The main difference between a synthetic chemical fertilizer and an organic fertilizer is the living microorganisms in the organics. Only fertilizers containing organic matter feed the soil with living microorganisms. As the soil life begins to thrive with microbial activity it easily decomposes organic matter into beneficial nutrients. This soil “digestive system” assists in the breakdown of harmful disease pathogens resulting in a healthier lawn. Did you know that a good healthy lawn has over 900 billion of these organisms for each pound of soil?
Organic fertilizers are broken down by these microscopic organisms and not by rain water and/or temperature as are synthetic chemical fertilizers. The result is that the organic fertilizer is released at a uniform rate throughout the growing season and at a rate that the grass plant can take it in. Nothing gets leached below the root system and into our precious ground water. The graph below shows how an organic fertilizer and a synthetic fertilizer are released during a typical growing season. The area above the horizontal line shows the amount of fertilizer that can leach into the ground water because this is more than the grass is capable of utilizing.
Fertilizer Release Rates
Organic Fertilizers provide organic matter which nourishes the soil and enhances microbial activity which degrades the organic substances into plant nutrients and contributes to humus formation. Humus acts like a sponge, improves water retention in the soil and slows down evaporation, thus improving drought resistance.
Organic Fertilizers will not burn your lawn or plants.
Organic Fertilizers encourage more earthworms which help decompose thatch and improve air and water penetration in soil ( Dr. Joe Vargas, Michigan State University).
Organic Fertilizers will not pollute ground water or standing water.
Organic Fertilizers help prevent insect infestations by creating microorganisms that will attack accumulated thatch and feed on it. Microorganisms destroy the habitat of surface and subsurface insects, thereby reducing the chance of a major infestation.
Organic Fertilizers do not promote excessive growth in the spring.
Organic Fertilizers do not leach and therefore give a long lasting, sustained feeding of your lawn. Leaching allows for nitrates to reach down into our ground water supply.
Organic Fertilizers actually build the soil by stimulating microbial production and activity.
Organic Fertilizers are water insoluble and slowly available – nutrients are released by microbial activity.
Enviro Masters offers a wide variety of programs depending on your area’s climate and soil conditions.
Crabgrass is classified as an annual grass which means it germinates in the spring, grows & develops seeds from late summer to fall, and dies with the first frost. It is difficult to determine in the early spring that you have crabgrass because the crabgrass seeds have not germinated. It starts as a light-green, wide bladed grass and becomes yellow-green as it grows. Generally, by late summer it develops a reddish-purple color. Once the cooler fall weather arrives it begins to turn brown and will eventually rot under the snow during the winter. Therefore, in the early spring you will not see the crabgrass. One crabgrass plant is capable of producing thousands of seeds which can spread by wind, mowers & shoes. Crabgrass can only be treated in the spring! The treatment prevents the new crabgrass seeds from germinating in the spring. Crabgrass seeds can remain dormant for up to 10 years. Therefore, it is wise to retreat the lawn in subsequent years especially if your crabgrass is bad.