Natural Sources

• Organic fertilizers can be purchased in supermarkets or created at home. Some natural sources for organic fertilizers are animal manure and wood ashes. Kelp meal, fish meal and bone meal are also good sources of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
  
  

Purchasing Organic Fertilizer for Potting Soil

• Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are key nutrients for healthy plant growth. Look at the label on the organic fertilizer bag to confirm the presence of these nutrients in the fertilizer. The product needs to be labeled as fertilizer to ensure a reliable ingredient deck. Watch for nitrogen deficiency in the plants in the form of yellow leaves. Switch fertilizers if you see this symptom.
  
  

Adding Organic Fertilizer to Regular Potting Soil

• Oregon State University recommends adding organic matter to soil to increase its ability to store water. This prevents water from running off the surface or evaporating and makes the soil more productive.
  
  

Deciding Between Fresh Materials or Compost

• Decomposed organic matter in the form of compost is stickier and adheres to the soil better than fresh materials. This stickiness enables the soil to take in more nutrients and prevents nutrient deficiencies in the soil.