Composting

I must say I do not like how fertilizer is implemented. I would prefer fertilizer to provide a "boost" to grow bed output, but still be able to produce food without it.

In a garden you don't have to fertilize because rain already fertilize  it a little and local life bring the rest. In a grow bed you may not have to do it at first because you probably bought fertilized culture substract but it will soon been consumed and will need to be fertilized regularly. Being able to produce food with only water seems in no way realistic.