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How Do Organic Fertilizers Work?
Have you ever noticed that good quality soils have a “nice earthy smell”? That smell is actually the by-products of billions of soil creatures breaking down organic matter into nutrients that can be taken up by plants. Organic fertilizers are not just food for your plants but food for the living organisms that produce quality soils.
The difference between a Top soil and sub soil is organic matter. Organic matter in soil allows air water and nutrients to enter the root zone of the plants we are growing and holds it there for later consumption by the plant. Topsoil is only topsoil because of years of organic matter residues left behind by the plants growing in it. In an urban environment we tend to clean up this organic residue in the form of raking leaves and bagging our grass clippings. If we fail to replenish organic matter as it breaks down then the quality of our soils is going to decrease as a result. Organic fertilizers replenish this organic matter as it breaks down and feeds your plants at the same time.
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Do You Know What You Are Purchasing?
Did you know that 'organic based' products in Canada only require 15% organic matter? All Turf Revolution products contain 100% natural ingredients. The benefits of using these natural ingredients not only include the beneficial aspect to the environment, but also by providing your turf with nutrients that are not available in conventional synthetic fertilizers. Natural ingredients also enhance soil structure while feeding your plants, improving drainage, water holding capacity and microbial activity.
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Is Something Bugging Your Lawn?
Did you know that soil insects such as earthworms and microbes are essential parts of the soil food chain and create a form of natural soil aeration? Much of this life is dependent on organic matter as a food source. So using 100% organic and natural products not only feed your lawn but also feed these essential 'bugs'. Not only do plants require proper nutrition, but also a healthy soil environment. If these nutrients are not able to enter the root zone, microbial activity may be severely limited leading to fertilizer wasted through leaching and volatization.
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Are you looking for the biggest numbers
on the fertilizer bag (eg. 5-1-5)?
Did you know that cool season grass like Kentucky Blue requires just as much potassium (the last number on the fertilizer bag) as it does nitrogen (the first number on the fertilizer bag) in a growing season? Therefore the first and last number should be as close as possible to ensure a balanced feeding. Looking for high nitrogen numbers may in some cases cause unhealthy growth leaving the plant susceptible to certain species of insects and particularly diseases. Using water insoluble organic ingredients allows to use smaller numbers and still provide essential quantities of nutrients for healthy balanced plant growth.
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Is there something missing in your lawn?
Does your lawn not perform well even when you fertilize with a balanced fertilizer? Many soils have imbalances, excesses or deficiencies that may affect the nutrient availability to your grass. Soil sampling analysis can help you understand how to correct these problems. Although many lawns have these imbalances the use of soil sampling, organic products and soil correctives can provide simple solutions to these sometimes seemingly complicated problems.
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What 'sucks' in your lawn?
Did you know that certain varieties of turf grass such as Inspire Perennial Ryegrass contain a fungus called an 'endophyte' which gives the plant a natural resistance to sucking insects such as chinch bug? By adding this blend of grass seed to your lawn you can effectively eliminate some of the damage that these annoying insects cause. By using balanced fertility combined with a diverse selection of high quality grass seed, insect damage can be effectively controlled.
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What is IPM?
IPM, Integrated Pest Management is a program of cultural & other plant health care practices whose aim is pesticide reduction. Turf Revolution's products & ultimate home lawn care program are designed to support plant health care & reduction & use of pesticides.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a decision-making process that anticipates and prevents pest activity and infestation by combining several strategies to achieve long-term solutions. Components of an IPM program for lawn and garden may include customer education, monitoring, cultural practices that promote plant health (aeration, over seeding, proper mowing and irrigation) or introduction of new varieties or native species to ensure diversification.
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What Is Soil PH ?
Soil pH is, very simply, a reading of acidity or alkalinity in the soil. Lawns as well as most other plants prefer to grow in a soil that is pH neutral or just slightly acidic. The desirable pH level for you lawn is between 6 and 7. Turf Revolution’s soil test can determine your soil pH.
Adjusting soil pH can be a difficult task with the assistance of the soil test. Since soil pH is an inherent soil property, pH adjusters need to be applied at certain times of the year and in specific quantities. Not applying the correct amount or at the incorrect time could cause more serious conditions that what already exist.
If your soil pH is too high or alkaline, then a soil test will advise applications of elemental sulpher be used to decrease soil pH. If a pH test comes back too low or acidic then a soil test will advise applications of lime are used to increase the soil’s pH. In most cases, single applications will not adjust adequately and multiple applications will be required. Also, since soil pH is an inherent property of most soils, pH adjustment will most times become part of the lawn’s yearly fertility program.
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Why Do A Soil Test?
Have you ever felt like you were doing everything right but still can't get your lawn to perform to its highest potential? This may well be due to a nutrient deficiency in your soil that can be easily corrected with simple to use fertilizers. The only way to discover what deficiencies there may be in the soil is by performing a soil test.
Did you know that turf requires six major nutrients in appreciable amounts in order to grow healthy and strong? Most fertilizers only supply three; Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. However, if the three macro nutrients: Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulpher; are deficient in the soil then the turf will lack durability, vigor and colour. A Turf Revolution soil test will tell you if any of these nutrients are deficient and which Turf Revolution products to use to correct them in order to ensure top quality lawns. This is the same technology that golf courses use to guarantee the quality of their turf. Click here for more information on a Turf Revolution soil test.
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A Balanced Diet For My Plants?
Just as a balanced diet is important for people to live healthy lives, so is a balanced diet just as important for plants. Plants are complex living things that require certain amounts of specific nutrients to grow and to be robust, strong, and disease and insect resistant. By using nutrient supplements to achieve this balance, you can make the difference between just a living plant and a healthy living plant.
Many fertilizers have very high levels of nitrogen (the first number on a fertilizer bag) and low levels of potassium (the last number on the fertilizer bag), when the lawn requires equal amounts of these two nutrients. Using supplements such as Turf Revolution K-Mag, you can create the balance in an easy simple way. K-Mag also contains the two major macro nutrients magnesium and sulpher which will help increase your lawn’s durability and provide a deeper green colour.
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