Soil Chemistry
Create and maintain a hospitable environment for the soil biology necessary for growing turf by correcting pH and calcium to magnesium imbalances.
Cultural Practices
Proper mowing, aeration, over-seeding and irrigation practices will have the BIGGEST impact on the overall success of your program!

Soil Biology
Feed the microbes in the soil an All-Natural Organic Fertilizer so they remain active and in turn can feed the plant.
Soil Structure
Promote the porosity and nutrient holding capacity of the soil by addressing organic matter and CEC deficiencies.
PJC Resources

PRACTICAL APPROACH
Looking for organic turf care resources? The key to a successful all-natural Organic Turf Care (OTC) program is to apply the right products together with proper cultural practices. One without the other is a set up for failure. A solid program begins with a soil test and requires more than simply swapping a bag of synthetic fertilizer for a bag of organic fertilizer. This will not produce the results you desire. Healthy Turf depends on the positive interactions between:
SOIL CHEMISTRY ⇔ SOIL BIOLOGY ⇔ SOIL STRUCTURE ⇔ CULTURAL PRACTICES
When it comes to growing turf there are things we cannot control in the season like weather, temperature and rainfall, and things that are impractical to try to change like soil composition. At PJC Organic we call our approach “practical” because we focus on correcting those things that cultivate positive change in a way that makes sense financially and in practice. Here, we’ve compiled information that works in an all-natural approach.
No! There are several categories into which an organic fertilizer may fall: plant/animal meals, animal manure, chilean nitrate, municipal/industrial waste and synthetic organics. This can make it very confusing and there are pro’s and con’s associated with each category. It has been our experience that certain fertilizers lend themselves better to All Natural Organic Turf Care (OTC) than others and that some can actually work against an OTC approach. A fertilizer can claim to be “organic” as long as it contains carbon. Synthetic organic fertilizers often contain Water Soluble Nitrogen (WSN) in the form of urea which results in rapid shoot growth, greater potential for run-off, burning and leaching into the groundwater. PJC’s ProHealthy Turf ® All Natural Premium Organic Fertilizers have a high nutrient content and are plant based with the building block amino acids necessary to encourage the micro flora in the soil that aide in plant nutrient uptake. ProHealthy Turf ® fertilizers work with nature to improve soil fertility, stimulate soil biology, and add organic matter – all to promote healthy soil ecology.
PJC’s ProHealthy Turf ® All Natural Premium fertilizers rely on soil biology to make the nutrients available to the plant. As such, results are seen when soil temperatures reach 50⁰F and the soil biology becomes active. Assuming 50⁰F soil temperatures have been achieved initial green up occurs within 7 – 10 days. During the season green up will be consistent much longer than with a synthetic program since the soil stores the nutrients and feeds the plant when the plant needs the nutrients. Synthetic fertilizers feed the plant directly (whether it needs it or not). Green up will occur in 2 – 3 days, however the plant under goes greater stress and makes it more susceptible to disease as it is forced out of dormancy.
Soil testing is the cornerstone to any successful Organic Turf Care (OTC) program. Soil testing provides critical information as to the current state of the soil; determines the type and amount of soil amendments necessary to improve soil conditions and is used as a base line to set expectations and determine a budget.
Even chemically treated lawns have weeds. The difference is that through PJC’s All Natural Organic Turf Care (OTC) approach we focus on why there are weeds and work to improve soil conditions so that there are fewer weeds. As soil conditions and cultural practices improve, the turf becomes healthier and thicker enabling it to out-compete weeds. Unlike chemical programs that require additional inputs year after year, in time an organic program will requires less. Accepting a few weeds is part of an organic program; however, you can still have great looking turf.
Yes, though we prefer that you don’t. We have had experience with 1,000’s of properties that have gone ‘cold turkey’ off pesticides with no ill effect to the turf. Should there still be a need to use pesticides while you transition to an OTC program we are confident that you can reduce pesticide use by 50% or greater when truly implementing an Integrated Pest Management
(IPM) approach. While many claim they adhere to IPM practices – which mean that herbicides and pesticides are not routinely applied without first confirming a problem –pesticides like grub control or a pre-emergent for broad-leaf weed control are applied early in the season over the entire property without evidence of a problem. Such practices are not IPM.
The application of pesticides/herbicides and synthetic fertilizers will cause some of the soil biology to die off and others to go dormant. Since a successful organic program relies on active soil biology it is recommended that after the application of a pesticide/herbicide an application of one of PJC’s ProHealthy Turf® All Natural Premium Organic fertilizers is made to encourage the soil biology out of dormancy and begin recovery. The use of pesticides will slow down the positive results of an OTC program and also increase the costs and transition time.
Not as much as you’re probably used to putting down. Under normal conditions in the Northeast we recommend the application of approximately 2 – 2 1⁄2 pounds of N per season when using a water insoluble nitrogen (WIN) fertilizer and returning grass clippings. This works out to be approx. 3 applications of ProHealthy Turf® fertilizer at a rate of 10#/1,000sf. This
is likely 1⁄2 as much nitrogen as you are used to putting down (4-5lb of N) in a season. The difference is that in a synthetic program most of your nitrogen “N” is in the form of water soluble nitrogen (WSN), not WIN. Water soluble nitrogen fertilizers are prone to run-off and leaching especially under wet conditions. Once the WSN percolates below the root zone it is forever lost to the plant. Easily 50% or more of your synthetic N can be lost through run-off, leaching or excessive rain. With “WIN” products the nutrients are held in the root zone by soil biology and released as the plant calls for them.
There are many factors that determine this. Success with an OTC program involves creating an environment conducive to growing turf. Current soil conditions, weed/pest pressure, duration on a synthetic program, expectations and budget determine how long it will take. In the Northeast soils tend to be sandy loam, low in organic matter and acidic. When starting with poor soil conditions it can take 3-5 years to cultivate a dense stand of turf while working at changing and improving the underlying soil conditions. If you start with healthy soil and a healthy stand of turf the transition should be seamless. In addition, cultural practices can have the biggest affect either positively or negatively on the success of the program, so whoever is responsible for maintenance is a key component.

Not all “Organic” fertilizers are the same. The above chart shows some of the categories into which fertilizer may fall; each with associated Pro’s and Con’s. It has been our experience that certain fertilizers lend themselves better to an All Natural Organic Turf Care (OTC) approach than others and that some can actually work against an OTC approach.
All Natural “Organic” Fertilizers get their nutrient content from plant and animal meals. These plant and animal meals are high nitrogen (N) sources. Because of their higher nutrient content the cost per nutrient tends to be less than other organic alternatives. They have also been found to be excellent fungal and bacterial foods which are critical in an all natural program. While the bulk associated with natural organic fertilizers is often seen as a disadvantage – the advantage is that in addition to nutrients, valuable organic matter is added to the soil.
Animal manures are a common form of organic fertilizer. Because the base is a waste product it is often a low cost per pound of fertilizer, however, they are also lower in nutrient content so the cost per nutrient tends to be high. To reach a target nutrient value a greater amount of product needs to be applied, also increasing labor costs. Manures are also high in phosphorous. Additional phosphorous can also increase seed germination in undesirable plants leading to increased weed pressure.
Poultry litter based fertilizers contain some level of copper and arsenic. Because these heavy metals can build up in the soil, cause health concerns for consumers, and lead to potential run off to water bodies OMRI restricts the use of these fertilizers in organic crop production.
Chilean Nitrate (NaNO3), also known as Natural Nitrate of Soda (NNS). NNS has an analysis of 16-0-0 and is considered soluble. NNS is available in cold soils and may be taken up directly by the plant. This may be a perceived advantage in Northeast soils. The National Organic Program2 in NOP Notice 2-1 and OMRI have changed the restriction on NNS in place since October 2012; for now production practices must maintain or improve the natural resources of the operations.
The use of this term in the marketplace is relatively new and somewhat misleading. All Organic fertilizers derived from plant and animal meals contain amino acids see All Natural Organic Fertilizers above. Amino acids are the building blocks for protein which plant and animal meals contain. Vendors are attempting to use the term amino acid fertilizer to refer to a class of fertilizers that are soluble in water. They are protein hydrolysates that are manufactured in one of three ways; either through enzymatic, acid or alkaline hydrolysis of proteins. Protein hydrolysates are in effect making a water soluble organic nitrogen source available to plants. Because the nitrogen is water soluble, there is the potential the nitrogen not taken up by the plant will leach. There are times when the use of such products may prove advantageous and times when they do not.
Bio solids are the output from sewage treatment plants and another form of fertilizer. The greatest concern with these products is the potential inclusion of heavy metals from industrial waste along with potential chemical contamination from household cleaner, antibacterial agents, and other things poured down the drain. Because of these concerns OMRI prohibits the use of these fertilizers in organic crop production.
A fertilizer can claim to be “organic” without being all natural as long as it contains carbon. Urea is the most common form of a synthetic organic used on turf. Urea is often coated with sulfur or plastic polymers of varying thicknesses in an effort to delay the release of Nitrogen and reduce their burn potential. Urea like other synthetic fertilizers is a salt. The high salt index associated with urea has a negative impact on the soil biology by killing many of them off. Historically urea has been an inexpensive fertilizer.
Synthetic fertilizers for turf generally contain urea, described above, and/or an inorganic nitrogen source usually in the form of ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate or potassium nitrate. These fertilizers have a greater potential for loss through leaching and volatility. This translates into a need to apply greater pounds of nitrogen per 1,000sf per growing season than a natural water insoluble organic product.
The Art of Balancing Soil Nutrients: a practical guide to interpreting soil tests by William McKibben. 2012, Acres U.S.A, Austin, TX
The Biological Farmer: A Complete Guide to the Sustainable & Profitable Biological System of Farming by Gary F. Zimmer. 2017, Second Edition, Acres U.S.A, Austin, TX
Dirt to Soil One Family’s Journey into Regenerative Agriculture by Gabe Brown. 2018, Chelsea Green Publishing, White River Junction, VT
Fundamentals of Soil Ecology by David C. Coleman and D. A. Crossley, Jr., Paul F. Hendrix. 2004, Second Edition, Elsevier Academic Press, Burlington, MA
Fundamentals of Turfgrass Management by Nick Christians. 2017, Third Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
HANDBOOK OF $UCCESSFUL ECOLOOGICAL LAWN CARE by Paul D. Sachs. 1996, The Edaphic Press, Newbury, VT
How Soils Work: A Study into the God-Plane Mutualism of Soils and Crops by Paul Syltie, Ph.D. 2002, Xulon Press, Fairfax, VA
Kiss the ground: a food revolutionary’s guide to reversing climate change by Josh Tickell. 2017, First Enliven Books, New York, NY
Life in the Soil: a guide for Naturalists and Gardeners by James B. Nardi. 2007, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL
Managing Healthy Sports Fields: A Guide to Using Organic Materials for Low-Maintenance and Chemical-Free Playing Fields by Paul D. Sachs. 2004, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Modern Soil Microbiology by J. D. van Elsas, Janet Jansson, Jack T Trevors. editors, 2007, Second Edition, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL
The Organic Lawn Care Manual: a natural, low maintenance system for a beautiful safe lawn by Paul Tukey. 2007, Storey Publishing, North Adams, MA
SCIENCE in AGRICULTURE Advanced Methods for Sustainable Farming by Dr. Arden B. Andersen. 2000, Acres U.S.A, Austin, TX
The soil will save us by Kristin Ohlson. 2014, Rodale, New York, NY
WEEDS Control without Poisons by Charles Walters. 1999, Acres U.S.A, Austin, TX
Weeds of the Northeast by Richard H. Uva, Joseph C. Neal and Joseph M. DiTomaso. 1997, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY
Use the supplies provided by PJC to take a sample of your client’s soil and mail it to the soil testing lab.
Turf grass and the soil biology necessary to support growth, do best when soil pH is 6.5 – 7.0. Correct pH and Ca:Mg imbalances by applying lime or gypsum. PRODUCT, RATE AND FREQUENCY IS DETERMINED BY SOIL TEST RESULTS.
APPLY AN ALL NATURAL ORGANIC FERTILIZER EVERY 7-10 WEEKS. Organic fertilizers feed the Soil Biology that in turn feed the plant. Use products that contain water insoluble nitrogen and low or no phosphorous.
APPLY SOIL AMENDMENTS ACCORDING TO SOIL TEST RESULTS. Improve Organic Matter and Cation Exchange Capacity using humates, biochar & compost, products. Calcium helps break up clay soils. Create & soil depth by top dressing with loam/compost mix.
MOST IMPORTANT CULTURAL PRACTICE!!! Mow High – 3-1/2 inches to encourage deep roots and shade the soil. Cut no more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time. Avoid mowing wet grass. Sharpen mower blades after every 8 hours to prevent tearing grass blade. Damaged grass blades lose moisture and are susceptible to disease.
ADD ORGANIC MATTER AND IS A NATURAL FERTILIZER (additional 1lb “N” in a season). BAG clippings when weed seeds and flowers are present (ie. crabgrass, dandelions) to mitigate further spread of seeds.
DEEP, INFREQUENTLY AND IN THE MORNING. 3/4 – 1 inch of water a week (1-2X week). Newly seeded areas and during extreme heat water more frequently for shorter periods. Over watering leads to compaction and disease.
RELIEVE SOIL COMPACTION. Aerate when grass is actively growing to allow grass roots to spread and improve air circulation in the root zone.
Fall is the best time.
CREATE A DENSE STAND OF GRASS TO CROWD OUT WEEDS. In SPRING seed slice thin lawns. Top dress with a loam/compost mix and over seed trouble spots. Broadcast grass seed when aerating in the Fall. Water to establish.
WEEDS ARE AN INDICATION OF UNDERLYING SOIL CONDITIONS. Work at creating the environment grass requires to grow (steps 1-9) and in 3-5 years weeds diminish. In the meantime, manually pull weeds and re-seed bare areas, treat grubs with hB nematodes, grub gone or cedar product. Low pH, low calcium, over watering & improper mowing contribute to weed pressure.
Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow, Boston, MA
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, Philadelphia, PA
Beyond Pesticides, Washington DC
Center of Health, Environment, Justice, Falls Church, VA
Collaborative on Health & the Environment, Bolinas, CA
Ecological Landscape Association, Sandown, NH
Environmental Health Perspectives, Durham, NC
Environment & Human Health Inc.,North Haven, CT
Grassroots Environmental Education, Port Washington, NY
Monsanto Roundup Trial – U.S. Right to Know
MOSES – Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service, Spring Valley, WI
NOFA – Organic Land Care, Derby CT
NOFA – Northeast Organic Farmers Association, Barre, MA:
Non-Toxic Dover, NH
Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides, Eugene, OR
President’s Cancer Panel 2008-2009: REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL CANCER RISK (PDF)
Silent Spring Institute, Newton, MA
Toxic Action Center, Boston MA
TURI – Toxic Use Reduction Institute, UMASS Lowell
TURI – Case Studies: Organic Grass Playing Fields
TURI – Artificial Turf: Selecting Safer Alternatives for Athletic Playing Fields
No! There are several categories into which an organic fertilizer may fall: plant/animal meals, animal manure, chilean nitrate, municipal/industrial waste and synthetic organics. This can make it very confusing and there are pro’s and con’s associated with each category. It has been our experience that certain fertilizers lend themselves better to All Natural Organic Turf Care (OTC) than others and that some can actually work against an OTC approach. A fertilizer can claim to be “organic” as long as it contains carbon. Synthetic organic fertilizers often contain Water Soluble Nitrogen (WSN) in the form of urea which results in rapid shoot growth, greater potential for run-off, burning and leaching into the groundwater. PJC’s ProHealthy Turf ® All Natural Premium Organic Fertilizers have a high nutrient content and are plant based with the building block amino acids necessary to encourage the micro flora in the soil that aide in plant nutrient uptake. ProHealthy Turf ® fertilizers work with nature to improve soil fertility, stimulate soil biology, and add organic matter – all to promote healthy soil ecology.
PJC’s ProHealthy Turf ® All Natural Premium fertilizers rely on soil biology to make the nutrients available to the plant. As such, results are seen when soil temperatures reach 50⁰F and the soil biology becomes active. Assuming 50⁰F soil temperatures have been achieved initial green up occurs within 7 – 10 days. During the season green up will be consistent much longer than with a synthetic program since the soil stores the nutrients and feeds the plant when the plant needs the nutrients. Synthetic fertilizers feed the plant directly (whether it needs it or not). Green up will occur in 2 – 3 days, however the plant under goes greater stress and makes it more susceptible to disease as it is forced out of dormancy.
Soil testing is the cornerstone to any successful Organic Turf Care (OTC) program. Soil testing provides critical information as to the current state of the soil; determines the type and amount of soil amendments necessary to improve soil conditions and is used as a base line to set expectations and determine a budget.
Even chemically treated lawns have weeds. The difference is that through PJC’s All Natural Organic Turf Care (OTC) approach we focus on why there are weeds and work to improve soil conditions so that there are fewer weeds. As soil conditions and cultural practices improve, the turf becomes healthier and thicker enabling it to out-compete weeds. Unlike chemical programs that require additional inputs year after year, in time an organic program will requires less. Accepting a few weeds is part of an organic program; however, you can still have great looking turf.
Yes, though we prefer that you don’t. We have had experience with 1,000’s of properties that have gone ‘cold turkey’ off pesticides with no ill effect to the turf. Should there still be a need to use pesticides while you transition to an OTC program we are confident that you can reduce pesticide use by 50% or greater when truly implementing an Integrated Pest Management
(IPM) approach. While many claim they adhere to IPM practices – which mean that herbicides and pesticides are not routinely applied without first confirming a problem –pesticides like grub control or a pre-emergent for broad-leaf weed control are applied early in the season over the entire property without evidence of a problem. Such practices are not IPM.
The application of pesticides/herbicides and synthetic fertilizers will cause some of the soil biology to die off and others to go dormant. Since a successful organic program relies on active soil biology it is recommended that after the application of a pesticide/herbicide an application of one of PJC’s ProHealthy Turf® All Natural Premium Organic fertilizers is made to encourage the soil biology out of dormancy and begin recovery. The use of pesticides will slow down the positive results of an OTC program and also increase the costs and transition time.
Not as much as you’re probably used to putting down. Under normal conditions in the Northeast we recommend the application of approximately 2 – 2 1⁄2 pounds of N per season when using a water insoluble nitrogen (WIN) fertilizer and returning grass clippings. This works out to be approx. 3 applications of ProHealthy Turf® fertilizer at a rate of 10#/1,000sf. This
is likely 1⁄2 as much nitrogen as you are used to putting down (4-5lb of N) in a season. The difference is that in a synthetic program most of your nitrogen “N” is in the form of water soluble nitrogen (WSN), not WIN. Water soluble nitrogen fertilizers are prone to run-off and leaching especially under wet conditions. Once the WSN percolates below the root zone it is forever lost to the plant. Easily 50% or more of your synthetic N can be lost through run-off, leaching or excessive rain. With “WIN” products the nutrients are held in the root zone by soil biology and released as the plant calls for them.
There are many factors that determine this. Success with an OTC program involves creating an environment conducive to growing turf. Current soil conditions, weed/pest pressure, duration on a synthetic program, expectations and budget determine how long it will take. In the Northeast soils tend to be sandy loam, low in organic matter and acidic. When starting with poor soil conditions it can take 3-5 years to cultivate a dense stand of turf while working at changing and improving the underlying soil conditions. If you start with healthy soil and a healthy stand of turf the transition should be seamless. In addition, cultural practices can have the biggest affect either positively or negatively on the success of the program, so whoever is responsible for maintenance is a key component.

Not all “Organic” fertilizers are the same. The above chart shows some of the categories into which fertilizer may fall; each with associated Pro’s and Con’s. It has been our experience that certain fertilizers lend themselves better to an All Natural Organic Turf Care (OTC) approach than others and that some can actually work against an OTC approach.
All Natural “Organic” Fertilizers get their nutrient content from plant and animal meals. These plant and animal meals are high nitrogen (N) sources. Because of their higher nutrient content the cost per nutrient tends to be less than other organic alternatives. They have also been found to be excellent fungal and bacterial foods which are critical in an all natural program. While the bulk associated with natural organic fertilizers is often seen as a disadvantage – the advantage is that in addition to nutrients, valuable organic matter is added to the soil.
Animal manures are a common form of organic fertilizer. Because the base is a waste product it is often a low cost per pound of fertilizer, however, they are also lower in nutrient content so the cost per nutrient tends to be high. To reach a target nutrient value a greater amount of product needs to be applied, also increasing labor costs. Manures are also high in phosphorous. Additional phosphorous can also increase seed germination in undesirable plants leading to increased weed pressure.
Poultry litter based fertilizers contain some level of copper and arsenic. Because these heavy metals can build up in the soil, cause health concerns for consumers, and lead to potential run off to water bodies OMRI restricts the use of these fertilizers in organic crop production.
Chilean Nitrate (NaNO3), also known as Natural Nitrate of Soda (NNS). NNS has an analysis of 16-0-0 and is considered soluble. NNS is available in cold soils and may be taken up directly by the plant. This may be a perceived advantage in Northeast soils. The National Organic Program2 in NOP Notice 2-1 and OMRI have changed the restriction on NNS in place since October 2012; for now production practices must maintain or improve the natural resources of the operations.
The use of this term in the marketplace is relatively new and somewhat misleading. All Organic fertilizers derived from plant and animal meals contain amino acids see All Natural Organic Fertilizers above. Amino acids are the building blocks for protein which plant and animal meals contain. Vendors are attempting to use the term amino acid fertilizer to refer to a class of fertilizers that are soluble in water. They are protein hydrolysates that are manufactured in one of three ways; either through enzymatic, acid or alkaline hydrolysis of proteins. Protein hydrolysates are in effect making a water soluble organic nitrogen source available to plants. Because the nitrogen is water soluble, there is the potential the nitrogen not taken up by the plant will leach. There are times when the use of such products may prove advantageous and times when they do not.
Bio solids are the output from sewage treatment plants and another form of fertilizer. The greatest concern with these products is the potential inclusion of heavy metals from industrial waste along with potential chemical contamination from household cleaner, antibacterial agents, and other things poured down the drain. Because of these concerns OMRI prohibits the use of these fertilizers in organic crop production.
A fertilizer can claim to be “organic” without being all natural as long as it contains carbon. Urea is the most common form of a synthetic organic used on turf. Urea is often coated with sulfur or plastic polymers of varying thicknesses in an effort to delay the release of Nitrogen and reduce their burn potential. Urea like other synthetic fertilizers is a salt. The high salt index associated with urea has a negative impact on the soil biology by killing many of them off. Historically urea has been an inexpensive fertilizer.
Synthetic fertilizers for turf generally contain urea, described above, and/or an inorganic nitrogen source usually in the form of ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate or potassium nitrate. These fertilizers have a greater potential for loss through leaching and volatility. This translates into a need to apply greater pounds of nitrogen per 1,000sf per growing season than a natural water insoluble organic product.
The Art of Balancing Soil Nutrients: a practical guide to interpreting soil tests by William McKibben. 2012, Acres U.S.A, Austin, TX
The Biological Farmer: A Complete Guide to the Sustainable & Profitable Biological System of Farming by Gary F. Zimmer. 2017, Second Edition, Acres U.S.A, Austin, TX
Dirt to Soil One Family’s Journey into Regenerative Agriculture by Gabe Brown. 2018, Chelsea Green Publishing, White River Junction, VT
Fundamentals of Soil Ecology by David C. Coleman and D. A. Crossley, Jr., Paul F. Hendrix. 2004, Second Edition, Elsevier Academic Press, Burlington, MA
Fundamentals of Turfgrass Management by Nick Christians. 2017, Third Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
HANDBOOK OF $UCCESSFUL ECOLOOGICAL LAWN CARE by Paul D. Sachs. 1996, The Edaphic Press, Newbury, VT
How Soils Work: A Study into the God-Plane Mutualism of Soils and Crops by Paul Syltie, Ph.D. 2002, Xulon Press, Fairfax, VA
Kiss the ground: a food revolutionary’s guide to reversing climate change by Josh Tickell. 2017, First Enliven Books, New York, NY
Life in the Soil: a guide for Naturalists and Gardeners by James B. Nardi. 2007, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL
Managing Healthy Sports Fields: A Guide to Using Organic Materials for Low-Maintenance and Chemical-Free Playing Fields by Paul D. Sachs. 2004, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Modern Soil Microbiology by J. D. van Elsas, Janet Jansson, Jack T Trevors. editors, 2007, Second Edition, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL
The Organic Lawn Care Manual: a natural, low maintenance system for a beautiful safe lawn by Paul Tukey. 2007, Storey Publishing, North Adams, MA
SCIENCE in AGRICULTURE Advanced Methods for Sustainable Farming by Dr. Arden B. Andersen. 2000, Acres U.S.A, Austin, TX
The soil will save us by Kristin Ohlson. 2014, Rodale, New York, NY
WEEDS Control without Poisons by Charles Walters. 1999, Acres U.S.A, Austin, TX
Weeds of the Northeast by Richard H. Uva, Joseph C. Neal and Joseph M. DiTomaso. 1997, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY
Use the supplies provided by PJC to take a sample of your client’s soil and mail it to the soil testing lab.
Turf grass and the soil biology necessary to support growth, do best when soil pH is 6.5 – 7.0. Correct pH and Ca:Mg imbalances by applying lime or gypsum. PRODUCT, RATE AND FREQUENCY IS DETERMINED BY SOIL TEST RESULTS.
APPLY AN ALL NATURAL ORGANIC FERTILIZER EVERY 7-10 WEEKS. Organic fertilizers feed the Soil Biology that in turn feed the plant. Use products that contain water insoluble nitrogen and low or no phosphorous.
APPLY SOIL AMENDMENTS ACCORDING TO SOIL TEST RESULTS. Improve Organic Matter and Cation Exchange Capacity using humates, biochar & compost, products. Calcium helps break up clay soils. Create & soil depth by top dressing with loam/compost mix.
MOST IMPORTANT CULTURAL PRACTICE!!! Mow High – 3-1/2 inches to encourage deep roots and shade the soil. Cut no more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time. Avoid mowing wet grass. Sharpen mower blades after every 8 hours to prevent tearing grass blade. Damaged grass blades lose moisture and are susceptible to disease.
ADD ORGANIC MATTER AND IS A NATURAL FERTILIZER (additional 1lb “N” in a season). BAG clippings when weed seeds and flowers are present (ie. crabgrass, dandelions) to mitigate further spread of seeds.
DEEP, INFREQUENTLY AND IN THE MORNING. 3/4 – 1 inch of water a week (1-2X week). Newly seeded areas and during extreme heat water more frequently for shorter periods. Over watering leads to compaction and disease.
RELIEVE SOIL COMPACTION. Aerate when grass is actively growing to allow grass roots to spread and improve air circulation in the root zone.
Fall is the best time.
CREATE A DENSE STAND OF GRASS TO CROWD OUT WEEDS. In SPRING seed slice thin lawns. Top dress with a loam/compost mix and over seed trouble spots. Broadcast grass seed when aerating in the Fall. Water to establish.
WEEDS ARE AN INDICATION OF UNDERLYING SOIL CONDITIONS. Work at creating the environment grass requires to grow (steps 1-9) and in 3-5 years weeds diminish. In the meantime, manually pull weeds and re-seed bare areas, treat grubs with hB nematodes, grub gone or cedar product. Low pH, low calcium, over watering & improper mowing contribute to weed pressure.
Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow, Boston, MA
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, Philadelphia, PA
Beyond Pesticides, Washington DC
Center of Health, Environment, Justice, Falls Church, VA
Collaborative on Health & the Environment, Bolinas, CA
Ecological Landscape Association, Sandown, NH
Environmental Health Perspectives, Durham, NC
Environment & Human Health Inc.,North Haven, CT
Grassroots Environmental Education, Port Washington, NY
Monsanto Roundup Trial – U.S. Right to Know
MOSES – Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service, Spring Valley, WI
NOFA – Organic Land Care, Derby CT
NOFA – Northeast Organic Farmers Association, Barre, MA:
Non-Toxic Dover, NH
Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides, Eugene, OR
President’s Cancer Panel 2008-2009: REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL CANCER RISK (PDF)
Silent Spring Institute, Newton, MA
Toxic Action Center, Boston MA
TURI – Toxic Use Reduction Institute, UMASS Lowell
TURI – Case Studies: Organic Grass Playing Fields
TURI – Artificial Turf: Selecting Safer Alternatives for Athletic Playing Fields
Did You Know?
Organic Turf Care Calendar
SOIL TEST & SITE ASSESSMENT (photos are helpful to chart progress)
PRODUCT:
– PJC ProHealthy Turf Organic Fertilizer, when soil temps are above 50° (1st application)
– PJC Premium Grass Seed (High % perennial ryegrass)
CULTURAL PRACTICES:
– Clean Up & 1 ST Mow – start low 2”-2 ½” and increase to 3½” by end of May
– Seed Slice and/or Lawn Fix: Top dress and over seed trouble spots or seed slice
– Water Over seeded areas 3 times a day to keep seed moist.
Over-seeding can occur until May 15th
PRODUCT:
– PJC ProHealthy Turf Organic Fertilizer (2nd application)
– Soil amendments (based on soil test results):
– High Efficiency Lime or Gypsum
– Soil Conditioner: CHARGE S3 and/or Humic+
CULTURAL PRACTICES:
– Mow high – 3” to 4” and cut no more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time
– Return grass clippings to recycle nutrients and add organic matter
– Sharpen mower blades after 8 hours of use
– Water deep, infrequently and in the morning so grass receives 1” water per week
CULTURAL PRACTICES:
– Mow high – 3” to 4”
– Return grass clippings to recycle nutrients and add organic matter. If crab grass seeds are present bag clippings to mitigate spread.– Water deep, infrequently and in the morning so grass receives 1” water per week. If you don’t have irrigation grass may go dormant July into August but will bounce back in the fall.
Optional Liquid Application: combination of squid, crab, kelp, and/or humate
AFTER AUGUST 15TH
PRODUCT:
– PJC ProHealthy Turf Organic Fertilizer (3rd application)
– Soil amendments (based on soil test):
– High Efficiency Lime or Gypsum
– Soil Conditioner: CHARGE S3 and/or Humic+
– PJC Premium Grass Seed
CULTURAL PRACTICES:
– Aerate & Over-seed
– Lawn Fix: Top dress and over seed trouble spots
– Mow high – 3 to 3.5”
– Return grass clippings to recycle nutrients and add organic matter. If crab grass seeds are present bag clippings to mitigate spread.
– Sharpen mower blades after 8 hours of use.
– Water over seeded areas 3 times a day to keep seed moist during germination
PRODUCT:
– Apply PJC ProHealthy Turf Organic Fertilizer and Soil Amendments if not applied in August
– Hb Nematodes, Cedar Cure or other 25b product for Grubs (If grub problem is identified)
CULTURAL PRACTICES:
– Mow high – 3 to 3.5”
– Return grass clippings to recycle nutrients and add organic matter.
– Scout for grubs – more than 8 per SF treat.
– Continue Aerating & Over-seeding – until September 15th
– Water over seeded areas 3 times a day to keep seed moist during germination
END OF SEASON SITE ASSESSMENT
PRODUCT:
– For high expectations, optional 4th application: PJC ProHealthy Turf Organic Fertilizer (by Oct 15 th )
– Soil Amendments can be applied up until ground freezes
CULTURAL PRACTICES:
– Continue to return grass clippings and mulch leaves
– End of month start lowering mowing height
Clean Up, Final cut at 2.5” & Thank You!
THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER
A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop — a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
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