When it comes to offering your plants the nutrients they need, but are unable to get from untreated soil, natural and synthetic fertilizers are likely to feed your plants in ways that are very similar and they will probably both yield very similar results. However, a natural grass fertilizer offers advantages that no synthetic chemical can – here are some arguments why organic fertilization is a great solution.
Benefits for the Soil
Besides the obvious advantage of enriching the soil’s nutrient contents, natural fertilizers improve the structure of the soil as well, making them especially useful for soil types that contain high amounts of clay. As natural fertilizers decompose in the soil, they not only release their nutrient content – they also leave behind organic particles that improve the soil’s ability to retain water and nutrients, thus enhancing the quality of the environment in which your plants are growing.
Benefits for the Plants
Natural fertilizers release their nutrient content slowly, over periods that are much more prolonged than in the case of synthetic substances. Unlike in the case of using synthetic fertilizers that may burn your plants if used in concentrations that are too high, with organic fertilizers you cannot overfertilize your soil – your plants will get exactly the amount of nutrients they need.
Benefits for the Environment and Human Health – No Toxic Residues
One of the biggest concerns in the case of synthetic fertilizers is the amount of toxic components that get into the soil, into the plants and from there into our meals. Organic fertilizers leave behind no such toxic build-ups, therefore they make sure not only that your land is safe and healthy, but also that the plants you grow are safe as well.
Natural fertilizers are 100% biodegradable – the minerals and the other nutrients they contain are absorbed by the plants, while the fibers left behind after decomposition are incorporated into the soil. This also means that natural fertilizers do not upset the balance of the local eco-system and they are suitable for long-term usage without causing any harm.
Readily Available from Many Different Sources and Can Be Produced DIY as well
Natural fertilizers are sold in garden stores in bags, but the specialty store near you is not the only source you can turn to. The poultry waste used by many farmers and owners of small gardens for fertilizing their soil in a safe and all-natural way is available from poultry producers or from your own backyard (if you have a few hens and ducks). Composting is another handy option – all you need for making your own, nutrient-rich compost is a large bin and some attention to collect all the organic waste generated in your household separately and to add it to the bin. Be prepared that it might take up to a year to get compost that is ready to use – if you want to accelerate the process, however, you can, watering the contents of your compost bin, turning over the decomposing material regularly and adding special worms to speed up the process.