The interaction between soil, plants, and microorganisms is crucial for sustainable and enhanced lawn performance. Organic fertilizers used by Clean Air Lawn Care Portland play a pivotal role, enriching soil and fostering a thriving microbiological community. The science is in the soil, and it is what nature does in the wild in undeveloped land. To help you make an informed decision we start with where we get the components for organic fertilizers and ways they make a difference. And there’s no better day to get started than Earth Day 2024.
How Organic Fertilizers Nourish Soil…
Natural Ingredients
Unlike synthetic fertilizers, which typically contain concentrated petroleum-based chemicals, organic fertilizers provide a broader spectrum of nutrients. This diversity of nutrients is vital for supporting the complex needs of soil microbes and promoting long-term soil fertility. Organic fertilizers are derived from natural sources such as
- Compost
- Manure or Guano
- Bone Meal
- Plant Residues
- Algae (e.g. Kelp)
Gradual Release of Nutrients
Through the gradual release of nutrients organic fertilizers enrich the soil. Synthetic fertilizers on the other hand often deliver nutrients in rapid bursts. When organic fertilizers break down slowly over time nutrients are released gradually as they decompose. This slow-release mechanism ensures a steady and sustained supply of nutrients reducing the risk of nutrient runoff and leaching while promoting efficient nutrient uptake by plant roots.
Diversity of Organic Matter
Furthermore, the diverse array of organic matter and nutrients provided serve as food and energy sources for beneficial microbes, stimulating their growth and activity. They set the table for a healthy diet that nourishes that underground ecology. Soil microbes, including bacteria, fungi and archaea, play myriad roles in soil health, from nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition to disease suppression and plant symbiosis. As the lawn begins to thrive and become healthy and lush, it will also reduce the need for herbicides to control weeds. A full and healthy lawn can provide up to 70% of weed control, and in some cases eliminate certain herbicides from being necessary at all.
Act as Binding Agents
Also, organic matter abundant in organic fertilizers acts as binding agents. A binding agent is a substance that holds or draws other materials together to form cohesiveness. Cohesiveness, or harmony in your lawn, increases uptake of nutrients and allows the microbiology to thrive and multiply. This enhancement of soil structure improves water retention capacity creating an optimal environment for microbial proliferation.
Functional Redundancy
Ultimately, organic fertilizers foster a more resilient microbial community than petroleum-based fertilizers. Biodiversity and functional redundancy within the soil microbiome enhances soil fertility and plant health. The diverse array of nutrients present in organic fertilizers supports this. It is essential for maintaining ecosystem stability and resilience in the face of environmental stresses, such as drought, disease or other pests.
Making the Switch
Switching to an organic fertilizer will provide a holistic approach to soil fertility for your lawn, harnessing the power of what nature would do on its own accord if we were not intervening. This change creates a lawn that is more uniform and limited in weeds and nuisance plants. By providing a balanced and slow-release supply of nutrients, organic fertilizers promote soil health, enhance microbial diversity and support sustainable agriculture practices naturally and safely.
There is no specific “right time” to begin an organic lawn treatment program. As we want the inputs to begin to work with the existing microbiology and let that community thrive and flourish, we need time, and starting now in 2024 will get your lawn moving in the right direction.
Author
Clean Air Lawn Care HQ’s blog is written by Craig Martin, one of Clean Air’s many franchise owners. Prior to becoming an owner, Craig spent more than 15 years as a sports writer for multiple newspapers, and he reported on prep, NCAA and professional sports. Each week he will be sharing thoughts, ideas and industry insights on how Clean Air Lawn Care helps foster an organic and sustainable lawn for you and your family to enjoy.
