Chemical fertilizer is made from refined organic or (more often) artificial matter, where nutrients have been extracted and combined in specific ratios with chemical fillers to create a synthetic solution. This “inorganic,” manufactured fertilizer is often made of petroleum, broken down rocks, or other nonrenewable sources. Chemical fertilizers usually contain nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and sometimes micronutrients. The materials are refined to a pure state and stripped of certain substances to eliminate the decomposition process.

Because these materials don’t need to decompose, the nutrients are readily available to your plants upon application and sucked up quickly — often brightening your landscape in only a few days. That’s just the start of the benefits

Synthetic fertilizers are often chosen over organic solutions, as they are:

• Less expensive. Perhaps the biggest reason homeowners choose chemical vs. organic fertilizer is that they are inexpensive compared or organic applications. These refined materials can be produced in bulk and have a longer shelf life, reducing production costs— and thus, savings, onto the consumer.
• Show quicker results. Whereas organic fertilizers need time and moisture to break down, naturally, over a few weeks, chemical fertilizers are absorbed quickly by your plants. Because of this, these refined, pure minerals produce near-immediate effects— in a matter of days, not weeks.
• Easier to apply, diversely. Many chemical fertilizers come in liquid form and can be sprayed instead of laid. Unlike dry fertilizers (which are set on top of soil), liquids can be applied to your treetops and directly onto high foliage for an extra boost— not just on grass.
• Easier to mix with other applications. Because many chemical solutions are liquid fertilizers, they can easily be blended with weed and insect control, or other solutions. This helps to save time protecting and nourishing your landscape.

Chemical fertilizers are often criticized for:

• Containing limited nutrients. Inorganic fertilizers contain set, measured levels of minerals. While they usually contain the big three minerals (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), they often lack diverse micronutrients that a plant would receive from naturally decomposing materials, instead of containing a lot of “filler.” Organic fertilizers often include additional nutrients, like calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and calcium— just to name a few.
• Pollution. Research by the University of Vermont found that chemical contamination from synthetic fertilizers can cause nearby waterways to turn green or cloud with algae blooms, take on an unusual odour and deplete oxygen for fish and other species, suffocating them. Because of the effects of this chemical run-off, artificial fertilizers are often not considered environmentally friendly.
• Over-fertilization or PH balance troubles. These inorganic substances are highly concentrated solutions, and if over-sprayed or over-applied can overwhelm your landscape— becoming too much of a good thing. High mineral levels can cause instant damage like root burn. Long-term chemical use can alter the PH balance of your soil and cause a toxic build-up of certain nutrients. Read more about the dangers of over-fertilization here.
• Requiring more frequent application. Chemical fertilizers are absorbed quickly by your plants and grass. While this leads to faster results, the greenery is often not sustainable. Below, you’ll discover how organic fertilizers nourish th