FERTILIZERS:
       Synthetic Vs. Organic

Soil needs nurturing. A walk over a spongy forest floor quickly reveals how Mother Nature has accomplished this over the centuries: fallen leaves and dying plant material return to the soil what plants and trees have taken from it. Added to that are animal droppings, and the decomposing bodies of dead creatures; all are worked on by microorganisms and insects that digest decaying matter and turn it back to the soil.

Humans often take more from the soil than we return to it. We rake up leaves in the fall and clean up all dying plant material—in short, we take away the soil’s sources of nourishment. Bagging leaves for garbage pick-up is like giving away a garden’s gold. It’s important to feed soil by returning nutrients to it.

But after improving soil with compost or humus in the form of decayed leaves and plant material, you have to decide between synthetic and organic fertilizers. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, and strong proponents of both. Whenever possible, use organic fertilizers, but there are times when gardeners choose synthetics.

All complete fertilizers, organic and synthetic, contain three active ingredients, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The difference is that organic fertilizers originate in nature, and are derived from natural, living or once-living sources, such as bone meal or fish emulsion, and synthetics are manufactured from non-living sources. Nitrogen stimulates the growth of green leaves; phosphorus promotes roots, flowers and fruit, and helps plants resist disease; and potassium builds strong stems and roots, and assists nitrogen and phosphorus in their respective jobs.

In organic fertilizers. bloodmeal, bonemeal, fish meal, canola-seed meal and manure supply nitrogen. Phosphorus is also available in bonemeal, as well as in rock phosphate. And potassium is found in manure, wood ashes, liquid seaweed, kelp meal and greensand.

Synthetic fertilizers are usually formulated from combinations of manmade chemicals, and the ingredients are listed on the bag or package. They’re usually faster acting than organics.

You can find many of different types of fertilizer both organic and natural at your local hardware store or garden center.

ADVANTAGES

• They’re quickly released into the soil for use by the plant
• Quantities are easy to control, meaning they’re easier to apply accurately
• They’re often formulated for specific plants
• They’re disease free

DISADVANTAGES

• They provide no soil-building organic matter
• They can dill earthworms, soil insects and microbes
• If used improperly they can weaken plants
• Care must be taken to avoid an overdose
• They don’t always contain trace elements
• They can be expensive
• They can tempt you into looking for a quick fix instead of concentrating on soil improvement
• They require energy to manufacture

ORGANIC

ADVANTAGES

• Nutrients are discharged slowly, like time-release medicines
• They contain trace elements
• They can be less expensive, especially if you make your own compost
• Most add organic material as well as nutrients to the soil, thereby enhancing organic activity of soil-building microbes

DISADVANTAGES

• Results can be slower
• They don’t always contain the right balance of nutrients for specific plants
• Difficult to measure accurately the required amounts