For homeowners with pets, lawn care often comes with a difficult trade-off: a lush green yard or the safety of their furry friends. Traditional chemical fertilizers can pose serious health risks to animals, from vomiting to seizures, while also contributing to environmental pollution. Addressing this dilemma, GS Plant Foods has launched a new line of organic, chemical-free fertilizers designed to deliver vibrant plant health without the toxic side effects.
We spoke with Francis, Co-owner of GS Plant Foods, to discuss the inspiration behind this new range, the science of organic nutrient delivery, and why modern plant care doesn’t have to come at a cost to our pets or the planet.
Q: You’ve recently launched a new range of organic fertilizers specifically designed to be pet-safe. What was the driving force or specific “pain point” you saw in the market that led to this development?
Francis: We have all learned about the problems with over fertilization such as algae blooms due to fertilizer runoff as well as the need for more sustainable practices in all areas of modern life. GS Plant Foods was borne of this need.
Q: The article mentions that traditional fertilizers can cause severe health issues for pets. How does your new organic formula differ in composition to eliminate these risks while still being effective for plant growth?
Francis: Its not that synthetic fertilizers are inherently ‘Bad’ its that they are so extremely concentrated that ingesting them can be terrible for your pets. With organics, the approach is to more holistically treat the growth cycles of your plants using natural or organic inputs for better, more natural results. I liken it to the difference between 1 person taking artificial vitamin pills everyday vs another choosing to eat a healthy, well-rounded diet containing all the vitamins and minerals one needs naturally. Vitamins and minerals ingested naturally are much more efficiently incorporated by the body. Same with plants.
Q: Your products focus on “slow-release” nutrients and improving soil structure. Can you explain how this approach differs from the “quick fix” of synthetic fertilizers and why it’s better for the long-term health of a lawn?
Francis: As with the example above, with organics, the nutrients are much more efficiently taken in and utilized by the plant. This requires lees inputs and less wasted fertilizer, which eliminates the waterway runoff, for example. It results in a more well balanced plant health. Vegetables grown with organics vs systhetics contain a much healthier balance of vitamins and minerals.
Q: There’s often a misconception that organic products aren’t as powerful as synthetic ones. How does GS Plant Foods bridge the gap between “modern plant science” and “traditional organic methods” to ensure high yields and resilience?
Francis: That’s a primary reason for GS Plant Foods! Organics have and the understanding of organics has come a long way. For some people, organics mean nothing but manure! None of our products contain manure! We use many different unique ingredients, things like Kelp seaweed, Liquid Fish, Humic Acid etc. These natural products have been proven to provide untold benefits for plant life, closing the so-called gap in effectiveness.
Q: Even with pet-safe products, you recommend certain application practices like allowing drying time. What is the most critical advice you would give to pet owners to ensure they are using these products as safely and effectively as possible?
Francis: Its really very easy. Just dilute as instructed, and apply. Try to keep you pets off a newly sprayed lawn for example, is more to keep your pet from getting his coat stained, rather than any health dangers.
To learn more about the new pet-safe fertilizer range, visit https://gsplantfoods.com/.
