Assess your production system.

Begin with your current production system and think in terms of the quality of the soil, and the needs of the plants. Assess the nutrient status of the soil (either through direct soil sampling or by analysis of leaf or petiole tissue of the growing crop), its physical characteristics and tilth. Remember, the nutrient status of the current year relates directly to previous years’ fertility. It does not reset itself to zero at the beginning of each growing season. Make sure you account for carryover from fertilizer, manure, and incorporation of crop residue. Use your own powers of observation in the field in conjunction with laboratory analyses.

Know the nutrient composition of amendments being applied to the soil.

The composition and quality of organic amendments and fertilizers is highly variable. Also, standards for characterizing and labeling do not exist for most organic materials. Therefore, if you are applying an organic material as a fertilizer, it is important to get accurate information about its nutrient composition. Some companies may provide analyses of their product free of charge, but the most accurate information will be obtained through independent testing of each shipment of material.

Consider the non-monetary benefits of organic amendments.

Organic amendments and fertilizers are usually more expensive per unit of nutrient than synthetic chemical products. When evaluating the costs and benefits of various materials, however, consider that organic materials have two additional benefits. First they can supply organic matter, which maintains soil tilth and friability. Second, organic amendments provide ‘fuel’ for microorganisms, thereby promoting cycling of nutrients within the production system, and in some cases, suppressing harmful pathogens. It is difficult to assign a dollar value to these non-nutrient benefits.

Organic does not always mean healthy.

Some organic materials may contain compounds or organisms that are potentially harmful to plants or humans. When purchasing compost, for example, find out the source materials for that compost to determine the risk for pesticide residues or other toxic compounds.

Establish a record-keeping system.

Keep a record of all materials applied to the land. Monitor crop response over the course of the growing season and from year to year, and make adjustments in application rates as necessary.

No silver bullets.

One organic material alone will not solve problems of soil tilth and fertility. The best approach is to develop an integrated program of soil management that combines appropriate levels of tillage with a variety of inputs, including cover crops, mineral supplements, gypsum or lime, organic amendments, and/or foliar sprays.