Chicago Botanic Garden Statement on Organic and Inorganic FertilizersBoard approved 12/08/09
The Chicago Botanic Garden is committed to using the most effective, environmentally safe, and efficient methods of fertilization to keep the plants in its care healthy, maintain the beauty of the Garden, and promote practices that sustain biodiversity.
The success of any garden begins with the soil. A fertile, biologically active soil provides plants with sufficient nutrients for good growth. The Chicago Botanic Garden uses both inorganic and organic fertilizers in tandem with a program of monitoring soil fertility and plant performance. Both fertilizer forms are used because neither type is better in every situation, and because there are advantages and disadvantages to using either one.
Like any other organism (people included) plants can suffer either from too high a level of nutrients or too low a level. Treating these conditions requires both a sensitivity to and knowledge of the plant’s needs and its environment. At the Chicago Botanic Garden, fertilizers are never applied without adhering to strict protocols. Soil testing, foliar analysis, observation of nutrient deficiency symptoms, knowledge of specific plant requirements, and field observations of plant performance are used to guide the Garden’s fertilizer application program. Environmental factors, such as the soil pH, are also monitored regularly and adjusted accordingly to facilitate optimal nutrient release and subsequent uptake by the plants.
The Garden’s mix of soils brought in from offsite and the incredible diversity of plants with a wide range of fertility requirements call for a sophisticated approach to keeping the Garden’s permanent collections and seasonal displays healthy. In particular, all the gardens on the islands drain into the Garden’s lakes. As a result, any fertilizer selection and application is done with sensitivity regarding runoff transport and leaching.