Quote:
Originally Posted by Lagniappe
The purpose of using this type of thing in the garden would be to feed the soil organisms that, in turn, would feed the plant/s.
|
I mostly agree with that, although the soil organisms cannot provide the plants with elements that are not already in the soil media. But as food for the soil organisms and a compost starter, I believe alfalfa meal and pellets are an excellent choice.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lagniappe
Alfalfa pellets aren't chemical fertilizers so this analysis would only work in a sterile environment that remained sterile for the life of the plant.
|
Now this isn't true. The forms of nitrogen and potassium found in alfalfa meal/pellets are one of the three kinds present in many water-soluble fertilizers. Until more recent times when the demand (and price paid) for alfalfa became high, alfalfa was the fertilizer of choice as a side-dressing for row crops. Thousands of acres of carrots are still raised this way near Taft, CA.