By Rachel Delp Updated November 22, 2019
Inorganic fertilizers are also sometimes referred to as chemical or synthetic fertilizer because their plant-providing nutrients have been synthesized or manufactured in a laboratory or refinery. Until 100 years ago, fertilizers were all organic because the science and chemistry behind inorganic fertilizers had not been developed. However, since then we have learned plants develop well using inorganic nutrients, and these fertilizers offer gardeners several advantages.
Fast Acting
One advantage inorganic fertilizers offer is that they are fast acting. These nutrient-rich salts dissolve quickly and are immediately available to the plants depending on them to provide essential nourishment in the form of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In cases when plants show signs of nutrient deficiency, inorganic fertilizers have a distinct advantage over organic choices, which depend on soil organisms to first break down the organic matter before nutrients can be released. This delay can result in plants not receiving required levels of vital nutrients and causing stunted growth, poor fruit and flower development or weak stems. Inorganic fertilizer's fast delivery of essential elements and minerals eliminates this potential problem.
Precise Content
Another advantage that inorganic fertilizers offer is the precise content of nutrients is guaranteed by law. The breakdown of the plant nutrients is provided as a percentage, which you will commonly see displayed as 12-10-10, 16-6-4 or 10-10-10, for example, on inorganic fertilizer bags or containers. The first number listed is always the percentage of nitrogen, followed by the same for phosphorus and potassium, or N-P-K. Therefore, in a 16-6-4 inorganic fertilizer, 16 percent of the contents is nitrogen, 6 percent is phosphorus and 4 percent is potassium. The precise content of fertilizers is important to know because individual garden soil requirements, as well as specific plant needs, vary. Knowing exactly which nutrients and in what quantities you are adding to the soil will ensure growing plants will have the correct nourishment they'll need for healthy development.
Ease of Use
Inorganic fertilizers also offer the advantage of coming in several easy-to-use formulations, which also makes them much easier to transport than organic fertilizers like manure. Inorganic fertilizers are available as dry granules, water-soluble powders and liquid concentrates, as well as spikes and tabular formats designed specifically for indoor or garden container plants. Controlled-release inorganic fertilizers dispense plant nutrients over an extended period from three to eight months, eliminating the need for repeated fertilizer applications throughout the growing season -- an added advantage for busy home gardeners.
Lower Cost
Because inorganic fertilizers are mass produced, they are less costly than organic fertilizers, which carry a significantly higher expense. In particular, dry granular controlled-release inorganic fertilizers are a very cost-efficient option for home gardeners because they provide complete nutrition and do not require repeated applications.
Pet Friendliness
Some inorganic fertilizers contain ingredients such as carbamates or organophosphates, which can potentially be dangerous to your pet. You should avoid these if you have dogs or cats. Other inorganic fertilizers are generally pet safe when used as directed.
Paradoxically, organic fertilizers can be more dangerous. They're often derived from meat or fish byproducts and, unlike inorganic fertilizers, these smell remarkably appealing to pets. Given the chance, many pets will eat enough of these products to become very ill indeed.
