What is the difference between organic fertilizer and synthetic fertilizer?

Fertilizers come from a variety of sources – both natural and man-made – and play a huge role in the long-term health of our soils. It’s important to understand how organic and synthetic fertilizers compare and how they’re impacting our environment.

Organic fertilizers are typically derived from natural materials.

They are made up of plant and animal waste, biosolids, and other mineral matter, or a combination of these materials. Organic fertilizers are known to benefit both the plant and the soil. The term organic does not refer to the process the fertilizer goes through and does not imply that it is a certified USDA organic product, but instead, is used to reflect that the ingredients in the fertilizer are minimally processed.

Synthetic fertilizers are chemically manufactured products.

They are typically derived from the petroleum industry. Synthetic fertilizers are known to directly feed your plants to achieve rapid growth, but do little to stimulate the soil.

So what are the major differences between these types of fertilizers?

Organic Fertilizer vs Synthetic Fertilizer

Overall, synthetic fertilizers are a short-term fix for a long-term need.

Although organically derived fertilizers typically have a lower NPK analysis (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium) than synthetic fertilizers, they are able to feed plants for a longer period of time and have a more lasting impact on the health of your soil.

At Renergy, our fertilizer contains high amounts of organic matter, improving the overall growing environment for your plants and sustaining agricultural soils for generations to come. We take pride in our renewable, locally sourced fertilizer, and continue to observe the benefits it provides to both farmers and the environment.

Want to learn more about your soil health? Get in touch!