ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES
In recent years the environment has been a hot topic for debate. It is clear the majority of people are concerned not only about their own health but also the health of the earth we are leaving to our children and grandchildren.
In some instances the effect of overusing chemicals is clear. There have been documented cases where a whole lake full of fish have died because of chemicals leeching into the lake or the depletion of our ozone, or the coral reefs dying out because of the chemicals in sunscreen and what we are dumping in both our soil and in our waterways. Many businesses are changing what they are putting in their products, how they are disposing of it.
“Organic,” simply put, means naturally occurring substances that are not altered. For example, fertilizers would include things like bone meal, blood meal, cottonseed meal, chicken poop, etc. Fungicides and pesticides would include essential oils such as thyme oil, neem oil, sesame oils, etc. and pyrethrins (extract from chrysanthemum flowers). Bear in mind that not many products will be 100% organic.
The benefits of organics far outweigh the benefits of the synthetic (man-made) products. Other than the obvious kindness to our environment, organic fertilizers continue to build up and enrich our soils. They generally will last longer and therefore you would feed less. A granular organic fertilizer usually lasts about six (6) weeks compared to synthetic fertilizer which lasts approximately four (4) weeks. Moreover, a synthetic fertilizer will start to kill off the micro-organisms in the soil over a period of time. Why are micro-organisms important? Because they help decompose organic matter, replenish soil nutrients, promote root growth, increase nutrient uptake, and break down herbicides and pesticides.
Below is a list of organic products and their uses:
Fertilizers
- Fox Farm Happy Frog, and Grow More: used for flowers and veggies; basically “all purpose.”
- Bone Meal (phosphorus): used for bulbs and flowers.
- Blood Meal: used for leafy veggies; can be mixed with Bone Meal.
- Seaweed Extract: used for Bonsai and houseplants.
- Fish Emulsion: used for Bonsai, veggies, and houseplants.
Pesticides – Used as contact killers on aphids, scale, whitefly, gnats, etc.
- Triple Action Plus Neem Oil
- Safer Soap
- BT Worm Killer (caterpillars only)
Fungicides – Used on powdery mildew, blights, and leaf spots.
- Copper Fungicide (spray
- Copper Fungicide (powder)
- Triple Action Plus Neem Oil
Weed and Grass Killers – Used as contact killer on weeds and grasses.
- Final Stop Weed & Grass Herbicide
Harlow Gardens
5620 E. Pima Street
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520)298-3303
It’s good to know that organic fertilizers build up and enrich our soil, as you said. I think it’s important that we find the best ways to cultivate a healthy growing environment for our plants. I’m that these benefits probably build up over time as your soil becomes more effective at helping your plants get all of the nutrients they need to flourish.