Organic Fertilizers
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Chemical Fertilizers
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| Release nutrients slowly, providing a steady flow of plant nutrients |
Release nutrients rapidly |
| Non-burning (won’t harm delicate seedling roots) |
May burn plants (and harm delicate seedling roots) |
| Improve soil structure |
Leaching can pollute groundwater |
| Increase water holding capacity |
Loss of fertilizer due to leaching means soil requires many applications |
| Increase nutrient holding capacity |
Can make soil toxic after continuous use |
| Promotes earthworms and soil micro-organisms |
Mineral salts can build up over time and kill off soil microbes |
| Buffers soil from chemical imbalances |
High nitrogen levels may repel earthworms |
| Improves soil over time |
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