Chemical Fertilizer vs Organic Fertilizer
In writing this article on chemical fertilizer vs organic fertilizer I want you to know that right from the start I am an organic gardner. I truly believe that chemical fertilizers have had their place in history and have got us through some rough times. With today's knowledge though we are more educated in this area and we know that for lasting survival we need to pay attention to our surroundings and enviroment.
What is a Fertilizer?
Any substance such as manure or a mixture of nitrates used to make soil more fertile. They provide to the plants the needed protein supplements. They are used to improve the soil with nutrients that it does not normally have. Should be used only when actually needed, a soil test should come into play here. Excessive use of many types of fertilizers wipes out the normally present components in soil.
What is a Chemical Fertilizer?
The chemical fertilizer is man made to have the vital nutrients of mainly NPK that are essential for the plant growth. Basically, the chemicals are collected according to the NPK content of those chemicals and normally released into the soil to meet the needs of the plants growing there. They give the plant immediate food and they do grow fast, but don't last long. These fertilizers were introduced in the early 1900s to help the farmer produce more food. Over a period of time it has not feed the soil but added salts and other contaminates that run off into our water.
If I was to fertilize my lawn with a chemical fertilizer and it made the grass look great-green and healthy. My daughter comes over to my house with their children the next day. The youngest being only 14 months old. They want to go out and play in my yard. Can I let them do that? My daughter takes the young one out and sets her on the lawn. We all know that youngsters like to put everything in their mouths. Anything in that lawn has come in contact with the chemical fertilizers. Will that fertilizer she puts in her mouth going to be as beneficial to her as to the lawn? Of course not.
My comments on chemical fertilizers:
chemical fertilizers could burn plants and harm delicate seedling roots
result in leaching and can contaminate groundwater
requires many applications
can make soil toxic after perpetual use
has mineral salts which can increase over time and exterminate soil microbes
shown to over time exhaust the soil
get snapping instantly and release the essential nutrients into the soil
have to worry about spilling it or having your pets or children around it
What is an organic fertilizer?
A fertilizer that is derived from animal or vegetable matter. Matter that 'mother nature' has been using for millions of years to nourish the earth. It is a fertilizer that is slow release but spreads many nutrients other than the big three of NPK. It feeds the soil not only the plant, like chemical fertilizers, which will stick around for years and years. Feeds microorganisms, worms,
beneficial insects and many more. Ah, and to set my granddaughter in the middle of the lawn with organic fertilizers on it is not a concern.
My comments on organic fertilizers:
are non-burning and won't harm fragile seedling roots
improve soil structure
increase water holding capacity
increases nutrient holding capacity
promotes earthworms and soil micro-organisms
improves soil over time, a slow nutrient releasing substance, so the nutrients will take a little time to get absorbed
easily acquirable in nature
Organic fertilizers are renewable, biodegradable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly
are products of plants and animals and from powdered rock
are grain based such as alfalfa meal, soy meal, corn meal and cottonseed meal
Therefore, let us use common sense and do things the right way which includes using organic gardening methods and minimizing chemical fertilizer methods. Any responsible gardner needs to think ahead and know what the outcome will be for applying chemical fertilizers. Use them responsibly.
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jim ellison enterprises
342 broken arrow
floresville, texas 78114
info@basic-info-4-organic-fertilizers.com
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