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
Tea seed meal is the rare organic product that does two jobs at once. 4-1-1 NPK feeds your plants while natural tea saponins drive soil-dwelling pests — slugs, grubs, and earthworm castings on lawns — to the surface where they're exposed and controlled. Feed and protect in one application.
Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Organics Tea Seed Meal
by Organic Fertilizer — 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 Ratio | 4-1-1 |
| Item Form | Granular meal |
| Coverage | 125–250 sq ft (garden) | 415–830 sq ft (lawn) per 5 lb bag |
| Category | Organic Fertilizer |
| Type | Single-Ingredient Meals |
| Sizes | 5 lb | 10 lb | 15 lb | 20 lb |
| NPK | 4-1-1 |
| Nitrogen | 4% |
| Phosphorus | 1% |
| Potassium | 1% |
| Bonus | Natural tea saponins (pest deterrent) |
| Form | Granular meal |
| Rate | 2–4 lbs / 100 sq ft (garden) or 6–12 lbs / 1,000 sq ft (lawn) |
| Method | Broadcast and water in 0.25–0.5" |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Sizes | 5, 10, 15, 20 lb bags |
| Best For | Lawns, gardens, slug/grub control, earthworm casting reduction |
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 Old Cobblers Farm | Tea Seed Meal Planet Turf | CastAway DG Tea Seed Meal The Andersons | Castaway 3-0-1 Tea Seed Meal EH Griffith | Tea Seed Meal Genesis Supply Store | Tea Seed Meal North Country Organics | Tea Seed Meal Compostwerks | Tea Seed Meal PlantEarth (Amazon seller) | CastAway DG The Andersons | Tea Seed Meal Planet Turf | Tea Seed Meal Compostwerks | Neem Seed Meal Down To Earth | Pest Control Mighty Mint | Insecticidal Soap Captain Jack's | Neem Oil RTU Natria | Neem Oil Garden Safe | Organics Neem Oil BioAdvanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4-1-1 | 4-1-1 | 6-1-2 | Liquid | Liquid | Liquid | Liquid | Liquid |
| Form | Granular meal | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Coverage | 125–250 sq ft (garden) | 415–830 sq ft (lawn) per 5 lb bag | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Price / Size | 5 lb | 10 lb | 15 lb | 20 lb | $76 / 25 lb; $100–$116 / 50 lb | $75–$95 / 40 lb | $60–$80 / 25 lb | $55–$70 / 25 lb | Varies (bulk) | ~$60–$90 / 25 lb | ~$76 / 25 lb | $122.11 | $148.43 | $88.70 | $19.99 | $12.99 | $10.97 | $12.99 | $10.97 | $10.99 |
| Our Take | The only organic amendment in the lineup that fertilizes and deters... | 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 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 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 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 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 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 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. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
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
4-1-1
N-P-K
Sizes50 lb
Price$148.43
OrganicNatural
Tea Seed Meal
by Compostwerks
4-1-1
N-P-K
Sizes50 lb
Price$88.70
OrganicNatural
Neem Seed Meal
by Down To Earth
6-1-2
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
