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organic turf: year-zero prep
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Author:  Highbridger [ Mon Oct 07, 2013 1:28 pm ]
Post subject:  organic turf: year-zero prep

(newbie 1st post, just completing year-one change from synthetic to organic fertilizers, location North Texas DFW metro)

Sharing my plan from last fall "year zero" for anyone considering adoption of the organic turf program:
1. Lightly fertilized with the synthetic fert. had been using (figuring the soil microbe activity hadn't been built yet).
2. Found several local big box/small box hardware stores and feed stores that carry organic products.
3. Applied dry molasses 20 lbs/1,000 sq ft (took the effort to measure the turf area accurately, very imp. step).
4. Applied 20 lbs/1k corn gluten meal.
5. Applied 10 lbs/1k balanced low N-nitrogen+high K-potassium fall fertilizer.
6. Applied 10 lbs/1k dry 35% humic acid.
7. Mulched all autumn leaves into the turf with mower (never did before, usu. had 40+ bags on 8,200 sq ft lawn).

Notes:
- this may sound like a big investment but was attempting to overcome 20+ years of syn fertilizers
- the st augustine turf growth stopped on time, but remained green longer than usual into December
- following year-one spring green-up started right on time, and all of the mulched leaves broke down nicely
- continued organic program into year-one with super results (all lbs per 1k):
- 3-seasonal applications of dry molasses (3x20), corn gluten meal (2x20, spring+fall) and blended organic fertilizers (3x25)
- one-time soil amendment applications of zeolite (20), lava sand (75), 35% humic acid (10), and sul-po-mag (5)

Author:  Dirt Doctor [ Fri Oct 11, 2013 6:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: organic turf: year-zero prep

Great start! You can probably cut back on the dry applications now and maintain things with a monthly or at least quarterly Garrett Juice spray.

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