Good Afternoon Mat,
Natural/organic fertilizers have been used for over 10,000 years. History will show that natural/organic fertilizers were used in China, the Middle East, and America. They are natural in nature. Natural/organic fertilizers can be animal manure, seaweed, compost, or crop turn under.
The same is not true with artificial/inorganic fertilizers. They were invented at the time of the industrial revolution. Artificial/inorganic fertilizers are made from synthetic chemicals and minerals.
Both natural and artificial fertilizers contain major minerals: Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulfur, and magnesium. Both fertilizers replace these major minerals back into the soil.
The problem is studies have shown that many artificial fertilizers do not replace trace elements: Boron, chlorine, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, molybdenum and selenium. These elements are lower in fruits and vegetables grown with artificial fertilizers. This is a major difference between the two.
The other problem is artificial fertilizers do nothing to change the quality of the soil. It is like taking a vitamin pill. Your soil does not change. Natural fertilizers decay slowly and enrich the quality of the soil for years. Natural fertilizers also help to maintain a good soil ph balance. Soil Ph balance is very important to every plant and tree. Check out “why nutrients get locked in†on web site below.http://www.gardenersnet.com/atoz/ph.htm
I have been an organic gardener for over sixty (60) years. I started in the hills of Kentucky at the age of three (smile) with my uncles help. I have a huge garden and nine rare fruit trees. This is why I tell gardeners to use compost with chicken manure as a fertilizer for their fruits and vegetables. The combination of these two elements also draws earthworms to the soil. Earthworms are a gardener’s extra workers. They carry minerals and nutrients deep into the soil for the roots to consume. I hope this answers your question.
I am also going to include some more knowledge/extra credit for you about your fertilizer question. This is a TRUE story.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Word Origin: Early 1700’s England.
Animal manure (fertilizer) was bundled up and transported by ship. Sometimes the sea water would hit the manure. The manure would go through fermentation. The by-product is methane gas. The methane gas would build up below decks. In would walk a person with a lighted lantern…… BOOOOM!!!!
Several ships were destroyed before it was discovered what was happening. After that, the bundles of manure where always stamped with the term “S.H.I.Tâ€: This meant for the sailors to “Ship High in Transitâ€.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
You and your family have a beautiful week end. Peace, from Los Angeles.
I agree with the other two posters. I have used both natural AND artificial.
The natural takes a little longer to work but when it gets started it works almost as well as artificial. It also seems to add other micro-nutrients to the soil which seem to help in the long run.
Artificial works very fast and is easier to measure. When it stops working it COMPLETELY stops and leaves the area a bit depleted looking.
There are pros and cons to each. I basically favor the natural for environmental reasons as artificial can run off and cause problems in water. If you have well water, you should definitely use natural organic fertilizer.
Natural fertilizers are made naturally, from things like manure or compost. Artificial fertilizer is prepared artificially to specifically contain the chemicals which provide nutrients to plants (Nitrogen, for example).
There is constant debate as to which is superior. I’m inclined to say artificial because it’s nutrients are more pure and measured, but there are tons of people who shun artificial fertilizers for the natural stuff.
Sep 9th 2010 • 07:09
by Ronald
Good Afternoon Mat,
Natural/organic fertilizers have been used for over 10,000 years. History will show that natural/organic fertilizers were used in China, the Middle East, and America. They are natural in nature. Natural/organic fertilizers can be animal manure, seaweed, compost, or crop turn under.
The same is not true with artificial/inorganic fertilizers. They were invented at the time of the industrial revolution. Artificial/inorganic fertilizers are made from synthetic chemicals and minerals.
Both natural and artificial fertilizers contain major minerals: Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulfur, and magnesium. Both fertilizers replace these major minerals back into the soil.
The problem is studies have shown that many artificial fertilizers do not replace trace elements: Boron, chlorine, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, molybdenum and selenium. These elements are lower in fruits and vegetables grown with artificial fertilizers. This is a major difference between the two.
The other problem is artificial fertilizers do nothing to change the quality of the soil. It is like taking a vitamin pill. Your soil does not change. Natural fertilizers decay slowly and enrich the quality of the soil for years. Natural fertilizers also help to maintain a good soil ph balance. Soil Ph balance is very important to every plant and tree. Check out “why nutrients get locked in†on web site below.http://www.gardenersnet.com/atoz/ph.htm
I have been an organic gardener for over sixty (60) years. I started in the hills of Kentucky at the age of three (smile) with my uncles help. I have a huge garden and nine rare fruit trees. This is why I tell gardeners to use compost with chicken manure as a fertilizer for their fruits and vegetables. The combination of these two elements also draws earthworms to the soil. Earthworms are a gardener’s extra workers. They carry minerals and nutrients deep into the soil for the roots to consume. I hope this answers your question.
I am also going to include some more knowledge/extra credit for you about your fertilizer question. This is a TRUE story.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Word Origin: Early 1700’s England.
Animal manure (fertilizer) was bundled up and transported by ship. Sometimes the sea water would hit the manure. The manure would go through fermentation. The by-product is methane gas. The methane gas would build up below decks. In would walk a person with a lighted lantern…… BOOOOM!!!!
Several ships were destroyed before it was discovered what was happening. After that, the bundles of manure where always stamped with the term “S.H.I.Tâ€: This meant for the sailors to “Ship High in Transitâ€.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
You and your family have a beautiful week end. Peace, from Los Angeles.
Sep 9th 2010 • 09:09
by Duke Powerhand
I agree with the other two posters. I have used both natural AND artificial.
The natural takes a little longer to work but when it gets started it works almost as well as artificial. It also seems to add other micro-nutrients to the soil which seem to help in the long run.
Artificial works very fast and is easier to measure. When it stops working it COMPLETELY stops and leaves the area a bit depleted looking.
There are pros and cons to each. I basically favor the natural for environmental reasons as artificial can run off and cause problems in water. If you have well water, you should definitely use natural organic fertilizer.
Sep 9th 2010 • 11:09
by Mat
please reply asap
Sep 9th 2010 • 11:09
by Daniel
Natural fertilizers are made naturally, from things like manure or compost. Artificial fertilizer is prepared artificially to specifically contain the chemicals which provide nutrients to plants (Nitrogen, for example).
There is constant debate as to which is superior. I’m inclined to say artificial because it’s nutrients are more pure and measured, but there are tons of people who shun artificial fertilizers for the natural stuff.
Sep 9th 2010 • 11:09
by cherry babe
!artificial fertilizers are made from chemicals in the laboratories. natural fertilizers are usually made from animal manures!!!
Oct 14th 2010 • 18:10
by Lottie darlin
HI im doing a project on this and was wandering could you guys tell me what the difference between the two are!!
Thank you guys loads xxx
Jul 11th 2011 • 12:07
by Sean
You did not help at all. Thanks a bunch looser ¬¬