Frequently Asked Questions

Click on each section below to see answers to the questions we’re asked most. Don’t see your question? Contact our Customer Service team here.

Ingredients
Packaging
Safety & Storage
Ordering & Shipping
Pricing
Availability
Resources & Education

Ingredients

Do your products have an expiration date, or expected shelf life?
Our products are best if used within one year, but fertilizers are generally stable for 3 to 4 years if stored properly.

Can I use your products on my commercial organic farm?
Some of them. Many of our ingredients are OMRI-Listed, which means they have been approved by the Organic Materials Review Institute to ensure they meet all commercial organic production requirements. 

What does “OMRI-Listed” mean?
In short, it means that the product is independently approved by the Organic Materials Review Institute to ensure that it is approved for use in commercial organic farming. In OMRI’s own words: “OMRI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides an independent review of products, such as fertilizers, pest controls, livestock health care products, and numerous other inputs that are intended for use in certified organic production and processing. When companies apply, OMRI reviews their products against the organic standards. Acceptable products are OMRI Listed® and appear on the OMRI Products List© or OMRI Canada Products List©. OMRI also provides technical support and training for professionals in the organic industry.” For more information, visit www.omri.org.

What do you mean by “Natural”?
We consider all of our products to be natural, because they contain no man-made chemicals or petroleum products, and they are all found in nature or derived from nature.

What do you mean by “Non-GMO”?
Products marked as Non-GMO are not derived from any plants that have been genetically modified. Any product that is OMRI-Listed is non-GMO, by definition.

What do you mean by “Organic”?
When it comes to fertilizer, “organic” can be a confusing term. Organic can refer to organic matter, or carbon-based substances. With that definition, most of our ingredients and products would be considered organic. But to many of our customers, organic is a term reserved for products that are approved for use in commercial organic farming. So this stricter definition is the one we use – any of our products listed as “organic” have been listed with the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). That’s also why you will always see us refer to our ingredients as “natural and organic,” because we want to make sure that we are not accidentally implying that a non-OMRI-Listed product is appropriate for organic farming.

Are all your ingredients sourced in the USA?
We prefer to source most of our ingredients are sourced from the United States but some are sourced from other countries. Depending on availability, quality or pricing, we may purchase from suppliers in different countries as needed to deliver the quality and value you’ve come to expect from Garden Maker™ Naturals.

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Packaging

What kind of packaging do you use?
All of our products are packaged in natural kraft paper bags sewn with cotton string, and placed into corrugated cardboard boxes for shipping.

Are your packages recyclable?
Our bags 100% recyclable and/or biodegradable. The cardboard shipping boxes that protect the bags in transit are also fully recyclable and biodegradable.

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Safety & Storage

Are your products safe for pets and children?
When used as directed, our all-natural fertilizer products are safe for use around pets and children, even immediately after application. However, it is always recommended that fertilizers be stored out of reach of children and pets.

My pet just got into my Garden Maker™ Naturals fertilizer and ate a bunch. What do I do?
When this happens, it’s always best to call your veterinarian for a professional opinion. Be sure to have the label handy so he or she can understand exactly what your pet ingested. Rest assured, though, that all our ingredients are also AAFCO (American Association Feed Control Officials) approved. AAFCO is the regulatory agency that controls animal feed manufacturing and safety. So our ingredients could have been used to make your animal diet; our fertilizers are basically different blends of the same ingredients.

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Ordering & Shipping

How will my product be shipped?
Your fertilizer bag will be protected by a cardboard shipping container, and orders  will be delivered by the UPS or Fedex.

How long will it take for me to receive my Signature Blend or Single Ingredient fertilizer?
We ship orders twice per week, if an item of your order is out of stock and cannot be shipped within two weeks, we’ll contact you to let you determine if you wish to wait or cancel that item of your order.

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Pricing

Why has the price changed since my last purchase or visit to your website?

The markets for some of our ingredients can be quite volatile, with prices that change drastically depending on supply and demand. Our large-quantity buying power helps moderate some of this volatility, but not all. Instead of pricing our products high to protect against commodity price increase, we allow our prices to change with our costs to always provide you with the best possible value. In other words, when we save money, you save money.

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Availability

Can I find Signature Blends or Ingredients in stores?
At this time, we only sell our products through our own website, GardenMaker.com. We do not sell any of our fertilizers or ingredients in any brick & mortar or other online stores.

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Resources & Education

I’m a novice gardener. What are some good sources of basic gardening information?
Acres USA and Rodale’s Organic Life provide great gardening information through their magazines and websites. For in-person assistance, visit your local independent garden center or contact a nearby Master Gardeners chapter. And don’t forget to visit your local library!

How can I learn more about the soil or growing conditions in my area?
Your local extension service is a great resource for understanding your hardiness zone and as a source for soil samples. For vegetable gardeners, the extension service experts can even help all the way through preserving your bounty through canning, freezing or dehydrating.

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