Winter Wheat is Coming! Producers will start to plant winter wheat in the next few weeks. As many of you may know, Holganix recently partnered with The Van Trump Report to help producers across the country improve soil health for future generations. We received a ton of great results, and are now offering "Bio 800⁺ Agriculture" for everyone about to plant winter wheat!

In this blog, we've compiled several different podcasts featuring clients and partners of Holganix. 

Listen To What Our Producers Are Saying About The Product

Check out this podcast from one of our best distributors as well as one of our top producers from this past growing season. Take a listen to hear their firsthand experience! Length: 5.5 minutes.

The Science Behind Holganix Bio 800⁺

Check out this podcast on the science behind Holganix Bio 800⁺ from David Stark, PhD, Holganix Director of Agriculture, and a podcast from Van Trump Founder. Length: 2.5 minutes. 

Soil Health & Legacy

Check out this podcast from Van Trump Report Founder, Kevin Van Trump and Holganix Founder, Barrett Ersek on soil health and what that means for the legacy of your farm. Length: 3.5 minutes. 

What Are Our Distributors Seeing In The Field? 

Dig Into The Data: University And Commercial Grower Trials

Over the past four years, we have been compiling data on several different crops in different geographic zones to deepen our understanding of how Holganix Bio 800⁺ Agriculture can help farmers maximize crops. Click the button below to access a sample from our 2017 and 2018 collection.

Whether you are growing row crops, berries, or turf, hemp has become a topic of interest in the green industry! Check out our SlideShare on 16 fun facts and stats on hemp, or skip the SlideShare and read the text below.

If you are reading this blog via email, click here to access the SlideShare.

Hemp as a Composite Material - Hemp fiber can be used for composite materials to make anything from building materials to a car.

Henry Ford’s Plan To Grow Automobiles From Soil - In 1941, Henry Ford created a plastic car that ran on hemp and whose fenders were made of hemp. Ford had a plan to “grow automobiles from the soil.” 

Hemp Use In Lotus Eco Elise - In 2008, the Lotus Eco Elise used hemp in its composite body panels and spoilers. Other car manufacturers are beginning to incorporate hemp in their composites - not just because of the marketing angle, but because the composites are often cheaper than fiberglass and carbon fibers, and are often more sustainable.

Benjamin Franklin and Hemp - According to the documentary, “The Union: The Business of Getting High,” U.S. Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin used hemp in his paper mill.

Ancient, Domestically-Cultivated Plant - Hemp may have been the first domestically-cultivated plant. Evidence of hemp being used as fabric dates back to former-day Mesopotamia, 8,000 years ago.

The Declaration Of Independence - According to the documentary, “The Union: The Business of Getting High,” the first two copies of the Declaration of Independence were supposedly written on hemp paper.

The First U.S. Marijuana Law - According to the documentary, “The Union: The Business of Getting High,” the first U.S. marijuana law was enacted in 1619 in Jamestown, Virginia and required farmers to grow hemp.

The Original Levi Jeans - The originally designed Levi jeans were made from hemp sailcloth for gold miners in California.

Hemp Paper is Stronger Than Wood-Based - Hemp paper is stronger and more durable than wood-based paper. Supposedly, hemp has the strongest natural fiber of any source. And, museum-owned hemp paper that is hundreds of years old hasn’t yellowed.

Fewer Pesticides - The densely growing plant literally chokes out competing plants which means pesticides can be reduced and at times eliminated. Plus it’s naturally resistant to many pests.

Less Water - Cotton requires 50% more water per season than hemp, leading to a huge upside in sustainability for the fashion industry.

Less Land - Not only does hemp grow in a variety of climates and soil types, but it’s also grown close together, decreasing land use.

Possibly Remediates Soils - Using a process called phytoremediation, hemp was used at Chernobyl to extract pollutants from the soil and groundwater.

Hemp Yields A Lot Of Oil - According to the National Hemp Association, “One acre of hemp produces twice as much oil as one acre of peanuts and nearly four times as much fiber pulp (for paper) as an acre of trees.”

Hemp Acres Growing - According to Michael Bowman, founding chair of the National Hemp Association, “production of hemp in 2019 will be limited by seed supply, but we could see 100,000 to 200,000 acres.” In 2018, Vote Hemp U.S. Hemp Crop Report pegs the acres at 78,000.

Big Revenue Opportunity - Hemp could be a big revenue opportunity for the U.S. Currently, the U.S. imports most of its hemp seed and oil from China and Canada. In fact, in 2011, the U.S. imported $11.5 M in hemp products. Those imports could be replaced with domestically grown seed and oil in the future. 

How Can Holganix Bio 800⁺ Help Grow Hemp? 

Holganix Bio 800⁺ Tree & Shrub harnesses the power of over 800 species of soil microbes to deliver increased soil health, yield, root architecture, improved stress tolerance against weather and optimized nutrient use.

Take 4 minutes to learn more about how Holganix Bio 800⁺ Tree & Shrub can improve hemp production.

>>Read Our Blog on How Holganix Bio 800⁺ Tree & Shrub Helps Hemp Growers 

Resources

Our list of resources from this blog! 

• https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hemp-sustainable-crop_n_5243351
• https://nationalhempassociation.org/facts-statistics-hemp/
• https://www.agriculture.com/news/crops/what-farmers-need-to-know-about-growing-hemp
• https://www.votehemp.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Vote-Hemp-Crop-Report-2018-v2.pdf
• https://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/pub-details/?pubid=41757

There’s a reason why our tagline at Holganix is “Root Stimulating, Soil Nourishing”! Holganix Bio 800⁺ Agriculture harnesses the power of soil microbes to build healthy soils and healthy root growth. Healthy root growth leads to stronger, more productive crops that yield better results! 

In this blog, we dive into (1) recent winners of our Holganix Roots For You competition to discover the best Holganix-grown crop roots and (2) two ways Holganix Bio 800⁺ Agriculture stimulates root growth.

Holganix Roots For You Winners

Check out our infographic below showing off eight photos submitted by Holganix farmers. Each farmer applied Holganix Bio 800⁺ Agriculture at a rate of 0.5 gallons per acre at or as close to planting as possible. 

2 Ways Holganix Bio 800⁺ Agriculture Builds Root Development

1. Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria - Holganix Bio 800⁺ contains Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) that occupy the rhizosphere (root zone) of the plant and have the ability to promote plant growth and plant defense. 

>>Learn more about Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria

2. Endo and Ecto Mycorrhizae - Holganix Bio 800⁺ contains Endo and Ecto Mycorrhizae is a beneficial soil fungus that works in conjunction with plant roots. The fungi and the plant roots form a mutualistic relationship whereby the plant produces sugars through photosynthesis and exudes them out of the roots for mycorrhizae and other beneficial soil microbes to consume. In turn, the mycorrhizae bring water and nutrients to the roots from distances the root cannot reach.

>>Learn more about Mycorrhizae


Dig Into The Data: University And Commercial Grower Trials
Over the past four years, we have been compiling data on several different crops in different geographic zones to deepen our understanding of how Holganix Bio 800⁺ Agriculture can help farmers maximize crops. Click the button below to access a sample from our 2017 and 2018 collection.

There’s been a lot of buzz around the word hemp in the agriculture space. And, with 78,176 acres planted in 2018 why wouldn’t there be buzz? Not to be confused with marijuana, hemp is of a different variety of Cannabis sativa. It’s harvested for its fiber to create specialty textiles, paper and composites and for its seed which is used in food or crushed for oil. 

In this blog, we explore (1) 6 reasons why hemp is considered a sustainable product, and (2) how Holganix Bio 800⁺ Tree & Shrub empowers hemp farmers to grow healthier crops with increased yields. 

Hemp A Sustainable Product?

There’s a lot of reasons why farmers and consumers are excited about the future of hemp, but one big reason is that hemp is considered a sustainable product. Here are just 6 reasons why hemp is sustainable.

1. Fewer pesticides needed - The densely growing plant literally chokes out competing plants which means pesticides can be reduced and at times eliminated. Plus it’s naturally resistant to many pests.

2. Less water required - When comparing the crop to cotton, hemp requires less water per season than cotton.

3. Less land needed - Not only does hemp grow in a variety of climates and soil tights, it’s also grown close together, decreasing land use.

4. Possibly remediates soils - Using a process called phytoremediation, hemp was used at Chernobyl to extract pollutants from the soil and groundwater.

5. Possible replacement to concrete when making buildings - “Hempcrete” is hemp fiber mixed with lime to create insulation, pressboard, flooring and wall construction. It’s energy-efficient and resistant to mold, insects and fire.

6. Possible replacement to wood-based paper and plastics - The U.S. has a history of using hemp-based paper products and hemp-based plastic. In fact, Benjamin Franklin famously manufactured hemp-based papers at his printing mill. And, in 1941 Henry Ford created a plastic car that ran on hemp and whose fenders were made of hemp. Ford had a plan to “grow automobiles from the soil.”  

How Can Holganix Bio 800⁺ Help? 

Holganix Bio 800⁺ Tree & Shrub harnesses the power of over 800 species of soil microbes to deliver increased soil health, yield, root architecture, improved stress tolerance against weather and optimized nutrient use. It’s an organic solution and contains an entire microbiome or community of soil microbes that is both abundant and diverse. 

We’ve been working select growers in the midwest and the northwest. In Colorado, grower Alec reports that “After using Holganix Bio 800⁺ on our clones during root-in, our clone losses are now less than 1%”.  And, in Oklahoma, grower T.B. reports “We have increased our yield and harvested more CBD per square foot.” 

How Does Holganix Bio 800⁺ Work?

Unlike other plant probiotics, Holganix Bio 800⁺ Tree & Shrub contains an entire microbiome or community of organisms that is both abundant and diverse. In a single jug of Holganix Bio 800⁺ Tree & Shrub, there are more than 800 species of living beneficial organisms, microbe food and nutrient enhancers.

Some of the soil microbes contained in Holganix Bio 800⁺ Tree & Shrub include both Endo and Ectophytic Bacteria, Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria, Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria, Endo and Ecto Mycorrrhizae, Trichoderma Fungi, Penicillium Fungi, Beneficial Nematodes and Protozoa.

Working together, the microbes in Holganix 800⁺ Tree & Shrub unlock nutrients already present in the soil and optimize the uptake of nutrients you apply, maximizing nutrient efficiency and minimizing loss.

How Do You Use Holganix Bio 800⁺ Tree & Shrub for Hemp Production?

See the table below for our general recommendations. To speak with a Holganix specialist about a program that fits your operation, please call 866-56-EARTH. 

Want to Dig In Deeper? 

Explore our list of resources for additional exploration.

>>Download our hemp brochure

>>Download our key ingredient list

>>What other crops is Holganix Bio 800⁺ products used on? Explore our research here.

“Five stars!” says one homeowner on the Zehrs On The Lake Garden Center Facebook Page, “The plants and flowers are beautiful and huge!”

It’s not uncommon to receive five star reviews at Zehrs – a destination nursery in the Niagara region that’s known for growing a premium product. In fact, owner Mark Van Buren fondly refers to the glowing reviews as “The Zehrs Wows” or moments when customers are instantly gratified with their purchase.

Customers and nursery professionals will tell you that the hanging baskets, annuals, perennials, ornamental grasses, flowering shrubs, clematis, roses and mums grown at Zehrs are heartier and healthier than those you find elsewhere.

When it comes to nurturing his plants, Mark has long believed in taking a biological approach. “We do a lot of research at Zehrs,” explains Mark. “That makes us more innovative and willing to try new products and ways of growing plants. I’ve long been drawn to using biological products like root stimulants and nutrient enhancers so adding Holganix Bloom to the mix was a natural next step.”

Holganix Bloom – a Bio 800⁺ product – is a 100% organic plant probiotic that harnesses the power of over 800 beneficial soil microbes to build resilient plants that need fewer inputs like fertilizers, herbicides and fungicides.

“I’ve been using Holganix Bloom for the last two years,” explains Mark. “There’s an extremely low cost associate with the product so I put Bloom on all of my plants!”

Watch Mark's video below from his greenhouses. If you are viewing this blog via email, click here to watch the video.

Holganix Bloom is Like Armor!

According to Mark, Holganix Bloom is like “wrapping my plants in armor!” Not only has it allowed him to produce a healthier overall plant, but also he believes the beneficial nematodes and other ingredients are helping him better manage the threat of harmful insects and pathogens.

How Zehrs Uses Holganix Bloom

As soon as Mark’s cutting trays arrive, he applies a sprench (spray + drench) of Holganix Bloom at a two-ounce per gallon rate. He then follows up that initial application every seven-to-ten days throughout the growing season.

“Using Holganix Bloom is a holistic process – not a magic bullet and not a one time application,” explains Mark. “I see Holganinx Bloom as a long term solution to boosting plant health.”

“The Proof Is In The Plants!”

“I would recommend Holganix Bloom to any grower,” assures Mark. “There’s a tremendous amount of science behind Holganix products and at the end of the day, the proof is in the plants!”

What's in Holganix Bio 800⁺ Bloom?

Fill out the form to access our ingredient list! 

Holganix Bio 800⁺ is filled to the brim with beneficial soil microorganisms, microbe food and nutrient enhancers to build HEALTHIER plants that need less fertilizer and pesticides.

While the Holganix ingredient list doesn't contain the entire secret recipe (it's a secret after all!), download the below white paper to learn:

1. Our key ingredients including the names to several types of soil microbes present in our formula

2. What those ingredients do for your turf and plants

“Over the first three decades of my career, we didn’t think about soil much,” admits Dave Stark Ph.D. molecular biologist and biochemist. Dave, originally from Monsanto, is the President of Agriculture at Holganix LLC. “At the time, scientists thought a lot about the genetics or the seed we put in the soil and how to help protect and grow the plant. But, we didn’t think much about the soil.” 

Fortunately, that mindset is changing! Today, there is a lot of awareness about what makes healthy soil and which practices and environmental stressors make poor soil.  

When we have healthy, nutrient-rich soils, it is teeming with beneficial soil microbes. “It is the interaction between the soil microbes and the roots, that creates healthy soil,” explains Dr. Stark.

The importance of microbes was stated best in The Biodiversity of Microorganisms and Invertebrates: Its Role In Sustainable Agriculture, “When devoid of its biota [the microbes!] the uppermost layer of earth ceases to be soil.” 

Feeding The Microbes Is A Start... But Adding Soil Microbes Is Key

Today, we hear more conversation about what farmers and turf managers are doing to build and feed the microbes in the soil. They are reducing their tillage, adding cover crops, applying products like biochar, humic acid, and sugar products.

“These are good practices that help feed the microbes,” explains Dr. Stark. “But, feeding the microbes is just half of the equation. Feeding the microbes assumes that the soil microbes we need to nurture plant health are already in the soil. And often, that is not the case.” 

In reality, weather and some management practices disrupt or even destroy beneficial soil microbes. For example, when we spray fumigants or fungicides, or when we over-apply nutrients like nitrogen, we can disrupt and even kill beneficial soil microbes. Also, things like winter, freezing and flooding damages beneficial soil microbe levels. 

When It Comes To Soil Microbes, Go For Diversity

So, feeding the microbes is one half of the equation; the other half of the equation is adding diverse, soil microbes to the soil.

Every type of microbe plays a role in the soil. From bacteria that degrade plant material and hold nutrients in the soil, to fungi that solubilize nutrients, signal the plant’s defenses during stress and break down material, to protozoa and other types of fungi that consume bacteria and secrete nitrogen in plant-usable forms, microbes are the soils’ workers. 

And, since every type of microbe is important, the diversity of microbes is also really important. “If you are evaluating different microbial products,” cautions Dr. Stark. “Go for diversity.” 

Ultimately, with over 800 species of soil microbes present, Holganix Bio 800⁺ products deliver the diversity your soils require. At the end of the day, Holganix Bio 800⁺ provides an increased yield for farmers, and increased plant resilience and reduction of fertilizer for turf professionals. 

>> Learn more about Holganix Bio 800⁺ products here

Watch Our 25-Minute Presentation On Soil Health

Want to dig deeper into soil? Watch Dr. Stark’s 25-minute presentation where he will cover: the importance of soil health and how to build soil health. 

The heat and lack of water typical for summers in the U.S. places trees and shrubs under a lot of pressure. We interviewed horticulturist, Ed Kapryn and Director of Plant Soil Science, Robert Neidermyer Ph.D. (Dr. Bob) on the top 4 problems facing tree and shrubs in the summer and solutions to help overcome summer problems.

Problem #1 - Watch Out For Disease and Insect Problems!

“The combination of rising temperatures and water often means disease and/or insect activity is nearby,” explains Ed. “Check the branch, trunk and foliage of your trees and shrubs, especially under the leaf. If you see orange, yellow or brown spotting, you may have a fungal disease or insect activity.” Leaf spot diseases can interrupt photosynthesis and may lead to leaf loss, that is also where a lot of insects like to hide before they start doing major damage (i.e. lace bug, aphids, etc).

"Plus, there has been a lot of rain this past spring in the country that could lead to big disease problems," explains Ed.

According to Ed, “I’m hearing a lot about crape myrtle bark scale (CMBS) at the moment especially in the Southeast and Texas.” Check foliage and bark for tell-tale insect signs like bite marks, holes, white spots and sticky surfaces.

The below image is of CMBS from Clemson University Cooperative Extension.

Solution # 1

Combining Holganix Bio 800⁺ Tree & Shrub with a systemic insecticide will help contractors fight insects. Holganix Bio 800⁺ Tree & Shrub will improve the plants ability to deal with stress and build a healthy soil ecosystem to combat pathogens.

For insects like CMBS that have a tendency to “lump up on each other”, a systemic insecticide is important to reach insects that are not affected by a topical spray.

When choosing insecticides, Ed recommends contractors be choosey with their options. “Pollinator friendly insecticides like those with a cedar oil or neem oil derivative are the way to go.”

Problem #2 - Overcoming Drought

As summer matures, heat and lack of water will become more of an issue. Check for signs of wilted or curled leaves, yellow leaves and early leaf drop for signs that your trees and shrubs are under-watered.

The below image shows leaves wilting due to summer heat.

Solution #2

“If your landscapes have non-drought tolerant plants, be sure you are watering your trees and shrubs 2-to-3 times per week,” explains Dr. Bob. A deeper watering is always going to be more beneficial than more frequent, shallow watering. Whenever possible, try to steer towards drought-friendly plants and native plants in your landscapes.

Problem #3 - Pruners Take Care!

When spring flowering subsides, it’s often time to prune. In much of the country, pruning time is just starting but be careful with how you prune your trees and shrubs.

Solution #3

“Don’t hack and wack,” cautions Ed. He recommends hand pruning whenever possible. It's also important that you don't prune away the growing points of next year's flowering stems or wood. While it would be unusual for trees and shrubs to die from over pruning, it does weaken the plant making it more susceptible to insect and disease problems. Also, Ed notes “No flush cuts! And remember to sanitize any pruning equipment to cut down on disease transfer like Dogwood Anthracnose. To sanitize your pruning equipment, spray a 409 or other household disinfectant.” 

“Applying an application of Holganix Bio 800⁺ Tree & Shrub after a good prune will help the plant heal properly,” explains Dr. Bob. For more information on pruning and How Holganix Bio 800⁺ Tree & Shrub can help, visit this blog article.

Problem #4 - Installing Landscapes

During installation, trees and shrubs are often stressed as it gets used to its new environment. At times, stress can be so great that the plant will go into shock or potentially die after installation.

Solution #4

Applying Holganix Bio 800⁺ Tree & Shrub as a Plant Start Application will ensure the perfect installation. In specific, Holganix Bio 800⁺ Tree & Shrub will improve the healing process, plant survival, and increase the root architecture. For directions on how to conduct a Holganix Plant Start Application, watch this video.

Plant Health Care Problems Comes Down to Soil

“Most problems facing your plants begin with poor soil, void of the life found in a natural forest environment,” states Dr. Bob. “Healthy soils are teeming with beneficial soil microbes that naturally fortify plant strength from stress caused by disease, insect and drought. Healthy soils also hold water and nutrients longer than poor soils and are porous, allowing plant roots to develop.”

Holganix Bio 800⁺ Tree & Shrub is focused on building soil health by harnessing the power of over 800 species of soil microbes. Ultimately, using Holganix Bio 800⁺ Tree & Shrub will build stronger plants, develop root architecture, maximize plant color and offset the need for large amounts of fertilizers and pesticides.

Want to dig in deeper? Check out this video on results seen with Holganix Bio 800⁺ Tree & Shrub in the field, then click the button below to set up an appointment with a Holganix specialist.

A special thank you to Holganix partner, iSelect Fund for featuring us in their webinar series featuring disruptive technologies. 

Food demand is on track to double by 2050, demand for organic food is growing significantly faster than the acreage to produce it, and yet the world has lost a third of all arable land in the last 40 years due to erosion and pollution damage. Farmers today are struggling to cost-effectively meet these increasing demands, in a world where water, fertilizer and other chemical usage is becoming increasingly expensive and regulated.

Learn how one company is working to help farmers meet this demand while saving money at “Plant Probiotics That Grow Strong Crops, from the Ground Up,” a webinar featuring Dr. David Stark, President of Holganix.

Holganix’s plant probiotics increase crop yields while simultaneously reducing the need for water, fertilizer and chemical inputs. With Holganix, farmers can effectively cut their costs while producing more plentiful, natural foods.

Click the link below to watch the webinar! 

“There’s something really special about working with our students in our edible garden project,” explains Kim Hisler, Patton Middle School’s Family and Consumer Science teacher. “It’s one thing to explain nutrition and plant growth stages to a child from a textbook - but to truly show the students and work with the students in the soil and watch these fresh vegetables grow - that’s a completely different level of learning. In fact, hands-on education or experimental education is especially meaningful for middle-school aged children.” 

Kim runs Patton’s edible garden project, an initiative that grows fresh produce for community members in need while introducing and expanding the students understanding of science, nutrition and healthy eating habits. Patton’s garden project encompasses three tunnels and 22 raised beds. Some of the vegetables are also grown hydroponically and aeroponically.

“We grow spinach, peas, kale, cabbage, lettuce, bok choi, swiss chard, radish, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, scallions, potatoes, onions, kohlrabi, turnips and herbs as our cool season crops, plus all of the warm-season crops,” states Kim.   

In the past, Kim would add fresh compost to the garden beds before planting but had never applied any fertilizer or other inputs. “Each year we would have various diseases and pests, but it was important to the school and health of the students that we didn’t use pesticides,” notes Kim. “Instead, we took an approach where we build soil health through compost in order to care for the crops. We also usually sacrifice one or two crops to bugs so the other crops thrive.”   

This year, Kim ran into difficulties getting the compost and wasn’t able to top her beds off. “Early on, I could tell my soil quality wasn’t the best and I was really worried about running into a lot of problems with soil health in our beds.

Plus I was about ready to give up on our hydroponics altogether -  the lettuce was really deficient in nutrients with zero growth over a span of a few weeks.”

Then, in late April Kim started using Holganix Bio 800⁺ Bloom on the crops, which had been donated by Holganix.

“I added the Holganix Bio 800⁺ Bloom and some Holganix nutrient products to the hydroponics and literally within a few days the color and growth of lettuce looked amazing,” explains Kim. “I have been growing lettuce at the school for ten years now and everyone is saying this harvest of lettuce is the best tasting I have ever grown,” Kim assures that from now on, adding Holganix products will be her new method of growing hydroponically or aeroponically.

In addition to the hydroponics, Kim has used Holganix Bio 800⁺ Bloom on the raised beds. “The raised beds also look very healthy, without any pests or disease problems which are rare especially with all of the rain we have had!”

According to Kim, “I am really excited to try the Holganix Bio 800⁺ Bloom with our summer crops, especially our tomatoes! I’m hoping that the microbes in Holganix will help build our soil and plant health to help combat the blossom end rot we typically see.”

Holganix Bio 800⁺ Bloom is designed to build healthy soils and strong plants by harnessing the power of over 800 species of soil microbes. Farmers using our Bio 800⁺ products are seeing increased crop yields, stronger root systems and more resilient plants that are better able to withstand the stresses caused by disease or weather.

Dig Into The Data: University and Commercial Grower Trials

Over the past four years, we have been compiling data on several different crops in different geographic zones to deepen our understanding of how Holganix Bio 800⁺ can help farmers maximize crops. Click the button below to access a sample from our 2017 and 2018 collection.

Just because the lawn and landscape world tends to slow down in the summer doesn’t mean your business should. Use the upcoming summer slow season to sell your services to prospects or to upsell current customers. Below is a video note from Barrett on upsell strategies, then check out the 3.5 tools to help you push lawn and landscape sales during the slow summer months.

A note From Holganix CEO & Founder, Barrett Ersek On Upselling Strategies For The Summer

Barrett's video below dives into strategies that he incorporated in his previous lawn care business during the summer months to meet demands and generate revenue. If you are reading this blog via email, click here for Barrett’s video.

1. How to Grow Your Tree and Shrub Business eBook

Did you know that you can expect 10-to-30% of your current customers to sign up for tree and shrub applications? For those offering or thinking of offering tree and shrub services, this is the eBook for you. In the eBook you’ll learn:

1. How to market your tree and shrub business to current customers… including access to several marketing tools we have developed to help you get started

2. How to price out tree and shrub applications

3. What materials you will need to get started

>>Download Your eBook Here

Marketing your current flower care program (or adding one if it is not a current service) can serve as an excellent source of high margin, additional revenue from current customers. Early summer is a great time to offer any type of plant health care services (whether they be tree and shrub or flower focused) because the rising temperatures combined with rain provides a breeding ground for insects and disease. Download your Flower Marketing Box and rip off an duplicate the following from us: 

1. Content - Steal our flower information copy to include on letters to current customers, your email newsletter and/or blog.

2. Social Media - Grab our visual social media posts to help advertise your flower program to fans and followers on social media networks.

3. Video - Include our video on your website, blog, email newsletter and social media efforts, explaining why flower applications are important to the overall look of a yard.

>>Download Your Marketing Box Here

If your region tends to conduct aeration and overseeding services in the fall, begin marketing that service to current customers and prospects in the late summer. In the Aeration Marketing Box, you will find several tools to help market your aeration program to current homeowners. Plus, aeration is not only a high margin revenue stream for your business, but also by aerating the turf, you provide a better soil ecosystem for the lawn and that means your homeowners will see better results. What’s in the box?

1. Two aeration postcards

2. Letter to send to current customers touting the benefits of including an aeration service

3. Video to upload onto your website and share in your social media efforts discussing aeration applications

4. Education materials on aeration and Holganix products

>>Download Your Aeration Marketing Box Here

3.5 Summer Weather Marketing Box

We made this tool number 3.5 because it’s not a sales tool, rather it’s a customer service tool. That’s because getting your homeowners prepared for summer weather can be tough, especially since homeowners have high expectations for their landscapes and little knowledge on how to properly care for them. Utilize our Summer Weather Marketing Box to help educate summer weather landscape care to your homeowners. What’s in the box?

1. Copy to use in a blog post, email newsletter, website or as a mailer to customers

2. Social Media posts to help spread the word about your summer weather education

>>Download Your Summer Weather Marketing Box

Want to learn more about summer and turf?

Watch our webinar on the 5 Ways To Prepare Turf For Summer Heat. One of the most challenging times to maintain a healthy lawn is during the hot summer months. A combination of scorching heat and lack of rainfall coupled with the need to apply product without potentially burning turf generates a tasty headache for all lawn and landscape contractors. Watch our webinar to learn 5 tips to help you prepare for the fight against summer!