Organic means different things to different gardeners.
"Organic" is a word that has different meanings to different speakers. To claim organic status for a fertilizer under the United States Department of Agriculture organic certification guidelines, specific and complex requirements must be met. Some states have their own definitions of the term "organic" in both produce and plant amendment products. Farmers and gardeners themselves have distinct definitions of the word. Historically, however, the term has meant any naturally occurring material that contains nutrients useful to plant nutrition and does not contain chemicals such as pesticides, fungicides or other chemicals.
Definition
Farmers and gardeners make their own organic fertilizers from natural matter in a variety of forms. Aged animal manure is standard organic fertilizer around the world. For some, the definition of organic would extend to using only the manure from organically fed livestock. Plant matter that was never exposed to pesticides, fungicides or chemical fertilizers is often turned into fertilizing compost by a slow rotting process. Materials such as fish emulsion, naturally occurring minerals, bones or feathers and seaweed are sometimes made into fertilizer.
Disadvantages
The work of making one's own organic fertilizer can be a year-round project. It involves maintaining a compost operation to gather and age raw materials. Gardeners and farmers gather everything from fallen limbs to chicken feathers to put into the system. The organic matter needs to be exposed to fresh air and protected from excess moisture while it is breaking down to usable form. Producing a fertilizer that is consistent in its content of nutrients is hit or miss. Small gardeners find it easier to make and apply their own organic fertilizers, but farmers may need to invest in commercially prepared organic fertilizers.
Advantages
Many growers believe that organic fertilizers are healthier for the land and the consumers of produce. Organics assist the soil in holding on to water and nutrients. Beneficial organisms are encouraged by the added organic matter. Putting organic fertilizer on crops means the plants are getting their food slowly as the material continues to break down. Growers don't need to fertilize as often as with non-organic fertilizers because nutrients are not quickly leached away by rain and sun. Some organic fertilizers are less expensive than non-organic solutions. Finally, people who eat the food are free from potential danger of ingesting chemical residue.
Application
When farmers and gardeners make their own fertilizers, they dig the compost into the soil or spray fertilizer "teas" onto the plants. A challenge is to judge the correct amount of fertilizer to use. Users of organics do not have the guidelines for use that purchasers of non-organic products have. They must rely upon the collective knowledge of other growers who use organic fertilizers. Commercial manufacturers of organic fertilizers do recommend amounts for use based on their research. Proper application of organic fertilizers can be trial and error, but many farmers and gardeners think it is worth the effort.
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