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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