Terr-O-Vite vs Organic Fertilizers

Question from Dave:
Your book recommends the use of Terr-O-Vite for so many things. I live in Thousand Oaks and can’t seem to find it. I don’t even see it on the internet. Can you recommend a source to buy it, or can you recommend a suitable available replacement?

Answer from Pat:
Terr-O-Vite is not longer made and as far as I know was no longer in used ten years ago. Sounds as if you are still using the first edition of my book that was published in 1991. It is now almost 20 years out of date. I revised it totally and the second edition was published in 2010 and included much more stuff in it and all the perennials grown then but not yet introduced in the late 80’s when I wrote that first book that is now so long out of date. Now you need the third edition.

My new book is all-organic so I would not suggest Terr-O-Vite today even if it were still available because it would contribute to runoff and pollution of groundwater. I suggest you use organic fertilizers, instead, such as those recommended throughout my new book, “Pat Welsh’s Southern California Organic Gardening: Month by Month.” (Available anywhere books are sold.) If the soil in your garden has a problem absorbing liquids, also apply and organic penetrant such as Yucca schidigera. (Terr-O-Vite included a penetrant and that was one reason it worked.) For a list of generic fertilizers, please see the chart on this website under “Fertilizers.” Also, please read the other material under that heading.