A

Allowed - restrictions may apply and are described in the annotation

X

Prohibited

A

Acetic acid, non-synthetic

Allowed as an adjuvant to adjust the pH of sprays

A

Agar

For use in initial mushroom spawn production

A

Alfalfa meal & pellets

Use organic alfalfa unless commercially unavailable. Ensure non-organic alfalfa is not a product of genetic engineering.

A

Algae

See ‘Aquatic plant products’.

A

Amino acids, non-synthetic

Amino acids produced by plants, animals and micro-organisms that are not from genetic engineering, and are extracted or isolated by hydrolysis, or by physical or other non-chemical means are considered non-synthetic. Non-synthetic amino acids may be used as plant growth regulators or chelating agents once registered for this use in Canada

X

Amino acids, synthetic

Amino acids that are considered to be synthetically produced or produced from genetically engineered organisms are prohibited.

X

Ammonia products

All ammonia products are prohibited for plant nutrition including: anhydrous ammonia, aqua ammonia, ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium sulphate, and ammonium soaps.

X

Ammoniated micronutrients

Includes ammonium molybdate, ammonium pentaborate, ammoniated zinc chloride, and ferrous ammonium sulphate. See ‘Trace elements (micronutrients)’.

X

Ammoniated zinc chloride

Prohibited.

X

Ammonium lignosulphate

Prohibited

X

Ammonium molybdate

Prohibited.

X

Ammonium nitrate

Prohibited.

X

Ammonium pentaborate

Prohibited.

X

Ammonium phosphate

Prohibited.

X

Ammonium soaps

Prohibited.

X

Ammonium stillage

Prohibited

X

Ammonium sulphate

Prohibited.

X

Animal manure, unprocessed

Unprocessed animal manure is prohibited for use in any areas or plantings exposed to human contact in urban environments, including food gardens.

A

Animal manure, processed

Heat-treated, mechanically and physically processed manures may be acceptable. Manure from animals suspected to be suffering from prion diseases must not be used.

X

Anhydrous ammonia

Prohibited.

X

Aqua ammonia

Prohibited.

A

Aquatic plant products

Natural (non-synthetic) extracts are allowed. Extraction with synthetic solvents is prohibited except for potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, provided the amount of solvent used does not exceed the amount necessary for extraction. Of the two products, potassium hydroxide is the preferred choice.
Aquatic plant products are prohibited if they contain other synthetic preservatives, such as formaldehyde, or are fortified with otherwise prohibited plant nutrients.

A

Ascorbic acid, non-synthetic

Used a s a natural growth promoter and for adjusting the pH of sprays

A

Ash

Ash from plant and animal sources only. Ashes from burning minerals, manure, or prohibited materials are prohibited. Wood stove ash is allowed only if not contaminated with coloured paper, plastics, other synthetic substances, and heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium and lead. (Manure ash is prohibited because burning manure is wasteful of organic matter and nutrients.)

A

Basic c opper sulphate

May be used to correct documented copper deficiencies only. Shall be used in a manner that prevents excessive copper accumulation in the soil. See ‘Copper products, restricted’.

A

Basalt

Mined or quarried volcanic rock minerals.

A

Bentonite

See “Mined minerals, unprocessed”.

A

Biodynamic preparations for compost

Chamomile (Prep. 503), dandelion (Prep. 506), oak bark (Prep. 505), stinging nettle (Prep. 504), valerian (Prep. 507), and yarrow flowers (Prep. 502).

A

Biodynamic preparations for soil & plants

Horn manure spray (Prep. 500) or horn silica (Prep. 501). Other Biodynamic preps are listed under "Landscape Health Management Products".

X

Biosolids

Sewage sludge

A

Biotite (iron, magnesium or aluminum silicates)

See ‘Mined minerals, unprocessed’.

A

Blood and blood meal

Allowed only if sterilized. Use is discouraged due to the potential spread of prion diseases.

A

Bone meal

Permitted only if guaranteed free of specific risk materials (e.g. prions associated with Mad Cow Disease). Use is strongly discouraged due to the potential spread of prion diseases.

A

Borate

Shall only be used with documented deficiency relative to the type of crop. See ‘Boron products (allowed)’ and ‘Boron products (prohibited’).

A

Borax

Also known as sodium tetraborate. Shall only be used with a documented boron deficiency. See 'Boron products (allowed)'.

A

Boron products (allowed)

The following soluble boron products may be used: sodium tetraborate (borax and anhydrous), and sodium octaborate. Shall only be used with a documented boron deficiency relative to the type of crop. See “Trace elements (micronutrients)” for documentation requirements.

X

Boron products
(prohibited)

Ammonium pentaborate is prohibited.

X

Burned lime

Prohibited.

A

Calcium chloride

Natural sources and food grade quality only. Can be used to adjust nutrient deficiencies and physiological disorders

A

Calcium, natural sources

Sources include shells from aquatic animals, limestone, dolomite (not slaked), aragonite, eggshell meal, lime from sugar processing and mined CaCO3.

X

Calcium sources
(prohibited)

Calcium products which have been used in controlled atmosphere storage are prohibited.

X

Calcium hydroxide

Also known as hot lime or quicklime

A

Calcium lignosulfonate

Lignin sulfonate. See ‘Chelates (allowed)’

X

Calcium nitrate

Prohibited.

X

Calcium oxide

Also known as Burned Lime.

A

Calcium sulphate

See ‘Gypsum (mined source)’. Sulphates produced using sulfuric acid are prohibited.

X

Calcium, synthetically derived

Prohibited.

A

Cannery wastes

May contain substantial pesticide residues. Use only if certified organically grown, documented to be uncontaminated by pesticides or thoroughly composted before use.

A

Cardboard

Cardboard that is not waxed or impregnated with fungicides or other prohibited substances may be used as mulch or compost feedstock.

A

Cardboard, waxed

Paraffin contained in waxed cardboard used as a mulch or compost ingredient shall not exceed 0.75% by weight of the total feed stock.

A

Chelates (allowed)

Natural chelates (such as amino acids, citric acid, tartaric acid, and other di- and tri- acid chelates) ,and lignin sulfonate are allowed. Synthetic chelating agents are not allowed with micronutrients unless they are specifically listed for such use.

X

Chelates (prohibited)

Prohibited chelating agents include DTPA, EDTA, HEDTA, NTA, glucoheptonic acid and its salts, and synthetic amino acids.

X

Chilean nitrate

See ‘Sodium nitrate’.

A

Chloride of Lime

See “Calcium chloride”

A

Clay

See “Mined minerals, unprocessed”.
Bentonite, perlite and zeolite as a soil amendment or seed pellet additive.

A

Coal

See “Humic acid”

A

Colloidal Rock Phosphate

Shall not be fortified or processed with synthetic chemicals. Cadmium shall not exceed 90 mg/kg P2O5

A

Compost

Composting refers to the managed aerobic process by which organic materials are digested by microorganisms over sufficient time and / or with sufficient heat to effectively stabilize the nutrients, reduce pesticide residues, and kill weed seeds and pathogens.

Thermophilic aerobic compost piles shall reach a temperature of 55-60 degrees C (130 – 140 degrees F) for a period of several days and then finish decomposing for about 6 weeks. Compost should remain moist but not water logged for the whole decomposition period.

Organic waste material derived from industrial processing including abattoir waste, yeast fermentation waste, whey, hatchery waste, fish farm wastes, mushroom compost and paper and wood products are restricted products and documentation and/or appropriate laboratory analysis for the absence of contamination by materials prohibited in these standards is required. Acceptable materials include animal manure, by-products of the processing of agricultural products, and source separated yard debris.

The following are prohibited in compost: sewage sludge, synthetically fortified compost starter, glossy paper, and coloured ink. Paraffin from waxed cardboard cannot exceed 0.75% of total feed stock by weight.
See also: ‘Microbial products’ for information on compost starters.

Spent mushroom and vermiculite substrate: natural substance or those derived from natural substances without the addition of chemically synthesized substances or chemical treatment.

Composted animal excrements, including poultry: natural substance or those derived from natural substance without the addition of chemically synthesized substances or chemical treatment.

Compost from off-site, organic or non-organic sources; on-site, organic or non-organic sources: natural substances or those derived from natural substances without the addition of chemically synthesized substances or chemical treatment, in accordance with this standard.

A

Compost tea

Compost must be made from a substance that meets compost standards.

X

Copper ammonia base

Prohibited.

X

Copper ammonium carbonate

Prohibited.

X

Copper nitrate

Prohibited.

A

Copper oxide

May be used to correct documented copper deficiencies only. Shall be used in a manner that prevents excessive copper accumulation in the soil. See ‘Copper products’.

A

Copper oxysulphate

May be used to correct documented copper deficiencies only. Shall be used in a manner that prevents excessive copper accumulation in the soil. See ‘Copper products’.

A

Copper products
(allowed)

Basic copper sulphate, copper oxide, copper sulphate, and copper oxysulphate may be used to correct documented copper deficiencies.
These shall be used in a manner that prevents excessive copper accumulation in the soil. Buildup of copper in soil may prohibit future use. Use with caution.

X

Coper products
(prohibited)

Copper ammonia base, copper ammonium carbonate, copper nitrate and cuprous chloride are prohibited as sources of copper for plant nutrients.

A

Copper sulphate

May be used to correct documented copper deficiencies only. Shall be used in a manner that prevents excessive copper accumulation in the soil. See ‘Copper products’.

A

Corn gluten meal

Must be from non genetically engineered plants.

A

Corn meal

Must be from non genetically engineered plants.

A

Crab shells

Allowed.

X

Cuprous chloride

Prohibited as a source of copper for plant nutrients.

Cytokinins

See ‘Growth regulators (allowed) and (prohibited)’.

A

Di-acid chelates

See ’Chelates (allowed)’

X

Dolomite, fired

Magnesium oxide. Prohibited.

A

Dolomite, mined

Magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate. May cause build-up of magnesium. Use with caution. Must be from a natural source. See ‘Limestone’

X

Dolomite, slaked

Magnesium hydroxide. Prohibited.

X

DTPA

Prohibited.

X

EDTA

Prohibited.

A

Egg shell meal

Allowed.

A

Enzymes

Acceptable if derived microbiologically from natural substances and not fortified with synthetic plant nutrients. Shall not be obtained through genetic engineering.

A

Epsom salts

See 'Magnesium sulphate'.

A

Feather meal

If composed of feather meal only and unadulterated with non-allowed materials.

A

Feldspar

See ‘Mined minerals, unprocessed’.

A

Ferric and ferrous compounds
(allowed)

Includes ferric oxide, ferric sulphate and ferrous sulphate. See ‘Iron products (restricted)’ and ‘Trace elements (micronutrients)’

X

Ferric and ferrous compounds (prohibited)

Includes ferric chloride and ferrous ammonium sulphate. See ‘Iron products (prohibited)’ and ‘Trace elements (micronutrients)’.

X

Ferric chloride

Prohibited for use as a source of plant nutrients.

A

Ferric oxide

May be used where a soil or plant nutrient deficiency is documented by soil or tissue testing.

A

Ferric sulfate

May be used where a soil or plant nutrient deficiency is documented by soil or tissue testing.

X

Ferrous ammonium sulphate

Prohibited for use as a source of plant nutrients.

A

Ferrous sulphate

May be used where a soil or plant nutrient deficiency is documented by soil or tissue testing.

A

Fertilizers, blended
(allowed)

If composed entirely of allowed materials. See classification for each separate ingredient. Inert ingredients for pelletizers, etc. must be individually approved or be from natural sources. Restrictions for any one ingredient shall apply to thewhole fertilizer mixture.

X

Fertilizers, blended (prohibited)

If the product contains any prohibited materials.

A

Fiber row covers

Shall not be incorporated into the soil or left in the field to decompose; shall be removed at the end of the growing season.

A

Fish emulsion or solubles

See ‘Fish products’.

A

Fish farm wastes

Shall be composted

A

Fish hydrolysate

See 'Fish products'.

A

Fish meal, powder

See 'Fish products'.

A

Fish products

Natural substance or those derived from natural substances without the addition of chemically synthesized substances or chemical treatment.

Liquid fish products can be pH adjusted using (in preferential order) organic vinegar, organic citric acid , or phosphoric acid. The amount of acid used cannot exceed the minimum amount needed to lower the pH to 3.5.

Fish products are prohibited if they contain other synthetic preservatives or are fortified with otherwise prohibited plant nutrients.

X

Formaldehyde

Prohibited.

A

Fulvic acids

Dilute neutral or acidic extracts of humates

X

Genetically engineered organisms

Prohibited in any form

A

Gibberellic acid

Acceptable if made from a fermentation process and not fortified with prohibited synthetic substances. The fermentation process shall not use genetically engineered organisms. See ‘Growth regulators for plants (allowed and prohibited)’.

A

Glauconite

Also known as Greensand. See ‘Mined minerals’.

X

Glucoheptonic acid

Glucoheptonic acid and its salts are prohibited as chelating agents in fertilizers.

A

Granite dust (allowed)

See 'Mined minerals'. Sources that are mixed with petroleum products, such as from stone engraving, are prohibited.

A

Grass clippings

See ‘Plants’. Crop wastes that potentially contain significant levels of pesticide contaminants are prohibited.

A

Green manure

See 'Plants'.

A

Greensand

Also known as Glauconite. See 'Mined minerals'.

A

Growth regulators for plants (allowed)

Natural plant hormones such as gibberellic acid, indole acetic acid (IAA) and cytokinins are allowed. Vitamin B1 is also allowed. Must not contain prohibited synthetic substances.

X

Growth regulators for plants (prohibited)

All synthetic growth regulators not explicitly allowed are prohibited. Includes all formulations of the propagation hormone IBA (Indol-3-butyric acid) as well as the growth regulator NAA (1-Naphthalene acetic acid).

A

Guano, bat or bird

Shall be decomposed and dried deposits from wild bats or birds. Domesticated fowl excrement is considered ‘manure’; not ‘guano’. See ‘Compost’ for the definition of compost.

X

Gypsum,
by-product

Gypsum produced as a by-product of superphosphate manufacture (the reaction of rock phosphate and sulphuric acid), from precipitation of sulphur dioxide gas with limestone, or from dry-wall rejects is prohibited.

A

Gypsum, mined

Calcium sulphate. Mined source; for correcting calcium and/ or sulfur deficiencies and for amending soil salinity problems documented by soil and / or plant tissue testing.

A

Hay

See ‘Plants’. Crop wastes that potentially contain significant levels of pesticide contaminants are restricted.

X

HEDTA

Prohibited as a chelating agent in fertilizers.

Hormones

See ‘Growth regulators for plants (allowed & prohibited)’.

X

Hot lime

Also known as calcium hydroxide or quicklime

X

Human excrement

Prohibited.

A

Humic acid

Dilute potassium hydroxide extracts of mined sources

A

Humus from worms and insects (vermi-compost)

If made with materials in accordance with this standard.

X

Hydrated lime

Also known as Slaked Lime.

A

Hydrated magnesium sulphate

Epsom salts and Kieserite. Sulphates produced using sulfuric acid are prohibited.

Indole acetic acid

See ‘Growth regulators for plants (allowed & prohibited)’.

Inoculants

See ‘Microbial products’.

A

Iodine

Non-elemental and not to exceed 5% solution by volume

A

Iron citrate

May be used where a soil or plant nutrient deficiency is documented by soil or tissue testing.

A

Iron products (allowed)

Ferric oxide, ferric sulphate, ferrous sulphate, iron citrate, iron sulphate or iron tartrate may be used where a soil or plant nutrient deficiency is documented by soil or tissue testing.

X

Iron products (prohibited)

Includes ferrous ammonium sulphate, ferric chloride, iron nitrate and synthetic iron phosphate. See ‘Trace elements (micronutrients)’.

A

Iron sulphates

May be used where a soil or plant nutrient deficiency is documented by soil or tissue testing. Sulphates produced using sulfuric acid are prohibited.

A

Iron tartrate

May be used where a soil or plant nutrient deficiency is documented by soil or tissue testing. Sulphates produced using sulfuric acid are prohibited.

A

Kaolin clay

Allowed

A

Kelp and kelp products

See ‘Aquatic plant products’.

A

Kieserite

See ‘Mined minerals’

A

Langbeinite

Also known as sulphate of potash magnesia. See ‘Mined minerals’.

A

Leaf mould

See ‘Plants’.

X

Leather by-products

Residues from hide processing. Likely to be highly contaminated with synthetic metals or solvents which are used in leather processing. Includes leather meal, leather tankage, and leather dust.

Leonardite

See ‘Humic acid’

A

Lignin
sulfonate

See ’Chelates (allowed)’.

Lignite

See ‘Humic acid’

A

Lignosulfonic acid

See 'Chelates (allowed)'.

X

Lime, burned

Calcium oxide, also known as quicklime.

X

Lime, hot

Also known as calcium hydroxide. Prohibited.

X

Lime, slaked

Calcium hydroxide. Also known as hydrated lime.

A

Limestone (allowed)

Magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate. May cause build-up of magnesium. Use with caution. Shall be from natural source. Oyster shell flour, limestone, dolomite (not slaked), aragonite, eggshell meal, lime from sugar processing and mined CaCO3 are allowed.
Calcium products that have been used in controlled atmosphere storage are prohibited.

X

Lye

Prohibited for use in landscapes or plant production such as for adjusting pH.

A

Magnesium carbonate

Naturally occurring in dolomite and magnesite.

A

Magnesium
chloride

Natural sources only.

X

Magnesium oxide

Prohibited. Produced by heating magnesium carbonate.

A

Magnesium rock

Natural substance or those derived from natural substances without addition of chemically synthesized substances or chemical treatments. See ‘Mined minerals’.

A

Magnesium sulphate, mined

As Kieserite or Epsom salts. See ‘Mined minerals’. Permitted if mined. Sulphates produced using sulfuric acid are prohibited.
From natural sources as soil/plant amendments included with micronutrients; for use as a soil amendments where there is evidence of documented magnesium deficiency.

A

Magnesium sulphate, synthetic

As synthetically produced Epsom salts. Allowed for use with a documented magnesium deficiency.

A

Manganese products (allowed)

Manganous oxide and manganese sulphate may be used to correct documented manganese deficiencies. See ‘Trace elements (micronutrients)’.

X

Manganese products (prohibited)

Manganese chloride, manganese nitrate and potassium permanganate are prohibited. See ‘Trace elements (micronutrients)’.

X

Manganese chloride

Prohibited.

X

Manganese nitrate

Prohibited.

A

Manganese sulphate

May be used to correct documented manganese deficiencies.

A

Manganous oxide

May be used to correct documented manganese deficiencies.

A

Manure

See ‘Animal manure, unprocessed and processed’

A

Manure tea

Must be made from composted manure. Must not come into contact with edible plant parts. Must be used with other soil building practices.

A

Mica

See ‘Mined minerals, unprocessed’.

A

Microbial inoculants

See 'Microbial products'.

A

Microbial products

Allowable microbial products include Rhizobium bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, Azolla, yeast and other microorganisms on compost, plants, seeds, soils and other components of the organic operation.

Ionizing radiation is allowed for use on peat moss carrier only, before addition of microbial inoculants. Radiation is otherwise prohibited.

Genetically engineered organisms or viruses are prohibited.

Microbial products are prohibited if the final product contains synthetic preservatives such as sodium sulphite, or they are fortified with otherwise prohibited plant nutrients.

Micronutrients, synthetic

See ‘Trace elements (micronutrients)’.

A

Mined minerals, and unprocessed mined minerals

A mined mineral must not have undergone any change in its molecular structure thorough heating or combining with other substances. Acceptable if the substance is not processed or fortified with synthetic chemicals. Mined minerals are regarded as supplements to a balanced organic soil building program. Some of the minerals that are mined can also be made synthetically or are byproducts of industry; investigate the source of any new substance.

Sodium nitrate is prohibited.

A

Molasses

Shall be organic molasses unless not commercially available.

A

Molybdenum products

To correct documented molybdenum deficiencies. See ‘Trace elements (micronutrients)’.

A

Mulch

Non-organic sources of straw, leaves, grass clippings or hay shall be free of pesticides and other contaminants. Wood chips and sawdust shall be from untreated wood. Cedar and Redwood contain compounds that make these materials unsuitable for application in most planted areas. Organic matter in the form of plant residues from organic sources is allowed for mulching.

A

Muriate of potash

Mined potassium salts (e.g. sylvinite, kainite)

A

Mushroom compost

See ‘Compost’.

A

Naturally occurring biological organisms (e.g. worms) and their products

Worm castings (vermi-compost) from organic or non-organic manure sources in accordance with this standard.

A

Newspaper
(allowed)

Plain paper and paper printed with vegetable based inks is allowed as a mulch or compost ingredient. May cause build-up of aluminum. Use with caution.

X

Newspaper
(prohibited)

Coloured or glossy paper is prohibited for use as a mulch or compost ingredient.

X

Niter

Also known as potassium nitrate. No mined source of niter has been verified at this time.

X

Nitrate of soda-potash

Prohibited.

X

NTA

Prohibited.

A

Oyster shell flour

Ground shells from oysters. See ‘Limestone’

A

Paper
(allowed)

Plain paper and paper printed with vegetable based inks is allowed as a mulch or compost ingredient. May cause build-up of aluminum. Use with caution.

X

Paper
(prohibited)

Coloured or glossy paper is prohibited for use as a mulch or compost ingredient.