Fertilizing an organic veggie garden?

[lkmiscnet]

I have some tomotoes, cukes, lettuce, spinach, carrots, beets and beans that I would like to fertilize. I am growing them organically without using pesticides.

My compost heap is just not composting well (not wet enough, etc), so I don't have any compost to use to fertilize them.

Can I use a product like Miracle Gro on an organic garden or is that not considered "organic"?

Also, I have some horse manure that has been sitting in a large pail of water since last year. Can I use the "tea" on my veggies? Any risk of getting e coli or other contamination that would make us sick from doing so?

[Chamomile Girl]

I don't think that miracle grow is considered organic. Fish Emulsion works well though (if you can stand the smell LOL!).

About the horse manure...I have no idea.

[lkmiscnet]

I just googled Miracle Gro and discovered that because it is synthetic it cannot be used on a truly organic garden because it does have chemicals in it.

I guess I also have to steer clear of the manure because there is a serious risk of e.coli. I am apparently better off buying aged manure that's already packaged.

If only I could get my darn compost pile to compost well. It's hard to turn the pile to help it do it's job effectively, as I have one of those large trash can like containers that I use.

[kittywitty]

I bought a big bag of all purpose fertilizer from an organic garden company. Forget the name. But I haven't even used it this year. I put some composted manure on my garden in the spring when I planted and I have a jungle now! Any more fertilizer and I think the garden will overtake my house!

[pixiepunk]

i have even seen organic fertilizer at places like Lowe's. depending on where you live, you might also be able to buy compost from a green house or mulching company.

[Magelet]

Not only ecoli with unaged manure, but burning the plants. manure must age a long time (ideally like a year) before it's ready to go on plants. If your compost isn't going well enough, I'd buy something. either comercial compost (unless you can get free city compost, we can here on certain days if you bring your own container/truck), fish emuslsion, compost tea, or an organic seaweed-based fertalizer. (There are other organic fertilizers too, but I'd say keep it simple is best).