Why doesn't this wok? Because science doesn't always get it 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 of chemical fertilizer. Unforunately , as unsustainable faming and gardening practices continue, our soil is stripped off its health and we depend on amendment even greater. This leads to some pretty megative effects of chemical fertilizer.