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Chris Cornell
ENGL 1302
Professor Collins
27 April 2016
Sorry Synthetics
Many homeowners and landscapers believe that fertilizing a plant will make it grow,
bloom, and become beautiful in their landscape. This is correct because fertilizer is to plants
what a meal is to humans. They must have it in order to survive and thrive. However, most
people are not aware about the difference between organic fertilizer and synthetic fertilizer.
Synthetic fertilizer is made from mined materials and chemicals whereas organic fertilizer is
made from natural materials such as plant and animal by-products, rock powders, seaweed, and
inoculants (Card, Whiting, Wilson, and Reeder). While they both have their pros and cons, the
need for harmful synthetic fertilizers has diminished over the years. They will definitely make a
lawn look greener or a landscaping specimen bloom with color, but the ingredients can cause
other issues such as the attraction to pests or an increased risk of fungus. They are also only food;
the overall quality of the soil will not improve with the use of synthetics, unlike organics. Not to
mention, there are environmental effects that are felt, especially in aquatic life and ground water
contamination due to runoff. A study conducted by Stanford says that we measured nitrate
leaching over an entire year and found that it was 4.4 to 5.6 times higher in the conventional
treatment than in the two organic treatments (Schwartz). This can happen anywhere, especially
in areas where wells are used. Nitrate leaching can cause illness in humans, and is mostly found
in small children.

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Organic fertilizers have taken their place as a safer and more effective alternative. Synthetic have
been found to also cause cultural eutrophication. This is created when man speeds up the aging
process by allowing excessive amounts of nutrients in such forms as sewage, detergents, and
fertilizers to enter the ecosystem (Cultural Eutrophication). Because organic fertilizers are
natural, any runoff will not disrupt the environment or its organisms. Not only do organics make
the plant healthier, but they also help fight diseases and pests all while improving the overall
quality of the soil. However, because of the cheaper cost to make and buy synthetic fertilizer,
organics popularity has not flourished. Over time, agricultural professionals, garden radio hosts,
and news casters should speak against the use of synthetic fertilizers due to their inferiority to
organic fertilizers, as well as the harm they can do to aquatic life, and in turn support the idea of
complete organic fertilization or integrated fertilization, a common ground between the two
options. This will make organic fertilizers become more popular, and in turn become more
available with a lower price due to more production and eventually make it possible and
economically friendly for producers to halt the production of synthetics fertilizers so they can
become phased out.
Studies show that natural fertilizers are better for plants, trees, and grasses. The organic
composition of the fertilizer actually conditions the soil by increasing organic matter content of
the soil, improving physical structure of the soil and increasing bacterial and fungal activity
(Haby, Baker, and Feagley). Because of the physical improvements that organic matter makes to
soil, plants can thrive better in the soil they are planted in. For example, a specimen that is
planted in sandy soil may dry out or become anemic quickly because sandy soil drains much
faster and allows water to evaporate quickly, as well as less nutrients being absorbed. However,
when organic fertilizer is added, such as compost or alfalfa pellets, the soil is more absorbent of

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water and nutrients and the plant can then effectively use the water and nutrients in a more
efficient way. Also, because the bacterial and fungal activity are increased, the plant is less likely
to be killed by fungal disease because the good bacterial and fungus found in organic fertilizer
often has the ability to fight the hazardous types. These two effects make organic fertilizer better.
Even though most organic fertilizer is more expensive than chemically produced fertilizer,
organic fertilizer actually acts as a fungicide and soil conditioner in addition to a fertilizer. It is
clear that if two products come in one, there is money that can be saved. And ones yard and
landscaping can appear much healthier.
Even though there are several reasons why one should use organic fertilizer over
synthetics, natural stimulants do have a few downsides. One of the biggest reasons that organics
have not become so popular is the cost. Many synthetic fertilizers will cost around twenty dollars
per bag and cover ten thousand square feet. On the other hand, the organic counterpart may cost
forty dollars per bag and only cover six thousand square feet. It is easy to see why the common,
uneducated consumer would opt for a synthetic fertilizer; most people will want to spend the
lower price. Another reason many choose man-made fertilizer is because the effects are seen
quickly. Once a synthetic bag of fertilizer is applied and watered in, extreme results may show
within one week, turning the plants or grass greener, and also produce more blooms. At the same
time, organics effects generally do not show results as quickly. It takes them longer to get into
the soil and feed the plant because they are generally not as water soluble. It is human nature to
want fast results, so it is easier for the average consumer to choose synthetics over organics.
Another problem that makes organic fertilizers popularity suffer is the lack of supply in large
warehouse type stores such as Lowes or Home Depot. This creates a major issue because these
stores are where a majority of the population shop for lawn and garden fertilizer.

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It is rather easy for organic fertilization to overcome synthetic fertilization. One way is
integrated fertilization, the common ground between the two. Integrations purpose is to
minimize the use of pesticides and fertilizers through better targeting (James and Randall). For
example, the average southern lawn takes four fertilizations throughout the year to keep the turf
healthy: a quick release in the spring, a slow release in the late spring, another slow release in the
middle of summer, and a fast release, winterizing fertilizer. Integration can make it very easy to
get organic matter into the soil. One can use a synthetic application in the spring, and then
another synthetic slow release in the late spring. Then, in the summer, an organic slow release,
and an organic winterizer in October. From this point, the applicator may take two directions the
next year; they may use only organic fertilizer, or they can continue to use the integrated
program. This works because the synthetics ensure an early greening of the lawn, as well as the
spring growth needed to thicken the grass. Then, organic fertilizer is used to give the soil organic
matter and feedings through the rest of the year. In turn, people will see how well organics work
while calming their fears, and also cut down the use of synthetic fertilizers and help the
environment. After only one year, the consumer can make a full conversion to organic fertilizers
without any detrimental effects.
A way to improve the popularity of natural fertilizer is to do things that the Ministry of
Agriculture recommends which is increase organic fertilizer production at different levels such
as large, medium and small scales which will generate more employment opportunities by
promoting commercial organic fertilizer (Promotion Of Production And Use Of Organic
Fertilizer). This will create a sharp increase in supply, and will then lower the price of the
products. Because of this solution, there will be more organic fertilizer in the big box stores, and
also a much lower price on the sticker, making it more likely for the average consumer to

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purchase. One other thing that the media can do is to speak out against the use of chemically
made fertilizer. This will bring awareness to the general population, and can slowly increase the
popularity of organic fertilizer.
As far as availability goes, common synthetic fertilizer brands are Scotts and MiracleGro. What many people do not know is that these brands also make organic fertilizers. However,
they are not as common in big box stores. Big box stores often carry two brands of organic
fertilizer: Milorganite for norther states, and Medina for Southern states. However, the best place
to find a quality organic fertilizer is a local hardware store, nursery, or fertilizer store. In fact,
when one goes to these places to shop, most will find that the store actually pushes organics over
synthetics.
It is no secret that fertilizing a plant will make it grow, bloom, and become far more
beautiful in landscape. Actually, plants must have fertilizer it in order to survive; it is the
equivalent to a humans meal. However, most people are not aware about the difference between
organic fertilizer and synthetic fertilizer. But, organic is clearly the better choice in the long run.
With the help of the media supporting the use of organic fertilizer, as well as the improved
availability and lower price, synthetics may be a thing of the past, and organic fertilizer will
make the world a much greener and healthier place.

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Works Cited
Card, Adrian, David Whiting, Carl Wilson, and Jean Reeder. "Organic Fertilizers." Organic
Fertilizers. Ed. Dan Goldhammer. Colorado Master Gardener, Oct. 2015. Web. 13 Apr.
2016.
"Cultural Eutrophication." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web.
13 Apr. 2016.
Haby, V.A., Marvin L. Baker, and Sam Feagley. "Vegetable Resources." Chapter III: Soils and
Fertilizers. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.
"Promotion Of Production And Use Of Organic Fertilizer." Www.agrimin.gov.lk. N.p., 2012.
Web. 13 Apr. 2016
Randall, Nicola P., and Katie L. James. "The Effectiveness of Integrated Farm Management,
Organic Farming and Agri-environment Schemes for Conserving Biodiversity."
Environmentalevidencejournal.biomedcentral.com. N.p., 14 Jan. 2012. Web. 20 Apr.
2016.
Schwartz, Mark. "New Study Confirms the Ecological Virtues of Organic Farming." New Study
Confirms the Ecological Virtues of Organic Farming. N.p., 6 Mar. 2006. Web. 13 Apr.
2016.