untitled

Algae Busters

Blue Crabs of the Chesapeake Bay

"To test the benefits of organic gardening, I constructed two identical raised beds. Both began with carefully prepared soil and were planted with seeds and seedlings from the same source. I tended one bed organically, using compost for fertility. On the other, I used that well-known blue synthetic fertilizer. I did not use pesticides of any kind on either bed. In both beds, I controlled pests by hand-picking and by hosing off the plants.

The non-organic bed had an initial burst of growth, but it seemed to attract aphids and ants. The plants in the organic bed soon caught up and surpassed the chemically fertilized plants and had far fewer pest problems. Also, in the chemical bed, the pH increased a great deal, so I must now lower it.

I harvested more and better veggies from the organic bed, and I continue to say, 'Those who know, garden organically; all others can be taught.'"

-- Doug Moore, Cottonwood, Arizona
in a letter printed in Organic Gardening magazine (June 2002)

Chemical vs. Organic Fertilizers

We've all been told a thousand and a half times to go organic.  Many of us have even tried to do so.  We have placed recycling bins in out homes, we check labels on food...  But what benefits actually come from it?

It may be difficult to see these things in a short-term perspective, but in the end, organic things almost always prove better than things containing chemicals.  Would you rather have a cob of corn covered in pesticides, or one that is naturally healthy, without any insect holes?

We should think similarly about the fertilizers we use on our plants.  Even if they are only flowers and will not be consumed by humans, the plants end up being healthier when organic fertilizers are used.  This not only helps the plants, but it prevents any chemicals from reaching our water sources through runoff.
Navigation
Services

Organic Fertilizers

This information was obtained from http://www.best-organic-fertilizer.com/organic-fertilizer-vs-chemical-fertilizer.html. 

Natural Organic Fertilizer 4-3-3

  • $8.35 per quart (US Funds)
  • Dilution rate of two to three ounces per gallon of water
  • Application rate of one gallon of solution covers 45 sq. ft. (approximately 6 tomato plants)
  • Timing:
    • 2 oz./gal. at transplanting
    • 3 oz./gal. at first bloom
    • 3 oz./gal. at full bloom
    • 2 oz./gal. during fruit fill
  • Total amount of natural organic fertilizer used per season
    • 10 oz./45 sq. ft.
    • 0.22 oz./sq. ft.
  • Natural organic fertilizer cost per season
    • $0.05/sq. ft.
(This is calculated by retail prices, not wholesale which would be even cheaper.)

Chemical Fertilizers

This information was obtained from http://www.best-organic-fertilizer.com/organic-fertilizer-vs-chemical-fertilizer.html.

Most Popular Chemical Fertilizer 15-30-15

  • $4.99 per 1.5 pounds (US Funds)
  • Dilution rate of 0.5 oz. per gallon of water
  • Application rate of one gallon of solution covers 120 sq. ft. (approximately 16 plants) during transplanting. One gallon of solution covers 7.5 sq. ft. (one plant) during feeding.
  • Timing:
    • 0.5 oz./gal. at transplanting
    • 0.5 oz./gal. every 10.5 days (11 times)
  • Total amount of most popular brand chemical fertilizer used per season
    • 5.53 oz./7.5 sq. ft.
    • 0.74 oz./sq. ft.
  • Most popular brand chemical fertilizer cost per season
    • $0.15/sq. ft.



Report Content · · Web Hosting · Blog · Guestbooks · Message Forums · Mailing Lists
Easiest Website Builder ever! · Build your own toolbar · Free Talking Character · Email Marketing
powered by a free webtools company bravenet.com