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Health & Fitness

How Organic Fertilizer Is Different Than Chemical Fertilizer

The argument over chemical versus organic lawn fertilizers is still popular these days.  Many say that using chemical-based products is damaging to the environment, soil and ground water.  Others argue that organic fertilizers simply don’t have the nutrient mixture needed for the healthiest, most attractive lawns.  How do you know which one is best for your grass?  And how can you tell the difference between these two types of fertilizer?

Chemical fertilizers are made with inorganic materials and are specially formulated to contain the proper mixture of nutrients.  Generally they also contain acids that can be harmful to the microorganisms deep down in the soil, which will in turn be harmful to plant growth.  The benefits of chemical fertilizers is that they are easy to spread and store, making them much more commercially attractive than their organic counterparts.

On the other hand, organic fertilizers are made with organics, just as the name suggests.  By-products of natural materials and mixtures of various organics are used as a fertilizer both for lawns and gardens. 

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There are a few reasons why people opt out of organic fertilizers, despite the environmental benefits.  Strong doses of chemical fertilizers will give homeowners an attractive green lawn relatively fast. With organic fertilization, you must be more patient for several reasons. First, you have to rid your lawn of all the chemicals you’ve been spreading for years. Secondly, going organic builds a naturally strong lawn over a period of time. As a lawn gets stronger, it naturally knocks out weeds and keeps damaging insects out. You must remember that every lawn is different therefore an organic lawn professional can test your soil to see exactly what needs to be done

Here’s how you can tell the difference. Check out the ingredient list on your fertilizer for the first indication.  Often a chemical-based fertilizer will use organics in the mixture, but at the core they are still mainly chemical and contain all of the risks associated with that type.

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In most cases organic fertilizers are around the same cost as chemical fertilizer, although that isn’t a hard and fast rule.  The right type of fertilizer depends on the needs of your lawn and your own personal preference. For the sake of the environment, you should go organic. It’s especially true if you have children and pets who like to play in the backyard grass. It’s quite shocking when you read the warning labels on chemical fertilizer and think about exposing your family to these harmful ingredients.   Investigate the effects, cost and application of each one and make the best decision based on your grass.





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