Both horn shavings and blue grain serve to provide plants with a proper supply of nutrients. However, the two fertilizers differ in almost everything. Below you will find out when horn shavings are the better choice and when you should use blue grain instead.
Horn shavings or blue grain – which fertilizer is better?
All things considered, horn shavings are the better fertilizer because they are more natural and more environmentally friendly. However, there are situations in which it makes more sense to use purely mineral blue grain fertilizer. For plants that are about to die due to a severe lack of nutrients, you should use blue grain instead.
What is the difference between horn shavings and blue grain?
Horn shavings and blue grain differ extensively:
- Horn shavings are organic fertilizers, while blue grain is a chemically produced mineral fertilizer
- Horn shavings primarily increase nitrogen in the soil, while blue grain provides large amounts of all three main nutrients for plants - i.e. nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium
- Horn shavings have a slower but longer effect, whereas blue grain has an immediate but shorter effect
When should I use horn shavings instead of blue grain?
Use horn shavings instead of blue grain if you want to supply your plants with more nitrogen over alonger period of time to stimulate their growth. The organic fertilizer is particularly recommended for lawns and vegetables.
When is it better to use blue grain instead of horn shavings?
If your plants suffer fromacute nutrient deficiency and are in danger of dying, blue grain is more suitable. In contrast to horn shavings, the artificial fertilizer immediately supplies the plants with all the important nutrients so that they may still survive.
In addition, you should use blue grain instead of horn shavings if your plants have avery high nutrient requirement, meaning they not only need a little more nitrogen, but also an extra portion of phosphorus and potassium.
But: When fertilizing with blue grain, the correct dosage is crucial. Use artificial fertilizer sparingly!
Tip
Horn shavings and blue grain have an impact on the soil
Regardless of whether you use horn shavings or blue grain, remember that both fertilizers can also have a negative impact on the soil. This is especially true for blue grain. Use the artificial fertilizer very carefully, otherwise excess nutrients will end up in the groundwater and contaminate it. Although horn shavings are organic, over-fertilization with nitrogen also disrupts the balance in the garden soil.
