What does “organic” mean?
“Organic” lawn fertilization is a vague term that we should try to define in a consistent manner. When some people ask us about if they can have an “organic” fertilizer program, they may just mean can we do our normal, synthetic fertilizer using either a reduced amount, or totally without, pesticides? Others want actual organic fertilizer with, or without, pesticides. So, when asking us about our “organic” options, please clarify what you mean.
There are also “organic” control products that are out on the market, such as corn gluten, iron, etc. None of them have proven to be effective, in the long run, and they’re cost prohibitive. Consequently, we don’t offer them. So let’s concentrate on the fertilizers, shall we?
First of all, let’s go over what every bag of granular fertilizer, be it organic or synthesized, has on the label:
The analysis. Every bag of fertilizer sold for use on landscapes has 3 numbers listed in bold face on the label. These numbers, listed in order, are for nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. These numbers are the percentage, by weight, of the nutrients. These are the nutrients that are typically used in the greatest amount by most plants (called “macronutrients”). There may also be other nutrients listed, such as iron, manganese, calcium, sulfur, and others that are required in smaller amounts (these are “micronutrients”).
The composition, or what the fertilizer is made from. With synthetic fertilizers, they’ll usually list what the nutrients are derived from, such as urea, potassium carbonate, phosphoric acid. Organic fertilizers have a wide variety of nutrient sources, such as composted manure, biosolids from municipal sludge, feather meal, blood meal, rock phophate, and more.
Use instructions.
Use precautions.
Weight.
Let’s see what the differences are between synthtetic and organic fertilizers:
Synthetic Fertilizers:
Are manufactured to exact nutrient specifications. For example, a fertilizer with an analysis of 24-5-11 is guaranteed to have 24% of the fertilizer, by weight, consist of nitrogen, 5% phosphorous, and 11% potassium. The nutrients are attached to ground corn cobs, or similar inert materials, that create the “pellets” of fertilizer.
Usually have a higher concentration of nutrients per pound. This allows a smaller amount of product to provide more nutrients, per 1000 square feet, than pure organic fertilizers.
Have a consistent particle, or pellet size (called “prill” size, in our industry). This makes them very easy to spread, with consistency, over a large area.
Are quicker and easier to spread.
Are more “operator friendly” in terms of dustiness and ease of application.
The relative high amount of nutrient, plus the even consistency and ease of application, make this a less expensive product to use than organic fertilizers.
Organic Fertilizers:
are manufactured from organic materials with a minimum guaranteed analysis. Whereas synthetic fertilizer can have almost any percentage of nutrients that the manufacturer dictates, organic fertilizers will usually have a maximum amount of nutrients, per pound. For example, 12% of nitrogen, by weight, is usually the highest concentration of nitrogen that any purely organic fertilizer can have. The reason for that is that the un-processed sources of organic fertilizers just don’t contain enough nitrogen, per pound, for any higher concentration.
are manufactured from organic sources. Composted manure, processed municipal waste, blood meal, feather meal, and bone meal, rock phosphate, nitrate of soda, and others. These are all regarded as healthier for the soil and plants.
Fortify the soil more than do the synthetic fertilizers. Because they contain more natural organic matter and humates, they will enrich the soil more than will synthesized fertilizers. This is one of the major advantages of natural organic fertilizers.
Are less “applicator-friendly.” They are generally more dusty and may not be as uniform in particle size. This makes them more difficult to spread evenly. Some manufacturers are better than others in addressing these problems.
Require much higher volumes of material to be apply the equal amount of macronutrients per thousand square feet. For example, if it takes 4 lbs of an analysis of 25-0-11 to apply 1 lb of nitrogen per thousand square feet, it would take 8.33 lbs of an organic fertilizer to apply 1 lb of nitrogen.
Generally are more expensive for the same weight. It’s common for a 50 lb bag of organic fertilizer to be significantly more expensive than the same size bag of synthetic.
Require a higher rate of application than synthesized products. Coupled with the fact that the recommended application rates are 2-3 times that of synthetic fertilizers, and you can see that the cost of using organic fertilizers is significantly more per application.
Usually require fewer applications than synthetic fertilizers. Due to the slower release characteristics of a large portion of most organic fertilizers, the feedings may stretch out over a longer period of time, resulting in more of a “spoon feeding”. Therefore we’ll suggest a maximum of 4 feedings annually. Of course, whether it’s organic, or not, the length of time that a fertilizer will last will largely be based on environmental conditions and cultural practices.
What does this all mean for you?
If you want a true “organic” fertilizer program, then you can expect to pay at least twice what a similar synthetic fertilization program would cost.
If you just want to minimize the amount of pest control products being used, and don’t mind having synthetic fertilizer, then the cost will be either the same, or less, than our regular fertilization program.
No matter was you want, we can formulate a program for you. You just have to accept the fact that the price will increase with more use of organic fertilizer.