Organic Lawn Fertilizers and Weed Killers

While most homeowners and gardeners long for a beautifully manicured green lawn and healthy hardy plants and bushes, many are concerned about chemical fertilizers and their impact on the environment.

Numerous companies specialize in spraying lawns with chemical fertilizers and weed killers with the promise of thick green grass. These products do produce green lawns quickly, but environmentalists believe this is at great cost to our air and water. What is in the chemical fertilizers and are there comparable organic options to care for grass and other plantings?

History of Fertilizers

Farmers noted early on that the first year a crop was planted in a particular area tended to be the most bountiful year for that crop. In subsequent years, there was simply less crop yield. The technique of crop rotation, where farmers planted in new areas and switched around crops every year or every other year, became popular. It was successful, but.as land became used up, other options were necessary. Growers began to add products into the soil to fertilize it and to promote growth.

Gardeners and farmers originally used fertilizers such as manure, guano (droppings from seabirds, bats and seals) and food waste to promote better soil and crop growth. As scientific research into fertilization got underway, it was discovered that all plants require three major nutrients, namely nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, to survive. Fertilizer companies began creating and selling products composed mainly of these elements. As it became recognized that these synthetic fertilizers did impact the quality and quantity of plants, chemical fertilization soon became a booming industry.

What is The Difference Between Chemical and Organic Fertilizers?

Organic fertilizers are substances that contain nutrients derived from the remains or by-products of an organism. Chemical fertilizers are synthetically made materials from inorganic materials. Plants do not recognize the difference between a chemical and an organic fertilizer.

Organic fertilizers can be less expensive as they are easily obtained through nature. Chemical fertilizers may cost more as they have undergone extensive research and production. Growers seeking immediate impact upon their plants will get that in a chemical fertilizer. An organic fertilizer slowly releases its nutrients into the soil and thus the results are based upon the length of time it takes for these nutrients to be absorbed..

It is the environmental impact of fertilizer that has gotten the most press recently. There is concern that chemicals, especially the nitrogen found in chemical fertilizers, will get into the water supply. There is also concern that the high salt content in the chemical fertilizers will build-up in the soil and create chemical imbalances over time. The advantage of an organic soil is that the properties are natural already and do not pose any threats to the environment.

How to Make a Natural Weed Killer

The idea behind fertilization is that lawns will eventually grow thick and lush, thereby choking out weeds. For pesky weeds that pop up in walkways or around foundations and decks, a natural solution should do the trick. The following recipe will kill all vegetation . Be careful to spray only the weeds you want to kill and not grass or flowers.

• Mix in a large kettle: 1/2 gallon distilled vinegar with 1/2-cup household salt and 1/2 tablespoon dish detergent. Heat over medium heat until the salt is completely dissolved. Allow the solution to cool and pour into a spray bottle.

Spray on weeds. They will shrivel and die within hours. The biggest advantage of this weed killer is that it is safe for the environment and won’t harm children or pets once applied. It also costs a lot less than commercial weed killer products.

The use of organic or chemical fertilizer products is a personal choice. Research the options and choose the one that meets the objectives desired. For more reading on this topic, Boston Gardens and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension offer in-depth looks at the advantages and disadvantages of the types of fertilizers available.