Fertilizer + Natural Pest Deterrent

Best Organic Tea Seed Meal (4-1-1): Dual-Purpose Fertilizer & Natural Saponin Pest Deterrent for Lawns & Gardens Buy on Old Cobblers Farm

Updated April 2026 By the Old Cobblers Farm Team

Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Organics Tea Seed Meal

by Wicked Organics — Littleton, NH

4-1-1
N-P-K Ratio
"The only organic amendment in the lineup that fertilizes and deters pests simultaneously. Natural saponins from Camellia seeds act as a vermifuge that drives soil-dwelling pests to the surface, while 4-1-1 NPK provides slow-release organic nutrition."
4-1-1
NPK Ratio
Saponins
Natural Pest Deterrent
250 ft²
Garden Coverage / bag
4 Sizes
5, 10, 15, 20 lbs
🍵

Natural Saponin Pest Deterrent

Tea saponins irritate soft-bodied soil organisms, driving slugs, grubs, and surface-casting earthworms to the surface. Used on golf courses to reduce earthworm casting without chemicals.

🌿

4-1-1 Organic Nutrition

Moderate nitrogen with balanced P and K provides steady organic feeding. Not a heavy hitter on NPK, but the dual fertilizer + pest deterrent function makes it unique.

🏌️

Turf Professional Favorite

Golf course superintendents use tea seed meal to reduce earthworm surface castings that disrupt putting greens. Increasingly popular in premium lawn care programs.

💧

Water In to Activate

Saponins activate when watered in. Apply and irrigate 0.25–0.5 inches within 24 hours to drive the saponin solution into the soil profile where pests live.

📅

Monthly Application

Apply monthly during the growing season for both nutritional and pest-deterrent benefits. Saponin effect fades after 2–4 weeks, so consistent reapplication maintains results.

🐌

Slug & Grub Reduction

Saponins are particularly effective against slugs and white grubs. Drives them to the surface where birds, predators, and UV exposure reduce populations naturally.

✅

Plant-Based & Organic

100% plant-derived from Camellia oleifera seeds — a byproduct of tea oil production. Approved for organic use in most programs.

🇺🇸

Trusted by 20,000+ Growers

Developed in Littleton, New Hampshire. Sold nationwide on Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and theoldcobblersfarm.com.

NPK Ratio4-1-1
Derived FromCamellia seed meal (100%)
Item FormGranular meal
Release SpeedModerate slow-release
Application Rate2–4 lbs / 100 sq ft (garden) | 6–12 lbs / 1,000 sq ft (lawn)
MethodBroadcast and water in 0.25–0.5"
FrequencyMonthly during growing season
Sizes5 lb | 10 lb | 15 lb | 20 lb
SupportsLawns, gardens, vegetables, ornamentals, fruit trees, turf
SetupsLawns, garden beds, raised beds, containers, orchards, turf
What We Love
✓ Dual-purpose: organic fertilizer + natural saponin pest deterrent
✓ Drives slugs, grubs, and surface-casting worms to the surface
✓ Used by golf course professionals for earthworm casting control
✓ 100% plant-based from Camellia seeds
✓ Monthly application provides continuous feeding and pest reduction
Worth Noting
— Must water in to activate saponins — not a dry-apply-only product
— Lower NPK than dedicated nitrogen sources — supplement with other amendments
Buy on Old Cobblers Farm →
Available in 5 lb | 10 lb | 15 lb | 20 lb
Feature Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Organics Tea Seed Meal Tea Seed Meal CastAway DG Tea Seed Meal Castaway 3-0-1 Tea Seed Meal Tea Seed Meal Tea Seed Meal Tea Seed Meal Tea Seed Meal CastAway DG Tea Seed Meal Tea Seed Meal Neem Seed Meal Pest Control Insecticidal Soap Neem Oil RTU Neem Oil Organics Neem Oil
NPK 4-1-1 ~4-1-1 (saponin 15–18%) 1-0-0 3-0-1 ~4-1-1 (standard) Saponin 15–18% Standard tea seed meal ~4-1-1 1-0-0 4-1-2001 4-1-2001 6-1-2002 Liquid Liquid Liquid Liquid Liquid
Phosphorus 1.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Potassium 1.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.0% 1.0% 2.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Form Granular meal
Sizes 5 lb | 10 lb | 15 lb | 20 lb 40 lb 50 lb 50 lb 5 lb 15 oz 32 oz 24 oz 10 oz 24 oz
Release Speed Moderate slow-release
The Competition

Tea Seed Meal

by Planet Turf
~4-1-1 (saponin 15–18%)
N-P-K
Price$76 / 25 lb; $100–$116 / 50 lb
Tea seed meal is a **very niche market** with limited consumer-grade competitors. Most products are sold through professional turf channels. The Wicked Organics 4-1-1 NPK is distinctive versus competitors' 1-0-0 or 3-0-1. Prices have surged due to China shipping costs and jumping worm control demand. Not available at any major big-box retailer.

CastAway DG Tea Seed Meal

by The Andersons
1-0-0
N-P-K
Price$75–$95 / 40 lb
Tea seed meal is a **very niche market** with limited consumer-grade competitors. Most products are sold through professional turf channels. The Wicked Organics 4-1-1 NPK is distinctive versus competitors' 1-0-0 or 3-0-1. Prices have surged due to China shipping costs and jumping worm control demand. Not available at any major big-box retailer.

Castaway 3-0-1 Tea Seed Meal

by EH Griffith
3-0-1
N-P-K
Price$60–$80 / 25 lb
Tea seed meal is a **very niche market** with limited consumer-grade competitors. Most products are sold through professional turf channels. The Wicked Organics 4-1-1 NPK is distinctive versus competitors' 1-0-0 or 3-0-1. Prices have surged due to China shipping costs and jumping worm control demand. Not available at any major big-box retailer.

Tea Seed Meal

by Genesis Supply Store
~4-1-1 (standard)
N-P-K
Price$55–$70 / 25 lb
Tea seed meal is a **very niche market** with limited consumer-grade competitors. Most products are sold through professional turf channels. The Wicked Organics 4-1-1 NPK is distinctive versus competitors' 1-0-0 or 3-0-1. Prices have surged due to China shipping costs and jumping worm control demand. Not available at any major big-box retailer.

Tea Seed Meal

by North Country Organics
Saponin 15–18%
N-P-K
PriceVaries (bulk)
Tea seed meal is a **very niche market** with limited consumer-grade competitors. Most products are sold through professional turf channels. The Wicked Organics 4-1-1 NPK is distinctive versus competitors' 1-0-0 or 3-0-1. Prices have surged due to China shipping costs and jumping worm control demand. Not available at any major big-box retailer.

Tea Seed Meal

by Compostwerks
Standard tea seed meal
N-P-K
Price~$60–$90 / 25 lb
Tea seed meal is a **very niche market** with limited consumer-grade competitors. Most products are sold through professional turf channels. The Wicked Organics 4-1-1 NPK is distinctive versus competitors' 1-0-0 or 3-0-1. Prices have surged due to China shipping costs and jumping worm control demand. Not available at any major big-box retailer.

Tea Seed Meal

by PlantEarth (Amazon seller)
~4-1-1
N-P-K
Price~$76 / 25 lb
Tea seed meal is a **very niche market** with limited consumer-grade competitors. Most products are sold through professional turf channels. The Wicked Organics 4-1-1 NPK is distinctive versus competitors' 1-0-0 or 3-0-1. Prices have surged due to China shipping costs and jumping worm control demand. Not available at any major big-box retailer.

CastAway DG

by The Andersons
1-0-0
N-P-K
Sizes40 lb
Price$122.11
OrganicNatural

Tea Seed Meal

by Planet Turf
4-1-2001
N-P-K
Sizes50 lb
Price$148.43
OrganicNatural

Tea Seed Meal

by Compostwerks
4-1-2001
N-P-K
Sizes50 lb
Price$88.70
OrganicNatural

Neem Seed Meal

by Down To Earth
6-1-2002
N-P-K
Sizes5 lb
Price$19.99
OrganicOMRI

Pest Control

by Mighty Mint
Liquid
N-P-K
Sizes15 oz
Price$12.99
OrganicOrganic

Insecticidal Soap

by Captain Jack's
Liquid
N-P-K
Sizes32 oz
Price$10.97
OrganicOrganic

Neem Oil RTU

by Natria
Liquid
N-P-K
Sizes24 oz
Price$12.99
OrganicOMRI

Neem Oil

by Garden Safe
Liquid
N-P-K
Sizes10 oz
Price$10.97
OrganicNatural

Organics Neem Oil

by BioAdvanced
Liquid
N-P-K
Sizes24 oz
Price$10.99
OrganicOrganic

🍵

Natural Saponin Pest Deterrent

Tea saponins irritate soft-bodied soil organisms, driving slugs, grubs, and surface-casting earthworms to the surface. Used on golf courses to reduce earthworm casting without chemicals.

🌿

4-1-1 Organic Nutrition

Moderate nitrogen with balanced P and K provides steady organic feeding. Not a heavy hitter on NPK, but the dual fertilizer + pest deterrent function makes it unique.

🏌️

Turf Professional Favorite

Golf course superintendents use tea seed meal to reduce earthworm surface castings that disrupt putting greens. Increasingly popular in premium lawn care programs.

💧

Water In to Activate

Saponins activate when watered in. Apply and irrigate 0.25–0.5 inches within 24 hours to drive the saponin solution into the soil profile where pests live.

Common Questions