The term "organic fertilizer" is not officially defined, but generally refers to any naturally occurring organic matter that can be used as a fertilizer. The material in a standard compost heap represents organic fertilizer. Manure is another common organic fertilizer. Other sources include dried blood, fish meal and sea weed.
Inorganic fertilizers, on the other hand, are those that are manufactured. Recall the list of compounds listed in the table in the Fertilizers section of this module. Most of those compounds can be easily manufactured. In fact, most organic fertilizer material will have to be broken down by micro-organisms in the soil before the nutrients will be in a form that can be utilized by plants. Most of the inorganic forms sold by manufactures can be used by the plants immediately.
So why use organic fertilizers? The primary assets are conservation and economics. Why purchase inorganic fertilizer when your household creates a sufficient supply of the organic variety? Among the topics you could explore are:
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