Organic Fertilizer Vs. Conventional Fertilizer: What’s Right for You?
Discover the differences between organic and conventional fertilizer.
Everyone passionate about gardening knows that the right fertilizer is crucial in keeping your lawn and garden healthy and thriving. With so many different kinds of fertilizers available on the market, deciding which would be best for your garden becomes confusing. Then there is always the option of making fertilizer, but we all know how much time you will have to put into that process, and you also need to know precisely which type of soil you have and what kind of nutrients is required in what amounts. This is why knowing some of the benefits of organic fertilizer versus conventional fertilizers can help you decide on the right one. Read on to learn more about organic and conventional fertilizers to understand the right one.
What is Organic Fertilizer?
These days, everything you see has the term organic attached to it. However, when it comes to planting, experts have been aware of the actual worth of organic things for a long time. Organic fertilizer is made with all-natural items and conditions. When you use organic fertilizers, it makes the soil as nutrient-rich as possible. Many different materials can be used to create organic fertilizer, including:
Peat: Any partially decomposed plant material is known as peat. Peat is one of the most commonly used components in organic fertilizers. Peat is rich in nutrients and adds a lot of moisture to the soil but still allows the ground to breathe naturally.
Plant waste: Plant waste is one of the best things to add to organic fertilizers while reducing waste. This can be thought of as compost, which is plant waste and many kitchen scraps such as vegetable peelings and other items. You can also put decomposing crops in your compost to make the soil more fertile in the coming months.
Animal waste: Animal waste or manure is also a commonly used component of many organic fertilizers to add nutrients to the soil, ensure the pH of the earth remains balanced, and change the fertilizer's overall consistency. This animal manure is also ideal for adding good bacteria, worms, and nitrogen, which keeps the soil fertile. This also helps reduce erosion. You can get waste from many sources, but it has to be composted with other materials to reduce the chance of errant seeds or harmful bacteria. However, it is essential to know that not every animal waste is suitable for your fertilizer, especially dogs. The manure is commonly taken from chickens, cows, horses, and even bats.
What is Conventional Fertilizer?
Also known as inorganic fertilizer, conventional fertilizer contains many of the same materials as organic fertilizers. However, conventional fertilizers also tend to have certain chemicals, minerals, and some other items that make materials that help plants absorb the nutrients needed as quickly as possible. These fertilizers are mostly found at garden centers and usually do not contain carbon-containing items except urea.
Conventional fertilizers are usually classified based on which nutrients they provide to the plants. The most common traditional fertilizers include:
Potassium (K)
Nitrogen (N)
Phosphorus (P)
Many times, another thing that gets added to conventional fertilizers is micronutrients like iron, manganese, or zinc that work as a catalyst for the chemical reactions to kick off in the fertilizer. Some conventional fertilizers can focus on just one of these nutrients (known as straight fertilizer). At the same time, some may be a combination of a few to create a treatment known as complex fertilizers.
The Differences Between Organic and Conventional Fertilizers
While fertilizers provide your lawns and gardens with extra nutrients to promote growth and prevent diseases, subtle differences may impact your plants. Let's take a look.
Organic fertilizers are best for conditions where you want to keep your soil healthy for longer. These are ideal for vegetable gardens and lawns that need extra care. They are also best for eco-friendly maintenance.
Meanwhile, conventional fertilizers are best for flower beds and places that need an immediate fix. They are also better for a more miniature garden with a dash of vitamins. However, they only help the condition of the soil improve for a short time.
