Great Asset: Difference Between Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers?


It would be best to care for your garden by nurturing them with the essentials. A good garden will give you a lot of benefits and may potentially give you a great asset. Feeding them the right nutrients and vitamins will surely make the crops grow splendidly in no time.

The organic vs. inorganic fertilizers debate is nothing new. This topic is always met with people asking which is truly better than the other. Which will give the best amount of nutrients for plants? But is there ever anything in life that is truly black and white? Nothing. Gray areas are always apparent. And so, choosing one over the other because one is superior is not an option. Both organically and inorganically grown plants still provide the needed nutrients for humans to grow healthy and strong.

However, each has different ingredients to supply it in different ways. What then are these differences? Read on to find out.

Composition

Nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are macronutrients that make up the main elements of fertilizers. We know that organic fertilizer is composed of natural things such as manures, dead crops, and leaves. Also, organic fertilizers contain byproducts or end products of naturally occurring processes. It consists of sole plant or animal-based materials.

On the other hand, inorganic or synthetic fertilizers are artificially manufactured containing synthetic chemicals and minerals. All compounds found in inorganic fertilizers are excavated from the Earth’s resources. The balanced inorganic fertilizers are composed of magnesium, ammonium sulfate, and potassium chloride.

Nutrients

Naturally, organic fertilizers release nutrients only when the soil is warm and moist. It may somehow affect the time when the plant needs it the most. Organic fertilizers release nutrients as they break down. During this event, improvements in the soil’s ability to hold nutrients and water occur. While it may take time for this to be in effect, you can ensure that organic fertilizers will make your soil healthier after. Too, the slow-release method reduces the risk of percolation.

In comparison, inorganic fertilizers give you control over how and when to apply them to your plants. You can also count on these fertilizers to provide nutrients instantly. You don’t even have to worry about the dosage because they were fabricated to give the exact amount that certain plants need. But although inorganic fertilizers may seem like the best to use for your plants, they provide nothing for the soil. They just limit the effectiveness of the soil in the long term while also posing the risk of a chemical overdose for your plants.

Environment

As organic fertilizers come from the very roots of nature, it is also the best way to preserve the environment. Organic fertilizers are from byproducts and end products released by nature. As such, there is simply no denying that organic fertilizers give way to the healthiest nourishment for your plant. But some will still argue that the natural process takes a very long time and that the exact ratio of nutrients is indeterminable.

So for fast results, many still prefer inorganic fertilizers. And as stated before, you can easily measure the amount needed by your plants. But these pros do not come without cons. Inorganic fertilizers can damage ecosystems, create a toxic expansion of chemicals, and alter the soil’s acidity. These fertilizers may also trigger pest problems and are highly responsible for releasing greenhouse gases. And as we all know, these gases are the main cause of climate change because they raise the planet’s temperature.

Cost

You may think that because organic fertilizer is natural, it is free, right? Organic fertilizers often cost more than inorganic fertilizers, but this extra cost is worth it because of its benefits. After all, it is the job of organic fertilizers to keep the soil improving despite the lack of nutrients.

Whereas organic fertilizers are more costly, inorganic ones are much cheaper. Still, the effect of this fertilizer is only short-term, unlike that of organic fertilizers. Inorganic fertilizers may be cheap, but the effects of their artificial properties on your soil don’t make them ideal in the long term.

Impacts

You can readily put inorganic fertilizer in your plants. Still, the consequences may lead to leaching when the fertilizer is washed up by rain or irrigation water below the plant roots. If you pour an excessive amount of inorganic fertilizer into your plant, it may cause burning up or, worse, a build-up to toxic salt concentrations that create chemical imbalances.

Somehow, organic fertilizers can also increase toxic concentrations. The upside, though, is that these concentrations will not be as long as the organic decomposition. Not only they’re all-natural, but the fossil fuels used in production are limited. In turn, the greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere are much lower than inorganic fertilizers as well.

Final Takeaway

The debate may not seem to end because we all see things differently. Whether you use organic or inorganic fertilizer, the fact remains that you care enough for your plants to provide them with the nourishment that they need. Also, keep in mind that to make your plants grow healthier and better overall, you must first do your research. You cannot simply decide on your own what is good practice or not. Maybe many of us are with organic fertilizers because it brings out the best in nature. Unbelievably, even cow dung has a benefit and can be used as a fertilizer.

You may not know this, but having a good and healthy garden can be your very best asset today.

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