6 Best Milorganite Alternatives & Best Organic Fertilizers for Lawns

Milorganite is by far the best organic fertilizer of choice for people who want to grow a healthy-looking lawn. But sometimes, it runs out of stock, or some people just don’t see great results with it.

So, what Milorganite alternatives are good enough to work as substitutes? I’ve tried several great Milorganite substitutes, but the 6 most effective are:

  1. Safer Brand Lawn Restore
  2. The Andersons Innova
  3. Scotts Lawn Food
  4. Purely Organic Lawn Food
  5. Superior Nitrogen and Potash Lawn Food
  6. Epsoma Organic All-Season Lawn Food

Read my detailed reviews to determine the best option for your lawn.

Affiliate Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate and participant in various other affiliate programs, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you from qualifying purchases.


Best Milorganite Alternatives

In a hurry? See our top picks…

CLICK on any option below to see Ratings and Reviews on Amazon

#1 BEST PICK
Safer Brand 9334 Lawn Restore Fertilizer – 25 lb
WORKS LONGER
The Andersons 7-1-2 Innova Premium Organic Fertilizer - Safe for...
BEST LIQUID SUBSTITUTE
Superior 15-0-15 Liquid Fertilizer Nitrogen & Potash Lawn Food -...
Safer Brand Ringer Lawn Restore, Lawn Fertilizer
The Andersons 7-1-2 Innova Organic Fertilizer
Simple Lawn Solutions Nitrogen & Potash - High Nitrogen Lawn Food
  • 100% Organic, plant-based nutrients - no poultry litter or bio-solids.
  • 10-0-6 NPK for rapid greening of lawns.
  • Promotes soil vitality for better feeding.
  • Slow-release and won't burn your grass.
  • Balanced 7-1-2 NPK for healthy lawn feeding.
  • Made from organic plant ingredients.
  • 100% natural and won't burn your lawn.
  • Packs amino acids as well.
  • 28-0-0 Liquid concentrate for quick greening.
  • 70% quick release + 30% slow release nitrogen keeps lawn healthy longer.
  • High quality organic ingredients won't burn lawn.
  • 100% safe for children and pets.
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#1 BEST PICK
Safer Brand 9334 Lawn Restore Fertilizer – 25 lb
Safer Brand Ringer Lawn Restore, Lawn Fertilizer
  • 100% Organic, plant-based nutrients - no poultry litter or bio-solids.
  • 10-0-6 NPK for rapid greening of lawns.
  • Promotes soil vitality for better feeding.
  • Slow-release and won't burn your grass.
WORKS LONGER
The Andersons 7-1-2 Innova Premium Organic Fertilizer - Safe for...
The Andersons 7-1-2 Innova Organic Fertilizer
  • Balanced 7-1-2 NPK for healthy lawn feeding.
  • Made from organic plant ingredients.
  • 100% natural and won't burn your lawn.
  • Packs amino acids as well.
-
BEST LIQUID SUBSTITUTE
Superior 15-0-15 Liquid Fertilizer Nitrogen & Potash Lawn Food -...
Simple Lawn Solutions Nitrogen & Potash - High Nitrogen Lawn Food
  • 28-0-0 Liquid concentrate for quick greening.
  • 70% quick release + 30% slow release nitrogen keeps lawn healthy longer.
  • High quality organic ingredients won't burn lawn.
  • 100% safe for children and pets.
-

Affiliate links and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: 2024-03-18

Milorganite NPK Ratio is 6-4-0 so look for alternatives that offer a slow release and higher nitrogen number.

The basic things to look for are as follows:

  • The fertilizer has to be slow-release
  • It must contain high nitrogen content
  • It should not burn your lawn
  • Some good organic fertilizers have an iron content for greener lawns.

That said, when there’s a Milorganite shortage, try the following alternatives.

With that in mind, you want to choose an organic fertilizer that releases slowly. You can go heavy with the application without the risk of burning your lawn.

The next time there will be a Milorganite shortage, choose from the following best alternatives to Milorganite organic lawn fertilizer.


1. Safer Brand Lawn Restore – No Phosphate

Safer Brand Lawn Restore
  • Works in the same way as Milorganite – feeding bacteria and fungi to produce lawn nutrients.
  • Can be used on both warm and cool-season turfgrasses – Bermuda grass, St. Augustine, Rye, Kentucky Bluegrass, etc.
  • It does not burn your lawn even with heavy applications.
  • Uses only plant-based ingredients.
  • It helps limit the spread of weeds.
  • It is a slow-release organic fertilizer and lasts a lot longer feeding your lawn just like Milorganite.

This fertilizer is organic and made from plant material and no bio-solids from animals and animal waste.

As the name suggests, this organic fertilizer will feed your grass with the right nutrients – especially plenty of nitrogen. However, unlike Milorganite, it does not contain iron, meaning you’ll have to supplement that with a different application such as Ironite (my favorite).

Safer Brand 9334 Lawn Restore Fertilizer – 25 lb
996 Reviews
Safer Brand 9334 Lawn Restore Fertilizer – 25 lb
  • Revitalizes lawn to a thick turf by strengthening root systems
  • Lawns will green up within 3 to 5 days
  • Promotes a robust root system for a healthier lawn

Affiliate links and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: 2024-03-18


2. The Andersons 7-1-2 Innova Organic Fertilizer

The Andersons 7-1-2 Innova Organic Fertilizer

If there’s an organic fertilizer out there that can give Milorganite a run for its money, it is the Andersons 7-1-2 Innova Organic Fertilizer. But why? Here are some great features it has:

There are a few reasons why I think this is a great alternative to Milorganite. First, it is made of plant material as opposed to waste. Plant material can be controlled while waste will still be waste even after refining.

Second, with a soy-based organic fertilizer, you’re sure you are applying a pet-safe and children-safe fertilizer on your lawn.

The Andersons 7-1-2 Innova Premium Organic Fertilizer - Safe for...
  • OMRI-listed organic fertilizer safe for use around kids, pets, and environmentally-sensitive waterways
  • 100% plant-derived; does not contain biosolids, manure, composted waste products, or animal parts
  • Delivers nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and amino acids; slow-release formula provides extended feeding without the risk of over-applying or burning your lawn

Affiliate links and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: 2024-03-19


3. Scotts 47503 Lawn Food

  • It is made of feather meal, meat meal, bone meal, blood meal, and sulfate of potash.
  • It is safe for pets and children.
  • Kids can play out on the lawn immediately after application.
  • High nitrogen ratio in the 11-2-2 NPK formulation – here’s how much nitrogen you need for your lawn.

If you find Milorganite out of stock, you can solve that shortage with this product as well. An application can build a thick, green lawn organically, just like Milo. Scotts 47503 is OMRI-listed as a safe product for pets and children.

The downside to this organic Milorganite alternative is that it is not sold in CT, MD, ME, MN, NJ, NY, WA, and WI.

In addition, it may contain some pesticides so check the ingredient list carefully. Also, being a product made from such ingredients as bone meal and chicken feather meal, it may be attractive for dogs. You might find your dog eating this organic fertilizer.


4. Purely Organic Lawn Food

Purely Organic Lawn Food

This is one of the best organic fertilizer alternatives to Milorganite. It is purely plant-based lawn food made of some soy meal in the ingredient list. It is a little different in formulation because Milo is generally made from wastewater (or human waste matter if you like).

You’ll notice its formulation is a 10-0-2 in ratio, meaning that the Purely Organic Lawn Food does not have potassium but will release lots of nitrogen into your lawn.

Another difference you’ll notice is that the color varies completely from that of Milorganite. When you apply the Purely Organic lawn food, you’ll not see the usual blue-green color that appears on your lawn.

The difference with this organic lawn fertilizer is that it does not have the iron ingredient that’s common with Milorganite.

To get iron on your lawn, you’ll want to apply an iron product such as Ironite or Lawn Energizer from Simple Lawn.

To get the best out of Purely Organic Lawn Food, water your lawn after the application because it is a granular product with 7% soluble nitrogen.

Milorganite Alternative | Purely Organic Lawn Food
Purely Organic Lawn Food
  • Promotes Lush Green Turf Grass. Will Not Burn Your Lawn.
  • Plant Based Formula with Distillers Grains & Soy. No Harsh Chemicals, No Manure & No Smelly Biosolids.
  • Covers Up to 5,000 Square Feet. Feeds All Season Long.

Affiliate links and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: 2024-03-19


5. Superior Nitrogen & Potash 15-0-15 NPK- Lawn Food Natural Liquid Fertilizer

Simple Lawn Solutions Liquid Fertilizer
  • Contains powerful soil conditioners – humic and fulvic acids
  • Can intensify the greening of your lawn
  • Acts faster than most fertilizers.
  • It can be applied to all grass types.

On this list, this is the only liquid fertilizer for lawns. The list of ingredients is very interesting. Notably, it does not have phosphorus but loads nitrogen and potassium in an equal ratio.

The natural liquid lawn food is a great blend of nitrogen, potassium, humic acid, and fulvic acid. These are all great for growing a healthy, greener lawn.

It can be applied as an alternative for Milorganite on all grass types including Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass, Palmetto, Zoysia, Fescue, Bluegrass, Buffalo, and Centipede.

The only drawback to the Simple Lawns Superior Nitrogen and Potash 15-0-15 NPK lawn food is that it is not a slow-release formulation like the other granular alternatives reviewed above.

Here are more Potash Fertilizers I reviewed.

Superior 15-0-15 Liquid Fertilizer Nitrogen & Potash Lawn Food -...
  • Liquid Lawn Fertilizer: Contains no phosphorus and has a 15-0-15 nutrient ratio, is the ideal choice if you wish to keep your lawn in good condition or if you notice symptoms of nitrogen and potassium deficiency in your lawn
  • The Power of Nitrogen & Potassium Blended with Humic Acid: Intensify green and growth while providing key nutrients for turf hardiness.
  • Blended with 15% Nitrogen. Nitrogen is a major component of chlorophyll where plants get their green coloring. Nitrogen encourages vigorous growth for the development of a dense attractive lawn.

Affiliate links and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: 2024-03-19


6. Espoma EOLF28 Organic All-Season Lawn Food

Espoma EOLF28 Organic All Season Lawn Food
  • Has a 9-0-0 NPK formulation which is great for greening lawns.
  • Contains 2% non-staining iron, making it a great Milorganite alternative
  • Purely organic – made from poultry manure, iron oxide, and elemental sulfur.
  • Slow-release and can feed your lawn all year round.
  • It can be applied during any season.
  • It does not burn the lawn.

Espoma EOLF28 Organic All Season Lawn Food contains BioTone microbes and comes as an all-nitrogen formulation. The good thing is that it contains 7.6 water-insoluble nitrogen, meaning it is a great slow-release organic fertilizer for your lawn.

Espoma Organic All Season Lawn Food 9-0-0 Natural & Organic Lawn...
  • CONTAINS: Espoma Organic Lawn Food is a rich blend of the finest natural & organic ingredients enhanced with our exclusive Bio-tone formula; 9-0-0 Fertilizer analysis. Adds Long Lasting Nitrogen for Deep Green Color. Environmentally Safe - No sludges or toxic ingredients.
  • FOR USE ON: Use for all lawns both cool and warm season grasses. Ideal for fescues, bluegrass, rye grass, St. Augustine and zoysia. Won’t Burn Lawns or Leach Out of Soil
  • WHEN / HOW TO USE: Use both early & late spring and fall for all lawns. Apply with a drop or broadcast spreader.

Affiliate links and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: 2024-03-19


Other great organic fertilizer alternatives

If you can’t find any of the above fertilizers in your state, you might want to try these organic lawn foods as well:

Benefits of Organic Fertilizer

The reason why we’re all looking for substitutes for Milorganite is because of its benefits:

  • Good for every grass type as it has Nitrogen and some iron.
  • Can put it down at any time.
  • It’s heat-activated which you won’t have to worry about in a warm climate.
  • It is safe for pets and children.
  • Does not burn the lawn

Milo grows your soil microbes and bacteria to help them create nutrients for your lawn. Soil microbes don’t like the salts in synthetic fertilizers (potassium and sodium salts).

If you want to grow a healthier lawn that will remain attractive for a long time, you want to use organic fertilizer. It will keep the lawn safe from chemical burns, soil pH imbalance, and chemical pollution. Read more about the benefits of organic fertilizers.


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4 thoughts on “6 Best Milorganite Alternatives & Best Organic Fertilizers for Lawns”

  1. Besides milorganite/BSF , what are other organic fertilizers that are kid & pet safe? For those of you that go the organic/non chemical route, how do you deal with things like grubs, weeds, & moss? Thanks in advance!

    Reply
    • I got tired of trying to chase down Milo, so I switched to Procare Natural from Lowe’s. Essentially the same thing and always there. I don’t mess with grubs at all, never have had a problem. Mowing practices can help with weeds naturally. I try to go organic as much as possible but you can only take it so far. Eventually had to spray for weeds

      Reply
  2. I am having issues with my grass turning yellow. I believe I should be using something with iron in it? Any suggestions?

    Reply
  3. I live in central Florida. Had our new yard sodded with St. Augustine last fall. Looked good thru this past summer but around 1st of September started looking brown and started spotting.. I’ve used an organic fertilizer and was told at nursery it appeared to be root rot and might be getting too much water from sprinkler system. I spread peat moss over the affected area and cut back on watering. Any ideas or suggestions as to lawn which I might do or don’t do? Soil is sandy and is well drained with no pooling. Thanks for any suggestions.

    Reply

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