There is a lot of discussion these days about the merits of organic fertilizers. The benefits of natural fertilizers such as manures and compost has been known for years. However, it's been a costly proposition to produce and distribute organic fertilizers. Chemical based fertilizers are known to be cost-effective and can accurately supply plants with the proper balance of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash (NPK). With much attention to application methods and proper crop rotation, they can be very effective.

At first glance, it seems like the discussion would end right there. Cost efficiency and effectiveness, case closed. But, of course, it can never be that simple. As Paul Harvey might say, in a moment you're going to hear the rest of the story."

First let's consider organic fertilizers. Organic growing is based on the theory that plants should grow in a chemical free environment, just as they do in nature. A study of some of the richest soils in the world finds that they are teeming with microscopic life. Humus, or living soil is the perfect growing environment for plants. Not only do plants thrive in this environment, they are also healthier and less stressed. Less stress means that they are better able to fight diseases and pests. Organic soils are naturally aerated by the microbes living within, and therefore hold more water. These organisms create what has been tagged the "Soil Food Web". The Soil Food Web is a microscopic ecosystem that breaks down nutrients and minerals so they can be made available to your
plants naturally. Unlike chemical fertilizers, that tend to evaporate and leach into the ground water, these micro-organism's literally retain the nutrients in their own "Food Bank" and allow the plants to use what is needed now, while storing the rest for future seasons.

Your plants are not only able to access the NPK they need but also the wide range of trace minerals that are so important to healthy plants.

Now let's take a second look at chemical fertilizers.

With the NPK in chemical fertilizers we also get salt. Salt can be a big problem to your soil. Salt will actually kill the living organisms in your soil. With repeated applications, your soil is unable to supply the plants with their basic needs. Soon you have plants that are solely dependant on the fertilizers, not the soil! As your plants become stressed, disease and pests become a problem. We now need more chemicals like pesticides to battle the problems we created in the first place. As you can see, this is like a dog chasing his tail. Where does it all stop? Fertilizers, pesticides, fertilizers, pesticides, and on and on.

That doesn't sound cost-effective to me.

So what is the answer? First, let's agree that organic growing makes the most sense. Regardless of how careful and conscientious we are we can never be assured that chemicals won't find their way into places they were not intended to go. Being a good steward of our environment is just plain common sense. But the question still remains; can organic growing methods produce results? The good news is yes, and it can be done cost effectively. Today, many people are uncovering easy methods that replenish the soil with billions of microbes and rebuild the soil food web that nature intended. Ask John Evans of Palmer, Alaska if organic growing works. John holds nine world records for giant vegetables and swears the secret is in building a healthy soil. If you do your homework, you will learn what is really happening in and to your soil. I think you will find that organic fertilizers are far more productive and cost-effective than many would have you believe.

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Sid Richards contributed this article. Visit Sid's site at
www.akbounty.com for more information on organic growing methods.

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