Understanding Organic Landscaping
Trying to decide which chemicals to use in your landscaping area can be a difficult decision. With so many options to choose from, the decision-making process can sometimes be just as difficult as the application process. Add in the time it takes trying to decide if this is the year you decide to use all-organic products and you might start to think you’ll never leave the store!
Fear not. We are going to take a look at whether organic landscaping chemicals such as fertilizer and soil are worth the extra costs and examine some of the advantages, disadvantages, and benefits that they offer.
Fall in Love with Organic Landscaping
So, what exactly are the advantages of using organic fertilizer? For starters, because of the organic matter present in organic fertilizer, your soil structure will see an improvement and the soil’s actual ability to hold water and nutrients year-round increases drastically. Secondly, synthetic fertilizer is made of chemical molecules that don’t contain carbon and can be disruptive to your soil’s microbes. Organic fertilizers, however, are rich in organic matter and carbon is part of its makeup which will help those same microbes thrive in any condition. Organic fertilizers also do not run off as easily, if at all, compared to synthetic brands and actually increase biodiversity by 30%. Lastly, because of organic fertilizer’s reduction of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, you potentially save yourself from spending extra money in the fertilizers and pesticides department by switching to organic fertilizer.
So, now that we’ve seen what organic fertilizers can offer you, what are some of the disadvantages
Organic Landscaping Takes Time
Firstly, organic products can sometimes produce inconsistent results. Before you make your organic fertilizer purchase, make sure you are choosing a product that is industry vetted and reviewed. Another important thing to note when it comes to organic fertilizers are the lower levels of nutrients and their complex chemical structure, which means organic fertilizers may not produce the vivid color that you are used to seeing with chemical fertilizers. Also, since the microorganisms in organic fertilizers are required to break down and release nutrients into the soil, the effectiveness of organic fertilizer is limited seasonally as they need warmth and moisture to work effectively. If applied incorrectly, organic fertilizers can also contribute to surface and groundwater contamination as it creates a nutritional imbalance in the soil and causes salt burns. Reading the directions of all organic or chemical-based fertilizers is extremely important. Overall, if you are used to working with chemical fertilizers, your results may vary a bit depending on what you are used to.
Organically Make Your Landscape More Appealing
When you’re working with organic materials, it’s important to remember that you are working according to nature’s rule and patience is certainly a virtue when that is the case. Your lawn may not look the way you are expecting within the timeframe you are most familiar with, but if you can hang in there long enough you will certainly be rewarded. Organic fertilizers will help rebuild your soil and make it the healthiest it has ever been and will bring your lawn into harmony with nature.