Going Organic The Benefits of Organic Fertilizers

With the movement towards environmentally friendly practices in and around our homes, making the switch to organic gardening has never been easier.

Why go organic?

• Organic fertilizers are those found naturally in our soils.
• They are safe to use around our children and out pets.
• They eliminate the use of toxic chemicals around our family and wildlife.
• They eliminate chemical fertilizers from leaching into our garden food and out water system.
• They are readily available and often work just as well – if not better – than chemical fertilizers.

Comparing organic vs. chemical fertilizers

Organic fertilizers are slow releasing fertilizers which do not damage the root system or over-fertilize the plant. They may not work as quickly as chemical fertilizers, but they slowly work to improve the quality of the soil over the season and throughout the year.

The organic materials found in organic fertilizers, which include nitrogen, potash and phosphates, are all found in healthy soils. So every time you fertilize with an organic fertilizer, you are not only feeding the plant, but the soil as well.

Synthetic fertilizers, on the other hand, often break down the soil and destroy the natural soil structure and composition. And because they are absorbed so quickly, they often damage the plant by over-fertilizing it and burning out the roots. Chemical fertilizers also require careful handling and protective eyewear and gloves.

You can purchase organic fertilizer at your local nursery or landscape supply center, or you can make it yourself! Consider a compost pile for a readily available supply of organic fertilizer.

Make your own compost and organic fertilizer

Just some of the waste items from your home that you can use to make organic fertilizer include decayed kitchen and garbage waste, fish blood and bone, bone meal, fish emulsion and seaweed. You can make a simple compost pile by combining kitchen waste, fireplace ash and wet newspaper. You efforts will pay off in the form of rich, nutritious soil in about a year.

You can purchase your organic fertilizer in different forms to accommodate your needs, including liquid, pellets or granular.

Improve the health of the environment - and your family

One of the most interesting aspects of using organic fertilizers includes the increase in the number of birds, butterflies and wildlife after chemical fertilizers are eliminated. If you want to experience wildlife in your own backyard, consider dumping your synthetic fertilizers for their organic counterparts.

Organic fertilizers are easier to use than ever before, and are readily available. And since they are often just as effective as synthetic fertilizers, many homeowners are recognizing the advantages of going organic.

Consider the many things around you when making your decision: your family, your children, your water supply, wildlife, insects and butterflies. All of these things make up the ecosystem in which we live. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that we educate ourselves on the potential dangers of introducing chemical fertilizers into our water, soil and atmosphere.

It also important to educate ourselves on the many ways organic fertilizers can help our ecosystem. Organic gardening is gentle on the earth, our bodies and our systems. Consider organic gardening for your next gardening project!