Synthetic, non-synthetic, natural, & organic !

Here's some tips to help you with product labeling in the U.S. and elsewhere.

A synthetic material is the product of chemical or metallurgical interactions. For the gardener, examples might include (a) Calcium Polysulfide - a common fungicide, and (b) Humic acids - a complex compound of carbon acids, sometimes synthesized from carbon tailings or other carbon sources.

A non-synthetic material is of course the opposite. Some common examples for the gardener are things like (a) Horse manure, (b) Nitrogen salts mined from dry lake beds, and again (c) Humic acids which can be found in "natural" settings, but less often due to mining operations for this important fertilizer.

In the category of non-synthetic materials are extractions and reductions. Neem oil is one common example: material from the Neem tree is distilled in a process similar to making alcohol to produce a refined, known concentration of the oil.

Another non-synthetic category are bio-agents: living things like worms, bacteria, and mycorrhizal fungi. An excellent example here is Spinosaid: a class of bacteria which are very effective in controlling common agricultural insects.

Natural refers to materials that occur in nature -- whether they are rocks, plants, etc. There is no legal definition other than what has been established by lawsuits.

Natural Ingredients is often an indicator that natural materials were used but then subjected to a non-synthetic refining process.

Organic has many meanings. According to the USDA and the State of California, "Organic Certified" means something that does not significantly perturb the environment. Organic certified does not mean non-synthetic. A certified organic farmer cannot control pests with Malathion, but they can use a synthetic pyretherin called Cyfluthrin -- provided it is not the Bayer product that also contains naphthalene. Similarly, certified organic farming cannot use Glyphosate (e.g., Roundup or Remuda) to control weeds, but they can burn them down with a propane torch or flame thrower.

When a fertilizer product says "all organic" it means non-synthesized products from plants and animals -- which might or might not include treated sewage.

The best fertilizers for your plants contain a wide range of nutrients, most of which are non-synthesized but there will also be percentages of synthesized materials. In the western U.S., I encourage you to look at products from (a) GroPower, (b) Dr. Earth, and (c) Kellogg's Garden Products.

If someone is going to use a propne torch or "Flame Thrower" they should realize that will probably NOT give them full control of established Bermuda or St. Augustine or other similar weeds that tend to spred by under ground stolons. It will do a good job of burning off the top foliage but they will soon grow back from the root system, probably stronger than ever. Round-Up and its cousins is the only thing that will give reasonable control if used carefully and according to directions. NO Round Up is not 'organic'.
There is a pre-emergent 'Orgainc Type' weed control that will kill most weed seeds with reasonable results. The product contains Corn Gluten which causes the seedling root to dry up and die before it can take root. It is listed for use in Vegetable and Flower Gardens, and also on Lawns. After it is applied you can not plant anything from seed in those areas for a while. Also it will not control the grasses that may be growing from stolens, like Bermuda and St. Augustine in those areas. So if you are looking for an ORGANIC Pre-Emergent there are some out there. One of them has the "CONCERN" LABEL if you are looking.

Last summer I asked a certified organic fruit grower in the central CA valley about corn glutten. After recovering from a fit of laughter, he explained that it is a good fertilizer, feeds the local weeds and attracts birds. I have tried it here in San Diego, scattering it out on areas as a pre-emergent. It noticably reduced the quantity of dandelion and airborne grass seed sprouts. However, numerous other weeds thrived.