The Truth About Fertilizer
Plastic pollution is not the only contaminant present in our water sources that causes unnecessary destruction to the ecosystem. Another major issue is nutrient pollution.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, nutrient pollution is the process whereby too many nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus, are added to bodies of water and act like fertilizer causing excessive growth of algae (eutrophication). This can lead to other issues like reduced light to the sea and lake-floors, increased death decomposition rates of aquatic plants, low oxygen levels in the water, and lower quantities of aquatic life.
The overuse of chemical-based fertilizers on lawns, gardens, and agricultural fields is a major contributor to the eutrophication issue.
Organic vs Inorganic
There has been a longstanding debate as to which type of fertilizer is better: organic or inorganic. Each has its merits yet depending on your priorities and goals for your plants, you may swing in either direction.
Inorganic fertilizers are fast-acting and fairly inexpensive, but the incredible concentration of chemicals in the fertilizer can cause severe burns and stress to the plant and kill off beneficial bacteria and insects in the soil. Because the plant cannot possibly absorb all the chemicals being added to the soil, the solution quickly runs off and leaches into local water sources.
Organic fertilizers on the other hand, tend to be a bit pricier and slow to release, but you have more control over which nutrients and how much you add to the soil. These fertilizers are less likely to run off into local bodies of water (this still happens, but the fertilizer easily breaks down).
The most important benefit of using organic fertilizers is that it improves the structure of the soil around your plant! This means that it adds micronutrients and other minerals back into the soil to replace what the plant used, and feeds bacteria and microorganisms as they break down the fertilizer.
Imagine if you were forced to eat one type of food for the rest of your life; not only would you get sick of eating the same thing day in and day out, but you’d only be receiving a portion of the nutrients you need to be healthy.
For plants, the 3 macronutrients found in most chemical fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) are enough to sustain them, but they need many more micronutrients to develop properly and be healthy.
To find out what your soil needs in order to support healthy plants, consider purchasing an at-home soil testing kit from your local garden center.
Organic Options
Before you purchase organic fertilizer, it's important to decide what type you're going to use. There are three main kinds: animal by-products, plant-based, and minerals. There are plenty of options out there, and even more resources online to help you pick the right ones for your garden.
The most popular and well-known of these is animal by-products, such as manure, worm castings, fish emulsions, blood or bone meal, etc. Many of these can be bought at your local gardening center.
Plant-based fertilizers are the DIYer's best friend. They are easier to make at home and do a great job at providing consistent nutrient flow to your plants.
Compost is one of the most popular plant-based fertilizers and depending on its contents can have a ratio of 1-1-1, making it a balanced fertilizer for your garden.
Mineral amendments like rock phosphate are used to alleviate specific issues in your garden, such as raising or lowering pH levels. This type of fertilizer is popular with gardeners that care for acid-loving plants like hydrangeas or blueberry bushes.
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