Within the last 5-10 years, most of the larger synthetic fertilizer companies have either introduced a product line of organic soil amendments or they have acquired a company with a line of organic soil amendments. Either way, it's a significant indication about the organic movement in the home gardening industry. 

 

For decades, the average consumer has been completely ignorant about the soil damage from synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides.  When synthetic chemicals are used to fertilize your garden the plants get their N-P-K fix in a soluble form. (The synthetic nutrients are readily available to the plants when mixed with water) However, a plant will only utilize the nutrients they need for the moment and leave the unused portion untouched. What many gardener do not realize is that these synthetic nutrients do not retain in the soil and they have a negative effect on the microorganisms in the soil.

 

After a heavy rainfall, the synthetic fertilizer wash away with the drain water and end up in our storm drains, streams, rivers and water ways. That is the reason the instructions on the bag recommends another "feeding" of chemicals 4-6 weeks later. In the process, you are slowly killing the beneficial microorganism in the soil. The sodium content in the soil increases when you use a synthetic fertilizer. So, after a season or two, you have perfectly sterile soil!  The only thing that the chemical companies recommend is to use more of their chemicals!  The chemical cycle has begun and that's what chemical gardening is all about!

 

When you realize that the chemical feeding cycle might not be best for you, your family and your garden, the answer is simple:

 

 

One of the traditional myths of organic gardening is that it is hard work and the results are slow and marginal. Perhaps 20-30 years ago that would be a somewhat valid argument, but not today with all the new organic products available. Today you can have fast results with a great looking garden with big colorful blooms, healthy plants, and the best tasting fruits and vegetables. All that in a completely safe environment for you, your kids and your pets.

 

There are two components to successful organic gardening: An abundance of beneficial microbes and an organic fertilizer. Organic nutrients are not in a soluble form, so plants can not utilize the nutrients until they have been digested by the beneficial microbes.

 

"All organic nutrients must be digested through microbial action before the nutrients are available to the roots for absorption."  Microbes are the key ingredient in "good soil structure". Everything in the soil depends on microbes, directly or indirectly.

 

After they convert organic nutrients and organic matter into soluble nutrients they make sure the nutrients remain in the soil for future plant use. They do not "wash away" over time.

 

In addition, they release a by-product called glomalin, which acts as a glue, binding soil particles and organic matter together. This process greatly enhances the soil structure. The soil becomes more porous, which allows oxygen and water to reach deep down into the soil, where the roots are.

 

Overall plant health depends on the amount of water and oxygen that reaches the root system. That is the reason it is difficult to grow healthy plants in compacted soil. However, a season of SoilSoup will break up the compacted soil and allow air and water to penetrate deeper into the soil.

 

The water retention is greatly increased by good soil structure. A 35-40% increase in water retention is not uncommon. This alone is a huge cost saver for most gardeners, especially when the cost of municipal water is becoming more expensive.