This is a great article from Leafly that outlines the differences between organic or chemical nutrients/ fertilizers. This post isn’t to prove one is are right or wrong, but it’s worth having a conversation about both.
Cannabis plants are resilient and resourceful. However, much like any other living organism, cannabis plants need nutrients. Also known as fertilizers, nutrients can be either organic or inorganic (chemical).
Before chemical fertilizers, traditional farming practices required you to keep the soil healthy and rich in nutrients by either using nitrogen fixers such as leguminous plants (e.g. beans, peas) as cover crops or by spreading manure. These were the basic methods used for centuries to keep gardens productive.
Organic fertilizers are described as nutrients that come from organic sources such as animal and vegetable waste. They also extend to sediments like glacial rock dust and gypsum that contain beneficial minerals for the soil and plant.
The benefits of organic fertilizers:
- Slow release of nutrients protects the plants from overfeeding/burning
- Overtime organic fertilizers can improve the quality and diversity of life in your soil
- Improved airflow and water retention in soil
- Renewable and sustainable
- Organics stay in the soil with a lower chance of nutrient run-off
When working with organic fertilizers, you are given the opportunity to improve your growing medium while at the same time improving the quality of your flowers. The benefit from organics largely comes from the ability to nurture this balance. Growers often find that growing organically increases the flavor profile of the cannabis as well as the yield.
Another substantial benefit comes from the fact that this fertilization process can repeat itself year after year as the soil continually improves. This makes using organic fertilizers a popular choice for outdoor gardeners who use the same soil repeatedly. Using organics is also preferred for those who want to be more aware and in tune with their natural environment. Organic fertilizers are readily available from renewable sources, and when applied, they ground down in the medium, preventing nutrient run-off and thus making organic fertilizers the earth-friendly option.