Traditional Chemical Versus Organic Fertilizers

Many homeowners reach for the most convenient or familiar fertilizer when they want to boost the health and beauty of their lawn. However, homeowners can experience a lot of great benefits when they switch to organic fertilizer. In spite of some common misconceptions, effective organic fertilizer is carefully formulated according to the best balance of phosphorus, potassium, and other significant nutrients found readily in the environment. These blends are far superior to homemade mixtures of vinegar and baking soda.

Chemicals Aren’t Readily Absorbed by Lawns

Many of the chemicals used in popular fertilizer brands don’t break down. Instead, they build up in the soil, reducing the growth and health of your grass and surrounding plants. Organic fertilizer delivers bacteria and microbes to the soil that are readily absorbed. During this process, the microbes break down other organic materials, such as lawn clippings. Over time, the microbial health of the plants in the yard will improve. Sadly, when homeowners revert back to non-organic fertilizers, those chemicals will stunt the growth of helpful bacteria and microbes.

Organic Options Are Safe Around Children and Animals

When yard service professionals apply fertilizer to the grass and other landscaping plants, they leave a warning for homeowners to stay off the lawn for a couple of days. This is because the chemicals could be tracked into the home. If children and pets are exposed to those chemicals, they could lick and ingest the products, rub their eyes, or have an allergic reaction because of the direct contact. In some cases, the chemicals from those fertilizers end up contaminating the water supply in the community.

Organic Products Offer Long Term Improvements to the Environment

Today much more is known about the effects of chemicals on the natural environment, but fertilizer manufacturers are only slowly adjusting their products according to that knowledge. Every homeowner who chooses to use an organic fertilizer directly reduces the contamination of soil and water. Each of those homeowners is helping the environment recover from the past use of chemicals.