A plant food earns OMRI Listed status when it has been reviewed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), an independent non-profit that evaluates ingredients for compliance with USDA National Organic Program (NOP) standards. OMRI Listed products are approved for use in organic production, giving home gardeners a trustworthy way to identify genuinely organic inputs.

It's worth knowing: OMRI Listed status is not the only indicator of an organic product. Many products meet organic standards without carrying the OMRI seal. For home gardeners, OMRI Listed is a convenient shortcut that tells you a third party has done the review work for you. Keep in mind: the "Certified Organic" designation applies to the final crops and vegetables an organic grower harvests, not to the input products themselves.

Choosing organic plant food means working with your soil, not around it. Here is what sets organic fertilizer apart:

• Builds long-term soil health. Organic plant food works with the beneficial microbes already living in your soil, improving structure and richness season after season.
• Naturally derived ingredients. Organic fertilizers are made from natural materials like bone meal, kelp, and earthworm castings.
• Slow, steady nutrient release. Nutrients release gradually as they are broken down by soil microbes, giving plants a consistent supply rather than a quick nutrient burst.
• OMRI Listed options available. Several Miracle-Gro Organic products carry the OMRI Listed logo, a third-party confirmation that ingredients meet USDA National Organic Program standards.

Organic plant food is made from naturally derived ingredients, but that doesn't mean it's meant to be eaten or touched in large amounts. Ingredients like bone meal and fish meal can attract dogs because of their scent, so it's a good practice to keep pets away from the garden area being fed until the fertilizer has been watered in and the soil surface is dry.

Always read and follow the product label for application guidance specific to your product. Store all garden products out of reach of pets and children.

Here's the big idea behind organic growing: most organic plant food feeds the soil first. Instead of delivering nutrients directly to roots in a fast, water-soluble form, organic fertilizers work hand-in-hand with soil microbes, the bacteria, fungi, and other organisms living in healthy soil, to break down organic matter and release nutrients gradually.

This slow release organic process gives your plants a steady, sustained supply of nutrition over time. It also means you're actively building soil health season after season, creating a more biologically rich, water-retentive environment where plants genuinely thrive.

Part of what makes organic plant food so appealing is knowing exactly what's going into your garden. Common ingredients include:

• Bone meal: a slow-release phosphorus source that supports root growth and flowering
• Kelp fertilizer: seaweed-derived, naturally rich in micronutrients and growth-supporting compounds
• Earthworm castings: nutrient-dense and alive with beneficial organisms, often called "worm gold" by seasoned growers
• Fish meal: high in nitrogen; note that fish fertilizer smell at application fades quickly once watered in
• Feather meal: a slow-release nitrogen source made from poultry feathers
• Poultry litter: nutrient-rich and a natural source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium

Each ingredient is naturally derived and time-tested. They work with your soil ecosystem rather than around it.

Not sure which organic format fits your garden? Here is a quick guide to help you choose.

• Shop all Miracle-Gro Organic Products
• Why Soil Health Matters for Your Garden
• How to Make a Vegetable Garden
• Understanding Fertilizer Numbers (N-P-K)
• What is Organic Gardening?