Quick take: Synthetic NPK can give a sugar-hit then wreck your soil biology. The five natural inputs below feed microbes, lock in carbon and power bullet-proof plants—every one of them lives in our Organic Garden Fertiliser collection.
Why Go Natural?
-
Builds living soil that holds water and nutrients
-
Releases nutrition slowly, so nothing burns your roots
-
Adds humus for long-term carbon storage
-
Safe for pets, kids and pollinators
Meet the Premium Line-Up
1. Kelp Meal – Ocean-Powered Growth
Cold-milled kelp delivers 70 + trace minerals plus natural growth hormones (auxins, cytokinins). Mix 100 g / m² into the top 5 cm of soil and watch tomatoes jump by up to 20 % in side-by-side tests.
2. Alfalfa Meal – Plant-Based Nitrogen & Triacontanol
At ~3 % N, alfalfa feeds gently while the natural PGR triacontanol supercharges photosynthesis. Work ½ cup per plant or brew a 24-hour tea for a microbe-rich root drench.
3. Worm Castings – Billions of Microbial Allies
Our microbe-charged castings are pH-balanced, odour-free and screened to 10 mm. Top-dress seedlings or add a handful to every planting hole to slash transplant shock.
4. 4 + 1 Compost Blend – Humus on Tap
Four compost streams—cow manure, chicken manure, mushroom compost, insect frass—plus one part rock minerals. Spread a 5 cm layer before planting and you’ll see earthworms move in within a month.
5. Nurture All 4-4-4 – The One-Bag Wonder
Don’t want to juggle separate inputs? Broadcast 1 kg per 10 m² at planting, then half-rate every six weeks for a balanced 4-4-4 feed that covers every crop.
Application Cheat-Sheet (Bookmark This)
|
Crop |
Best Product |
Rate |
Timing |
|
Leafy greens |
75 g / m² |
Fortnightly |
|
|
Fruiting veg |
Kelp Meal + Worm Casting tea |
100 g + 2 L tea / plant |
Pre-flower & fruit-set |
|
Root crops |
5 cm layer |
Bed prep |
|
|
Lawn revival |
3 kg / 100 m² |
Early spring |
If you’re managing citrus, stone fruit or apples specifically, the Best Organic Fruit-Tree Fertiliser in Australia – 2026 Gardeners’ Guide details crop-by-crop timing, rates and pH tweaks to squeeze the most out of these natural inputs.
Common Rookie Mistakes to Dodge
-
Over-doing chook poo – spikes salts, burns roots.
-
Broadcasting kelp meal on a windy day – rake or mulch over.
-
Buying “castings” that look like dusty potting mix – real castings are dark, moist and smell like forest soil.
Ready to Feed the Soil That Feeds You?
Browse the full Organic Garden Fertiliser range.
Order fast. Your garden—and the planet—will thank you.
Happy growing from the Dr Greenthumbs crew! 🌱
About the Author
