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Many home gardeners want to grow fruits and vegetables with organic sources of fertilizer. Considering the many benefits of the addition of organic materials, this subject warrants attention. Manures and composted plant materials add organic matter. This aids in moisture retention, helps reduce compaction and can buffer extremes in pH. It also helps maintain the structure and nutrient holding capacity of the soil.
However, the nutrient level of organic materials is lower, rate of release is slower, and levels of minerals may vary and are not balanced. The information below will help you interpret differences in nutrient content and relative availability of organic materials.
Fruits and vegetables often have high nitrogen demands, and it can be difficult to provide sufficient nitrogen from an organic source throughout the growing season of the crop. In addition, availability of nitrogen late in the season can make perennial plants such as raspberries and apples susceptible to winter injury. It is a challenge to provide plants with a readily available organic nitrogen source early in the growing season, yet have it less available in late summer.
Much variability exists in the composition of similar organic materials. For example, manure with straw will have a different nitrogen composition than pure manure, and the rate of nitrogen release may be slower because of the higher amount of carbon in the straw. The table lists the approximate composition of various organic materials, and the nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus that can be provided from them.
Composition of Manure from Samples Reported in
Knott's Handbook for Vegetable Growers |
| Fresh Manure with bedding or litter: |
Moisture (%) |
Nitrogen
(%N) |
Phosphorus
(%P2O5) |
Potassium
(%K2O) |
| Cattle |
86 |
11 |
4 |
10 |
| Duck |
61 |
22 |
29 |
10 |
| Goose |
67 |
22 |
11 |
10 |
| Hen |
73 |
22 |
22 |
10 |
| Hog |
87 |
11 |
6 |
9 |
| Horse |
80 |
13 |
5 |
13 |
| Sheep |
70 |
20 |
15 |
21 |
| Turkey |
74 |
26 |
14 |
10 |
| Dried Commercial
products: |
|
|
|
|
| Cattle |
10 |
42 |
42 |
61 |
| Hen |
13 |
31 |
31 |
40 |
| Hog |
10 |
45 |
45 |
20 |
| Rabbit |
16 |
26 |
26 |
32 |
| Sheep |
16 |
32 |
32 |
41 |
From: Lorenz, Oscar A. and Donald N. Maynard. 1980
Knott's Handbook for Vegetable Growers. Second edit. Pg. 75-76 |
| Guide to the Mineral Nutrient Value of Organic Materials
Percent (%) |
| Materials: |
Nitrogen
(%N) |
Phosphorus
(%P2O5) |
Potassium
(%K2O) |
Relative
Nutrient Availability |
| Bone Meal(raw) |
2 to 6 |
15 to 27 |
0 |
Slow |
| Bone Meal(steamed) |
0.7 to 4 |
10 to 34 |
0 |
Slow Med. |
| Cocoa Shell Meal |
2.5 |
1 |
2.5 |
Slow |
| Compost(not fortified) |
1.5 to 3.5 |
0.5 to 1 |
1 to 2 |
Slow |
| Cotton Seed Meal(dry) |
6 |
2.5 |
1.7 |
Slow Med. |
| Dried Blood(dry) |
12 |
1.5 |
0.57 |
Med. Rapid |
| Fish Meal(dry) |
10 |
4 |
0 |
Slow |
| Manure(fresh) |
|
|
|
|
| Cattle |
0.25 |
0.15 |
0.25 |
Medium |
| Horse |
0.3 |
0.15 |
0.5 |
Medium |
| Sheep |
0.6 |
0.33 |
0.75 |
Medium |
| Swine |
0.3 |
0.3 |
0.3 |
Medium |
| Poultry(50%water) |
2 |
2 |
1 |
Med. Rapid |
| Milorganite(dry) |
5 |
2 to 5 |
2 |
Medium |
| Mushroom Compost |
.4 to.7 |
1 |
.5 to 1.5 |
Slow |
| Peat and Muck |
1.5 to 3 |
.25 to .5 |
.5 to 1 |
Very Slow |
| Sawdust |
4 |
2 |
4 |
Very Slow |
| Sewage Sludge(digested) |
1 to 3 |
.5 to 4 |
0 to .5 |
Slow |
| Urea |
42 to 45 |
0 |
0 |
Rapid |
| Wood Ashes* |
0 |
1 to 2 |
3 to 7 |
Rapid |
| * Wood ashes may raise pH |
Prepared by:
Marcia Eames-Sheavly, Extension Support Specialist, Department of Fruit and Vegetable Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
Robert Kozlowski and Joann Gruttadaurio, Senior Extension Associates, Department of Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
© Copyright, Department of Horticulture, Cornell University.
Website design: Craig Cramer cdc25@cornell.edu
Mention of trade names and commercial products is for educational purposes; no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Cornell Cooperative Extension or Cornell University is implied. Pesticide recommendations are for informational purposes only and manufacturers' recommendations change. Read the manufacturers' instructions carefully before use. Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University assumes no responsibility for the use of any pesticide or chemicals. Some of the links provided are not maintained by Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University. Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University are not responsible for information on these websites. They are included for information purposes only and no endorsement by Cornell Cooperative Extension or Cornell University is implied. Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.
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