Function

• Animal and plant materials that occur naturally in nature provide the makeup for organic fertilizer. Nutrients contained in organic fertilizer are the result of natural processes performed by fungi and other soil bacteria with the assistance of insects and earthworms. This breakdown must occur to produce many necessary vitamins and minerals necessary to plant growth. This breakdown is most prevalent when the soil and weather are warm, which is also the peak growing season for vegetation --- when nutrition is needed most.
  
  

Significance

• Commercial and synthetic fertilizer provides an abundance of nutrients all at once, with the remaining washing off, adding unnecessary chemicals into the soil. The process organic fertilizer goes through to produce nutrients renders a slow-release fertilizer readily absorbed by plants. Slow, consistent absorption of nutrients builds stronger plant cells, establishing overall healthier plants that are better equipped to fight against insects and disease. Applications of commercial and synthetic fertilizers are fast-acting, producing a plant with foliage lush in appearance. Fast-acting fertilizers must be applied more often than slow-release, and the risk of burning vegetation is increased.
  
  

Benefits

• Organic fertilizer helps the soil by reducing soil crusting and improving the structure, making it easier to work with, and it adds permeability, increasing the flow of moisture and oxygen. Slow-release fertilizers provide balanced nutrition over commercial and synthetic fertilizers, resulting in produce higher in vitamins and minerals. Additionally, with slow-release fertilizers readily absorbed, less runoff can be expected. Nutrients not absorbed continue to improve the soil. Gardeners concerned with "green gardening" can relax knowing organic fertilizer is also sustainable.
  
  

Considerations

• Choosing organic fertilizer over commercial fertilizer is a method of conventional farming that improves the quality of soil, and reduces chemical pollution of soils and streams while producing healthier plants. A recent study on organic farming conducted by Washington State University and The Organic Center revealed that farming using organic pesticides and organic fertilizer not only improves soil quality but the nutritional quality of fruits and vegetables and the taste of harvested fruit. In this same study, organically grown tomatoes were show to have higher levels of plant metabolites, or antioxidants.