When it comes to fertilizer on a small farm, I win no supporters as I sit on the fence between organic and synthetic.
Both sides reject the middle road. In home gardening circles, fertilizer is a dirty topic, with many declaring after shoveling tons of manure onto their beds, "I never use fertilizer."
A major benefit of using organic matter fertilizer alternatives like manure is that the natural nutrients in the organic matter feed and encourage beneficial microbes in the soil, which leads to healthier, more workable soil.
Manure improves the soil and provides a slow steady release of nutrients. Manure can also be an economic alternative to garden fertilizer, especially for gardeners who raise livestock.
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