Here in the Raleigh, Apex, Cary area, more and more people are using natural fertilizers on their lawns. Why are organic fertilizers better for you and your lawn?

Natural ingredients are released more slowly so there is less chance of environmental impact.
Adding natural ingredients to the soil increases microbial activity.
Soil microbes fix the nutrients needed for plant growth and release them slowly as plants need them.

On the other hand, petrochemical fertilizers are often high in soluble salts that are detrimental to soil microbes and plants alike; they decrease microbial activity and plant nutrient uptake. Although these fertilizers are high analysis N-P-K, the plant-use efficiency is very low.

Natural Kelp-based soil conditioners help lawns develop deep root systems with proportional top growth by supplying nitrogen as part of a balance of nutrients. Due to its balanced growth, the natural lawn resists disease, insects and drought much more successfully than high-input lawns do.

Naturally-managed lawns cycle nutrients efficiently, preventing thatch buildup. In fact, recycling thatch actually gives the lawn an extra two pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet over the growing season - a nice little boost.

Finally, natural lawns require less mowing than high-nitrogen lawns.

? Conventional lawn care practices may cause micronutrient deficiencies and inefficient nitrogen usage. Plants take up nitrogen and micronutrients in a fixed proportion, so when nitrogen is highly abundant, micronutrients should be, too. Most commercial fertilizers dont supply micronutrients, so lawns may suffer micronutrient deficiencies and often fail to use all the supplied nitrogen.

? Natural lawns depend on fixation and release of nutrients by soil microbes to regulate soil fertility. Nutrients that are not directly taken up by the grass are stored and released slowly in proportions that promote healthy growth.

??? ?Natural soil conditioners and fertilizers made from Kelp and fish contain potent macro and micronutrient sources. Many of the nutrients are in chelated form which holds them in reserve until needed. Plants get the nutrients they need when they need them.

? Conventional fertilizers supply nitrogen as a salt. Salts dissolve quickly in soil, releasing nitrogen which encourages weed growth. In fact, a late-season nitrogen spike specifically favors crabgrass.

? Lawn grasses respond to a nitrogen spike by producing excessive top growth in lieu of storing carbohydrates. Lawns with poor carbohydrate reserves go dormant during drought or other stressful times.

? Rapid fertilizer release also allows nitrogen to leach through the soil which pollutes ground and surface waters. Our soil conditioner supplies many of its nutrients as organic compounds, such as carbohydrates and proteins. These water insoluble compounds are held in the soil until microbes and other organisms digest them, "time-releasing" plant nutrients, with no leaching, no pollution.

? Salt-based fertilizers toxify the soil which reduces soil microbe and earthworm populations, and consequently reduces nutrient cycling, decreases soil organic matter content, increases soil compaction and damages soil structure. Our soil conditioner helps restore soils to their natural nutrient balance, encouraging soil microbes and earthworms to repopulate the soil which increases nutrient cycling and loosens soil structure.

In conclusion, natural fertilizers are better for you and your lawn because they are safer for you, your children and pets, and they improve the health of your soil, and thus are more effective in growing a lush, green lawn.