ORGANIC PRODUCTS AND THEIR RECOMMENDED USES

Actinomycetes: Microorganisms that are a simple bacteria. Actinomycetes are sometimes classified with fungi. They produce slender, branched filaments that develop into mycelium. Actinomycetes do not fix nitrogen from the air, but instead release ammonia from organic matter and reduce nitrites to nitrates. They are not fierce competitors and don’t develop well in the presence of high fertility, which can explain their scarcity during the initial stages of plant residue decomposition. Actinomycetes thrive in well aerated, neutral to alkaline soils. Streptomyces is the most populous of all actinomycetes and is the active ingredient in the product Actinovate which is used to treat soil diseases.

They are less active in acid or waterlogged soils but are extremely important to the decay of organic matter in dry regions. They are visible as the white, fungus-like threads on decaying organic matter. The earthy smell of newly plowed soil and the forest floor is compliments of actinomycetes. They are a higher form of bacteria and similar to fungi and molds. Actinomycetes are very important in the formation of humus. Actinomycetes may work near the surface or many feet below the ground. While decomposing animal and vegetable matter, actinomycetes liberate carbon, nitrogen, and ammonia, making mineral nutrients available for higher plants. Look for the white material on decaying matter in the compost pile.

Actinovate: Beneficial organism product that helps control several soil-born diseases. It contains a harmless soil microorganism, Streptomyces lydicus strain WYEC108, in zeolite, for use as a plant growth enhancing supplement in agricultural and greenhouse operations. This organism colonizes the roots of a variety of different plants and stimulates plant growth in a symbiotic relationship with the plant. It contains the following 1) Saprophytic, rhizosphere-colonizing actinomycetes, 2) Isolated from the roots of a linseed plant, 3) Produces potent antifungal metabolites, 4) In vitro, it strongly inhibits a wide range of fungi (Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Phytophthora, Scherotinia), 5) In vitro, it also inhibits, but to a lesser degree, fungi such as Fusarium, Geotrichum and Verticillium. In addition, if the material is put on the plant as soon as it emerges from seed or when it is transplanted, it will prevent the plant from getting one of the numerous virus strains that can stop plant production.

Activated Sludge: Activated sludge is produced when sewage is aerated by air bubbled rapidly through it. Certain types of active bacteria coagulate the organic matter which settles out leaving a clear liquid that can be discharged or used for irrigation. Activated sludge is generally heat-treated and dried before being sold. It is the method used to produce Milorganite or Hou-Actinite.
 

Agrispon: A liquid, metabolic stimulator product that encourages root growth and top growth and helps control pathogens of all sorts indirectly through biological activity. It is used for soil, foliage, and seed treatment to enhance plant growth and health. It reduces drought stress and salt stress and makes better use of all fertilizer elements, especially nitrogen. By increasing microbial activity, Agrispon increases nitrogen fixation by microorganisms. Concentrated biostimulant formulated from plant and mineral extracts. Designed to stimulate beneficial soil microbial activity for increasing nitrogen availability and balancing soil and plant systems. A liquid, metabolic stimulator that encourages root growth and top growth and helps control pathogens of all sorts indirectly through biological activity. It’s used for soil, foliage, and seed treatment to enhance plant growth and health. It reduces drought stress and salt stress and makes better use of all fertilizer elements, especially nitrogen. By increasing microbial activity, Agrispon increases nitrogen fixation by microorganisms. A mineral and plant extract product that stimulates microorganisms and basic soil and plant functions. Manufactured in Dallas, Texas by Appropriate Technologies. Use when soil temperature exceeds 50 degrees F; on landscape plants, food crops, trees, houseplants, transplanting and seed germinating. 1.5 oz. covers 5,000 square feet; 13 oz. covers 1 acre.

Alfalfa Meal: Alfalfa used as a natural fertilizer product provides many nutritional benefits not only for plant use, but for soil organisms as well. One very important ingredient is tricontanol, a powerful plant growth regulator. Orchid and rose growers make an alfalfa tea and spray it directly on as a foliar fertilizer. Alfalfa is very high in vitamins, plus N-P-K-Ca, Mg, and other valuable minerals. It also includes sugars, starches, proteins, fiber and 16 amino acids. Sprinkle lightly over garden and water, or use about a handful (depending on the size) around each rose, tree, or shrub. Approximate analysis is 3-1-2. Alfalfa meal and hay used for mulch contain vitamin A, folic acid, trace minerals and the growth hormone “tricontanol.” Use at 25 pounds per 1,000 square feet or 400-800 pounds per acre. Alfalfa helps plants create larger flowers and increases the tolerance to cold. Make alfalfa tea by soaking 1 cup of alfalfa meal per 5 gallon of water. Good for all flowering plants. Research has shown that using more is not better. At recommended rates alfalfa works wonders on roses but it can be overused causing adverse effects.

Alfalfa Tea: Put one cup alfalfa meal in a 5 gallon bucket. Fill bucket with water, let it sit from 1 to 4 days. The result will be a thick tea. Apply generously to the root area of shrubs and flowers or use as a foliar spray after straining the solids out. The longer it brews, the better it is but the worse it will smell.

Alliance Cornmeal Products:  A manufacturer of corn and wheat horticultural products including Horticultural cornmeal, Pond Cleaner, Compost Starter, Wheat bran/Cornmeal/Molasses Soil Amendment. For more details see Cornmeal and the Alliance Milling link (www.morrismilling.com).

Animal Predator Urine: It’s exactly what it says and when applied strategically, it repels various animals like squirrels and other rodents. Our experience has shown that it doesn’t always work, especially long term. The animals seem to get used to it.

Antidesiccants: Also called antitranspirants, these products are made from pine oil and are mostly nontoxic and biodegradable. They are sometimes used for the prevention of powdery mildew on roses and crape myrtles. They work by spreading a clear film over the leaves. They are also used to help control diseases. They also can help stop freeze damage. However, don’t overuse or use when unnecessary. Also called antitranspirants, these products are made from pine oil and are allegedly nontoxic and biodegradable. They are sometimes used for the prevention of powdery mildew on roses and crape myrtles. They work by spreading a clear suffocating film over the leaves. They are also used to coat the foliage of plants for the purpose of reducing transpiration in hot weather and increasing cold tolerance in winter. Some gardeners worry about their interference with photosynthesis.

Azomite: This natural rock dust is an aluminum silicate clay mixed with many minerals. It began as an ancient marine deposit and was brought to the surface by volcanic action. It has been in use over 50 years as a source of available potash (2.5%) and over 50 trace minerals, including Calcium (2%), Sodium (1%), Iron (0.5%), and Magnesium (0.5%). Apply at ¼-2 tons/acre, or ¼ to 2 pounds per 10 square feet. Use as annual topdressing where soil pH is 6.8 or lower. Another excellent food supplement (the rock dust described in Secrets of the Soil) renowned for its many remarkable properties. Contains 60-70 trace minerals and is also useful as an anticaking agent. Use at 1-2% of feed mix. Azomite is a volcanic ash from southern Utah a mined mineral product. It requires no mixing or special equipment. It is odorless and won’t restrict aeration or water penetration. It is 100% natural with no additives, synthetics or fillers. Sold in the poultry industry as a feed ingredient. Chemically, Azomite is a hydrated sodium calcium alumino-silicate (HSCAS) containing other minerals and trace elements and is sold as an anticaking agent and is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. Available from Peak Minerals-Azomite, Inc., 101 N. Tejon, Suite 410, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

Azotobacter: A genus of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Unlike legume bacteria, azotobacter live in the soil independent of association with higher plants. They use soil organic matter as a source of energy, rather than carbohydrates from a host plant. When these microorganisms die, the nitrogen in their bodies is left in the soil in the form of proteins and related compounds. This nitrogen fixation is encouraged by organic matter with a high carbon content. These bacteria need available calcium, and their activity decreases in acidic soil. A ph higher than 6.5 gives the best results. Azotobacter are responsible for a large amount of natural nitrogen in the soil. Nitrates from high-nitrogen, artificial fertilizers decreases their efficiency. Sugar and humic acid products stimulate the growth of these organisms.

Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt): A pest control product that is made from beneficial bacteria and applied as a spray to kill caterpillars. Sold under a variety of names such as Thuricide, Dipel, and Bio-Worm and others. Use Bacillus thuringiensis ‘Israelensis’ (Bti) in water for  the control of mosquito larvae and for control of fungus gnats in pot plants in office buildings. Use Garrett Juice with Bt for extra effect. Molasses also helps. It provides protein and keeps insect-killing bacteria alive on the foliage longer – even during rain. Bt “San Diego” is good for Colorado potato beetle, elm leaf beetle, and other leaf-chewing beetles. It should be used only as a last resort and only spray specific plants under attack because it will kill all moths and butterflies.  The Bt products are not harmful to beneficial insects and other animals.

Back To Earth Resources: Back to Earth Compost is 100% cotton burr compost. Cotton burrs have significantly more nutrient value than other plant products. They produce humic acid as they decompose to help break up clay soils and improve moisture retention in sandy soils. Back to Earth products are made from cotton that has been naturally defoliated with frost, not with chemical sprays. Acidified Back To Earth contains sulfur. Greenskeeper is finely ground and excellent to use for turf feeding. It is the only compost that has an N-P-K analysis on the bag. Back to Earth Rose Food.

Back To Nature: Another composting company doing quality cotton burr compost.  Get information and other information from their website.

Baking Soda: Sodium bicarbonate is a product that can be used as a natural fungicide for black spot, powdery mildew and brown patch by mixing 4 teaspoons (approximately 1 rounded tablespoon) per gallon of water along with one teaspoon of mild liquid soap or horticultural oil and spraying foliage. Be careful to keep the spray on the foliage and not on the soil as much as possible. Baking soda is composed of sodium and bicarbonate – both are necessary in the soil but only in very small amounts. Potassium bicarbonate is a good alternative for those concerned about sodium.  Potassium is better for the soil in most cases.

Basalt: A volcanic rock material with an approximate analysis 0-0.5-3 plus a lot of iron and other trace elements. It is highly paramagnetic and it is the main ingredient in the product Volcanite. Research is proving it to be an excellent additive for potting, gardening and agriculture soils. Suggested application rates are 20-50 pounds per 1,000 square feet or up to 1 ½ tons per acre. One application lasts for many years. All basalt tested so far has a much higher paramagnetic reading than lava or granite. Dark, fine-grained volcanic rock. Basalt contains phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron. Added to compost it helps lower the temperature of the heap but still enables the compost to decompose. Earthworms can work in compost, heaps with basalt added. Dust of basalt is an excellent amendment for most soils. Like lava sand, it will help with the availability of trace minerals and increase the energy in the soil. Basalt is an ingredient some rock mix products.

Bat Conservation International: Bat Conservation International (BCI) is a nonprofit organization working to document and promote the values and conservation needs of bats worldwide. BCI was founded in 1982 by Dr. Merlin Tuttle as scientists around the world became alarmed about severe declines in bat populations. Most conservation groups had neglected bats while animals of greater public appeal – but often less ecological importance – were represented by a variety of organizations.

 In 1986, BCI established its international headquarters in Austin, Texas. Currently, BCI employs a staff of 22 and is supported by more than 12,600 members in 56 countries. Each year BCI responds to many thousands of requests for advice and assistance and is the primary source of information about bats for hundreds of government agencies and private conservation organizations worldwide.

BCI’s conservation and education initiatives have made unprecedented progress in protecting bats and their habitats. Protective legislation has been passed in several countries, and public attitudes toward bats are now rapidly improving. However, much more needs to be done. For more information, contact: Robert Benson, Public Information Officer, Bat Conservation International, P.O. Box 162603, Austin, TX 78716-2603, 512-327-9721.

Bat Guano:  Bat guano is an organic fertilizer product that has been composted thoroughly by the guano beetles and the microorganisms on the floor of the caves. However, nut trees. Hydroponic growers have also used guano successfully by metering out small amounts in their liquid solutions. Note: If bat guano still looks like mouse droppings it hasn’t been processed by the beetles. It is still a good fertilizer, but is less sanitary. Bat guano can be used year round in any soil. It helps to bind loose soil and mellow up tight soils. It will even help control soil borne diseases. Bat guano is nature’s most highly refined organic fertilizer. It starts out as plant life as insects eat from plants and fly into the air and are eaten by the bats. Bat droppings fall to the floor in the caves where millions of guano beetles attack the droppings and use it for their food. While the beetles are feeding on the bat droppings billions of beneficial decomposing microbes are also attacking and feeding on the bat droppings. Use at 10-15 pounds per 1,000 square feet.

Bat guano has been composted thoroughly by the beetles and the microorganisms on the floor of the caves. However, guano from attics of buildings may not have been processed by beetles. If it still looks like mouse droppings it is not processed and should be handled with care to avoid disease exposure. Use 1-2 teaspoons per 6” pot diameter. Repeat in 4-6 weeks if necessary. In the flower and vegetable garden use 1-3 quarts per 100 square feet. However guano is a slow release fertilizer and will not burn even if using double the recommended amounts. It’s always better to use smaller amounts than larger especially in sandy soils. You can burn plants with bat guano. Homeowners have reported using bat guano one time on their lawn and could still see good effects 3-4 years later. Processing by the beetle in the decomposing microbes renders the bat guano free of toxins and dangerous pathogens other than the normal opportunistic pathogens that are found in most any dust. Bat guano is an excellent inoculant to activate compost piles.

Guano has plenty of nitrogen for green growth, ample phosphorous for roots and flowering and appropriate amounts of potassium for strong stem growth. Besides these three major nutrients guano contains all the minor and trace elements needed for overall plant growth. There are no fillers in bat guano. Everything including the beneficial microbes are useful and necessary for the soil, the roots and the foliage and the plant life.

Bat Houses: Installing bat houses on farms and ranches as well as on residential properties, can be an important part of the overall pest management. Bat houses work best when located within 1,000 feet of water, areas which will have to be high insect populations. The houses should be oriented toward the east or southeast so they warm up quickly in the morning. Hang them in an unobstructed spot 12’ to 15’ above the ground, but not too close to living quarters because bat guano will accumulate underneath. Bat guano is very high in nitrogen and great for your garden when composted. The best publication I’ve found on bat houses is The Bat House Builders Handbook by Merlin Tuttle and Donna L. Hensley. Distributed by: University of Texas Press, P.O. Box 7819, Austin, TX 78713-7819. An excellent source of information on bats and bat houses is Bat World, 217 N. Oak Avenue, Mineral Wells, Texas 76067, 940-325-3404.

Bavaria Bassiana: The active biological ingredient in Naturalis L which is a biological control product for cotton boll weevil, cotton bollweevils , fleahoppers whiteflies and tarnished plant bug. Dr. James Wright of Troy Biosciences isolated this strain from a boll weevil cadaver in 1986. He was working at the time for the USDA-ARS in Weslaco, Texas.

Bentonite: Clay soil product used to reduce seepage in natural tanks and ponds. Use 1 pound of bentonite per square foot of surface area. Can be used when water is still in the tank, but best results occur when tank is dry and blended in the top inch or two of soil. Any extension agent or soil conservation service office should be able to help with sources.


Bioform: Liquid fertilizer products made from fish emulsion, seaweed and molasses. The sulfur in the molasses has virtually eliminated the fish smell. The products also contain a biostimulant/soil penetrant.

Bioform 4-2-4: Organic fish and seaweed fertilizer that is not derived from fish waste. Bioform is a premium fish hydrolosate derived from whole fresh water fish and fortified with Maxi-Crop seaweed, molasses and bone meal. It contains 3% sulfur from the molasses.

Bioform Liquid Fish 3-1-1: Fertilizer concentrate derived from fish for houseplants, gardens, orchards, shrubs and commercial crops as a foliar spray. One gallon makes two to four gallons of spray. High quality and economical.

Bioform Dry:  A high quality, powerful organic fertilizer made from a blend of natural materials.

Bio-Innoculant: Bioinnoculant is a mixture of microbes and is similar to the first primordial mixture of microbes found on earth (or so the manufacturer says.) Bioinnoculant is a liquid culture of living organisms capable of performing a variety of biodegradable tasks including the reduction of salts, reducing hardpan, breaking down chemical compounds such as fertilizer, diesel, gasoline, oil, pesticides and other hydrocarbon spills. Other tasks include the promotion of disease resistance in plants and production of enzymes, vitamins and antibiotics. Bioinnoculants microorganisms primarily include Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Azotobacter, Azospirillum Rhizobium and soil born Cyanobacteria. This product includes aerobic, anaerobic and facultative that are naturally occurring with no genetically engineered organisms and no pathogens.

Biological insect bait for grasshopper control. Nolo is short for Nosema locustae a pathogen protozoa of grasshoppers. The spore of the parasite is mixed with flaky wheat bran which attracts a grasshopper to feed. A grasshopper only needs to ingest one flake of the bran formulation to become infected. The infected grasshopper becomes ill and dies. The disease is passed through the eggs to infect future generations. The one pound container comes in a shaker applicator for lawn and garden applications. Apply Nolo Bait during the second to third instar (1/4” to ½” long) for most effective control. Requires up to 3 weeks for widespread control.

Biological Odor Control: Biological Odor Control liquid product from the Medina Corporation is odorless, safe and 100% natural product from the Medina Corporation. It reduces or eliminates odors quickly and naturally. It contains biological activators that speed up the naturally occurring biological reduction process. Use through the house including bathroom, kitchen, closets, pet areas and pet odors on carpets.

Biostimulants: A generic term that refers to products that are applied to plants and the soil to stimulate microbiotic activity.

Bird Scare Flash Tape: Mylar ribbon that is red on one side and silver on the other. When attached to food crop plants just prior to the fruit maturing, this product and other similar products gives good bird repellency. The ribbon looks like fire moving in the wind. Same company sells the Birdscare Octopus.

Black Hole Gopher Trap: Guaranteed to trap your gophers, so the ad says. Gophers are notoriously hard to get rid of – and annoyingly destructive. Even if they don’t wolf down your entire harvest-to-be, their tunnels and mounds can ruin your garden. The black hole trap works only on gophers and is safe around pets and children. Gophers live in round tunnels and have learned that square things (like most traps) are dangerous, so this trap is round, like the tunnels. When the trap is placed at the end of its tunnel, the gopher detects the air and light that the trap lets in. When it rushes to plug it up, a snare catches and kills it.

Blood Meal: Smelly source of nitrogen and phosphorus. Good to use as a mix with cottonseed meal. Expensive, but it’s good to use occasionally. Analysis can range from 12-2-1 to 11-0-0. A good nitrogen source but smelly and expensive. This natural meal has a low pH and many trace minerals including iron. Use at 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet or 300-400 pounds per acre. A good blend is made by mixing 80 percent cottonseed meal with 20 percent blood meal. If zeolite is blended in with these two products it helps reduce odor and makes them last a lot longer. Blend in at the rate of 1-3 percent.

Bone Meal: Excellent slow-release source of calcium and phosphorus recommended for bulbs, tomatoes, and other vegetables. Analysis will range from 2-12-0 to 4-12-0 with 2 to 5 percent calcium. Slow release form of calcium and phosphorous. It is used for bulbs, tomatoes, and other vegetables. Analysis will range from 2-12-0 to 4-12-0 with 2 to 5% calcium. A good calcium and phosphorus source but slower acting and more expensive than soft rock phosphate. Analysis of bone meal will vary from about 2-12-0 to 4-12-0 with 2-5 percent calcium. Young bones usually have less phosphorous and more nitrogen than older bones. Commonly available steamed bone meal is made from bones that have been boiled or steamed at high pressure to remove fats and proteins. This process reduces nitrogen but increases phosphorous. Bone meal works more quickly on well-aerated soil. Use at 20-40 pounds per 1,000 square feet or 400-500 pounds per acre.

Bordeaux Mix: A fungicide and insecticide product usually made from copper sulfate and lime. Traditionally used for most foliar problems and treatment for disease control on fruits, vegetables, shrubs, trees, and flowers such as anthracnose, botrytis blight, peach tree curl, and twig blight. Wet down decks and other hard surfaces before spraying. Some staining is possible. Fungicide to control leaf spot, blight, downy mildew, and other diseases on fruits, vegetables, flowers and trees. Contains copper and lime. A fungicide and insecticide usually made from copper sulfate and lime. Good for most foliar problems and an effective organic treatment for disease control on fruits, vegetables, shrubs, trees, and flowers such as anthracnose, botrytis blight, peach tree curl, black spot and twig blight. Wet down decks and other hard surfaces before spraying to avoid staining. This product originated in the Bordeaux region of France. It has been much used in the past against potato blight.  I strongly advise avoiding the use of this product.  There are far less toxic choices that work better.

Boric Acid and Borates: We do not recommend copper products. It is a heavy metal that can reach toxic levels easily. Boric acid and its salts are also herbicides, and thus gardens and landscaping would be at risk as a result of ground treatment with water-soluble salts. Borax has been used to suppress poison ivy and a number of other noxious weeds. Borates do not discolor wood, are odorless, and do not vaporize. Nor do they cause wood to absorb water. Water-soluble borates will leach out from wood in contact with wet soil. Since borates are also herbicides, any that leach from wood can kill plants. Boric acid is toxic to insects, decay fungi, and bacteria. Borates occur naturally in orange juice, carrots, raisins, bread, and other foodstuffs, and an average daily American diet contains about 8 ppm. Concentration in soil averages 7-80 ppm, surface water contains up to 0.1 mg/liter, and sea water contains an average 4.5 mg/liter. The greatest danger to humans from borates is chronic unprotected exposure to aerosols, or accidental acute ingestion of large amounts. Boric acid and borates do not cause cancer, have low acute toxicity, do not cause skin allergies by contact, and generally are quite safe if properly used.

Bt: Short for Bacillus thuringiensis Bt is a toxin found in a bacterium that kills the European corn borer, a common pest. A spray version of Bt has been popular with organic gardeners since the seventies. See Bacillus thuringiensis.


Bug Juice Spray: Some insects can be controlled by spraying them with a tea made from a slurry of dead bugs. A commercial company that does this is Lambda Bioremediation Systems, Inc. 614-278-2600, mailtlambdabio@earthlink.net. A natural insect control that is made from over 70 living beneficial microorganisms. It has shown to be effective on some of the most difficult insect pests including grasshoppers.  This product is not easy to handle and can have an extreme odor.


Calcined Clay: Montmorillonite clay that’s baked at a high temperature which makes it rigid and no longer shrinks or swells when wet or dried. This material can be added to any potting soil or growth medium to improve the air-water relationship. It is used as a filler in some commercial fertilizers.


Carl Pool: Texas company that owns a line of organic products that includes fertilizers, soil amendments, compost activators and insect control products. Available from Carl Pool, P.O. Box 1148, Gladewater, TX 75647. 1-800-678-8205. See Earth-Safe Organics for more information.

Cedar Flakes: Cedar flakes also sold as horticultural cedar come from the cedar oil business. The flakes, actually small chips, are a by-product of the oil that is sold and used in various aromatic products. The source trees are actually juniper trees. Juniperus virginiana is the eastern red cedar and Juniperus ashei is the more common mountain cedar. Other junipers are used as well. Ranchers cut the limbs off the trees and the stumps don’t resprout. Old cedar (juniper) stumps are then ground into small chips and most of the oil is removed by steam cooking. The remaining cedar flakes are then sold and used in potting soils, as mulch and to heel-in balled and burlapped plants. They are excellent raised beds for vegetable growing can be made from 100 percent cedar flakes. It’s best to start with dry flakes and soak them in a solution of the same liquid that I use to spray the foliage of plants in a typical organic spray program. Use one tablespoon of seaweed, one of fish emulsion, one of black strap molasses, and one of natural apple cider vinegar – all per one gallon of water and thoroughly saturate the cedar flakes with this liquid. For each cubic yard of material add about a gallon of colloidal phosphate (same as soft rock phosphate) and about a gallon of bat guano or cottonseed meal to provide a nitrogen source. Add a gallon of lava sand for a little extra power. If the dry materials are mixed in to the flakes before the liquids are added they will mix more thoroughly. Good for chiggers, fleas, and lowering the pH of the soil. An excellent material to use on the greenhouse floor. Cedar flakes are an excellent control for harmful nematodes and would be a staple organic product today if A&M hadn’t sabotaged then with their tired old mind set that cedar is toxic. At Garden-Ville farm cedar has proven to be a much better potting soil additive than pine bark. Cedar shavings which are often used for stable bedding and filler in pet pillows are from ground up cedar trees.

 The same cedar flakes have been used for some years as a superior stable bedding for livestock. Spread to a depth of three inches, cedar flakes are an extremely clean and fresh smelling alternative to the more typical products like hay, shavings and sawdust. The fragrance of the juniper flakes seems to repel flies, fleas and ticks very effectively.

The best use of all for cedar flakes is as greenhouse flooring material. Gravel harbors disease pathogens, insect pests and concrete is even worse. It surprises people to learn that concrete is very porous and provides habitat for lots of nasty microorganisms. Cedar flakes used on top of soil at a depth of about 3” looks good, smells great, keeps your feet from getting muddy and best of all, eliminates problem infestations of insects and diseases. The flakes give off carbon dioxide into the air to feed plants through the foliage. Plants growing in the greenhouse floor soil are kept at the perfect temperature which of course stimulates beneficial soil biota. The net result is a reduction or even elimination of destructive nematodes and an increase in plant production. Even if all your plants in the greenhouse are in pots, the cedar flakes will improve the air quality and help reduce pest problems. Don’t put the cedar on top of concrete or gravel or weed block fabric or plastic. The flakes must be in contact with the soil to form the forest floor in your greenhouse and give you all these advantages. Cedar Fiber Company is located in Junction, Texas but they have a bagging and distribution facility in Kennedale, Texas. Their telephone number is 817-478-9241. The material is available in bags or in bulk.

Cedar Mulch: The very best topdressing mulch is made by simply grinding up cedar trees, actually Juniperus spp.  This mulch won’t wash away easily, repels insects and is very helpful to plant growth.

Cedar Tea: Made by simply soaking cedar mulch in water. It can be used as a mild foliage feeding material and a mild pest control.

Charcoal: Black, porous form of carbon often used in the bottom of pots to improve drainage, but that is not a good use. Charcoal is usually made by charring wood in a kiln without air. It is sometimes used to help detoxify contaminated soils. The most effective for soil decontamination is NORIT or GroSafe – 800-641-9245.

Chelators: Chelated iron and other chelated nutrients are used when a direct dose of a particular nutrient is needed to quickly solve a deficiency. Chelated products are organic compounds with attached inorganic metal molecules, which are more available for plant use. Compost, humus, humic acid, and microorganisms have natural chelating properties. Chemically, lime is the oxide of calcium, with the formula CaO. It occurs in limestone, marble, and chalk as calcium carbonate. Finely ground limestone is the best form to use because it will be more available to plants. There are two kinds of limestone available: calcic and dolomitic. Low-calcium soils usually have ample magnesium, so high calcium or calcic lime is the best calcium source. Dolomitic lime contains 30-35 percent magnesium. High-calcium lime contains only 10 percent magnesium and is preferred because most low-calcium soils have enough or too much magnesium.

Chemical Fertilizers: Common term for synthetic, high-nitrogen, soluble fertilizers. Studies have shown that as much as 50% of all synthetic nitrogen applied to the soil will be leached out, and the half that does reach the plant may be harmful. Other studies show that an excess of chemical fertilizer slows or even stops the activity of microflora and microfauna such as beneficial bacteria, algae, fungi, and other microorganisms. Harsh fertilizers also cause damage to macroorganisms, such as earthworms, millipedes, centipedes, etc., which are extremely important to the natural processes in the soil.

Chicken Manure: Chicken litter is a good natural fertilizer high in nitrogen. Pelletized forms are better because they are not as dusty. Approximate analysis is 6-4-2. Unfortunately, commercial chickens are still being fed lots of unnatural things including arsenic. Best to compost before using. Use at 400 pounds per acre.


Chilean Nitrate: Fast-acting source of nitrogen, 16% nitrogen which is almost immediately available. Sodium nitrate or Chile saltpeter, which is impure natural sodium nitrate, is not an acceptable organic fertilizer and should never be used on soil with salt problems.


Cinnamon: Natural pest control that can be dusted to repel ants, roaches and other indoor pests. Liquid concentrate can be used to kill plants.


Citric Acid: Derived from mold fermentation of carbohydrates, from lemons, limes, pineapples, and molasses. The natural acids in all citrus fruits.

Citrus Oil: The extracted oil product made from citrus rinds, sold commercially as d-limonene. Used in cleaning products and natural pesticides.

Citrus Oil Spray: Insect control spray made by adding 2 ounces of citrus oil such as orange oil or d-limonene to one gallon of water.  Best when mixed with compost tea and molasses.

Citrus Rinds: Peelings from oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, etc. Best use – freeze and store, grind into pulp and mix into soil prior to planting crops that are susceptible to root knot nematodes.

Cloud Cover: Biodegradable plant protector or floating row cover that reduces frequency of watering. Cloud Cover helps sustain plants through vacation time, transplanting, re-potting, frost protection, and also helps with powdery mildew control. Cloud Cover seals in moisture to help prevent transplanting shock for less wilt, faster recovery, and uninterrupted growth. Cloud Cover’s protective barrier neutralizes destructive seasonal and environmental extremes. Spray on foliage. One application lasts three months or until new leaves appear. These are some of the manufacturers comments. I wonder about interference with photosynthesis.

Coal: Both low-grade lignite coal, known as humate, as well as bituminous coal are good soil amendments providing carbon and other trace minerals.  They can be used at rates as low as 50 lbs. per acre to as much as 400 lbs. per acre.

Coal Ashes: It is generally reported that coal ashes are injurious to most of the country’s soils because of the high levels of iron and sulfur. These trace minerals are lacking in many alkaline soils and therefore would be beneficial in many cases.

Coffee Grounds: Approximate analysis is 2-3-6. An excellent natural fertilizer with an acid pH and up to 2 percent nitrogen. Collect grounds at home and from your local restaurant or coffee shop and use in the compost pile or apply directly to the soil at 20-80 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Coffee grounds are a natural soil amendment and acid organic matter for bed preparation. Use directly in alkaline soils or mix into the compost pile.


Colloidal Rock Phosphate (Soft Rock Phosphate): A mixture of fine particles of phosphate suspended in a clay base. An economical form of natural phosphorous and calcium. Unlike chemically-made phosphates, rock phosphate is insoluble in water, will not leach away, and therefore is long-lasting. It has 18% phosphorous and 15% calcium as well as trace elements. The Lonfosco company in Florida is the primary source.

Compost Tea: A basic product used to build soil structure, add to the organic matter content of the soil and helps hold valuable nutrients in the soil. This tea is made from the leachate of compost and may be the best foliar feeding tool of all. It is not only an effective foliar fertilizer, it has powerful insect – and disease – control properties. The humic materials and microorganisms in compost tea are effective on many pests. German researchers studied the effects of compost tea, but gardeners have known its beneficial properties for years. Common fungal problems like black spot on roses and early blight on tomatoes can be controlled with compost tea. How to dilute the dark compost tea before using depends on the compost used. A rule of thumb is to dilute the leachate down to one part compost liquid to 4-10 parts water. Applying compost tea at late evening just about dusk works best.

Compost: Approximate analysis is 1-1-1. This is the best all-around organic fertilizer and soil building product. After all, it’s nature’s. Apply at a minimum of 50-100 pounds per 1,000 square feet or 800-4,500 pounds per acre. Use in all potting soil mixes and to prepare all new beds. Compost is far superior to any other form of organic matter for use in building the soil. Compost is organic matter that’s rotted and broken down into an unidentifiable form. Every living thing on earth is going to die and everything that dies, rots. Completely rotted material is compost. Compost contains many nutrients and therefore is a fertilizer. It also contains organic matter, enzymes, vitamins and living organisms.

Consan 20: See Triple Action 20


Copper Fungicide: Pest control products that controls black spot and powdery mildew on roses and other listed diseases on flowers, shrubs, vegetables and fruit trees. Copper is a valuable trace mineral for the soil but can cause a severe toxicity if overused. We do not recommend copper products.


Copper Sulfate: Ingredient used in algaecides and fungicides. Also called bluestone, it has been used to control root growth in sewer pipes and storm drains. Also used for algae control in ponds. This product has been banned in some states for use in water and should be banned everywhere. It’s overuse causes severe toxicity. At best, it only offers a short term control of pond algae. It is used in highly diluted concentrations on plants for control of black spots on roses. Bonide has a 7% copper sulfate product that is useful on roses. The rest of the product is talc and diatomaceous earth. We do not recommend the use of this product.

Copper: Trace mineral that in liquid form is an effective fungicide for powdery mildew, black spot, peach leaf curl, and other diseases. Copper is also an ingredient in Bordeaux mix. Enough copper is usually found in fish products, seaweed and the various rock amendments. These products are not acceptable in an organic program.


Copperas: Iron sulfate, ferrous sulfate, green vitriol. Corrects yellowing of foliage and helps create an acid soil condition. Contains iron sulfate. Made by the action of diluting sulfuric acid and iron. Used as a fertilizer catalyst, wood preservative, herbicide and soil acidifier. This is not a true organic product.


Corncobs: Corncobs have a nutrient value equal to two-thirds that of the kernels. They can be ground with the corn and fed to cows and steers. Ground corncobs make a good mulch because of their  moisture-holding properties. Corncobs are also an excellent compost material, but they should first be run through a shredder.

Corn Gluten Meal: Corn gluten meal is a natural pre-emergent fertilizer (9.5-0.5-0.5) that reduces the germination and establishment of troublesome annual weeds. It is available as a powder or in granular form. It is 60 percent protein and approximately 10 percent nitrogen by weight. It is a by-product of the wet milling process and commonly used in pet and livestock feed. It can be used in vegetable gardens as a fertilizer and can help with weed control, but be careful. It can damage the germination of your food crops. Use it only after your vegetable seeds are up and young plant roots are well-established. It is a powerful fertilizer and will create large healthy weeds if applied after they germinate. This unique use of corn gluten meal was discovered by Dr. Nick Christians and his research staff at Iowa State University. Corn gluten meal is on the market as an EPA registered product. It’s also still available in generic bags at most of the local nurseries and feed stores specializing in organic products. It was determined that corn gluten meal stops root formation of germination sprouts. Seeds treated with corn gluten meal developed top shoots but no roots and died when water was withheld from the soil surface. It was also tested for detrimental effects on established grasses. Not only does corn gluten meal not damage mature grass, it is an excellent organic fertilizer.

Cornmeal: Cornmeal is a powerful natural fungus control. May also be effective on other soil borne diseases. Apply to soil at 10-20 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Use at 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet or 200-800 pounds per acre to add cellulose and stimulate the beneficial microorganism that controls several disease pathogens such as Rhizoctonia, Pythium, Fusarium, Phytophthora, and others. Can also be used in pools and water features to control algae at 2 cups of cornmeal per 100 square feet or 150 pounds per acre. It is also useful on pond algae. Apply to ponds and lakes at 150-200 pounds per acre to control algae. 

Commercial cornmeal products are available from Alliance Milling in Denton, Texas: Cornmeal controls diseases and builds the soil better than any of the toxic chemicals. They provide four different products.

1. Bed Preparation – Wheat Bran/Corn Meal Soil Amendment with Molasses is used at 10-50 lbs/100 sq ft as a source of nutrients, organic matter and cornmeal’s natural disease control. It can be used as the primary bed prep material or mixed with any of the commonly recommended additions.

2. Disease Control - Use Alliance Horticulture Corn Meal for root or soil borne fungus problems at 10-20 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Cornmeal works as a disease fighter in the soil by stimulating beneficial microorganisms that feed on pathogens such as brown patch in St. Augustine, damping off in seedlings and other fungal diseases. Use cornmeal at about 2 pounds per 100 square feet to help control any soil borne fungal diseases on both food and ornamental crops. One application may be all that is needed, but multiple applications are okay if necessary because cornmeal serves as a mild organic fertilizer and soil builder. The cornmeal needs moisture to activate. Rain won’t hurt cornmeal’s efficacy because, like all organic products, it is not water soluble.

3. Algae Control – Use Alliance Pond Cleaner for floating paint-like and filamentous algae in water, use cornmeal at 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet or 150-200 pounds per surface acre. The cellulose in the cornmeal helps to tie up the excess phosphorous in water, balances the water chemistry and thus kills off the algae. The organic carbon in the cornmeal enables the beneficial bacteria in the water to flourish at the expense of the algae. Then the decomposing algae provide a source of carbon for the bacteria. One or two treatments is usually enough to control the algae for several months.

4. Compost Starter – Alliance Compost Starter should be used at 1 lb/cubic yard of compost to stimulate beneficial  decomposing microbes in order to neutralize contaminates or just speed up the  composting process. The material  can be used at much higher rates for accelerated results. Caution: any fast algae kill from any product can cause an oxygen depravation and result in fish kill. Additional information can be obtained from the following publications: Cornmeal – it’s not just hog feed anymore, The Peanut Farmer, May 1996. Aquaculture Engineering 9 (1990) 175-186. P.S. Cornmeal only works in an organic program. When toxic chemical products are used, the effect of the cornmeal will be lost. 

Cornmeal can control algae. Algae blooms in shallow sunlit nutrient rich ponds and small reservoirs. The best control was in experiments from Pat Deliman, a doctorial student of Dr. Joe McFarland’s at A&M Research Station in Stephenville. Masters thesis on a work on the control of high pH caused by algae in aquaculture ponds in Mississippi found that the best control was organic carbon and the cheapest source of organic carbon was cornmeal. The journal of this research is available from Mississippi State. (print out for Joe McFarland for review and approval) Lee etal 1980 State (AQUATIC BACTERIA Because of their general higher growth rate compared to algae can out compete algae for phosphorous provided there is a sufficient concentration of organic carbon to support bacterial growth)The algae get their carbon from the inorganic carbon dioxide in the water which in turn comes from the bicarbonates in the water. A high demand for dissolved carbon dioxide shifts the bicarbonate equilibrium reactions, with the result that HCO3 ions liberate OH ions which increase pH. The bacteria must have an organic carbon source which is normally provided by decomposing organic plants (especially emergent macrophytes such as cattails, reeds and rushes close) With low alkalinity, with water systems that lack a bicarbonate buffering capacity (especially shallow ponds), and with growth conditions favorable for algae, algae blooms are very common and very desirable.

The treatment rates have not been refined. The standard recommendation for a start is about 150-200 pounds of cornmeal per surface acre. Don’t over use per application – 43,560 square feet = 1 acre. The finer ground cornmeal will be more effective, the coarse ground or cracked corn from feed stores will be effective at a low cost (8.00 per 50 lbs). The organic carbon from the corn enables the bacteria to flourish at the expense of the algae. The decomposing algae then provide a source of organic carbon for the bacteria so the treatment does not need to be continuous. One or two treatments should be sufficient for any pond or reservoir for algae suppression over a several month period. Too much bacterial growth could have a negative effect on the algae, the algal primary productivity of the pond for other aquatic life. The cornmeal dose rate should be tied to the pond and algae characteristics but that information has not been developed.

The anecdotal information is very supportive of the use of cornmeal to control algae of all types. The suspended micro cellular algae are perhaps the easiest to control. But floating algal mats and filamentous algae are also controllable. Some major corporations in the Dallas area use cornmeal to control algae on their on site water reservoirs. Although one person has reported a fish kill after he applied cornmeal to control algae. The suspected problem is lack of dissolved oxygen from the decomposing algae. Additional control of pond weeds of various kinds can be had by the use of three different kinds of fish. White amur, tilapia, and koi. The koi are the decorative fish that are commonly used in botanic gardens and zoos. The koi can often be contained free or at low cost. There are no restriction for the use of these fish. Tilapia are tropical fish that have to be reintroduced each spring because they freeze in the fall. For some strange reason they are only available legally with a permit from the state. (there is a legal species of tilapia – Mozambique) What amur or grass carp are also available legally through the state licensing even though the fish are sterile hybrids.

Cotton Boll Compost: Compost made from cotton processing waste. It has an approximate analysis is 7-2-2, an acid pH, and with lots of trace minerals. It has possible pesticide residue because so many toxic poisons are used in the cotton industry. Use at 20-25 pounds per 1,000 square feet or 700-800 pounds per acre.

Cottonseed Meal: Organic fertilizer with an acid pH. Good natural source of nitrogen and trace elements. Cottonseed meal is made from the cotton seed. A special value of cottonseed meal is its acid pH which makes it a valuable fertilizer for acid loving specialty crops. Analysis will vary and ranges from 6-2-1 to 7-3-2 with trace elements. Does have odor for a while after use
.

Cow Manure: Approximate analysis is 2-1-1. Trace mineral content varies widely depending on raw materials used in the cow feed. Cow manure is loaded with beneficial living organisms. Manure is one of our greatest natural resources, if not overused. It is best to use cow manure in composted form to avoid weed seed and odor. It can be used at the rate of 1-4 tons per acre. The high salt content of cow manure as a common scare tactic organiphobes often use. Contamination from broadleaf herbicides is a more serious concern.

Cypress Bark Mulch: Pretty good topdressing mulch that is expensive and tends to seal off the oxygen/carbon-dioxide transfer. It is better than no mulch at all and provides moisture retention, preserves the soil and retards weed growth but it breathes less than other mulches. It also breaks down very slowly which is a negative point.

Cytokinin: A plant hormone capable of modifying plant development either by stimulating or altering the cellular RNA. Cytokinins are more stable than most growth hormones such as gibberellins and auxin-like hormones. Cytokinin is one of the active ingredients in liquid biostimulants.

D-Limonene: Technical name for orange oil extraction. This is the product used in most of the commercial citrus products for cleaning and/or pest control.

Desert Bloom: Humate product from HYDRA-SOIL International, P.O. Box 911, Kingfisher, OK 73750, Distributed by Resource Associates, 315 N. Bridge St., P.O. Box 429, Henrietta, Texas 76365, 800-899-5978.

Desert Peat (DinoSoil): Despite my frustrations, I’ve gotten many people to try the material in bed preparation, around sick trees, in potting soils, in rose pots and gardens, in propagation media, on turf farms, on truck farms and on ranches. The reports back have been shocking. The worst I’ve heard is that it seems to help – the best is that the stuff provides miraculous plant growth improvements.  It is very hard to find and purchase.

Diatomaceous Earth: Diatomaceous earth (DE for short) is the remains of microscopic one-celled plants (phytoplankton) called diatoms that lived in the oceans that once covered the western part of the United States and other parts of the world. Huge deposits were left behind when the water receded. They are now mined and have several important uses in making paint, toothpaste, beer filtering and swimming pool filters. DE is approximately 86 percent silicon, 5 percent sodium, 2 percent iron and many other trace minerals such as titanium, boron, manganese, copper and zirconium.

DE makes a very effective natural insecticide. The insecticidal quality of DE is due to the razor sharp edges of the diatom remains and its absorptive properties. When DE comes in contact with the insects, the sharp edges lacerate the bugs’ waxy exoskeleton and then the powdery DE absorbs the body fluids causing death from dehydration. Said more simply, DE kills insects by drying ‘em up. You will see how drying DE as if you handle it with bare hands.