The soil is the home of many organisms and creatures. It is where plants and trees grow, it is their stability point and what keeps them healthy and beautiful. Sometimes, the soil needs a little help to become a better ‘home’, where more and more plants and organisms can live. For this reason, people offer it an additional element which helps it in this direction: fertilizers.
There are two types of fertilizers: organic and artificial. Of course, there are some differences between these two regarding long-term effects, second effects, environmental harm and dangers. It is important to know what you are using and to be sure about how it will act on and inside the soil. We will be discussing about the chemical vs. organic fertilizer debate and the best options for you and your soil.
Chemical vs. Organic fertilizer
Whether you have a little garden or a large field on which you cultivate, the process is the same. You want to have the best soil and you use fertilizers to make sure this happens. The question is which type do you use? If you use the chemical one, there are a few things that you should know. There are several artificial ones: nitrogenous fertilizers, phosphorus fertilizers, potash fertilizers, secondary and micronutrients (sulfur, magnesium and calcium). They are composed of nutrients the soil needs, but in a certain quantity. An excess can produce a disorder in the soil balance, which can become toxic to the organisms living there. Moreover, this disorder affects the normal growth and development of plants, which will eventually lead to people eating vegetables and fruits that can represent a risk for their health. In addition, these fertilizers have some long-term effects. If people use granular ones, they need to make sure if they are water soluble. If not, their effect will take time, so people should apply a small quantity. For example, nitrogenous fertilizers break down into nitrates, which are water soluble and can remain in the groundwater for many years. Tens of years, to be more precise.
Fortunately, these fertilizers are not the only option. The organic ones are the natural alternative. Here, we are speaking about animal waste (from cows, horses) and vegetable matter. They act very well, present no risk and have great effects on the soil. However, it is important to know that not everything can be added on the soil. For instance, chicken waste is not very indicated, as it is high in nitrogen. A positive example would be coffee grounds, which acts as a great fertilizer for plants.
Before using something, it is useful to know all its effects and consequences. Fertilizers are a solution people appeal to, but some do not think about the long-term effects on the soil and their health. A disorder in the balance of the soil causes the same thing inside the human body. Different types of cancer, heart problems such as hypertension, birth malformations are the results of using chemical fertilizers, without knowing their full potential. Therefore, you should always make a research before you want to put something in your soil because it will end in your mouth and stomach.