Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
the potential to harm important microbial diversity in the soil
that helps to prevent plant diseases, and they also hurt
earthworms and other beneficial soil inhabitants. For these
reasons, I strongly discourage the use of synthetic fertilizers.
The LaMotte soil test kit is very accurate.
Organic fertilizers, like synthetics, are rated by NPK, but
because they are made from plant, animal, and mineral
substances, they contain a wide array of trace minerals that
plants also need. Probably the biggest argument in favor of
using organic fertilizers is taste. The hydroponic hothouse
tomatoes at the grocery store are grown using exclusively
synthetics mixed with water. Compare the taste of a
hydroponic hothouse tomato with the taste of an organic
garden tomato, and the answer will be clear.
There is one thing to keep in mind with organic fertilizers:
Many of them are quite appetizing to rodents! One spring, I
discovered that the fertilizer in my garage had been torn open
by red squirrels and eaten almost entirely! Ever since, I store
organic fertilizers in five-gallon buckets with lids.
