What’s organic fertilizer?

The term organic as defined by a chemist versus a gardener may not be the same thing. Organic compounds contain the element carbon, which would represent naturally derived sources of fertilizer as well as urea, a synthetically derived fertilizer. Generally speaking, products that are composed of organic matter such as composted animal manure, bone meal or leaf litter are accepted as organic by gardeners.

The term organic as defined by a chemist versus a gardener may not be the same thing. Organic compounds contain the element carbon, which would represent naturally derived sources of fertilizer as well as urea, a synthetically derived fertilizer. Generally speaking, products that are composed of organic matter such as composted animal manure, bone meal or leaf litter are accepted as organic by gardeners. 

Rebecca Finneran

Michigan State University Extension

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