 8b/9a border, NW FL. This was originally posted on April 5, 2014.

Just be sure with the dolomite that it has half as much magnesium as calcium (there should be a chemical analysis on the bag).  Sometimes the lime you get at the big box stores doesn't have enough magnesium.

Having said that, so far I have always been able to find the right kind of bulk dolomite (in 40lb or 50lb bags) cheap in the lawn section of either Home Depot, Lowe's, or Walmart. As long as you can keep it dry it keeps.

EarthBoxAdmin

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1368
  • Lititz, PA Zone 6A
Re: Organic Fertilizer and Dolomite
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2017, 09:45:37 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, HeidiSue62. This was originally posted on April 6, 2014.

How about the organic fertilizer? Has anyone found a good brand that has close to the same analysis as that which is in the organic replant kit?
Thanks!
Heidi

EarthBoxAdmin

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1368
  • Lititz, PA Zone 6A
Re: Organic Fertilizer and Dolomite
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2017, 09:47:00 am »
disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Sr. Member, Kareneh. This user is located in Phoenix, Arizona - Zone 9a. This was originally posted on April 6, 2014.

I am using Dr Q's Triple Play organic fertilizer which is 7-7-7. I found it through an older thread here discussing organic fertilizer and someone posted they liked it. My greens are doing great with it. This is my first time using it so I am reserving judgment for my other veggies, especially heavy feeders, until the end of the season.

http://www.starnursery.com/dr-q-fertilizers/fertilizers/dr-q-s-triple-play-lawn-and-plant-fertilizer-7-7-7-20-lb.html

EarthBoxAdmin

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1368
  • Lititz, PA Zone 6A
Re: Organic Fertilizer and Dolomite
« Reply #5 on: June 20, 2017, 09:48:23 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, jrstewart. This was originally posted on April 14, 2014.

I replanted last year using Espoma Organic Garden Lime (turns Hydrangeas Pink for the visual reference) and Espoma 10/10/10 Garden Food.  6.75 pounds for $11.99 at my local garden store, used probably 1/4 bag for each Earthbox.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, HeidiSue62. This was originally posted on April 5, 2014.

I am getting ready to replant my EBs for the year, and having sticker shock over the cost of the organic replant kits. Surely there is a cheaper way to do this? Has anyone found a reliable substitute organic fertilizer, relatively inexpensive? I'm sure part of the high cost of the kits is just for the service of putting them together in nice little packets. And is dolomite hard to find? The first nursery I went to didn't carry it.
Thank you,
Heidi

EarthBoxAdmin

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1368
  • Lititz, PA Zone 6A
Re: Organic Fertilizer and Dolomite
« Reply #6 on: June 20, 2017, 09:50:29 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Horticulturalist The EarthBox Hero Member, Kathy. This user is located in the mountains of PA Zone 5, almost 4. This was originally posted on April 14, 2014.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, jrstewart. This was originally posted on April 14, 2014.

I replanted last year using Espoma Organic Garden Lime (turns Hydrangeas Pink for the visual reference) and Espoma 10/10/10 Garden Food.  6.75 pounds for $11.99 at my local garden store, used probably 1/4 bag for each Earthbox.
Just a note here, Espoma 10-10-10 is not an organic or natural fertilizer - Kathy

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, HeidiSue62. This was originally posted on April 5, 2014.

I am getting ready to replant my EBs for the year, and having sticker shock over the cost of the organic replant kits. Surely there is a cheaper way to do this? Has anyone found a reliable substitute organic fertilizer, relatively inexpensive? I'm sure part of the high cost of the kits is just for the service of putting them together in nice little packets. And is dolomite hard to find? The first nursery I went to didn't carry it.
Thank you,
Heidi

EarthBoxAdmin

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1368
  • Lititz, PA Zone 6A
Re: Organic Fertilizer and Dolomite
« Reply #7 on: June 20, 2017, 09:52:06 am »
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, topazgirl170. This user is located in May 22, 2014.

I've used Fox Farm's organic fertilizers. Fox Farm's  Happy Frog All Purpose Fertilizer is very good product along with Dr. Earth products and Down to Earth(DTE) products.