It's true. We make statements and claims that don't necessarily agree with traditional fertilization practices and principles. And we have good reason...it works.

Here's this issue's example:
Applying less nitrogen puts more nitrogen in the plant and less nitrogen in the environment!

The traditional fertilization practices in our industry call for the application of WAY too much nitrogen.  While this is great for increasing the profits of nitrogen producers and sellers it is ultimately poisoning our soils and our planet. 

The over-use of nitrogen depletes our soils of the beneficial soil microbes necessary for healthy plants and soils.  Healthy soil and healthy soil microbes need the proper balance of both nitrogen and carbon. Our West Coast soils are typically so low in organic carbon (because they are low in organic matter) that the application of nitrogen throws the whole system out of balance.  

This is bad for a number of reasons not the least of which is that when you kill off the beneficial microbes you are eliminating the soil's most important resource for holding nitrogen (and other nutrients) in the root zone where they can be used by the plant.  Without the beneficial microbes in the soil most of the nitrogen we apply ends up in the atmosphere or in the run-off water or in the ground water where it is considered a pollutant.

Adding organic carbon to your fertilization program stimulates microbes, and produces healthy soils that hold nitrogen in the root zone.  Subsequently much more of the nitrogen we apply ends up in the plant where it is needed and not in the environment where it is not.  And this is why applying less nitrogen actually puts more nitrogen in the plant!


This Issue's Product Spotlight:
JTM Activator Fe/Mn:

This granular product contains no nitrogen but still provides excellent, long lasting color for turf.  High in Iron and Manganese it was originally formulated for use on Kikuyugrass to provide long lasting color with out stimulating excess growth.  It has now become one of our best selling products for use on all turfgrasses as it produces beautiful turf while reducing mowing frequency and clippings. 

As with all of granular products, instead of using useless inert fillers as the base, we use humic shale ore, an all organic source of beneficial carbon that promotes healthy soil and a cleaner environment.