Fertilizing is an essential part of a thick and healthy green lawn. Our lawns are like us when it comes to needing nutrients to thrive and combat illness. So, maybe you’ve come to the conclusion that a healthy lawn is important to you, but what do you use? With so many options on the market, the answer can be hard to find. We’re going to break down the differences between organic and chemical fertilizers and weigh the pros and cons of each so that you can pick the option that’s right for your lawn and garden.
Organic Fertilizers
Organic fertilizers consist of material that has been minimally processed rather than being extracted and refined so that the materials can retain their natural forms. Organic or natural fertilizers are typically made of plants, animal waste, and minerals. These can be purchased or made by yourself as they don’t require any special equipment.
Pros:
- Improves the structure of your soil which will lead to healthier lawns and gardens over time.
- Organic crops tend to be more nutrient dense and are more flavorful due to the nutrients they are pulling from healthy soil that hasn’t been depleted of minerals and nutrients.
- You won’t have to deal with a toxic buildup of chemicals in your plants because the organic material will fully decompose.
- You are less likely to harm or kill your plants because the fertilizer is slow working.
Cons:
- Nutrients are not immediately available to plants because they need time to break down. You may have a period of time where the plants struggle before the fertilizer starts working its magic.
- They can typically be more expensive and less available than inorganic options.
- The amount of nutrients going into your soil can only be a guess as there are many factors to consider such as the age of the manure, where it came from, and weather conditions.
Chemical Fertilizers
Chemical, or inorganic fertilizers are widely available and are used more commonly than their organic counterpart. Manufacturers of chemical fertilizers refine materials in order to extract nutrients before combining with chemical fillers. Common ingredients used are petroleum products and rocks, but organic sources are also used in many cases. While these fertilizers may use organic product, they are not considered organic because the materials are stripped down to their pure state.
Pros:
- Unlike organic fertilizers, nutrients are available to the plants right away because the materials have been stripped down. You can see improvement within days.
- They are an affordable and widely accessible option.
- Because of the process used to make the fertilizer, you will know the exact ratio of nutrients you are giving your lawn and garden.
Cons:
- You plants will grow more quickly, but the fertilizer will do absolutely nothing to sustain the soil and improve it for future use. This could result in long-term damage to your soil.
- Using chemical fertilizers on a regular basis can result in a buildup of chemicals such as uranium, arsenic, and cadmium. These chemicals could potentially leak into your fruits and vegetables.
- You can easily over fertilize because the nutrients will start working so quickly. This doesn’t help your plants, and in fact, can actually kill them.
- Chemical fertilizers can deplete the nutrients and minerals that are naturally found in fertile soils which leads to food that will be less flavorful and nutrient dense.
- The chemicals in the fertilizer can potentially damage the root of your plants.
What is The Right Choice?
At the end of the day, it’s really up to you. We think that organic fertilizers are the better option overall because they are better for your plants and soil in the long term. However, chemical fertilizers may be the option for you if you are pressed for time and require a more affordable option.
If you have any questions, let us know! We have a large network of experienced service experts who can answer your questions about fertilizer and and much, much more.
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