What's the Difference Between Compost and Fertilizer?

In this week's video, Christy Wilhelmi of Gardenerd breaks down the difference between compost and fertilizer. She also shares the difference between synthetic and organic fertilizers. If you've ever had questions about when to use compost and when to use fertilizer, this video will clear it up.
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[@qwr742]

This is brilliantly informative, thank you!

[@bjones9140]

Thanks this is very informative

[@VladOnEarth]

6:30 yes, every soil should have everything in it, however, that is in nature, where animals and birds roam freely over it and poop and urinate. That's the big difference, and unless you are doing an organic gardening that is in merge with nature, you will not have those nutrients, because you are not letting your part of planet live its natural organic cycle.

[@jimd1617]

thanks!

[@robertadunaway7030]

Thanks

[@Gardenerd]

Thank you for watching Roberta. Happy gardening!

[@phoggee]

Hi Christy, just missed your class at SMC, hope you have another one soon!! Do you talk about composting in any one of your books in detail? I'm so confused about some of the more technical details, especially after I just came across Dr. Elaine Ingham.

[@phoggee]

Think I found my answer, Gardening for Geeks should answer most of my questions!

[@Gardenerd]

@@phoggee That's right! Gardening for Geeks gives you all the goodies on compost. Grow Your Own Mini Fruit Garden has a recipe and process for brewing compost tea when you're ready for that.

[@j.e.7028]

I'm a complete novice,and about to buy a veg trug,,I bought organic compost thinking this will be good to grow small berries and vegetables..should I still test it?

[@kingt9922]

So its best to use fifferent firtalizers for different plants. We not soposed to get like for example a 5-5-5 for all fruits and vegies?

[@Gardenerd]

Sometimes you can get away with using an all purpose or equally balanced blend for all things. But it the vegetable makes fruit, it's going to need more P and K than say, lettuces or kale. Blends are sometimes the right way to go. But if you want to reduce or eliminate your inputs altogether, consider researching the work done by Helen Atthowe on her farm. She writes about it in The Ecological Farm. She's an upcoming guest on the Gardenerd Tip of the Week Podcast. Listen in to find out more.

[@r-Justice1421]

Is Earthgro good to use for herbs and vegtable gardens?

[@Gardenerd]

Earthgro is owned by Scotts (they make the synthetic fertilizer Miracle Gro), so I try not to give them my money. Their mulch is dyed, and while they don't list what ingredients are used to dye the mulch, I am told it is harmless. Nevertheless I try to support products and companies that are completely organic and do not offer any chemical fertilizer in their product line. These guys have been aiding in the poisoning of waterways (and algae blooms) for decades and they only recently created organic products to capture part of the market. My 2 cents.

[@crazysquirrel9425]

@@Gardenerd Scotts is owned by Monsanto - the company that makes HERBICIDES. Monsanto is owned by BAYER. Using the proper chemical fertilizer will not create algae blooms. Overuse is what caused the excess nitrogen to leech out.

[@marktoldgardengnome4110]

@@Gardenerd When a substance is more beneficial to the manufacturer then it's customers, it probably shouldn't be used. Make that 4 cents.

[@DavidMFChapman]

What I’d like to know is do the N, P, and K get taken up by the plants in atomic form or as part of chemical compounds.

[@Gardenerd]

That one is going to take more research, but when ask, the physicist in the family said it would have to be on a molecular or compound level rather than atomic. Some of the nutrients are taken up by the plant after they've been consumed by bacteria or fungi. The nutrient cyclers - protozoa, flagellates and ciliates -- convert the fertilizers into something the plants prefer after they consume bacteria.

[@JRileyStewart]

The most obvious uptake by plants of an atomic state is nitrogen fixers, that uptake N2 (nitrogen gas in air and soil). By far, most nutrients are either part of a more complex molecule (NH4+, phosphate oxides, amino acids, amino sugars, etc), or metals (Ca, Mg, Mn, Na, etc) bound to organic molecules. There is some really good research-based knowledge over on kzbin.info if you want more details.

[@vivekb1557]

U r right 'K' stands for potassium

[@crazysquirrel9425]

Not all chemical fertilizers are made from petroleum. Some are made from animal urine and treated to create the nitrogen. Human urine is one of the best fertilizers you can use - just mix 10 parts water to one part of urine. 20 parts water to one part urine for seedlings and if you have to water very frequently. Most plants need different fertilizer at different stages of life. When fruiting, a lot less nitrogen is needed but a lot more phosphorous is needed. Some plants like potatoes need massive amounts of potash (potassium). Using composted leaves adds tilth to the soil and minerals too. It is the carbon source needed for fungi and microbes. Fungi traded minerals and other things with the plant in exchange for carbohydrates that the plant makes - symbiosis takes place. There are more soil microbes in a tablespoon of good soil than all the people on Earth. Composted animal manures does contain nitrogen, but low amounts depending on the manure.

[@Gardenerd]

Hear, hear, @crazysquirrel9425!

[@rainynight02]

I thought fertilizer was straight poop, mostly... I am so confused.

[@jesusmywholehaschanged]

That's manure.

[@Shmitty2023]

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