What are the organic landcare practices?
Choose 4-10 steps in this guide for your Landcare Practice for beautiful safe results.
For industry specific organic practices as in: Agriculture, Arboriculture, Greenhouse Horticulture & container plants or field grown nursery stock call me to discuss your needs.
Biologicals (beneficial soil bacteria, actinomycetes while metabolizing (eating & burning up) nutrients give off heat & gas. Also, enzymes which are useable plant nutrition in symbiotic relationship with beneficial soil fungi called mycorrhizae. Worms are wonderful. They aerate the soil, eat & convert organic matter into plant nutrition and contribute beneficial bacteria to the soil.
Compost is one of the best things you can use organically. It contributes most of the 7 Keys to soil health and facilitates atmosphere and moisture retention too.
ALL “COMPOST” IS NOT CREATED EQUAL. Be sure of your source. Test compost w/hydrogen peroxide. A cup of organic compost will not “foam up” as will under-composted organic matter.
Compost tea works as a soil drench and as a foliar spray.
When used as a foliar spray not only is there a nutrient benefit to the plant but covering foliage with compost tea will help establish the proper surface biology that fungus and other diseases will not attack.
Additional; minerals, plant acids (yes these are good and natural ie : humic acid, fulvic acid, gibberellic acid) enzymes and beneficial bacteria can be added where needed. Adding Mineral Rock Dust mimics the actions of Mother Nature (glaciers, wind & flooding) redistributing essential minerals for maximum plant/soil use.
Growing plants use minerals/elements. When plants/crops are removed from where they grew the minerals/elements leave too. They should be replaced. Plants need more than N.P.K. fertilizer, just as we need a varied diet with: protein, carbohydrates, enzymes, vitamins and minerals to achieve our health potential.
At planting adding mycorrhizae, humates & mineral rock dust to the backfill enhances the plants ability establish rooting and improve the soil in the root zone. Champion Tree projects have illustrated that using mineral rock dust can enable trees to grow an additional 3-5 feet per year.
Integrated Practice Management - IPM: Includes beneficial: insects, birds and animals and lack of interference for them as well as using environmentally sound products. Green Lace Wings, beneficial nematodes, ladybugs, praying mantis eggs, are a few beneficial insects. Bird & Bat houses attract Birds & Bats that feed on pest insects.
Certain plants (ie: marigolds) ward off insects. Garlic Juice & Cayenne pepper sprays (available commercially) repels undesirable insects including ticks.
Diatomaceous Earth harmless to humans & wildlife is used to control nematodes.
BT or Bacillus Thurengesis also called Milky Spore disease controls Japanese Beetles.
Weed control - Short term & long term although Turf “likes” a pH of 6.3 raising the pH
to 6.5 - 7.0 will also help surpress weeds.
Short term- Pre-emergent corn gluten based products work. However, it is not a magic bullet and should be also included in the total (N)itrogen count that is applied as fertilizer. Multiple applications throughout the season may be needed for weeds.
Short term- Post-emergent Hyper concentrations of lemon juice and vinegar work within hours. This is a broad spectrum herbicide killing grass along with the plants. GREAT FOR SPOT TREATMENTS.
Steam/boiling water. Commercially available units ($3000-$10000) affects broad leaf weeds.
Restore “burned” plants/grass by: raking/scarifying, apply liquid compost to affected area, overseed area or spot.
Long term- In 1-3 years Organic healthy turf will be weed free. Weeds won’t grow in compost or healthy soils.
Intentions are powerful when it comes to plant & soil care. What we intend for the outcome reflects how we achieve our goals and our attention to simple solutions.
