When choosing between synthetic and organic fertilizers, PerkyPlantParent (@perkyplantparent) believes you should follow your gut, or at least think about your lawn that way.
In a video on his TikTok page, "Food Growing Tips for Gardeners and Beginners," the poster defends organic fertilizers, pointing out that synthetic fertilizers contain heavy metals and are harmful to all life in the soil.
The video compares garden microbes to our gut bacteria, both of which require healthy nutrients to thrive
What is the difference between synthetic and organic fertilizers?
According to EnviroGenie, synthetic fertilizers include inorganic compounds such as ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate, superphosphate and potassium sulfate derived from the petroleum industry.
In contrast, organic fertilizers consist of both plant and animal matter.
Artificial fertilizers add nutrients to the soil, but kill the beneficial microorganisms responsible for breaking down organic matter, which improves soil quality and fertility, according to EnvironGenzeit.
On the other hand, organic fertilizers infuse the soil with many beneficial microorganisms along with the nutrients needed for plant growth.
Why should I care about the fertilizer I use?
Besides only fertilizing plants and helping the surrounding soil, synthetic fertilizers harm the environment in several ways.
Phys.org reports that research shows that synthetic nitrogen fertilizers contribute 2.1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to Earth One, more than aviation.
More than half of the nitrogen we use on Earth is not absorbed by plants and is instead converted to nitrous oxide, a toxic gas 265 times hotter than carbon dioxide.
Excess nitrogen, some of which ends up in sewers, creates dead zones that kill aquatic life.
"At a time when synthetic fertilizer prices are rising, reflecting the energy crisis, reducing their use can benefit farmers and help fight the climate crisis," said Reyes Tirado of the Greenpeace Research Laboratory. org.
So tomato plants in your small garden or yard may not need as much fertilizer. As our planet continues to warm, every choice matters.
The Perky Plant Parent said it best: "If you use synthetic fertilizers, I'm not here to shame you. I just want to be informative and help people become better gardeners." Your plants and your planet will thank you.
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