Skip to main content

How organic fertilizer enriches your garden for years to come

There are different types of fertilizers – organic, synthetic – except we live in a time where people are turning to organic products for everything in their lives  — food, cat litter, and cleaning supplies. So, of course, people are looking more into organic gardening tools. Yet, there may still be questions about organic garden fertilizer, like is it really that much better than nonorganic options?

Why not use synthetic fertilizers? Well, it’s a reasonable question. Most nonorganic fertilizers come with the three chemicals that plants need to grow: Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. So what is the advantage of buying a big bag of the organic stuff that may require more investment when the smaller, less-expensive option might still work well? Let’s break it down.

The nutritional benefit of organic fertilizers

person-fertilizing-plant
Singkham/Shutterstock

Most nonorganic options only provide the previously mentioned trio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These are known as macronutrients, and while they are definitely required in greater amounts for plants, these are only three of the 13 nutrients needed for a garden to thrive. The other 10 include the secondary nutrients — calcium, sulfur, and magnesium — and the trace nutrients — boron, chlorine, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, and molybdenum (we can’t pronounce it, either).

While these other nutrients come in far smaller quantities, they are no less essential than the macronutrients. Many times, the plants will get these nutrients from the soil. However, nonorganic fertilizers can prevent the plants from completing this process.

Disadvantages of nonorganic fertilizers

There are three main disadvantages to using nonorganic fertilizers:

  • Harmful to the soil: These chemicals are hard on earthworms and microorganisms that call the soil home. Earthworms are some of the best composters and they aerate the soil by digging tunnels. If the earthworms disappeared, thanks to the chemicals found in nonorganic fertilizer, the soil would become compact, and the plants would struggle to absorb the necessary nutrients.
  • Harmful to the plant: Over time, the plant will lose the ability to absorb nutrients from the soil and will continue to rely on the pure chemicals; think of it like being hooked up to an IV in the hospital. While the IV may be providing certain necessary components, your stomach would grow weak from not being fed in the proper way. This dependency on chemical fertilizers is only pushed further by the way they release nutrients. Most nonorganic options come in a liquid form, which gives plants a short-term boost, but that supply drops off a cliff in the long term. That sudden loss of nutrients is hard on plants, requiring more chemical fertilizer … then more and more.
  • Harmful to the environment: Many nonorganic options are created from oil, using a significant amount of fossil fuels. This oil can slip into streams and lakes, which then causes algae to bloom, depriving oxygen from fish and other organisms in the water; it’s one big domino effect.

Advantages of organic fertilizers

NeONBRAND/Unsplash

Now that we have gone over the disadvantages of nonorganic, we will discuss the advantages of organic:

  • Has all the nutrients: Unlike the simplistic fertilizers previously mentioned, organic fertilizers are complex creations that add all 13 necessary nutrients to the plant, not just the two or three necessary for survival. These organic options can come in a variety of materials, including manure, powdered rocks (these include lime, rock phosphate, and greensand), blood meal, bone meal, wood ash, and compost, and all of them contain important micro and trace nutrients. Not only that, but the texture of these options will improve soil quality, not degrade it.
  • Safe for everyone: Another benefit is one of the most important — it’s safe for humans! That does not mean we suggest drinking organic fertilizer or rubbing it on your skin, but rest assured, organic fertilizer is safe for you, your family, and your pets if an accident were to happen.
  • Easy to apply: Organic fertilizers are just as simple to use as their nonorganic cousins. You can add it to the soil or spray onto the plants directly. No matter how you apply them, organic fertilizers have far more benefits while providing the same convenience as chemical substitutes.

To recap, organic fertilizer is the best option for your plants to thrive when compared to nonorganic fertilizer. The organic options contain important secondary nutrients; improve the texture, aeration, and drainage of soil; allow the nutrients to slowly release; and is better for the environment during the manufacturing process.

Editors' Recommendations

Niko Vercelletto
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Niko Vercelletto lives in Lansing, Michigan. He is passionate about going into depressive spirals thanks to the Detroit Lions…
Grow your indoor or outdoor garden and support these Black-owned plant shops for Black History Month
Get your next leafy friend from one of these Black-owned companies
Various plants on different stands

If you're a plant parent, you buy your supplies and new baby plants from somewhere. So, instead of the chain stores, consider supporting Black-owned plant shops to get your leafy friends everything they need to thrive. Check out any of these Black-owned companies to find your next plant addition no matter where you are, because every one of these businesses ships all over the U.S.

Grounded
Mignon Hemsley and Danuelle Doswell started this beautiful plant company in 2020 to help create a calmer space in homes through the addition of greenery. If you have no idea where to start, Grounded offers complimentary 15-minute consultations to get you going. It has a subscription option for the more adventurous plant parent, and if you have fur babies at home, look at their pet-safe options so you won't have to worry about a curious nose.
Crazy Plant Bae
From plants to planters to a subscription box, Crazy Plant Bae has a little of everything. No matter how green your thumb is, you'll find something to fit your budget and space. Get the kids involved in gardening and sign them up for one of the workshops, or have them visit your child in their classroom. But the best part about this company is that it's a Black women-run business with its third generation of family members, and it has over 40 years of service at your disposal.
deVINE Plantery
If you want easy-to-care-for plants without a lot of fuss, or more unique plants, check out deVINE Plantery. This Black woman-owned company has adorable plants, fun accessories, stunning art pieces, and a few other gift ideas. Need help styling the plants in your home, want a consultation about what plants to get, or want to take a gardening class? This business offers all of that and more.
De La Fleur Designs
If you want only flowers for your space with a lot of color and beauty, then De La Fleur Designs is where you should look. It doesn't just put together any ordinary bouquet. Owner Daphne oozes the sophistication and elegance you'll see in whichever arrangement you choose. Whether you need a sympathy arrangement, wedding flowers, or want to sign yourself up for a monthly bouquet delivery subscription, De La Fleur will take care of it all.
The Plant Project
The first Black woman-owned plant company in Texas, The Plant Project opened its doors in 2020 to bring the joy of all things leafy to the area. Plants with a pop of color, herbs, plant accessories, and even a plant self-care set are all on the menu. Or visit one of its four locations to get the full in-person experience of a plant shop and see how amazingly beautiful the inside of its stores are.

Read more
Could electrogardening be the way of the future?
What you need to know about the electrogardening method
A person holding a seedling

Every year, new scientific advances are being made to help improve our lives, but unless you’re actively seeking out these studies, it can be hard to keep track of them. One new development you may have missed is electrogardening. Studies into how we can use electricity in gardening have been ongoing for years -- with shocking results! In this guide, we’ll break down what this new science is, how it works, and what it could mean for you and your garden.

What is electrogardening?
The electrogardening gardening method, sometimes also called electroculture, uses electricity to promote healthy plant growth. This can be done by electrifying the plant, water, or soil directly, but it can also involve creating an electromagnetic field around the plant.

Read more
Where to buy seed potatoes for your garden
Everything you need to know about sourcing seed potatoes
Stack of seed potatoes on a pile of soil

Growing potatoes by yourself is easy and effective. The only things you really need are seed potatoes and dirt. No special tools or fancy lamps, although you can use those if you like. Seed potatoes, however, are non-negotiable. They’re crucial for growing potatoes, but where do you get them from?

Not every place sells seed potatoes, so what’s a gardener to do? Here’s a simple guide on how to find seed potatoes locally and online, and what to look for when choosing seed potatoes. Let’s dig in and find some potatoes for you!

Read more