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Wicked Organics Feather Meal

Product Overview

Description

Wicked Organics Feather Meal is your garden's best ally for sustainable, organic growth. Crafted from hydrolyzed poultry feathers, this high-nitrogen fertilizer boasts a 12-0-0 NPK ratio, ensuring your plants receive a steady supply of nitrogen, essential for vigorous growth. This slow-release formula feeds your garden for 6-10 weeks, providing a consistent nutrient supply that minimizes the risk of leaching and nutrient runoff, which are common with synthetic fertilizers. This product is particularly beneficial for nitrogen-loving plants such as corn, brassicas, leafy greens, garlic, lawns, and pastures. By stimulating soil biology, Wicked Organics Feather Meal enhances the microbial activity in your soil, creating a thriving ecosystem that supports plant health and resilience. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, it significantly reduces the risk of burning your plants, making it a safer choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Our Feather Meal is OMRI-listed, affirming its compliance with organic standards, making it an ideal choice for environmentally conscious gardeners committed to sustainable practices. Applying this product is straightforward: simply incorporate it into the soil around your plants, and let nature take its course. With over 78 years of family-owned expertise, Old Cobblers Farm is dedicated to providing eco-friendly solutions that prioritize soil health. Join our community of over 20,000 satisfied customers and experience the difference that a soil-first, sustainable approach can make in your gardening endeavors.

Highlights

Wicked Organics Feather Meal is a high-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer perfect for boosting your garden's vitality. With a 12-0-0 NPK ratio, this OMRI-listed product is ideal for corn, brassicas, leafy greens, garlic, and lawns. Derived from hydrolyzed poultry feathers, it feeds plants for 6-10 weeks without leaching, promoting robust soil biology and minimizing burn risk compared to synthetic options. Experience sustainable, soil-first growth with this eco-friendly solution from Old Cobblers Farm.

The Science Behind It

How It Works

Wicked Organics Feather Meal is a high-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer made from hydrolyzed poultry feathers, boasting an NPK ratio of 12-0-0. The science behind its effectiveness lies in the unique properties of feather meal as an organic nitrogen source. Feather meal is primarily composed of keratin, a fibrous protein that is rich in nitrogen. Through the process of hydrolysis, the poultry feathers are treated with heat and pressure to break down the tough keratin structure, making the nitrogen more accessible to plants.

Once applied to the soil, feather meal gradually releases nitrogen as soil microorganisms break down the keratin further. This slow-release mechanism ensures a steady supply of nitrogen to plants over an extended period, typically 6 to 10 weeks. This gradual release minimizes the risk of nitrogen leaching into groundwater, a common issue with synthetic fertilizers, which can lead to nutrient runoff and environmental harm. Additionally, the slow release reduces the risk of burning plants, a problem often associated with the quick nutrient availability of synthetic fertilizers.

The nitrogen from feather meal supports vigorous plant growth, particularly in nitrogen-loving crops such as corn, brassicas, leafy greens, and garlic. By providing a sustainable and consistent nitrogen source, feather meal enhances plant health and productivity. Moreover, the use of organic fertilizers like feather meal aligns with eco-friendly farming practices, promoting soil health and sustainability.

Soil Biology

Wicked Organics Feather Meal plays a crucial role in enhancing soil biology, thanks to its organic composition and slow-release properties. When feather meal is applied to the soil, it becomes a food source for soil microorganisms, which are essential for maintaining a healthy soil ecosystem. These microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, break down the keratin in feather meal, releasing nitrogen gradually into the soil.

This process not only provides plants with a steady supply of nitrogen but also stimulates microbial activity in the soil. A thriving microbial community improves soil structure, enhances nutrient cycling, and increases the soil's ability to retain moisture. As microorganisms decompose organic matter, they release nutrients in forms that are more accessible to plants, thus improving overall soil fertility.

Moreover, the organic matter from feather meal adds to the soil's organic content, enhancing its ability to support plant growth. Over time, this contributes to building a resilient soil system that can better withstand environmental stresses, such as drought or heavy rainfall. By fostering a vibrant soil ecosystem, feather meal supports sustainable agricultural practices and contributes to long-term soil health.

Nutrients Available

Wicked Organics Feather Meal provides a nutrient profile characterized by its NPK ratio of 12-0-0, indicating that it is a high-nitrogen fertilizer with no phosphorus or potassium content. The 'N' in NPK stands for nitrogen, which is essential for plant growth, particularly in promoting leafy green foliage. Nitrogen is a vital component of chlorophyll, the molecule responsible for photosynthesis, which allows plants to convert sunlight into energy. As such, nitrogen is crucial for the growth and development of plants, especially those that are heavy nitrogen feeders like corn, brassicas, and leafy greens.

The lack of phosphorus ('P') and potassium ('K') in feather meal means it is specifically targeted for situations where nitrogen supplementation is needed without altering the soil's phosphorus and potassium levels. While phosphorus is essential for root development and flowering, and potassium aids in overall plant health and disease resistance, the specific use of feather meal is ideal for boosting nitrogen levels in the soil.

By providing a slow-release nitrogen source, feather meal ensures that plants receive a consistent supply of this essential nutrient over several weeks, reducing the need for frequent reapplication and minimizing nutrient leaching. This makes it an excellent choice for organic gardeners and farmers seeking to improve plant health and productivity sustainably.

How to Apply

Rate: 1-2 lbs per 100 sq ft | Frequency: Every 6-10 weeks | Best Time: Early spring or during planting

1

Prepare the Soil

Start by clearing the garden bed of any weeds or debris. Loosen the soil using a garden fork or tiller to a depth of at least 6 inches. This will ensure that the Wicked Organics Feather Meal can be easily incorporated into the soil.

Pro Tip:

Moisten the soil slightly before application to help the feather meal integrate better.

Avoid:

Avoid applying on overly compacted soil without first loosening it.

2

Measure and Apply Feather Meal

Measure approximately 1-2 pounds of feather meal per 100 square feet of garden bed. Spread it evenly across the surface of the soil.

Pro Tip:

Use a hand spreader for even distribution.

Avoid:

Avoid applying too close to plant stems to prevent direct contact.

3

Incorporate into Soil

Gently work the feather meal into the top 3-4 inches of soil using a rake or hoe. This helps to ensure that the nutrients are readily available to plant roots.

Pro Tip:

Incorporate the feather meal on a calm day to prevent it from blowing away.

Avoid:

Avoid leaving the feather meal on the soil surface without mixing it in.

4

Water Thoroughly

Water the garden bed thoroughly to activate the feather meal and start the nutrient release process.

Pro Tip:

Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and ensure maximum absorption.

Avoid:

Avoid overwatering, which can lead to nutrient leaching.

Rate: 1-2 cups per 10 sq ft | Frequency: Every 6-10 weeks | Best Time: At planting or early growth stage

1

Clear and Loosen Soil

Remove any weeds and debris from the raised bed. Loosen the soil using a hand fork to a depth of 4-6 inches.

Pro Tip:

Use a small hand spreader for more precise application.

Avoid:

Avoid applying without first clearing the bed of unwanted materials.

2

Distribute Feather Meal

Evenly distribute 1-2 cups of feather meal per 10 square feet across the raised bed surface.

Pro Tip:

Use a small hand spreader for more precise application.

Avoid:

Avoid placing feather meal directly on plant stems.

3

Mix into Soil

Mix the feather meal into the top 2-3 inches of soil using a hand rake or trowel.

Pro Tip:

Mix on a calm day to prevent loss due to wind.

Avoid:

Avoid leaving the feather meal on top without mixing.

4

Irrigate Bed

Water the raised bed thoroughly to activate the feather meal.

Pro Tip:

Water early to reduce evaporation losses.

Avoid:

Avoid creating waterlogged conditions.

Rate: 1-2 tbsp per plant | Frequency: Every 6-10 weeks | Best Time: During planting or early growth

1

Prepare Planting Area

Clear the area around each plant, removing weeds and debris. Loosen the soil gently around the plant base.

Pro Tip:

Use a hand trowel for precision.

Avoid:

Avoid disturbing the plant roots during soil preparation.

2

Apply Feather Meal

Apply 1-2 tablespoons of feather meal around the base of each plant, ensuring even distribution.

Pro Tip:

Measure carefully to avoid over-application.

Avoid:

Avoid placing feather meal directly on the plant stem.

3

Incorporate into Soil

Gently mix the feather meal into the top inch of soil using your fingers or a small hand rake.

Pro Tip:

Be gentle to avoid damaging plant roots.

Avoid:

Avoid leaving the feather meal exposed on the surface.

4

Water the Plant

Water each plant thoroughly to help the feather meal settle and begin nutrient release.

Pro Tip:

Water at the base of the plant to minimize evaporation.

Avoid:

Avoid excessive watering that can lead to runoff.

Wicked Organics Feather Meal

Product Overview

Description

Highlights

The Science Behind It

How It Works

Soil Biology

Nutrients Available

How to Apply

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Key Benefits

Made from repurposed hydrolyzed poultry feathers, reducing waste.

OMRI-listed for organic farming compliance.

Slow-release formula minimizes the frequency of applications, reducing environmental impact.

Less prone to leaching, decreasing the risk of nitrogen runoff into waterways.