It’s trendy to go green by consuming and using only organic products, but is organic fertilizer the best option for your garden? For more than a half-century, The Garden Exchange in Hilo, HI, has been helping gardeners stay equipped with lawn care and gardening supplies, carrying a selection of organic, chemical, water-soluble, and repackaged fertilizers.

Each type of fertilizer has advantages, but organic fertilizer features specific benefits:

• It’s Good For The Soil: Chemical fertilizer can damage soil over time by eroding nutrients due to its high salt content. Organic fertilizer nurtures soil by feeding the microorganisms, roots, worms, and fungi that inhabit it, creating healthier soil and plants.

• It’s Hard to Over-Fertilize: Organic fertilizer provides a slow-release function that allows users to treat plants without harming them. This prevents toxic buildup in the soil.

• It Produces Better-Tasting Fruits & Vegetables: Simply take a bite out of an organically grown tomato or strawberry and you may forget about alternatives. Many users of organic fertilizer say it gives their produce a more intense flavor.  

Organic fertilizer tends to require more labor, patience, and expense than other options, but many gardeners think it’s worthwhile. On the other hand, chemical fertilizers are usually less expensive, show faster results, and require less work, especially for large-scale projects.

The Garden Exchange offers a variety of organic and chemical fertilizers, and their gardening professionals will guide you toward the product that’s right for your needs. If organic is your choice, you’ll find chicken and steer manure, calcium carbonate, crumbles, and humus options. For more information, call (808) 961-2875 or visit their website, where you can learn about their weekly specials.