The term "organic" means different things to different gardeners. For most people, it conjures up thoughts of pristine meadows and clear, babbling brooks. Another perspective that "organic" things do not come from big factories with busy laboratories.

Organic fertilizers are derived from living things, such as manures, bone meal, compost, and wood ashes. Some confusion exists because urea, a highly concentrated, nitrogen fertilizer, made synthetically, is called an organic fertilizer. While in a "chemist's description" this is correct, gardeners refer to "organic" as naturally derived. Organic fertilizers also are available in a wide variety. The nutrients in organic fertilizers are considered "slow release" because they become available when they are decomposed by soil microbes. Organic fertilizers can improve the physical properties of the soil and add beneficial microbes. The actual chemical compounds absorbed by plants remains the same regardless of the inorganic or organic source. Organic fertilizers tend to be less concentrated nutrient sources. Also, they tend to be more expensive per unit of plant nutrients.

Note: We have provided some general information and observations on this topic aimed at the home gardener. Before you take any serious action in your landscape, check with your state's land grant university's Cooperative Extension Service for the most current, appropriate, localized recommendations.