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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.
FAQs
Choosing An Organic Fertilizer
Fred's Recommended Reading
10 Steps To An Organic Lawn
Health & Environment
Yes! Our fertilizers are produced around the country using all natural inputs. ProHealthy Turf ® All Natural Premium Fertilizers actually work to build the quality of the soil and encourage soil biology. Because ProHealthy Turf fertilizers are 100% Water Insoluble Nitrogen, when used properly they do not leach or run off and harm the environment. There is no contact problem for the applicator and the area is safe for use by people and pets immediately after application.
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.
No! Over time, inputs in an Organic Fertilization Program actually decrease—saving you time and money in the long run!
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing An Organic Fertilizer
Fred's Recommended Reading
10 Steps To An Organic Lawn
Health & Environment
Yes! Our fertilizers are produced around the country using all natural inputs. ProHealthy Turf ® All Natural Premium Fertilizers actually work to build the quality of the soil and encourage soil biology. Because ProHealthy Turf fertilizers are 100% Water Insoluble Nitrogen, when used properly they do not leach or run off and harm the environment. There is no contact problem for the applicator and the area is safe for use by people and pets immediately after application.
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.
No! Over time, inputs in an Organic Fertilization Program actually decrease—saving you time and money in the long run!
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.
Did You Know?
Organic Turf Care Calendar
April - May
June
July
August
September
October
November - December
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
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.
PJC's Eco-Turf Talk Newsletter
Looking For A Service Provider?
There are landscapers in your area that use our Organic All-Natural Turf Products as part of their program.
