Plants Distinguish Natural Soil Nitrogen from Synthetic Nitrogen

[Oliver Buckle]

Without a soil test, I don't know how a prospective gardener would ever know.

His caulis wouldn't flower.

 

[Meadowlark]

His caulis wouldn't flower.

No, his caulis wouldn't flower but he didn't know why

 

[redback]

Don't forget to check out the life in your soil. In many respects a living soil will outperform a complete collection of chemicals. Only nature (soil microbiome) can balance all the aspects of soil health.
A soil test on new ground is a good idea.

 

[oneeye]

Yes, and my latest soil test showed only .04 ppm boron. I'll be amending with Boron today. Without a soil test, I don't know how a prospective gardener would ever know.

You are good to go I wouldn't worry with .04 ppm boron. Your yearly input of organic matter will amend the 0.1 ppm. Anything over 1.0 is toxic. You are blessed with .04 friend!

• Ideal range: 0.5 - 1.0 ppm

 

[smitty55]

I'm organic outdoors and have always been. However, I use synthetic nutrients indoors with super results too. There's some basic misinformation when it comes to plant nutrition. Heres a video that may help.

I stopped paying attention to that clown years back, he's only in it for the money. The biggest joke was when he posted on an organic gardening group that you can use synthetic fertilizers and still be considered an organic gardener and he included himself in that group. I called him out on it and he didn't care one iota.

 

[redback]

@smitty55 is right about that guy. You are much better off listening to the 'regen ag.' guys.

 

[oneeye]

@smitty55 is right about that guy. You are much better off listening to the 'regen ag.' guys.

Thanks, I didn't know, first video I have watched. I try to keep an open mind when it comes to first appearances.

 

[redback]

Thanks, I didn't know, first video I have watched.

It's very relevant to the discussion but is typical of combined usage argument. Most people are hybrid users (my term). The high cost of NPK means that everybody starts their garden with much cheaper bulk or bagged organic manures and composts. This will give them a good start and the microbial life will thrive. Later these same gardeners will add NPK in very small quantities because they no longer need the bulk, and the soil is now friable and working well except for minor specialties that their new plants need. Therefore, if all is going well but they need to change pH or increase calcium etc. they add the inorganic pellets.
Because these minor additions don't result in instant death of the microbes the advocates of NPK say it is harmless. It sits unused in the ground because microbes don't feed on it and therefore plants cannot access it. Over time it will destroy the soil microbiome because they are only feeding on the organic matter, and if that is not being added as well, they will starve.
NPK is useless. What we will find is the makers of artificial fertilizer will mix it with their 'special organic supplements' and sell that in the hope the public will be fooled.