I love organic gardening. Don't get me wrong. When I had my outdoor plot, I composted yearly, tilled the new in with the old, and rarely had a problem. As long as things are locally sourced, and work, go for it. I'm not a fan of petroleum based fertilizer, but without it, we wouldn't be able to sustain our world population. Plus I do laugh a bit when organic people are ordering bat shit from halfway around the world, not realizing the carbon footprint print associated (and in some areas, contributing to poor working conditions/exploitation) with these products.
I'm not a prick about it either. Trust me, if I were outdoor, I'd be growing organic, using locally sourced products as well as making my own. Now petroleum based fertilizers contribute to a lot of problems themselves. For one, they are oil based, two runoff into our streams by irresponsible people. Now the benefit from using chemical fertilizer is, consistent application and composition, ability to quickly apply in easily up taken forms, the diversity of products, being close to complete with all the major micro and macro nutrient needs for a plant, and really predictability.
I'd argue you couldn't tell the difference from properly grown organic and chemical fertilizer. More times than not (not saying you) people attributes chemicals for causing a harsh taste and odd burning. That is primarily contributed by an improper cure and dry. Certain build up can occur in the actual plant, but one would have to be nuking the plant with fertilizer, regardless of source.
From a biological stand point, and understanding the process, plants don't care where the nutrients come from (source) as long as they are getting what they desire.
thanks for the nice civil conversation on this topic and the complement.
eta I've never grown outdoors personally, I meant I had a rocking veggie and fruit garden which I tremendous miss.