A great deal of work goes into the beautiful lawns and lawn areas that make driving around residential areas a pleasant experience. There is no secret ingredient involved in maintaining the “green” in a residential lawn, but organic fertilizers might put up a good fight for that title.
Discussed in this article are answers to two questions that the modern homeowner may have about the use of organic fertilizer on residential lawn areas.
Why Are Organic Fertilizers Often Touted As Better?
Many homeowners are aware (and they actually believe) that using an organic fertilizer would improve the condition of their turf areas. The science behind this widely-held notion is far from complex.
Plants will need to get three categories of nutrients from the soil if their full growth and development potential is to be exploited. The first category is referred to as macronutrients and it includes natural compounds and mineral compounds such as potassium and phosphorus. They will also need a sufficient supply of secondary nutrients such as magnesium, calcium and sulphur. The third category, referred to as micronutrients includes compounds such as zinc and iron.
Soil in the average residential turf is often not able to provide sufficient quantities of the mentioned nutrients. Organic fertilizers can be termed a “mixture” of these nutrients. Thus, their introduction into such a turf area improves the nutrient content of the soil therein. Often, the end result is a greener, healthier-looking turf.
What Are Some Significant Differences Between Organic Fertilizers And Chemical Fertilizers?
Organic fertilizers are different in a number of ways. Once introduced into the soil, the nutrients in an organic fertilizer are released in a slow and steady manner. This gives plant ample time to absorb these nutrients. In contrast, chemical fertilizers are known for a rapid release of plant nutrients into the soil for absorption by the growing plants. This makes it easy for plants to absorb excess quantities of one amongst the various nutrients, which can be detrimental to plant growth.
Organic fertilizers also help to improve the soil’s ability to retain water as well as its ability to hold on to nutrient compounds. On the other hand, chemical fertilizers are known to leach the soil after sustained use for extended durations. Leach leads to the loss of nutrients from the soil. This means that more of the fertilizer has to be applied so as to replenish the soil. Often, the end result is soil toxicity.
Talk with someone at a company like Westland Turf to learn more about improving the turf around your home.
