Organic Soil Fertility Program Produces Results

Organic Organic Organic, we continue to hear of organic soil fertility and their benefits.

But how about some “real world” examples. Here is a “case study” where a commercial building in Santa Rosa, California, completed in 2002 and maintained using conventional industry lawn care techniques and applying synthetic products until 2008. In 2009, Pacific Landscapes began an organic soil fertility management program.

Today, Pacific Landscapes co-owner, Darryl Orr, says the results show that using approach to “soil health” good for the environment and highly effective.

Organic Soil Fertility Program Highlights

• Liquid, organic-based fertilizers, fish hydrolysate, and humic and fulvic acids were used instead on plant-ready water-soluble nitrogen fertilizers.
• Corn gluten hydrolysate replaced synthetic pre-emergent herbicides.
• Foliar treatments of compost tea and other biological inoculants replaced synthetic insecticides and fungicides
• Grass mulching also called grass-cycling, puts grass clippings back into the turf, reducing need for more fertilizer and increasing soil microbial activity which reduces soil compaction.
• Raised the soil’s calcium level with liquid applications of calcium (calcium carbonate) and Gypsum (calcium sulfate) to the grass, and reduced the level of magnesium.
• Lawn was aerated with a core aerator each fall, followed with an application of compost, as well as soil drench treatment of a compost tea blended with fish hydrolysate.
• Arbor mulch (recycled tree waste) was used in planter bed areas and tree wells.

Results of the Organic Soil Fertility Program

Soil Compaction – To test soil compaction a penetrometer was used. At the start of the program the top 4 inches displayed readings exceeding 300 psi. Two years later a majority of the areas tested did not reach 300 psi when the penetrometer reached its full 28 inches.

Turf Root Depth – After two years of the program, roots depths exceeded 9 inches, compared to the initial testing of turf rooting depth averaging 3 to 4 inches.

Water Usage – In 2009 and 2010, with the soil fertility program in place, annual irrigation water usage was 2,201 units. Prior to implementing the soil fertility program annual irrigation water usage in 2007 and 2008 was almost double at 4,395 units.

Nitrogen Inputs – Turf, over the two year period, received 76% fewer nitrogen inputs.

Green Waste – By cycling the grass 215 cubic yards of “green manure” never went to the recycling facility and no fuel was involved (about 70 gallons)
to haul the grass.

Leaching – Leaching into underground aquifers of nitrate nitrogen contaminates was reduced by 15 pounds annually.

Stormwater – Stormwater runoff of nitrate nitrogen a water contaminate was reduced by 150 pounds annually.

Overall, you can see as Pacific Landscapes discovered the soil fertility program approach is highly effective and good for the environment.