Organics, All or Nothing?

[JDUtah]

Originally Posted by aclane2000

I'm intending on doing more organic lawn care for my mowing clients and I've heard that it should be an all or nothing thing. The reasoning is that synthetic fertilizers kill the biology in the soil, while the whole purpose of Organic style lawn care is to boost and nurture life in the soil and they will, in turn, nurture the plant life.

important word underlined.

Even if I'm using a slow release fertilizer should I still expect that it's harming the good stuff in the soil?

I wish I could find it, but someone posted a test that is rather telling. It was of a lawn that had been, and still was, on a regular synthetic program for years. SFI themselves did the test. They said that the fungal count was high, and the bacterial count was adequate.

Is there a certain element in fertilizers that does the damage and I just need watch out for it?

Note usually. In fact, most of the ions that are in fertilizers are produced by microbes themselves.

Is there a happy medium between all natural and synthetic?

YES! Bridge is ah-maze-ing!

[Tim Wilson]

Originally Posted by JDUtah

important word underlined.



I wish I could find it, but someone posted a test that is rather telling. It was of a lawn that had been, and still was, on a regular synthetic program for years. SFI themselves did the test. They said that the fungal count was high, and the bacterial count was adequate.



Note usually. In fact, most of the ions that are in fertilizers are produced by microbes themselves.

This is misinformation to the best of my knowledge.

YES! Bridge is ah-maze-ing!

Important words underlined...don't get mad JD; just playing

Edit: I wrote the phrase; This is misinformation to the best of my knowledge

[JDUtah]

Originally Posted by Tim Wilson

Important words underlined...don't get mad JD; just playing

Edit: I wrote the phrase; This is misinformation to the best of my knowledge

I "lol" that you underline SFI. (I have read your trip experience to their lab)

I'm not sure what you mean by the other.. "This is misinformation to the best of my knowledge "

[Tim Wilson]

Sorry. It is a little unclear. I just meant that actually most ionic form synthetic fertilizers are not 'produced' by microbes to the best of my knowledge but I possibly I misunderstand your assertion.....but heck it's not very important anyway.

[JDUtah]

Originally Posted by Tim Wilson

Sorry. It is a little unclear. I just meant that actually most ionic form synthetic fertilizers are not 'produced' by microbes to the best of my knowledge but I possibly I misunderstand your assertion.....but heck it's not very important anyway.

not very important? Ummm... helllllllllllo?

If microbes didn't produce ions (the same exact one's in fertilizers), how is non-soluble organic "fertilizer" made available to plants? Really, please answer this.

K'mon man! It is the very CORE of what you like so much about the association of plants and soil microbes!

[Kiril]

Case in point (see other thread).

Tell me JD, what happens when organic matter is decomposed?

[JDUtah]

Originally Posted by Kiril

Case in point (see other thread).

Tell me JD, what happens when organic matter is decomposed?

You tell me all mighty knowledgeable Kiril. I mean, after all, you should be able to since you are such an expert on microbiology. And while you are at it, tell me how the organic matter is decomposed?

[Kiril]

You are the one who made the statement that microbes produce ions ... apparently without the rudimentary knowledge of how decomposition works. So your response to the question is to be expected.

[phasthound]

Kiril, please discuss your viewpoint.

[Kiril]

Originally Posted by phasthound

Kiril, please discuss your viewpoint.

My viewpoint .... people should do their homework before taking exception to others posts.