question re: synthetic and organic ferts

fortyonenorth · June 18, 2012

Unfortunately, synthetic fertilizers have been unfairly maligned by the "organic" movement. Unlike synthetic pesticides, which are for the most part poisonous chemicals, synthetic ferts are (generally speaking) industrially produced compounds made from naturally occurring minerals. Chilean nitrate, for example, is fossilized seabird guano - pretty natural from my point of view. Many sources of synthetic nitrogen are produced by capturing atmospheric nitrogen. Synthetic phosphates are often produced by reacting naturally occurring rock phosphorus with naturally occurring sulphuric acid so that the phosphorus is immediately available for plant use.

As Feldon pointed out, "organic" makes a lot of sense when you're growing in ground - because it is a annual investment in improving your soil. It's possible to grow organically in containers, but it's definitely more challenging. If you choose to grow using synthetic fertilizers, don't beat yourself up - there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

June 18, 2012	#14
fortyonenorth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 1,150	Unfortunately, synthetic fertilizers have been unfairly maligned by the "organic" movement. Unlike synthetic pesticides, which are for the most part poisonous chemicals, synthetic ferts are (generally speaking) industrially produced compounds made from naturally occurring minerals. Chilean nitrate, for example, is fossilized seabird guano - pretty natural from my point of view. Many sources of synthetic nitrogen are produced by capturing atmospheric nitrogen. Synthetic phosphates are often produced by reacting naturally occurring rock phosphorus with naturally occurring sulphuric acid so that the phosphorus is immediately available for plant use. As Feldon pointed out, "organic" makes a lot of sense when you're growing in ground - because it is a annual investment in improving your soil. It's possible to grow organically in containers, but it's definitely more challenging. If you choose to grow using synthetic fertilizers, don't beat yourself up - there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.