Unlike organic fertilizer, artificial fertilizer is made from fossil minerals and atmospheric nitrogen. We show you the alternatives.
How do artificial fertilizers fit into the naturalness of living and growing gardens? The term clearly distinguishes chemical-industrial nutrient mixtures from natural fertilizers - and rightly so, because artificial fertilizers and natural fertilizers have very different effects.
Here you can find out exactly what artificial fertilizers are, when they can be used sensibly and where their disadvantages lie. We will then give you fertilizer alternatives.
What is artificial fertilizer?
Artificial fertilizers are mineral fertilizers that are manufactured or processed using chemical and industrial processes. The raw materials used come from fossil deposits - only the nitrogen has to be synthesized from atmospheric nitrogen (N2) using the Haber-Bosch process. The individual nutrients have crystallized into s alts that redissolve in the soil water when they are applied. After the fertilizer granules have been dissolved, the nutrient ions can be absorbed by plants, used or converted by soil organisms, bound to soil particles by electrical forces of attraction or washed out downwards. Because of their fast action and high concentration, artificial fertilizers are able to remedy acute deficiencies in plant nutrition. So if a plant with a severe deficiency needs to be taken care of immediately, it can make sense to use mineral fertilizers or liquid fertilizers.
Disadvantages of artificial fertilizers
Artificial fertilizers are attractive to many consumers at first glance, not least because of their low price. However, what should be considered: The cheap pricing of artificial fertilizers is only possible at the expense of the environment and at the expense of your garden. Because the production of artificial fertilizers consumes large amounts of energy, it exploits finite fossil deposits, destroys landscapes and pollutes water. The Haber-Bosch process for synthesizing nitrogen compounds from atmospheric nitrogen is so energy-intensive that iteconomically only worthwhile if electricity prices are extremely low. And of course electricity can only be had so cheaply at the expense of the environment: coal and nuclear power make it possible.
Artificial fertilizer is unfortunately of little use as a long-term garden fertilizer: If used alone, it leads to a long-term decrease in all soil qualities. Water and nutrient storage decrease, soil life becomes impoverished, humus is broken down, which also impairs aeration, loosening and root penetration. Soil fertility falls because the soil lacks the essentials. In addition, incorrect application can lead to leaching, over-fertilization and changes in the soil pH value, which is crucial for the nutrient uptake of the plants.
Note: Some of the world's phosphate deposits are contaminated with uranium or cadmium. These are not contained in high-quality mineral fertilizers - in Germany there are protective limit values for them. However, the deposits for uncontaminated phosphates are scarce. Find out more about how heavy metals can show up in fertilizers here.
Alternatives to artificial fertilizers
The alternatives to artificial fertilizers are fertilizers that do not exclude the natural processes for maintaining soil performance: Organic fertilizers or organo-mineral fertilizers contain nutrients in organically bound form. Of course, this also includes self-made fertilizers such as compost, horse manure, green manure or bokashi. If you buy mainly organic fertilizers, it is basically dried, crushed material of animal or vegetable origin, the nutritional content of which is precisely known, possibly enriched with some mineral additives to increase the speed of action or to adapt the nutrient ratio of the raw materials to the needs of the crop adapt to fertilized plants. Biologically active components such as bacterial or fungal spores of beneficial microorganisms such as mycorrhizae are also not uncommon components. The advantages are obvious: By introducing carbon-rich structural material, the soil-forming organisms in the subsoil are nourished and have "building material" for humic soil crumbs. Their activity and humus formation loosens the soil, stores water and nutrients efficiently and can pass them on to the plants growing in the soil when needed.
Note: Some microorganisms living in the soil - both fungi and bacteria, archaea, nematodes and insects - are in close contact with the root, sometimes even in symbiotic relationships. For plants, their presence promotes growth and vitality.
We at Plantura have primarily developed organic organic fertilizers without animal additives, with which you can garden sustainably. The Plantura organic fertilizers are organically produced, are safe for nature and the user and provide both main and trace nutrients in suitable compositions for flowers, hydrangeas, roses or tomatoes and vegetables. Our Plantura organic universal fertilizer and the organic soil activator can be used in a variety of ways in the garden. The purely organic Plantura organic autumn lawn fertilizer makes your lawn winter-proof and strengthens it for the coming year, while our predominantly organic Plantura organic lawn fertilizer optimally supplies your lawn with all the nutrients in spring and summer and is kind to the environment. You can find more about our Plantura product family in our shop.