Why I Don't Use Miracle Grow

The biggest question I get is "Can I use Miracle Grow?" In this video I will lay out the facts and you can decide for yourself. Can synthetic fertilizers and chemical fertilizers be used in an organic garden.
THE NEXT VIDEO: "What I use instead of Miracle Grow": • What I Use instead of ...
Order my book, Companion Planting for Beginners: amzn.to/3DW6xEn

[@bethwoods8448]

It would be awesome if you could do a video on the fertilizers you use or what to avoid when looking for better alternatives. I don’t have many places locally that offer much in the fertilizer options other than miracle grow. Amazon is great for getting things you usually can’t but you can’t read the ingredients on everything. 😊

[@laneeacannon1450]

Mr. Fulvic, Marphyl Phytoplanton, Soil Balance, worm castings.

[@kplooki]

He uses a ton of Neptune's harvest, he says so in his videos

[@northsidedork_3043]

Usually if the seller doesn't show the ingredients it's not a good sign

[@desamecyra1]

Anything I post, is only personal opinion, based on personal experience, but whatever comes naturally from the earth, is generally food for it, afterwards. There are exceptions, such as organic manures and purchased composts containing manures,that have been (unknowingly) contaminated by certain herbicides, which were fed to livestock, excreted by the livestock, processed, packaged, and sold to the public. Seems these herbicides have a “half-life”, people have destroyed their gardens by applying…contaminated purchased compost. Always best to mix our own, and research everything, I do believe.

[@ponypetedm]

Make your own tea lots of recipes on you tube, it’s free and easy, I fill a black dustbin with stinging nettles, comfrey a shovel of chicken poop, half a litre of MALE urine and then fill the bucket with water leave it to ferment for at least a week, as you can imagine it stinks so once you have applied spray the hose lightly over we’re you put it that helps. Once a week application and not on seedlings it’s too strong.

[@JeffHanson70]

Please do the follow up video with the fertilizers you do use. Thank you.

[@tonyoveka5719]

I would like to see that also.

[@laneeacannon1450]

He already has videos that show these. Look at the channel.

[@colleengiese]

If you want to make your own, the pinball preparedness channel has a vid on "5 fertilizers you can make". Start saving coffee grnds, banana peel, potato peels, urine!, egg shells & shellfish shells (can also be found on etsy), leaf clump & handful of your own soil.

[@kansasgardener5844]

I'm probably 80/20 on being organic. I still use chemical fertilizer at times. Usually nitrogen. Baby steps but I'll get there. Planting cover crops this fall.

[@Lizzy_333]

@@colleengiesecan you add these to your EARLY already growing garden? PS what does urine do and how?

[@Liwayputi]

N - P - K= Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium= Shoots-Roots-Fruits= SuRF= Neptunes harvest. I love it! What an easy way to remember it!

[@stevecooper8121]

Neptune has great products, I use the fish fertilizer 2-4-1 and seaweed 0-0-1 mixed with black strap molasses on all my blueberries bushes apple trees and grape vines with incredible results.

[@ruthannap6446]

Brian, I can’t thank you enough for this explanation of why not to use that fertilizer!! I’ve always been conscious the problem of using weed and pest killers, but I had no idea about how terrible this fertilizer is for us and the environment. Thank you for this info, I’ll never buy it again. I’ve used their soil for my flower pots, and I promise I’ll stop! If all of your subscribers stop, too, then you have made a huge difference! So this leads to asking you to make that video on what is safer to use. I hope every gardener subscribes to your channel and learns what you teach. (That isn’t too much to ask, is it?) Thank you again and again!

[@simpinainteasyRHEC]

Im scared to see the reason for this video... im not in but a min. Ive had major issues with the soil thats expensive and bagged, along with the lesser expensive soil as well as "MG" fertilizer. 😔 I'm a massive fan of meeping it simple, but i thi k ill be looking to purchase all my things from my wonderful friends aka the Amish. Even expensive soil i bought last year (30+ bags) and it was covered in white stuff on the soil and bugs... (gnats)?

[@almostoily7541]

​@@simpinainteasyRHECthe white stuff may have been mychorial (sp?) Fungi. It's good for soil. You can probably look up pictures of it to see. But you should probably spell it better than I did lol I use miracle grow soil sometimes because some of the bagged soil and manure is not good these days. I haven't had a problem with the miracle grow soil. But I don't use it straight typically. I only top my containers up with it. As I do more composting I won't need to use it anymore. I'm hoping this is the last year I have to buy any. If not, then next year should be the last year.

[@cajunchef35]

About a year and a half ago, i took your suggestion and switched to Neptunes Harvest products. I have had trouble getting rock phosphate, so i use bone meal instead. It is true that the plants don't grow like when i used chemical products, but my plants are big and healthy. My tomatoes and peppers, for their height, have thick strong stalks. Much more so than before. I love the results, and won't go back. Also, i switched to a no till method, and my soil is thanking me for it.

[@CampLJNC]

Does "no till" work in compact clay soil? That's what I have, and I've been gardening there for 2 years, so the top layers are nice and loose now, but I never had the physical strength to till the soil like I would've wanted.

[@ethankaufman8577]

@@CampLJNC no till is ideal for hard pack clay, steady addition of organic matter will break down soften up your clay and increase drainage and water retention

[@NextLevelGardening]

Yes yes yes!

[@NextLevelGardening]

It does!

[@camicri4263]

@@CampLJNC yes it does!

[@ncgatorlady]

Yes, please do share with us on building up soil. I’m very interested in learning what to use and how it works. Thank you!

[@jennysmith6213]

I would definitely be interested in a video on the fertilizers you use and consider safe. This video was very helpful and enlightening as to the domino effect of using synthetic fertilizers. Thanks for doing what you do! Love the book, by the way!

[@purplethumb7887]

I've been learning about vermicomposting the last four years or so. It's actually fun, and the soil is organic and amazing for plants! Thanks for making this "not necessarily ponies and rainbows" video. It's necessary to make people aware.

[@michaelthompson2748]

I would love to see a video with tips to build natural soil

[@intuitlife]

Not hard to do Feed the soil And this soil will feed you I buried few pots I use to feed the worms. Then have another pot in that one with natural deterrent plants to protect the in ground plants. My results feed me and so many other people

[@mmccrownus2406]

SOIL: Biochar; water with rain water as much as possible; keep soil covered year round as much as possible; use foliar sprays to strengthe plant and foster photosynthesis, which sends excess sugars into the soil biology; use cover crop mixes of 8+ combined plants at once vs a few. See Dr. Christine Jones on "Quorum Sensing" for fascinating understanding of the exponetial power of plant diversity.

[@TCat13]

I would love to see a video on how to build up soil without using synthetic fertilizer. And thank you for the info in this video. I'm just getting started on learning how to garden, so this was all helpful news to me! 😃

[@ritahurley7658]

Where can I see the 2nd video? Thanks

[@TCat13]

@@ritahurley7658 I don't think he has made one yet. He asked for feedback in this video to see if he should do a follow-up video on building up soil without synthetics. I will definitely check back here for it and sign up for alerts 🙂

[@ritahurley7658]

@@TCat13 Thanks so much for the explanation. I shall look forward to the video.

[@121hearc]

cover crops also get a bagger for your mower and use grass clippings in garden

[@TCat13]

@@ritahurley7658 No problem 😀

[@loriallen67]

Thank you for this. I’ve been an organic gardener for 30 years. I appreciate the depth of the info here. People need to know. And yes, a good fertilizer video would be much appreciated.

[@ttb1513]

I highly recommend the book "Teaming with Microbes". It covers the soil food web extensively. I see this video as leaving viewers wanting to know what they should do if they don’t use miracle grow. A follow up video that goes into this, and perhaps emphasizes and points to knowledge bases such as this book will help answer these questions. Incidentally, it is estimated that about 2/3 of applied nitrogen fertilizer runs off and does not reach the crop or lawn. It doesn’t matter whether the plants could have used more nitrogen; this nitrogen runs off anyway, not reaching the plant. An understanding and appreciation for a healthy living soil food web goes a long way towards successful gardening.

[@MartinvonTours11.11]

Well, the application is supposed to be minimal. Fertilizer is not soil. You do not grow the plants in fertilizer, but in soil.

[@mccxcccx7793]

@@MartinvonTours11.11 Exactly!

[@user-qk9cx5ye6j]

Thank you for the book recommendation! I borrowed it from the library and just the first few pages have already opened my eyes to creating better soil!

[@badjansykes218]

I quit using “big blue” back in the 70s. I found in my truck farm that because of the large amount of nitrogen in it that all I was growing were leaves, not fruits. Additionally, the other fertilizers in it were so high that the whole fertilizer was basically out of balance. From an organic standpoint I found that by using a fertilizer say of 10 10 10 just through my garden out of balance because I wasn’t getting the beneficial insects that I needed. Thanks for the informative video. I’m glad you educated at least your viewers. Keep up the good work!

[@spacecase0]

I have been gardening most of my life. I have researched it a huge amount. Your video is totally spot-on

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thank you

[@annieb7919]

@spacecase0 Yes, learned a lot from this video! I refuse to tell you my age! I will, however, confide in you that I have pictures (B&W, of course!) of me helping my dad plant potatoes 82 years ago! Needless to say, on the farm we used Very Natural Organic Fertilizers! HA! (Had PLENTY of it, too!) By the way, I'm still gardening, but on my 1/4 acre rather than Dad's 360 acres! Another "By the way", Dad would have been 124 this past March! Oh ~ and it looks as though I'll have TONS of ground cherries this year, along with another ton or two of cheese weed! Not until 2 years ago did I realize that cheese weed leaves are edible! We ate only the "cheese". Nothing better than freshly-picked lamb's quarters for breakfast! Glad I have an abundance in that department, too! I can hardly wait to harvest AND share with other Old People who are "living" in senior housing and can't garden!!!

[@IMustTurd]

Holy smokes i hope you're still healthy and gardening​@@annieb7919

[@zarahsgarden2097]

Yes! I need to learn more about natural fertilizers! Currently we just use our homemade compost and sometimes add wood ash and eggshells .. plus the occasional purchase of manure. My plants do pretty well but they may produce more for me if I use some additional fertilizers. Definitely interested in learning more about this topic!

[@joycefrank3318]

Me too!

[@adiagy9283]

I heard the best is to use fish put at the base of plant. They say you can buy it at $1 store (eg: sardine in water), or from local fishmonger etc.

[@adiagy9283]

@@joycefrank3318 use fish at base of plant

[@debbiedogs1]

Now we have to beware of MANURE if the animals grazed on field sprayed with Grazon or ate hay sprayed with Grazon! Such manure can kill gardens, at least the broadleaf plants. Many videos on it now. smh

[@marycerullo8455]

You’re a good man Brian. Because knowledge is power and an informed society makes better choices. I love your show and am wishing you much success in bringing your vision to fruition.

[@isabelleblain6263]

I have switched to organic gardening, and my garden has given back in better harvests. I would certainly be interested in learning more!

[@terrydunne100]

I feel like the follow-up video would be more beneficial than this one. Building up the soil is critical to having good crops in the future.

[@DeborahCaldwell77]

haha Eris Murphy you really had to think creatively in order to come up with a negative comment about this wonderful commentary.

[@terrydunne100]

@@DeborahCaldwell77 I didn't mean to be negative. This is a super video, I just think the second video could be instrumental in showing hard core gardeners who use chemical fertilizers a more common sense approach to growing the gardens while protecting the soil. If we want them to change we have to give them good (how to and why to) reasons to change. I am sold. I was using natural and chemical about 50/50. After seeing this video I will go all natural.

[@hcarr1234]

I would love to see a follow up video on the fertilizer you use/make etc.

[@terrydunne100]

@@hcarr1234 Me too. I am from Mississippi. These folk around here think like, if chemicals are good enough for my grandfather and father they are good enough for me, but with enough of the right facts, they might change their minds.

[@hcarr1234]

@@terrydunne100 I’m in Louisiana and we have the same mentality. Produce more the easiest cheapest way and don’t worry about the long term affects!

[@missthang4770]

This has not at all been a "negative video"! It was informative, factual and very much what we needed to hear. We as a culture need to realize that easy fixes come at a price and it is the planet and the generations follow us that will have to pay. Thank you so much for doing this.

[@wolco003]

Would love to learn more about individual "Meals"...Blood, Bone, Feather, cottonseed etc...how, when and why in the garden bed and using them to recharge potting soil.

[@rachelpetersen6886]

There's a video about this on the epic gardening channel if that helps! 😊

[@wolco003]

@@rachelpetersen6886 Thanks!

[@tgardenchicken1780]

Thank you for addressing this. I agree with you and would also love you to share the alternatives you prefer. I think I know, but would like to see the response anyway.

[@NextLevelGardening]

You're welcome

[@judigrumm7190]

Milorganite is something I use a lot. Low numbers but from 'semi natural sources'. The packaging has changed recently. Neem and cooper for pest issues. Also, fish emulsion is fabulous for micronutrients. Spray under leaves as well as on top. But if you fish.... bury the extras.. plants love fish...

[@robertlavigne6560]

@@judigrumm7190 There is a different podcast on using fish as nutrient. Hollis and Nancy. He covers his fish with lime which covers up the fish odor so animals won't dig the plants up. Do you do something like that?

[@judigrumm7190]

@@robertlavigne6560 Yes! I actually had sone old herring in a jar that I planted recently and forgot to 'hide'.... somebody found it🐾🐾🐾😀 It was really old so it had to be pretty gross...👀 Hopefully the plant got some. If I'm planting new things I will sometimes just add a can of tuna and a banana add they have a lot of nutrients....if the soil is sandy I put a thin layer of black and white newspaper to hold a little more water. The paper usually does have pesticides so watch out for edibles...

[@MichaelRei99]

@@judigrumm7190 never use Milorganite in your garden! It’s has traces of drugs and heavy metals from the sewer system it’s taken from.

[@cynthiadoe3096]

How to build healthy soil would be a great follow up to this one. I went organic 3 years ago and will not go back. I am focusing on companion planting this year…of course your book is on my want list, I will be ordering soon.

[@pjsviking]

Way to goooo Brian! You've learned the best way to garden and why, leaving those nasty chemicals behind. The planet needs this knowledge spread around. You are so very on the mark. I had a friend's teenage son tell his mom that I created soil out of thin air - was 'encouraging' them to use mulch - just take my cue from nature. Soil is a living entity after all. Thank you for speaking out against the dependency that chemical companies create and providing the facts behind everything.

[@talapeanutbutter4250]

Last year, I found you. I decided then that I would once again try my hand at gardening. This is the first year in about 20 years that I have a small garden. All compost, manure, vermiculite and then as I call it, my banana brew. I have so many fat earthworms! We have 6 acres that I’d love to be able to grow more on. However, being handicapped, I’m limited. But for now, my tomato, cucumber, yellow squash, zucchini and a few acorn squash plants are all looking good. They’re almost ready to start training to grow vertically. Thank you so much! God Bless you and yours.

[@charlescreighton417]

Yep, i love ideas about building a healthy, vibrant, earth friendly soil without using non-organic chemicals Thanks for your work!

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thank you!

[@creative227]

I completely agree! I’m completely organic now and my garden is thriving!

[@dawnclements4520]

Yes, please do a follow up.

[@edcockrell3393]

Yes please

[@electricsheepdream]

Love to see this video out there! I have never used artificial fertilisers or pesticides in my garden and only use peat free sustainable compost (as well as making my own). Grow loads of veg successfully (mostly!) 💚

[@lindakirkpatrick8123]

I am enlightened , thank you . The talk was not negative at all , but rather helped me look at my gardening practices in a whole new light .

[@antoinettegreen2555]

I'm so glad you touched basis on this subject. Long time ago, i did an experiment myself where I compared growth one season to another with that miracle bagged soil versus an organic soil with synthetic fertilizer versus organic. Total difference.

[@BaloosCluesOriginal]

Yes, we all need to know how to build soil naturally, in a way that positively affects our air and water. Make as many videos as you want about it. It is valuable information.

[@starkeyfarmstead]

That dead zone effects my state tremendously 😢 ty for this video. We just made a video on this exact video.

[@LeahS710]

Thank you for this video. So many people needed to hear this info.

[@bittyblueeyes385]

I would LOVE to hear about sustainable and homemade fertilizers! Ive always been a little wary of putting chemicals on my food.

[@aprilwaller123]

ME TOO

[@aulii11]

Count me among those who would like to see that video!

[@paulmichaelguidry8048]

Same

[@carolgrace6573]

@@kennethkirby2533 Have you a link ?

[@bittyblueeyes385]

@SomeDumbGuy I thought that it was implied that I meant chemicals that people have no business eating...

[@cindyeasterling6917]

Thanks for letting us know about synthetic fertilizer. I've started using organic fertilizer this year, but I wasn't aware of the downside of Wonder Blue and other products. Keep educating us on the reasons why to help us be more successful in our home gardens.

[@deewinston5651]

Thanks Brian for sharing. You’re helping educate us with information that will make us better Gardners. I’ve learned so much but am very interested in more information about making my soil healthier and growing healthy food.👩‍🌾

[@mobysmom]

Brian, this video is so important! Thank you for getting this info out there!!!

[@lindalandwehr7447]

I would much appreciate a video on natural fertilizers. I use blood meal, bonemeal and green sand before I plant but I know I have a lot to learn. I have read your book and now am going through it again making lists of the things I grow and how to companion plant with them. Your book is fantastic and so easy to understand. I love that you explain the why's and why nots of this type planting. This will be my first year doing this. I do square foot gardening and thus will be a fun mix. I bought another of your book for my daughter as she is all about doing things the natural way. No chemicals used on her property. Thanks for all you do.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thank you! 😊

[@MartinvonTours11.11]

Bone meal has to be mixed in very well. Dogs love to dig it up.

[@patcorbin8947]

It might have been a negative video, but you hit the mark on the affects of using synthetic fertilizers on everything! Have gone totally towards organic gardening and both my plants and my worms thank me. Would love a follow-up video on all the beneficial aspects of going totally organic.

[@victoryak86]

You’re the best at this. Keep ‘em coming and enjoy your harvest! Appreciate you.

[@carleenbf3480]

Thanks Brian! As a beginner, I just bought and didn't know... this has been a GREAT HELP.. but also overwhelming listening to all the "now how" & other experiences... but as a Beginner I can start off right... with a LONG WAY 2 GO!

[@stephaniesmith9710]

This was a great video and so needed. I think a follow up video about making your own fertilizer would be great.

[@davidewing7252]

As a newbie to growing veggies and herbs in containers, I would love to please hear more on how to build up the soil instead of tearing it down. Thank you.

[@crawfislk]

There are many good composting videos out there. Really it isn't rocket science. Lol

[@almostoily7541]

I enjoy watching Robbie and Gary gardening easy channel for natural container gardening. She shows how to make container soil with what you have on your property.

[@anneblankinship4464]

I would be very interested in the products you recommend and use! Thanks for your clear and frank opinions . Love seeing your son in your videos on occasion too. I have learned quite a bit from you . Keep up the good work.

[@8SmileyLady]

I am pleased to have this as a source to explain why I won't use that 'stuff' in my garden! Thank you!

[@happyheart2871]

Thank you for giving us the lowdown. You explained it all so clearly. Even though it's negative it helps us to sow positive outcomes.. And please tell us the organic fertilizers you recommend.

[@paulapayne1145]

OMG! Thank you so much for breaking this down. I have organic gardeners that swear off the "Wonder Blue" soil. They could never explain why when I ask. I decided I would never use it in my vegi garden but just TODAY I bought it for my flowers I bought for my deck. I ran to my purse to make sure I had the receipt and I do! Taking my two bags back and getting something better. THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME UNDERSTAND!

[@NextLevelGardening]

You're so welcome

[@diananutt1517]

🌱🌸🌿 @Paula Payne I started following an Organic Gardening business by Rodale here in the U.S. back in the 70's. I knew the main synthetic fertilizer (Miracle-Gro) was not for me but never was able to explain exactly why until this terrific video! Also, taking care to find out what the animals that supply your manure(s) are eating adds another caution to our gardening! Now when anyone raves about the results they get from "M-G," I'll be able to help them find out why synthetics are so deadly...thanks to our courageous, super-intelligent friend filling us in!!

[@geoffsadler6455]

Thanks so much for delving into this topic. I voluntarily manage an allotment site in the UK and am always trying to explain this to plot holders who can be very stuck in their ways. I have linked many of them to this video and a good number of them are now cutting out using chemical fertilizers and pest sprays.

[@SoulBlooms2Beauty]

Oh wowza! I never thought about it like this ! Thank you.

[@karenstasik2979]

Thank you that was very helpful. Last year I bought some organic food for my plants mostly because I had bought potting soil from the same company and it was awesome. Now I will use that instead of the synthetic because I had no idea about all of that. Thank you Just bought your book and happy for the spiral binding.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thank you!

[@ravenbrown7053]

I don't use "wonder blue" either - for So many reasons- i am looking forward to the follow up video- i have been exclusively organic for over 10 years and am always interested in learning new techniques - thanks so much!

[@pennyestone7834]

Please do make a video with your recommendations for natural organic fertilizers and how to build up the soil! I, for one, need that info sooner rather than later!

[@dandelion1627]

Information like this should be taught in all schools in the whole world. Please show us how to make organic fertilizers that are sustainable and best for the plants and soils and our mother earth.

[@leeannemacarthur46]

Yes, please add the video on natural fertiliser. Great video, very informative. Thank you 😊

[@todschwager5353]

Thank you - great video; we’ve been making and using our own compost for years. We would love to see more options that help develop natural biodiversity for gardening.

[@jenarutberg9323]

It wasn't a negative video, it was an honest and factual one. I learned a few things and it refreshed my brain on ones I'd forgotten. My soul in central Florida could best be described as junky sand. Junky because apparently the people here before us like to throw junk in the yard like broken mirrors, rusty tools, broken jewelry, split bowling balls etc, but mostly it's sand....so getting it to healthy growing soil has been an uphill battle. Thanks for the encouragement and information, sometimes I need a reminder that cheap and fast is drive thru food, not how to grow a healthy garden.

[@maretahauma2718]

Awesome advice! Thank you so much for this great info!

[@StaceyUncluttering]

Wow this is really interesting! I used it last year when I first started gardening just because that’s what my husband said he used to use. We had such horrible problems with bugs I almost gave up gardening all together. It’s shocking to learn it might have been that I was using the blue stuff!! I’d love a video on what to use!!!!!!

[@joanies6778]

Yep. Organics feed the soil. So important! True story: My neighbors recently asked me if I have worms in my yard. I said, "Heck yeah, they love my yard because I feed them only organics." They started using chemicals on their lawn and lost all their worms.

[@judigrumm7190]

Sad story. I cried at the end.....I LOVE MY BUGS🐌🐞🐜!! WORMS🐛(Caterpillar...), BUTTERFLIES,🦋 BEES🐝, BIRDS🦅. AND TURTLES🐢. Found two this week. Tiny and green😁

[@NextLevelGardening]

Yup. Thats how it goes unfortunately

[@joanies6778]

@@judigrumm7190 It is very sad for them... but they wanted a perfect green lawn. People used to go to their house with 5 gallon buckets to dig up worms, he said. 😪 I feel the same about the wildlife in my back yard, too! 🦋🐝🐞🐦

[@CampLJNC]

That is sad! Although, I have to say that I'm a gardener that is still a little scared of worms, so when I see one I tend to scream. Then I calmly remind myself that they're good for the soil, ha ha. My neighbors must think I'm nuts.

[@judigrumm7190]

@@CampLJNC I have to say that if your neighbors don't think you're nuts you're not a very good gardener. I'm sure mine think I'm absolutely insane. I tend to talk to almost anything living in my yard including plants.

[@donnahurder4665]

Thank you for this video!! It is a well needed reminder to be mindful of EVERYTHING we choose to use in our gardens.

[@patriciafletcher4081]

Thank you so much for making this video. It's not negative when it keeps us from making mistakes because we didn't know any better. I am so grateful you took the time to do this.

[@krussell9995]

I just love your humor! "...and you are pointing your fingers at cow farts..." 😂 As a farm girl I'm glad to say my family used crop rotation to help build soil and was not completely dependent on fertilizers. Also, I always remembered N P K as Up, Down, Around 🤷‍♀️. I would absolutely be interested in the fertilizers you use!

[@chrisp.76]

Thanks for educating us! Would love to see a video on products that are good for the earth.

[@vbfit1247]

Thank you so much for this! I learned so much! Gonna make my own!

[@walleye855]

Thank you very much for doing this video. I am an organic gardener and provide our soil with compost and vermi- compost. Our soil is healthy growing plants and it is a real good feeling to see our soil teaming with soil biology. You should see our lawn that we apply the same principles to. Alfalfa pellets that I grind up and add it to Organic food(kelp, alfalfa fishbone meal etc.) The neighbor's lawns keep turning yellow and weeds pop up and I see them spraying chemicals and applying synthetic fertilizers. I feel I am up against them trying to keep our yard free of those chemicals. The weedman is the worst, they go around soliciting and getting people to fall for it. I smell the stuff all the time after they have been there and it is very frustrating. Thank you again.

[@practicalgardening4631]

Organic is very effective. I like synthetic for indoors and for starts but when the plants go out I mainly use organic. I don't however use wonder blue. I use Jacks Classic as a much better source IMO. They have NPK ratio options that are much better for vegetable gardening and are far more clear about the dosage rates that are appropriate.

[@dianehuber52]

A follow up video would be good. I have a garden than needs nourishment but I’m not sure where to start. Thx

[@jenniehamilton3623]

Thank you, Brian, for a wonderful talk about the "blue stuff". I use the Neptune's Harvest, and apply it as you instructed in a previous video (a while back). Have had wonderful success with it and I feel safe and happy that my plants and my garden are being treated well. Again, thank you for addressing the elephant in the room.😁

[@Hoosurgirl]

Been saying same thing! I would appreciate your fertilizer video. I have learned so much from you and others!

[@maryguetersloh9353]

We are in the process of building good soil and would love to learn more about building soil that is alternative to synthetic/chemicals.

[@PixieDusted72]

I am so glad you addressed this topic. I work for a nursery & we are in charge of delivering & caring for plants in the big box stores. I am stationed at a particular home improvements store. They insist on either not fertilizing their greens or using this crap. I stopped using it on my personal plants & though they don’t grow as fast, they are so much stronger w zero pests. Please do a follow up. It would be greatly appreciated. Ty!

[@bigbootyboy420]

What fertilizer do you use? I honestly never fertilize my plants and I don’t have any issues

[@pgmmtngal]

Absolutely, new (old lady) gardener. Now is the time. I’m taking your very thought provoking video to heart. If we all do a little bit it will have big rewards for the environment. Thank you. I’ll look for another video.

[@lizmckissick3996]

Awesome information! Thanks!!

[@kathleenm3282]

Thank you for your honesty. I quit using them a few years ago when I didn’t want to use synthetics or have their Ill effects in my yard. I have seen their “organic” products but figured this is only a ploy. I think we would all like a video on the fertilizers you recommend. I love that you “aren’t getting political”. Jaja. I do have to say that I no longer have a pretty green lawn, but I am no longer concerned about contaminating our well water. Blessings to you and your family.

[@MichaelRei99]

Well you can have a pretty green lawn with natural fertilizer! There is no excuse not to!

[@NextLevelGardening]

You're welcome 😊

[@kathleenm3282]

@@MichaelRei99 I am planting clover over my one acre

[@jerrytschetter413]

I would like a video on what you use for natural fertilizer than

[@Luciana98]

We moved into a house with an overgrown bushy edged long but not wide weedy yard and lawn. Bad clay soil, zoysia grass invading from north side. From the state of it and the two weedy flower beds in front yard I bet the previous original owner who used chemicals but when became elderly yard went into disrepair. We planted a raised bed but the zoysia grass surrounds it and always trying to get in. Our mistake.The south side has regular northern grass but mostly weeds lol. It has lots of clover on this side which I love!. We just added a Birdie's bed and use containers on this good side. Every time I look up how to fight the invasive weeds and or zoysia it suggests Roundup 😢 or ripping it out and sod💲

[@marilyn1228]

I've always remembered the numbers as "Up, Down and Out", David Tarrant, a Canadian gardener from UBC, years ago. He had the greatest show on Saturday. Great gardeners, you and David, think alike.

[@NextLevelGardening]

I like that! Thanks! 😊

[@junkjunkies4508]

A huge Thank You for educating me!

[@user-xn9xe3tm5k]

Yes, I would love to see a video on different ideas on safe, good, organic homemade fertilizers, pest deterrents, companion planting, and cover crops. Please and thank you 😊.

[@alwaysgofwd]

Thank you for addressing this issue head-on! Very informative and useful! As a new gardener, I'd love to have a video specifically discussing fertilizers. I'm trying to follow your recipes and am piecing things together across videos, but a one-stop-shop of sorts would be great! I would also love to know if there's an all purpose/lazy-person's organic fertilizer that you can recommend. Would that be Neptune harvest's tomato and veg mix? Can I use that on fruit trees? 🙃 Thank you for all the time you spend helping us!

[@NextLevelGardening]

NH tomato and veg would be a great catch all. You're so welcome

[@Mickeyss54]

Julie, I’m fairly new also and your one-stop-shop is Brian’s book. It’s not 100% going to answer all of your questions, but it’s a great reference guide. It’s written in much the styl he does his videos which makes it a fun read too!

[@alwaysgofwd]

@@Mickeyss54 Thanks! It's definitely on my list! It's just a long list these days 🙃

[@danaking3568]

Yes, would love to know of a safe healthier fertilizer. Need a simple method this year, as just growing things is overwhelming to this newbie.

[@mishellstein8346]

We love a healthy soil for my lawn and editable thank you 😊

[@melinneemastel4695]

Thank you for the great info, I do enjoy watching you and learning a few things every time I watch a podcast!

[@diannah7780]

Yes please do a video on what is safe to use or how to make my own. Thank you so much for all that you do, I have learned quite a bit watching you. Please keep up the good work and thank you for teaching us and letting us learn right along with you. May you and yours be Blessed abundantly

[@tatooguy65]

Much appreciated for the info! I am guilty of using that product and would definitely like to see the alternatives, but I live in Canada and products such as Neptune are not available in Quebec. Would appreciate any other options that I could use if possible. Keep up the great work. You're my go-to guy for info on gardening.

[@kayharquail8500]

I have bought fish emulsion and worm castings at Home Hardware.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thank you. ❤️

[@The411]

I hear ya, Im in MB. Canada. Our choices suck. Not just fertilizer...everything... You'd think we dont grow anything here..

[@rowenakotelniski2603]

@@The411 I’m also in MB. I use compost and worm castings. I’ve also used Sea Soil and Sea Magic (Kelp). There are more garden centres offering more choices. We may not have Neptunes Harvest but there are similar products in the Evolve line.

[@bittyblueeyes385]

I second this. Im in Alberta and the only sources i can get natures harvest from are VERY EXPENSIVE. Like $100 just for shipping.

[@kittiew260]

I used to use blue stuff, stopped using it because Neptune Harvest and Alaska Fish emulsion has created an abundance in my garden. I feel like blue stuff is plant steroids. Great video Brian

[@judigrumm7190]

What is Neptune Harvest? Is it a brand of emulsion or another product?

[@NextLevelGardening]

Check my website. Www.nextlevelgardening.tv go to products I love

[@kittiew260]

@@judigrumm7190 Brian has a link & a code. To get a discount too. It's worth every penny spent. I use combination of Neptune Harvest Tomato & Veggie then when I see my plants need a little extra nitrogen use Alaska Fish Emulsion. Really only use Alaska stuff shortly after transplanting after that just Neptune products.

[@judigrumm7190]

@@kittiew260 I live in Florida by the beach we just plant fish ...but thanks for Neptune Harvest info. 👍

[@kittiew260]

@@judigrumm7190 yes they are awesome too! Live by Lake Erie so do the same with fish remains when my boys come home fishing trips. But takes a bit to breakdown.

[@dustyburns942]

I used to use "wonder blue" but I went organic a couple of decades ago so I really appreciate your videos.

[@beverlywheeler6349]

Great Info!!! Yes more videos . . . Thank You!!!

[@TroyABrown]

Would love to know what fertilizers you use or prefer. Thanks.

[@Mrs_Homemaker]

I think both can have a place, especially if it's very diluted. The organic options that work *quickly* are also much more expensive per application. Building soil takes time and new gardeners without large budgets can get really anxious about how to grow those first couple of years if they think they need to buy all the fancy organic options. You might not realize this being in CA, but a lot of the country doesn't have access to the brands and items you do without ordering in (which adds shipping and makes it even more expensive). Yes you can make it cheap with having a compost pile - and generally compost takes a year or more, and a lot of ppl have issues with hot piles. Same for the cheaper organic options that are slow release - it takes time. I used fish emulsion last year but it was pricey even for my small garden. I'd really appreciate a more balanced view of how to move towards organic without the anxiety inducing "you're killing the planet and your garden!" vibes.

[@nicoleowens2318]

What about cancer-causing ingredients? I am a single mom living in a 500 sq ft apartment, I don't have much money but I only buy organic everything. If you compare organic anything to the cheap stuff you can more easily afford, because they soak everything in poison, they can make it go further. The real cost of making good, healthy products is the higher cost. Like standard capitalist practice, they will keep costs low until every morally upright company goes under, then with monopoly of the industry they can use whatever awful ingredients AND charge what they want, with no more competition. Just wait, watch, as Amazon prices continue to rise and small businesses fall. Giving miracle gro your money is sacrificing your health. Maybe you have it to give now, but what about later? Businesses only use these practices because we allow them, and it's virtually impossible to sue them when you or a family member gets cancer, WHICH THE SAME PEOPLE PROFIT OFF OF TREATING TOO. Do you understand that many of the same people reap benefits from both big agriculture and big medicine? So if the food makes you sick, they are ready to treat you too, isn't that nice? Would you spend more on a car if the other didn't come with airbags? What about if someone who had a life insurance policy on you sold it to you? They can kill you with little to no accountability and make untold sums of money. Why should you spend that extra couple dollars? You don't have to care about the planet at all, if you care about yourself or potentially your children that should be enough.

[@Mrs_Homemaker]

@@nicoleowens2318 I'm glad *you* can afford organic everything as a single mom, that's great. Your position isn't the same as everyone else's. And your entire wall of text only served to back up my belief that this is ideology over balance. I can be aware of issues and still weigh pros and cons, like for instance a car without airbags would be instant death in a crash. A non-organic bell pepper is not instant death for my children. You would convince far more ppl to switch to organics if you drop the "do or die" monologues and look at how ppl live day to day. Have a good day.

[@carllopresti697]

​@@Mrs_Homemaker nicely said Sam

[@theangrycheeto]

​@nicoleowens2318 organic farming is less efficient and uses more water, more land and cannot sustain the human population. It is less environmentally friendly in a lot of ways.

[@staceyd2670]

WOW!! I had no idea! Thank you for this video. I have been following your fertilizer recommendations and watching your videos for the past couple of months prepping my vertical and container gardens - I have been gardening for over 30 years yet I've learned so many things I've been doing wrong so I really appreciate your advice. My seedlings are growing nicely in the house waiting for the warmer weather to transition outside. You mentioned some homemade fertilizers which intrigued me. Would love to know how to make them and if it's more cost effective than buying from the nursery. I live in a small town with only one really good nursery so it's hard to find products sometimes. I told my local nursery about your advice on Neptune's.... Which they don't carry (maybe because we're in Canada).. but they gave me an alternative sea kelp brand that I hope will be just as good.

[@noahfloyd9616]

Love this been learning all about this lately!

[@SuperStruct]

Thank you. I've been wondering why I would use worm castings (which is less than 1-1-1 N-P-K as the worms slowly feed the plants, using the carbon etc in the soil, providing a lot of other minerals and micronutrients). Miracle Gro is like 24-18-16 N-P-K... Now I know the difference! Thank you Brian!

[@Shortcake39553]

I would never use miracle grow either. I've heard horror stories on people's tender seedlings getting their roots burned by the product. And some people love it because it helps you do little but gain lots. And one thing we all know is, you can't get something for nothing. So if your plants are performing superbly with little work, you better beware. Thanks for reiterating this.

[@NextLevelGardening]

So true!

[@judigrumm7190]

Yes everything will grow faster with miracle gro but it won't grow more nutritious.

[@judigrumm7190]

If you do a garden correctly you can do it organically with not that much more work.

[@yerneedsry]

Danny from deep south homestead and hoss tools use miracle grow and they get great crops for years and yrs..

[@kathywright6917]

Thank you for addressing this subject. So many new and even old gardeners, do not understand the science of building good healthy soil. Healthy soil leads to healthy plants.

[@leticiaguerra9625]

Thank you ever so for taking the time to share.

[@lindafreudiger8022]

You should do a video on "miracle grows potting mix"! About how everything but "actual dirt" is in it. I found a 6" stick and a milky way candy bar wrapper in a bag I just bought. Would love to hear your thoughts!

[@jackielambert7980]

sounds a lot like commercial dogfood! 🤮

[@theshoemeister2582]

Most potting mixes usually don’t contain soil anyway.

[@ginageorge4408]

A video on building up the soil, especially with organic fertilizers you can make yourself, would be awesome. Thanks, Brian!

[@geraldcomis7510]

Thank you for this info. I had suspicion

[@dovel1000]

I have been watching your videos for a few days now. Today I subscribed so I will be notified about when you post about which fertilizers you DO use. I can't wait. You have a great combination of passion and common sense.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thanks!

[@leticiaworboys9927]

Fantastic advice!!! I've never used fertilizer in my gardens. Just compost, manure and other organic materials. I've always had fantastic yields. I've got Dandelions in my yard, but that's ok. It will just attract more bees. 😁

[@NextLevelGardening]

Great!

[@bellepfeiffer3630]

I've used Blue for years, the impatiens grew big but I was never able to get any ripe tomatoes before frost (VT). Garden Answer uses Espoma organic, and that's what I used last year, surprise, I had some nice big tomatoes (grown in a pot) before frost. A bunch of my other perennials are also doing much better. Thanks for explaining this, now it all makes sense.

[@colliecoform4854]

I use it last year also. Had very good results.

[@matth268]

Also a vermonter. Coast of maine makes great products and can be found in a lot of Vermont garden centers and hardware stores. All organic and made regionally up in Maine.

[@deborahtucker4900]

Excellent video! Thank you!

[@corinnenygren428]

So glad you took the time to educate people about this nasty chemical. I knew it was bad but wasn’t aware of all the information you shared. The info about the dead zone in the Gulf was interesting. Thanks again Brian. I started using Neptune’s Harvest after watching your videos. When planting I use compost manure, blood & bone meal & wood ash.