Should AACT applications alone increase the organic matter in the soil?

[lawncuttinfoo]

Theoretically, should AACT applications alone, increase the organic matter in the soil over time (a couple of years)?

[mbucuk]

My opinion is no. Building organic matter requires organic (carbon) materials. If you mulch the grass clippings that will replenish soil organic matter over time. If the soil microbiology is damaged I guess compost tea would help with this process. High microbial activity following tillage is the reason why tilling reduces SOM. Microbial activity involves respiration (CO2) and remember that the microbes are eating either active organic matter or other microbes that eat active organic matter. You will need to apply compost or at least organic fertilizer materials, and mulch the grass clippings to build SOM.

Also keep in mind that some soils are naturally low in organic matter and no matter what you do they will not stabilize with a high SOM.

[phasthound]

I agree with Mike.

I think of AACT as a way to supercharge the soil with microbial activity. But it does little to build SOM. Organic matter is the room and board for the microbes and is needed to sustain them.

I set up programs that use both tea & organic matter. When the soil reaches a balance where everything is working properly, I reduce or discontinue the tea and continue adding SOM.

[Dean_W]

My limited understanding is that it definetly does increase the microrganisms of the soil. Your best bet would probally be to use the tea in conjunction with mulching practices like mbucuk and phasthound explained.:)

Dean

[lawncuttinfoo]

How about CGM at 40 lbs per 1K sq ft per year, should that be sufficiant?

I really do not want to apply compost, the labor would raise the program to an unreasonable cost.

I really do not understand how companies can apply compost and charge a reasonable rate aside from using $12 per hour laborors and breaking even.

[phasthound]

How about CGM at 40 lbs per 1K sq ft per year, should that be sufficiant?

I really do not want to apply compost, the labor would raise the program to an unreasonable cost.

I really do not understand how companies can apply compost and charge a reasonable rate aside from using $12 per hour laborors and breaking even.

Buy a top dresser to reduce labor costs, or apply Nutrients PLUS organic ferts at 5 lbs per 1000 4 x per year, very cost effective with great results.

[mbucuk]

dump truck + topdresser = quick compost application

[lawncuttinfoo]

A topdresser is as more costly as to purchase and run than an aerator, plus you have material cost of the compost. plus you have the cost of the dump truck.

Very costly.

[Kiril]

I agree with Mike.

I think of AACT as a way to supercharge the soil with microbial activity. But it does little to build SOM. Organic matter is the room and board for the microbes and is needed to sustain them.

I set up programs that use both tea & organic matter. When the soil reaches a balance where everything is working properly, I reduce or discontinue the tea and continue adding SOM.

I also agree and will add you don't necessarily need CT to get a soil in balance. I look at CT as a shortcut to building a healthy soil. If you have the patience to let nature do its stuff, compost/OM additions is all you need.

[mbucuk]

Takes money to make money

[phasthound]

Takes money to make money

Amen. Think long term.

[lawncuttinfoo]

in the long term the customer pays me less because I'm not doing anything, all after I took a loss and put out my back to make it happen.

[DUSTYCEDAR]

it all needs to be maintained

[phasthound]

in the long term the customer pays me less because I'm not doing anything, all after I took a loss and put out my back to make it happen.

Sorry, what I meant was you make an investment in equipment to provide a new service to all your clients and market for more clients.

When you buy a lawn mower you don't figure the entire cost for only the first client, you spread it out over all your clients.

[Barefoot James]

Think positive. I tell all my new CT/OM program customers that my goal is to go out of business with them in 3 to 4 years. But then I tell them that when they see the results, they will want me to do other lawn improvement programs for them like yearly power seeding, more mulching or scrubs and tree applications.
But my real goal is to make their yard a showcase, because WHEN that happens I would expect you to tell all your neighbors, friends and relatives about Barefoot Yards and how we can make their yards showcases too. I tell them these goals to see if it is theirs too. If they do't see it this way (and they all do) then I probably did not do a very good job in explaining organics. So one customer can literally bring me 1 to 20 more - start thinking this way and think big picture and how you can impact your entire community with your organic programs. Referrals is THE way to grow!

[NattyLawn]

Think positive. I tell all my new CT/OM program customers that my goal is to go out of business with them in 3 to 4 years. But then I tell them that when they see the results, they will want me to do other lawn improvement programs for them like yearly power seeding, more mulching or scrubs and tree applications.
But my real goal is to make their yard a showcase, because WHEN that happens I would expect you to tell all your neighbors, friends and relatives about Barefoot Yards and how we can make their yards showcases too. I tell them these goals to see if it is theirs too. If they do't see it this way (and they all do) then I probably did not do a very good job in explaining organics. So one customer can literally bring me 1 to 20 more - start thinking this way and think big picture and how you can impact your entire community with your organic programs. Referrals is THE way to grow!


Underpromise and overdeliver......

[ICT Bill]

Setting the expectations of the customer cannot be underestimated. It is a huge part of having a satisfied customer base.

I have seen some pretty dense compost teas that are sprayed that could probably help with SOM but certainly is no replacement for Compost applications

I also agree and will add you don't necessarily need CT to get a soil in balance. I look at CT as a shortcut to building a healthy soil. If you have the patience to let nature do its stuff, compost/OM additions is all you need.
Often we are trying to balance the beneficial microorganismsin the soil. In disturbed soils there is little to no beneficials so we need to step up the process in order to get them to transistion easier in succession.

In meetings last week I spoke to several outfits that manipulate the microbe populations to their own use to extract certain nutrients from the soil or to provide a certain balance in the soil for woody plants or annuals for instance. Compost teas can help significantly in getting something done "right now"

[NattyLawn]

Setting the expectations of the customer cannot be underestimated. It is a huge part of having a satisfied customer base.

Yes it is crucial. Setting goals of showcase lawns in 3-4 years is great, but maybe a little unrealistic. People are going to hold you to that no matter what the circumstances. If they don't start seeing results, you could run into problems. Hence, underpromise-overdeliver.

[Kiril]

Bill,

You might be interested in this.

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA BIOCONVERSION CENTER (http://www.p2pays.org/ref/11/10977.pdf)