Organic fertilizer is a natural way to get your garden growing and looking beautiful. There are so many benefits of using organic fertilizer that it has become the go-to for home gardeners, farmers and professional landscapers alike.
In recent years, organic fertilizer has become a popular way to improve the health of plants in gardens. It is better for the environment and helps gardeners avoid chemicals that may be harmful to them or their families.
There are many types of organic fertilizer, and each one needs slightly different instructions on how best to use it.
There are certain elements such as carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O) and nitrogen (N) that plants require regardless of what type of fertilizer they are using.
The ratios of these elements will vary depending on the type of organic fertilizer used, but generally speaking, they provide plants with:
- Nitrogen for strong, green growth and abundant foliage
- Phosphorous to strengthen roots and promote flowering
- Potassium to maintain resistance against disease or pest attacks
- Sulfur for greener leaves
Keeping these proportions in mind when choosing an organic fertilizer makes it possible to find one that best suits a gardener's needs.
Additionally, there are many other benefits, such as not being exposed to chemicals while working in the yard. Organic fertilizers do not contain any poisons or hazardous materials, so this means you can be around them without fear of inhaling or coming into contact with any harmful substances.
There is also the fact that organic fertilizer can be used in various ways, which means it has more versatility and usefulness than some other chemical fertilizers.
Organic Fertilizers are Made from Natural Materials
Most popular organic fertilizers are made from natural materials such as compost, animal by-products, organic manure, plant-based compounds and bone meal—these help plant growth with lush leaves and a healthy head of flowers.
The best way to make your compost pile is by throwing in kitchen waste like vegetable peels and apple cores that will break down into rich soil for your garden or lawn.
This type of fertilizer also contains nutrients for flowering plants to achieve their full potential during blooming periods.
Faster Growth and Healthier Roots
Organic fertilizer has also been shown to improve the health of roots in plants and help them grow up strong. This is because it contains organic material that will slowly release nutrients for a longer time instead of all at once as conventional fertilizers do.
Organic fertilizers also break down over time and provide the nutrients to plants in a uniform, more consistent pattern.
Organic fertilizers are also less likely to burn roots or damage them over time, while inorganic fertilizers can easily do this.
Improves the Soil Quality
One of the greatest benefits of using organic fertilizer is that it produces natural, healthy soil rich in nutrients and improves water retention and soil structure.
One of the most important factors to look at when gardening is the quality of the soil.
Good soil is composed of many organic materials, which often come from animal products that can provide a good balance of nutrients.
Less Fertilization Required
Another benefit of using organic fertilizer is that you'll spend less time and money on fertilizers made from synthetic substances.
Organic fertilizers use natural means to feed the plants, leading to a reduced need for artificial fertilization.
Provide Essential Nutrients for Healthy Plants
A good reason to try organic fertilizer is the fact that it contains essential nutrients for plants.
The quality of fertilizer largely determines the quality of plants, and many gardeners are not fully aware of this. Different fertilizers can provide different nutrients, so it is important to know which one will work best for your needs.
Organic fertilizers can provide various nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and especially nitrogen which is an easy nutrient to lack in a plant's diet. There are also micronutrients such as selenium, molybdenum, nickel and copper that plants often require.
Providing good quality nutrients for plants is important because it will provide them with a better outlook for growth. Test your garden soil by sending a sample off to your local extension office.
Lower Environmental Impact
Organic fertilizers help reduce water pollution by not containing any synthetic or harmful chemicals or heavy metals that may be toxic to humans, animals, and the earth in general.
It's important to ensure that the fertilizer you are using does not cause a toxic build-up in your soil.
Organic fertilizers break down over time, so there is no danger of this happening, and it also ensures that nothing harmful gets into our water supply.
Less Expensive than Synthetic Fertilizer
Another reason why many people prefer organic fertilizers because homemade fertilizers such as vermicast, compost, compost tea, comfrey tea liquid fertilizer cost less than synthetic ones but still provide the same benefits for plants.
Some gardeners find it easier to use their compost or composted manure organic fertilizer instead of buying something else, which will only be more expensive upfront with little long-term benefits.
Related: 3 Easy Ways To Compost At Home
Increased Nutrient Retention in the soil
Another benefit of using fertilizer from an organic source is that it helps retain nutrients in the soil and increases soil fertility.
This retention means fertilizers become available to plants for a longer time, reducing the need for frequent applications.
Help Combat Diseases and Pests Naturally
Organic fertilizers also help to fight against diseases and pests naturally. For example, the natural materials found in organic fertilizers are more resistant to fungi or insect infestations.
In addition, they can attract beneficial soil microbes that can use the micro nutrients in organic fertilizer for their health.
Organic fertilizer can be less expensive than synthetic fertilizers in the long run as it reduces the need for expensive products like pesticides and herbicides.
Added Beneficial Microbes (Soil Microorganisms) and Bateria
Organic fertilizers also bring many benefits to gardens beyond just providing nutrients; they also add important microbes and bacteria that help break down waste products into usable nutrients for plants. In addition, microbial activity is important for the decomposition of organic matter.
Related: Why is my Compost so Slow?
An important benefit of using natural fertilizers is that they provide a high amount of micronutrients. Organic matter has also proved to contain many naturally occurring minerals that plants need for proper growth.
Takeaways
Organic fertilizer is the perfect alternative to artificial fertilizers because it contains nutrients that are not harmful to humans or animals.
The best part about using organic fertilizer is to use your scraps from home, such as coffee grounds.
Organic fertilizers are completely safe and not damaging to humans, animals, plants, wildlife habitats, and water bodies.