There are all kinds of problems with synthetic, high-nitrogen salt fertilizers.  Most importantly, they are basically salts.  These salts build up and damage the soil and plant roots.  High levels of nitrogen force fast growth that results in a very weak watery cell growth in plants.   Plants grow and flower in the short run but the imbalance and the watery cells that are created bring on insects and diseases.  Plant health is decreased long term.  Nature’s job is to take out sick plants and to encourage the survival of the fittest.  Synthetic nitrogen, even if attempts have been made to artificially slow its release, is soluble and doesn’t stay put in the soil.  Rain and irrigation after application washes it away and leaches it through the soil into the water stream. 

The worse possible choices?     1) Chemical weed and feed fertilizers

                                                2) Nitrogen only fertilizers such as 24-0-0

Mar 2007