Organic Fertilizers

Throughout the past decade, there has been increased interest in customers wanting to learn about organic lawn care. Our experience with customers that contact us regarding organic treatments is they are more interested in reducing weed control, insect control, and disease control on their property, while the source of the fertilizer is less important. This blog is intended to discuss the differences between organic and synthetic fertilizers, not control products.

What are organic fertilizers?

An organic fertilizer is derived directly from plant sources, animal sources or human waste. Examples of organic fertilizers include manure, compost, bone meal, or blood meal, etc.

What are the differences between organic and synthetic fertilizers?

Both organic and synthetic fertilizers can provide plants with key nutrients needed to grow healthy and strong; however, they differ in how those nutrients are derived.

Organic fertilizers can provide the three key nutrients for plant growth; nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, but in smaller percentages when compared to synthetic fertilizers. Microbes in the soil are needed to convert organic fertilizers into nutrients that the plant can use. This process takes some time, and it can vary dependent on environmental factors. Organic fertilizers can also provide some secondary nutrients such as calcium, sulfur, and magnesium, as well as micro-nutrients like boron, chlorine, manganese, iron, and zinc to the grass plants for use. Organic fertilizers are typically more expensive than synthetics because of how they are sourced, and you will need to apply higher quantities of fertilizer to get the right amount of nutrients needed by your turf.

Within synthetic fertilizers, nitrogen and phosphorous are derived from petroleum products, while potassium is a mineral that is mined from the ground. When using synthetic fertilizers, the conversion process from the fertilizer to a usable form to the plant is usually a shorter process compared to organic fertilizer. With synthetic fertilizer, nitrogen can be manufactured in different ways to have slow-release capabilities, similar to or even longer than organic fertilizers. Unlike organic fertilizers where the amount of nutrients released to the plant are controlled by the soil microbes, with synthetic fertilizers the slow release can be customized to provide more uniform grass growth and effective nutrient absorption. Secondary and micro-nutrients can be added to synthetic fertilizers if necessary.

Is organic fertilizer better than synthetic fertilizer?

Both synthetic and organic fertilizers can provide vital nutrients to help your lawn grow and thrive. An obvious benefit to organic fertilizers, is that it is organic, renewable, biodegradable, sustainable and environmentally friendly. Additionally, organic fertilizers, if used for a long period of time, improve the structure of the soil, and increase the soil’s ability to hold water and nutrients. Please keep in mind that your grass cannot distinguish between what is organic fertilizer or synthetic fertilizer, the nutrients are processed by the plants in the exact the same way.

It is important to remember that the quality of fertilizer the consumer purchases is very important for both organic and synthetic fertilizers. You can buy a high quality organic or synthetic fertilizer that provides your turf with the nutrients it needs, while a poor quality organic or synthetic fertilizer may not. Whether you choose to use synthetic or organic fertilizers, quality is very important

Conclusion

Once you understand what your turfgrass needs, you can then choose a fertilizer, organic or synthetic, that supplements those nutrient deficiencies. Both synthetic and organic fertilizers can provide your lawn with the nutrients that promote growth and health. If you are in our service area and would like more information about organic lawn care, request an estimate or call our office at 908-281-7888.