The Great (Fertilizer) Debate: Organic vs. Synthetic - ULTRALawn (2024)

FAQs

Which is better artificial fertilizer or organic fertilizer explain your answer? ›

Organically derived fertilizers often provide the secondary and micronutrients plants need, usually absent in synthetic fertilizers. Organically derived fertilizers typically have a lower NPK analysis (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) than synthetics fertilizers, but they feed plants for a much longer period of time.

Plants respond more quickly to chemical fertilizer. Even in poor soil conditions, they can still do well. Organic fertilizer will make your soil healthier in the long run, but it will take up to a few years to see all of the benefits.

Organic materials and fertilizers improve the soil texture, allowing it to hold water longer, and increase the bacterial and fungal activity in the soil. So, they not only assist your plants, they help the soil. Synthetic fertilizers, on the other hand, deplete the soil of its nutrients, making it unproductive.

Dependent on microorganisms in the soil to break down organic material. Soils depleted of these beneficial microbes further delay the results from organics. More expensive than chemical fertilizer applied to equal square footage. Some retailers do not offer larger size bags that would make it more economical.

Organic fertilizers are naturally available mineral sources that contain moderate amount of plant essential nutrients. They are capable of mitigating problems associated with synthetic fertilizers. They reduce the necessity of repeated application of synthetic fertilizers to maintain soil fertility.

Potential drawbacks of synthetic fertilizer usage include soil hardening, decreased fertility, water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and health hazards like hemoglobin disorders, Alzheimer's, and diabetes due to high nitrate levels.

Their major advantage is adding bulk to the soil. Except for manure, the organics generally release their nutrients over a fairly long period. However, the potential drawback is that they may not release enough of their principal nutrient at a time to give a plant what it needs for best growth.

Organic fertilizers, being derived from natural sources, release nutrients slowly and in a more controlled manner. This reduces the risk of nitrogen loss to the atmosphere, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution associated with fertilizer use.

Less expensive.

organic fertilizer is that they are inexpensive compared or organic applications. These refined materials can be produced in bulk and have a longer shelf life, reducing production costs— and thus, savings, onto the consumer.

Does synthetic fertilizer remain in the soil longer? ›

Organic fertilizers require extra time to break down into the minerals and micronutrients plant roots can take up. Synthetic liquid fertilizers have nutrients that are “ready for uptake,” so they typically won't last in the soil for more than a week.

But organic fertilizers have advantages. They don't make a crust on the soil as inorganic fertilizers sometimes do. They improve water movement into the soil and, in time, add structure to the soil. Organics feed beneficial microbes, making the soil easier to work.

Waterway pollution, chemical burn to crops, increased air pollution, soil acidification, and mineral depletion are just a few of the problems that chemical fertilisers problems. Synthetic fertilisers are said to destroy soil microbes, according to some sources.

Fertilizers from organic sources generally won't burn plants when used properly and don't need to be watered-in, which can help conserve water. Nutrients in organically derived fertilizers are also less likely to leach into groundwater or contaminate waterways.

Organic manure improves the texture of the soil by not altering the pH of the soil. It has more moisture and organic content. Organic manure is usually derived from animal matter, animal and human excreta, and vegetative matter (e.g. compost and crop residues). As a result, it causes less damage to the environment.

Organic fertilisers continue to improve the soil long after the plants have taken the nutrients they need. Therefore, the longer your soil is fed with organic fertilisers, the better its composition and texture. So, while inorganic fertiliser may be cheaper in the short term, it adds less to the soil in the long term.

Composting is better for the environment but requires more effort to make than just buying a bag of fertilizer. Fertilizer is easy to use, but it's made of synthetic chemicals that can cause pollution and issues with your soil.

Artificial fertilisers contain a relatively high quantity of nutrients so smaller volumes of them are needed. They are generally less expensive to make than natural fertilisers. Artificial fertilisers can release their nutrients into the soil very quickly.