C. Why doesn't this work? Because science doesn't always get right. In the past, scientists once thought food only consisted of macronutrients, but have since discovered micronutrients, antioxidants and so on. The same goes for soil health: scientists have focused almost exclusively on NPK since their "discovery" in the mid-1800s. It's this reductionist science that has us assuming we understand the chemistry of Nature and soil, and thinking we can solve it with a quick application chemical fertilizers. Unfortunately, as unsustainable farming and gardening practices continue, our soil is stripped off its health and we depend on amendments even greater. This leads to some pretty negative effects of chemical fertilizers