Introduction
At FoodCycler, we’re all about helping gardeners find the best ways to grow their plants and feed the Earth, whether you’re a green-thumb veteran or just starting out. That means knowing the differences between compost, fertilizer, manure, and our very own Foodilizer. In this blog, we’ll break down what each one is, their pros and cons, and when to use them.
What is Compost?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines composting as the managed, aerobic (meaning oxygen-loving) decomposition of organic materials by microorganisms. The end-product after these microorganism's feast on the organic material is called compost.
Let’s break it down even more: the microorganisms, or microbes, are bacteria that are found in variety of sources: leaves, soil, etc. As you pile more stuff onto your compost pile, you’re giving your microbes more and more organic material to chomp down on. Over time, as you keep adding banana peels, avocado skins, and coffee grounds to your compost pile, the microbes convert them into the stable organic matter we call compost. This finished compost is a dark, earthy soil amendment that helps your home’s garden or lawn flourish.
Pros of Using Compost
Composting has countless benefits; here are the top three:
- Reduces food waste: Composting keeps food scraps out of landfills, which reduces greenhouse gases like methane (CH₄), combatting climate change.
- Healthier plants: Compost improves soil structure and gives plants a nutrient boost with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). For more on why these nutrients matter.
- Balanced soil: Compost helps soil hold the right amount of water and air, giving roots what they need.
Cons of Using Compost
As with everything, the cons go hand-in hand, and composting may not be the best option sometimes:
- The “yuck” factor: Collecting and storing food scraps can be smelly and that attracts pests (bears, racoons, rats, bugs etc) if not managed well.
- Space & know-how: Composting takes time and effort, and not everyone has room for a compost bin or a tumbler, especially in apartments or condos.
What is Fertilizer?
Next, let’s look at fertilizer. The EPA defines fertilizer as any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soils or plant tissues to supply essential nutrients for plant growth. Fertilizers are packed with nutrients, typically NPK, which help plants grow leaves, develop roots and produce flowers or fruit. These concentrations much higher than what are found in compost, that plants need to grow strong and healthy.
Fertilizers come in two categories:
- Synthetic fertilizers: Synthetic refers to the manufacturing of chemicals and additives into a mixture, which offers quick nutrient releases. Aka: Man-made chemical mixtures that work fast.
- Natural fertilizers: Made from organic materials like manure or bone meal, and release nutrients more slowly over time. Compost when applied correctly, can even act as a natural fertilizer!
What is Liquid Fertilizer?
Fertilizers can then be further split into liquid or granular forms. Once again, form meets function in the aspect that liquid and granular fertilizers each have their own set of characteristics that set them apart from each other.
When to use Liquid Fertilizer and when to use Granular fertilizer?
- Liquid fertilizers are usually applied manually, eg with a watering can or sprayer which allows for a quick nutrient boost to plants when they need it and a more uniform distribution.
- Granular fertilizers are dry and sprinkled around plants in a more common “hand-and drop” spreading application. They have a slower rate of absorption so less is needed over a similar time frame to liquid fertilizers. These types of fertilizers are what you usually think of when you hear “fertilizer”.
Pros of Using Fertilizer
Regardless of the kind of use, they can really boost your garden and plants. All those nutrients, specifically the NPK levels, give you:
- Stronger plants: Boosts growth, soil health, root development and crop yields.
- Faster results: Especially with synthetic or liquid fertilizers.
Cons of Using Fertilizer
The consequences of using too much fertilizer or too intense, can negatively impact the environment, animals, plants and human health.
- Leaching: extensive use from over-watering or excessive rainfall can lead to leaching of nutrients into waterways and ground water, harming the surrounding eco-system, wildlife and water quality.
- Expensive: Buying and reapplying fertilizers can add up in cost.
When To Use Fertilizer Vs. Compost
Application of either fertilizer, compost, or a mix of both ultimately depends on your gardening needs. If space is of concern, and you don’t have the feasibility of composting, fertilizer (when applied correctly) is a great source of nutrient boost for your plants.
Can You Use Both Compost and Fertilizer Together?
If you want to combine the two, you could supplement them in a way that synergistically helps to boost soil health (with the help of compost) and plant growth and yield.
Which one to use depends on your space and garden goals:
- No room to compost? Fertilizer can still feed your plants.
- Compost available? Use it to improve soil health
- Want the best of both worlds? Combining them can balance soil and boost plant growth.
What is Foodilizer?
At FoodCycler, our innovation and know-how in food waste technologies makes us experts at turning food scraps into something amazing! Foodilizer is the dry organic by-product created from the food waste processed in our FoodCycler through dehydrating, grinding, and heating. It’s a great way to close the loop on food waste, create a useful resource, and reduce your carbon footprint.
Pros of Foodilizer
Using Foodilizer has a lot of benefits for the environment, for your garden, your plants and for you. It helps you become more eco-conscious because it’s a better way to deal with food waste than putting it in the garbage, which then goes to the landfill, and anything that diverts from the landfill is a good thing! Here’s why Foodilizer is a good option as a soil amendment:
- Eco-friendly: acts as a nutrient-rich soil amendment, so can be mixed right into soil for a nutrient boost to your garden.
- Versatile: can be used as a soil amendment or added to compost piles. It works well as a feedstock in compost because of its nutrient-rich profile.
- Research-backed: we partner with several accredited research institutions, such as Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, to explore and understand the best ways to use Foodilizer in your garden and how it can leave a positive impact on the environment.
Cons of Foodilizer
- Moisture risk: Foodilizer comes out of the food cycler as a dry by-product, with typically less than 5% remaining moisture. If not stored properly, moisture can cause mold. Learn more about mold on your soil here.
- Varied nutrient levels: the difference in consistency between nutrients from batch to batch of Foodilizer varies depending on what your toss in your FoodCycler. Since your diet changes day to day, the nutrient profile of each batch of Foodilizer may vary.
- Meat vs veg ratio differences: There are differences in the nutrient profile of Foodilizer that is made from an omnivore versus carnivore diets. With the carnivore-based Foodilizer, the nitrogen levels are much higher (the N in “NPK”) so the Foodilizer-to-soil ratio is less than an omnivore or pure vegetarian Foodilizer mix.
What is Manure?
Manure is a fascinating addition into the soil amendment and fertilizer discussion. Manure is categorized as organic matter, primarily sourced from animal feces and urine that is used as fertilizer in agriculture and other applications is another natural soil amendment - basically animal waste turned into fertilizer. It’s full of nutrients and can improve soil texture and fertility. However, it needs to be composted or aged before use to avoid harming plants or spreading pathogens.
When it comes to feeding your garden, compost, fertilizer, and manure all bring something different to the table. While they can all improve plant health and soil quality, their sources, nutrient profiles, and application styles set them apart.
Manure stands out as a naturally nutrient-rich option derived from animal waste. It’s often used in agriculture to improve soil texture and add organic matter but needs to be aged or composted before use to prevent plant damage or the spread of pathogens. When handled properly, it’s a strong contender for improving long-term soil fertility.
Each option has unique benefits:
- Compost: Boosts soil health and reduces waste.
- Fertilizer: Provides a quick nutrient boost.
- Manure: Adds organic matter and nutrients but needs to be aged.
Conclusion
Many gardeners use a mix to get the best results. The choice depends on your space, time, and what your plants need.
If you are reading this and taking the time to educate yourself, it reinforces your decision to be more eco-conscious and always striving to find the best information when it comes to garden plant application. There is no right choice, but rather a choice that fits within the scope of your capabilities and applications.
Whether you choose to compost, fertilize, or try Foodilizer, each choice supports your plants and helps the planet, closing the loop on food waste.
Check out these helpful links for more information on Foodilizer, or visit our blog page:
