The Holganix Blog

If you're a soil dork like the team here at Holganix, you need to dig into the below six infographics. From plant communication (yes, plants communicate!), soil disease suppressiveness, soil consistency and soil microbes, each infographic describes a unique aspect of soil health and what it means for plant health. 

1. Hidden Half Of Plants: Developing More Robust and Sustainable Crops

This infographic tells the story of how the soil rhizosphere - the soil surrounding the roots - functions to promote plant health. It also discusses how roots interact with one another - communicating with other roots and microbes to cycle nutrients and respond to stress.

>>Source: Donald Danforth Plant Science Center

2. A Soil Health Strategy And Its Interaction With Soil

Created by the European Commission for Agriculture and Innovation, this infographic describes the unique relationship between soil health and soil borne disease. According to the European Commission, there are three key factors influencing soil borne disease:

1. Soil life, biodiversity

2. Soil structure

3. Chemical status, fertilization

>>Source European Commission For Agriculture and Innovation

3. The Soil Food Web

This infographic is a classic and Holganix fans know it well - The Soil Food Web infographic by the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) describes the synergistic relationship between organisms within the soil.

>>Source: NRCS

4. Unlock The Secrets In The Soil

According to this infographic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), “healthy soil is key to feeding 9 billion people by 2050.” The infographic describes how soil is made of about 45% minerals, 25% water, 5% organic matter and 25% air. Plus, it gives tons of cool facts about the life beneath the soil’s surface!

For example, did you know healthy soil “has amazing water-retention capacity. Every 1% increase in organic matter results in as much as 25,000 gallons of available water per acre.” Or, that “all of the soil microbes in 1 ac/ft of soil weighs more than 2 cows!”

>>Source USDA

5. Soils Are The Foundation For Vegetation

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released this infographic when the United Nations named 2015 the “International Year Of Soil”. In this infographic, the FAO describes soil’s relationship with:

1. Crops

2. Pasture

3. Forests

>>Source FAO

6. How Does Holganix Bio 800⁺ Work?

That’s right - we are very biased when it comes to infographics, our own infographic just HAD to make the list too! In this infographic, we discuss how Holganix Bio 800⁺ harnesses the power of over 800 soil microbes to:

1. Stimulate healthy growth in foliage and roots

2. Convert and release nutrients to the plant

3. Promote the plant’s tolerance from stress, including weather, disease and traffic

4. Balance the soil ecosystem, providing a healthy habitat for a healthy plant

Want to dig in deeper? Check out our Holganix Bio 800⁺ product line!

Shannon Easter, Director of Sustainability and Golf Maintenance at Broken Sound Golf Club has been using Holganix Bio 800⁺ Golf for 5 years now. According to Shannon, Holganix Bio 800⁺ Golf has served as a tool to meet his sustainability, soil health and agronomic goals at the two courses he manages at Broken Sound.

In this blog we’ll explore the results Shannon has seen with Holganix Bio 800⁺ Golf over the years with a reflection by Holganix Director of Soil & Plant Science, Dr. Robert Neidermyer on the science behind those results.

Both a written section and video clips are provided from the interview for your use. If you are reading this blog via email, click here to access a copy of the article that contains videos.

What is Holganix Bio 800⁺ Golf? Holganix Golf is a member of the Bio 800⁺ family of products. It harnesses the power of over 800 species of soil microbes to build soil health, stimulate root growth and grow stronger plants that require fewer fertilizers and pesticides to be healthy.

Meeting Sustainability Goals at Broken Sound with Reductions in Fertilizer, Fungicide and Irrigation

Broken Sound Golf Club isn’t new to the world of sustainability. In fact, the exclusive, award winning country club was “the second golf facility in the US and the 14th in the world to be GEO certified - the sustainability assurance of the international non-profit Golf Environment Organization.” Broken Sound has also received Audubon Sanctuary Certification for both of their golf courses and established the first industrial composting project in Florida. In addition, Broken Sound has been recognized for recycling 96% of its solid waste. “In the state of Florida, we are the second largest recycler - just behind Waste Management,” says Shannon Easter.

In 2016, Shannon accepted the coveted Environmental Leaders in Golf Award (ELGA), presented annually by GCSAA and Golf Digest in partnership with Syngenta and Rain Bird’s Golf Division.

Holganix: Shannon, can you comment about how you use Holganix Bio 800⁺ Golf to reduce your fungicide, fertilizer and irrigation needs on both courses?

Shannon: Holganix Bio 800⁺ Golf allows us to maximize the fertility in the soil and make it available. Overall, we have reduced our fungicide inputs by 30% and our use of nitrogen by 20%. Our irrigation has also been reduced by 12%; that’s because Holganix Golf has allowed us to grow a deeper, more web-like root system.

We create tailored programs for each course because of their different soil types. For example, the old course is predominantly sandy soils and the new course has richer soils. In the old course we apply 4 applications via fertigation and on the new course we apply just 3 applications.

We haven’t just backed off rates on our turf, but also on our annuals. We mix the Holganix Golf with our compost and use it when planting annuals. Over the past 3 years we haven’t needed a single fungicide application on our annuals and I attribute that to Holganix Golf.  

Holganix: Dr. Bob, can you tell us about the science behind Holganix Bio 800⁺ Golf and why Shannon has been able to reduce his inputs?

Dr. Bob: The microbes contained in Holganix Bio 800⁺ Golf are going to conduct three core activities in order to help maximize Shannon’s use of fertilizer, fungicides and irrigation.

1. Microbes in Holganix Golf promote root development which will allows roots to better access nutrients and water in the soil. A class of microbes known as Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) form a synergistic relationship with the plant to build plant roots. PGPB stimulate direct root growth of the primary roots - those roots that grow down into the soil, others stimulate root growth of the secondary roots - those roots that grow laterally or horizontally in the soil.

2. Microbes in Holganix Golf unlock primary and secondary nutrients already in the soil.

3. Microbes in Holganix Golf trigger the plant’s natural defense system called Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR) and Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) that combats pathogens or allows the plant to better handle situations like a drought or dealing with an abundance of water. What happens between the plant and the microbes is a kind of chemical dialogue. Microbes also help through competitive displacement by occupying space around and on the plant that might have allowed pathogens close to the plant.

50% Increase in Root Mass Leads To Healthier Turf That Requires Less Irrigation

Holganix: Shannon, you alluded to the fact that you were able to reduce your irrigation because of the root mass. Can you talk to us about what you have seen with Holganix Golf and roots? I know you were our 2015 Holganix Roots For You winner for having the most impressive root mass in the golf industry.

Shannon: Take a look at the two pictures below.

The one on the left is with celebration turf on the new course. The turf is just 4 weeks old in that picture and it is growing in sandy soils. Those roots wound up being 22 inches long! It is pretty impressive.

The picture on the right is from turf just 11 days old. That area received a second application of Holganix Golf, so it really shows the potential if you can double up your application rate.

Holganix: Dr. Bob, can you tell us what about Holganix Bio 800⁺ Golf that allows Shannon and other turf professionals to get such a deep root mass?

Dr. Bob: It comes back to the PGPB and the plant growth hormones they release to grow primary and secondary roots.

Enhancing Soil Health Means Big PayOffs in Turf Performance

Holganix: You had sent us a bunch of data regarding a bump in soil health with Holganix Golf. In specific, you pointed out an increase in your cation exchange capacity (CEC) and a decrease in your soil organic matter. Can you tell us a little about those results?

Shannon: CEC is the soil’s ability to hold onto nutrients in the soil and make them available to the plant. So, the higher I can get my CEC the easier it is for my turf to access nutrients. The data below demonstrates these results, showing a 13% average increase in CEC on fairways and a 27% average increase on greens.

Our Soil Organic Matter (SOM) also decreased with the use of Holganix Golf on our greens. That means the thatch is being minimized and allows us to go longer in between renovations. Overall we saw a 29.55% average decrease in our SOM on the new courses’ greens and tees.

Bland Cooper who was our PGA Tour agronomist took a pressure test of our greens. It was the first time he got 10 pounds on greens that are over 12 years old. That just shows you how incredible it was to reduce our thatch and increase CECs.  

Holganix: Dr. Bob can you tell us a little bit about why Holganix Golf would be able to provide such a considerable boost in soil health?

Dr Bob: Microbes in Holganix Bio 800⁺ Golf contribute to soil health because it’s microbes nature to break down organic matter. A healthy soil is dependent upon the soil’s ability to break down organic matter into humus. If organic matter doesn’t break down, disease occurs in the soil. Ultimately, this process leads to improved soil structure which leads to an increase in CEC, moisture movement and soil atmosphere movement.

Shortening the Grow In Period During Renovations

Holganix: Shannon, you used Holganix during renovations in 2014 and 2018. Can you tell us about the results you saw?

Shannon: We really saw an increase in the speed that the turf was growing in at. Specifically, in the 2014 renovations we were able to open one course six weeks early and the other eight weeks early. One of the reasons why the courses opened early was because Holganix Golf allowed us to increase our grow in speed.

Holganix: Dr. Bob, can you tell us how Holganix Bio 800⁺ Golf can help other courses during a renovation?

Dr. Bob: For renovations it comes down to roots. When establishing a new turf - whether it be a lawn or a golf green - success is critically reliant on developing a strong root system. Microbes in Holganix Golf that contribute to root growth include but are not limited to PGPB, Mycorrhizae and Trichoderma.

Additional Conversations with Shannon @ Broken Sound Club

If you want to learn more about Shannon’s results with Holganix Golf, check out the below video and article topics.

1. Nematodes - Shannon discusses results he has seen with an unnamed Holganix Technology and nematode reductions.

2. Soil Health - Shannon digs deeper into results on CEC and Soil Organic Matter (SOM).

3. Plant Installations - Shannon discusses how he uses Holganix Golf when planting annuals and on trees and shrubs to ensure survival at planting and to build overall plant strength.

4. Golf Trends - Shannon goes into two key trends he is seeing in the golf industry that he feels superintendents should be aware of.

Download Our Ingredient List

Want to learn more about the Holganix Golf product, download our ingredient list using the link below and be sure to give us a call at 866-56-EARTH to get in touch with one of our representatives!

Understanding the power of soil microbes is still a novel and new concept in the industry. Over the past few years, new exciting studies have proven the effects soil microbes can have on plant and soil health. We've compiled 5 fun facts in a SlideShare about soil microbes for our readers.

Click the SlideShare to flip through the facts, or skip the SlideShare and just read our facts below. If you are reading this blog via email, click here to access the SlideShare.

#1 Losing Soils

President D. Roosevelt once said, “a nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.”

Yet despite its importance, we have lost about half of the topsoil on the planet over the last 150 years. According to University of Sydney Scientific Director, Dr. John Crawford in an interview in Time Magazine, “a rough calculation of current rates of soil degradation suggests we have about 60 years of topsoil left. Some 40% of soil used for agriculture around the world is classed as either degraded or seriously degraded.”

#2 Microbes Are Everywhere!

There are more microbes in a teaspoon of soil than there are people on earth. In fact, according to this Ohio State article, “Soils contain about 8-to-15 tons of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, earthworms and arthropods.

#3 Fertilizer Factories & Shields

“Microbes are like mini Fertilizer factories,” explains Dr. Robert Neidermyer, Holganix Director of Plant & Soil Science.

For example, microbes like Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria and Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria release nutrients locked in the soil and make them available to the plant. Fungi like Mycorrhizae, travel across large swaths of soil to hunt down nutrients and water for plants. Further, having a diverse amount of bacteria and fungi allow the microbes to help protect plants from harmful pathogens.

#4. Largest Organism On Earth

Mycorrhizae Fungi form synergistic relationships with trees. In exchange for sugars excreted by the plant, mycorrhizae produce thousands of linear miles of “hyphae” in soil to mine nutrients and water for plants. In fact, the largest organism on earth is a 2.5 mile-wide Honey Mushroom (Armillarea ostoyae).

To learn more about the power of mycorrhizae and their relationship with trees, watch the 1.5-minute video below from National Geographic.  

 #5 We Are More Bacteria Than Human

Humans are about 95% bacteria and 5% human. The consortium of all microbes that live on and within humans is called our MicroBiome.

Want to Learn More About Soil Health and Soil Microbes?

Download our soil science eBook to explore: 

1. How the Soil Food Web supports healthy plants

2. The power behind soil microbes

3. Soil types and how to improve the health of your soil

As a contractor, it is a challenge to ensure that freshly installed landscapes - whether flowers, trees, shrub, sod or seed - not only survive in their new home, but they thrive. Often, contractors take healthy plant material from a greenhouse or nursery and install it in dead soil that is common in new subdivisions. That plant struggles to take root and may even die. By using a Plant Start Application, contractors ensure plants thrive.

In his tip of the month video, Holganix CEO and Founder, Barrett Ersek and Holganix National Sales Manager, Rob McCoy dive into:

1. What is a Plant Start Application and what results can you expect

2. How to conduct a Plant Start Application

3. Success stories from contractors using Plant Start Applications on trees, shrubs, sod and seed

If you are reading this blog via email, click here for Barrett’s video.

Download A Copy Of The Plant Start Directions

Click the button below to download your copy of the Plant Start Application directions.

In this blog post, Holganix National Sales Manager, Rob McCoy interviews Brian Marr on results he is seeing in Texas with hydroseeders and Holganix products. Brian Marr is the Territory Manager for Texas, Colorado and the West Coast. Watch their 2-Minute video interview below or skip the video and read the highlights. If you are reading this blog via email, click here to access the video.

Rob McCoy, Holganix National Sales Manager - Brian, we have been hearing about the hydroseeders in Texas that have been picking up the Holganix product line, can you tell me what they are seeing?

Brian Marr, Holganix Territory Representative - We have seen hydroseeders really drawn to the product line because of the quick seed germination results and because, often times hydroseeders are dealing with poor soil conditions, and Holganix products can help remedy that. Hydroseeders are also seeing reduced call backs because of the better results.

Rob McCoy, Holganix National Sales Manager - How are the hydroseeders using the Holganix products?

Brian Marr, Holganix Territory Representative - Typically, hydroseeders are using a really simple recipe. Depending on their tank size, they are combining 4.5 gallons of Holganix Bio 800 Lawn with 5 bags of Healthy Grow Infused with Holganix 7-9-5, and 2.5 gallons of Holganix Blue Sky 21-0-0 per acre. Recipes similar to this one can also be useful for landscapers doing aeration and overseeding.

Summer is a tough season for all plants and turf is no exception. During the summer months, the turf is often stressed from heat, insects and diseases. Brown patches appear that look unsightly or if conditions are too hot and dry, the turf may go into dormancy as a protective measure. If one of your lawns is suffering use the below 3.5 signs below to determine if the stress is caused from too much heat or drought.

1. The “Tug” Test 

Even during a drought, established turf will still have extensive root systems. Conduct a “Tug” Test by locating a brown patch and pulling on the turf. If the turf doesn’t pull easily from the soil, chances are good that your turf is browning due to drought. If it does pull easily, insects or disease could be an issue. 

2. The Screwdriver Test

Push a screwdriver into the soil in both a brown and green turf area. If the screwdriver pushes easily in the green lawn but won’t penetrate the brown patch, the soil is dry and heat is the problem. Credit for this test goes to Bayer’s blog! 

3. Random or Uniform

When drought is a culprit, the brown patches appear randomly. If the pattern is more uniform, it could be a different underlying issue.

3.5 Early Signs

Prepare for summer stress by keeping an eye out for wilted grass blades and by checking to see if footprints remain on the grass after it is walked on. 

Heat and drought stress can be a headache for lawn and landscape contractors but once the moisture returns, established turf will recover. Depending on your region, it may take three-to-four weeks for the turf to come out of dormancy and begin to green up again; providing extra water won’t speed up the process. If you are dealing with a new, young lawn, don’t let it go into dormancy. Without the extensive root growth, the lawn may not survive dormancy without injury.

To learn more about dealing with drought and summer related stress on turf, watch our 5.5 minute video below featuring Holganix CEO, Barrett Ersek.

Is your company currently providing plant health care services or do you install plant material? Are you looking to ensure that your plants don't just survive, but thrive? Holganix’s unique programs may be the answer you’re looking for. Throughout this post we will discuss how Holganix products help contractors create thriving plants, see real results from contractors using Holganix in the field, and see how to best use these products with trees, shrubs, and flowers. You can also skip the article and simply watch the webinar recording below! If you are reading this blog via email, click here to access the video. 

No matter the product or program, Holganix focuses on soil biology as the solution to plant health. At Holganix we believe that the best way to have full, colorful, disease-free plants, is to first take care of their health.  At Holganix we have a variety of products, but what ties them all together is that they ALWAYS start with biology in mind.

Holganix products are used to treat trees, shrubs and flowers using two methods: (1) Plant Start Applications and (2) Soil Smart Program.

Plant Start Applications - Using Holganix Bio 800⁺ products at Planting

Often, the problem with traditional plant installations is that you take a perfectly satisfied plant and install him in an environment with poor soil quality. As a result, the plant becomes stressed and transplant shock often occurs. However, when you install a plant and water it in with Holganix Bio 800⁺ Tree and Shrub or Holganix Bio 800⁺ Bloom during the installation, you ensure your plant not only survives in its new habitat, but it thrives. It’s like insurance for your installation!

Holganix Bio 800⁺  products are used in plant start applications to:

• Reduce transplant shock
• Grow strong plant roots
• Boost color

The Plant Start installation is easy, and there are a variety of ways to apply your product to your plants. Watch our video below for a demonstration or click here to watch the video if reading this blog via email.

Soil Smart Program - Using Holganix Products During Maintenance Program

The traditional method for a program incorporates fertilizer and pest control aspects that are synthetic-based. We do get results from these but it seems that we end up using more and more chemicals to get the job done, and in the end, do not necessarily help stabilize the plant’s health.

Holganix Soil Smart Program consists of all the products needed for a fertilization program including fertilizer, pesticides and of course, your Holganix plant probiotics. However, unlike a traditional fertilizer program, the Holganix Soil Smart Program requires fewer fertilizers and pesticides to create lush, healthy plants. Furthermore, the Soil Smart Program focuses on building strong, resilient plants that is better able to deal with stress.

>>For details regarding your tree and Shrub Soil Smart Program, contact Ed Karpyn at ekarpyn@holganix.com.

Do Holganix Products Really Work?

We have several case studies from contractors using Holganix products on trees, shrubs and flowers. Review some of the highlights from our case studies and click on the article link to read the full story.

The Shrubbery Specialist

“We are passionate about Holganix and after the thorough testing we conducted on the product; we know it’s awesome.” - Stephanie Whitehead, The Shrubbery Specialist

• Roses - 25-30% larger, less disease and pest
• Boxwoods - less disease (blight)
• Gardenia - ferer insecticides despite problems in the area with white fly.

>>Click to read more

Benerget Greenhouse

“Holganix places me in a better position to sell something lush.” - Denny Benerget, Benerget Greenhouse

• Reduce fertilizer by 10-15%
• Reduce fungicides by 30%

>>Click to read more

Zehrs Garden Center

“I would recommend Holganix Bloom to any growe. There’s a tremendous amount of science behind Holganix products and at the end of the day, the proof is in the plants!” - Mark Van Buren, Zehrs Garden Center

• Healthier overall plants
• Less problems with insect and disease

>>Click to read more

Red Diamond INC

“I won’t plant anything without Holganix products!” - Brandon Haley, Red Diamond Inc

• Fewer fertilizer needed
• Less disease problems
• Improved root depth
• Installs grow in quickly and healthy

>>Watch his interview here

Incredible Edible Community Gardens

“IECG would definitely recommend Holganix to other growers.” - Mary E. Petite, Incredible Edible Community Gardens.

• Increased flowering on Orchard trees
• Improved quality of plantings/installs

>>Click to read more

Want to dig into Holganix?

Holganix offers a variety of products that ALL put plant health first. With our easy to use programs, contractors are able to see improvements with installations, year round growth and color. If you would like to learn more on how to incorporate Holganix into your company watch the full webinar recording or reach out to Holganix Horticulturist Ed Karpyn at ekarpyn@holganix.com.

Article by Leah O'Neill

We are all feeling the pressure to do more with less. Each state is talking about restricting fertilizer and phosphorus, and although these things are great for the environment it can also make it difficult to reach our needs when it comes to plant growth. What can we do to help both our plants and ourselves?

Read our blog article below for information about (1) how much fertilizer actually goes to the plant and (2) the role microbes play in fertilizer. If you’d rather dig deeper into this topic, skip the text and watch our webinar featuring Holganix President of Agriculture, David Stark Ph.D. If you're reading this blog via email, click here to watch the video.

How much fertilizer actually goes to the plant?

Did you know that only 40 to 60% of the fertilizer we apply actually goes to the plant, the remaining is lost to run off into our waterways, volatilization to the air or is tied up in the soil. This is why soil health is such an imperative piece of plant health. Functional soil is a soil embedded with organic matter and soil microbes that work together to hold onto nutrients in the soil and convert nutrients locked in the soil.

Beneficial soil microbes form symbiotic relationships with the plant. In fact, the plant will exert as much as 30% of its energy to the root zone to make food for microbes. In return those microbes not only protect the plant from stress, but also feed the plant by converting and holding nutrients in the soil.

What are the different types of soil microbes?

There are five different types of soil microbes: bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, protozoa and nematodes. Each of these microbe types has a different job to boost soil and plant health.

Bacteria

Bacteria is the crucial workforce of soils. They are the final stage of breaking down nutrients and releasing them to the root zone for the plant. In fact, the Food and Agriculture Organization once said “Bacteria may well be the most valuable of life forms in the soil.”

Actinomycetes

Actinomycetes were once classified as fungi, and act similarly in the soil. However, some actinomycetes are predators and will harm the plant while others living in the soil can act as antibiotics for the plant.

Fungi

Like bacteria, fungi also lives in the rootzone and helps make nutrients available to plants. For example, Mycorrhizae is a fungi that facilitate water and nutrient uptake by the roots and plants to provide sugars, amino acids and other nutrients.

Protozoa

Protozoa are larger microbes that love to consume and be surrounded by bacteria. In fact, nutrients that are eaten by bacteria are released when protozoa in turn eat the bacteria.

Nematodes

Nematodes are microscopic worms that live around or inside the plant. Some nematodes are predators while others are beneficial, eating pathogenic nematodes and secreting nutrients to the plant.

Want to keep digging into soil science?

Within the natural world there exists a complex balance among soil microbes known as the soil food web. Plants, animals and microbes are all instruments in an orchestra; each plays a crucial part in the natural symphony of life. If even one of the players is out of tune, the whole soil food web suffers. However, when everything is in order, the results are beautiful.

Download our Digging into Soil Science ebook to explore:

In plant health, roots are often neglected. As the saying goes, out of sight, out of mind! Yet, roots are fundamentally key to plant health.

Root systems, which consist of one fourth to one third of a plant’s dry weight, are in charge of important functions for the plant. If a plant’s root systems are unhealthy, it can pose serious consequences for the plant.

In fact, according to Colorado State University, “Eighty percent of all plant disorders are soil/root problems.” That means we need to pause and give these plant segments the attention they deserve.

Why are root systems important?

Root systems are known to significantly affect the size and health of plants, their ability to adapt to different soils and their ability to respond to cultural practices (i.e. fertilization). According to Colorado State University, they are in charge of but not limited to carrying out the following functions:

1. Anchoring and supporting the plant

The plant becomes stable because of the roots, which safely hook the plant into the soil. Another thing to note is that the threat of soil erosion is lessened because of healthy root systems.

2. Absorbing and conducting water and nutrients through the plant

Nutrients and water enter the plant through the roots. In turf, this means a vast root system is key to tap into available nutrients and water within the soil. The better the roots can reach sources of nutrients and water, the less service providers need to apply additional resources.

3. Stress tolerance

When Mother Nature comes calling, plants with healthier root systems have the advantage over plants with weak root systems. This applies not only to weather conditions like a hot, dry summer, but also to pests and disease. In fact, healthy roots react faster to pesticides and fungicides than unhealthy root systems.

Looking to increase the health of your plants’ root system?

Some recommended practices include aeration and seeding and increasing the soil’s microbial activity with plant probiotics like Holganix Bio 800⁺. In fact, Holganix Bio 800⁺ contains several ingredients that influence root growth including: plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB), trichoderma fungi and more. 

To dive into best practices and additional information around the science of roots, download our free ebook: Turf Roots using the link below.

Works Cited:

http://www.cmg.colostate.edu/gardennotes/132.html

http://www.virginiagardening.com/documents/RootsTurf.pdf

Organic isn’t a fad – in fact, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA) 82% of U.S. households buy organic with millennials representing the largest group of organic buyers in America. That may not seem like a large number to you, but consider that today 25% of millennials have families and that in 10-to-15 years, that number is expected to increase to 80%. Can you consider how these new families will affect the consumer market – whether it’s groceries, cleaning products or lawn care, buying organic matters to the millennial consumer.

When the OTA asked parents why they purchase organic produce over conventional, 30% of parents stated they purchase organic to avoid pesticides and fertilizers. That fact matters to organic farmers but it is also big news for today's lawn and landscape businesses. If parents are purchasing organic produce to avoid fertilizers and pesticides, that attitude translates to how they purchase lawn care services. 

Check out our infographic below for five key stats fertilizer users like you should know about the organic market.

Market conditions aside, why else should you consider using an organic fertilizer program?

As stated above, market data suggests that consumers either prefer organic or are interested in organic products and services. Market conditions aside, there are several clear benefits to using an organic fertilizer or hybrid organic fertilizer program over a conventional fertilizer program.

Differentiate Your Business – Whether you offer produce, plants or lawn care services, you can differentiate your business from the competition by offering an organic option.

>>Click here to see how UltraGreen is growing their business by offering an organic-based lawn care service

Build Healthier Plants – Organic products often contain additional ingredients like microbe food, microbes and biostimulants. These additional ingredients promote plant development. For example, microbes convert nutrients locked in the soil and atmosphere to foster plant growth. Biostimulants increase the plant’s ability to uptake nutrients, also affecting growth.

>>Click here to learn about the power of soil microbes and how they influence plant health

Better For Soil Structure – Utilizing an organic fertilizer program often means you are infusing the soil with microbes and/or organic matter that will build soil structure. Soil is the foundation for plants – if you nurture plants in unhealthy soil conditions they are less likely to thrive than if you nurture them in healthy soil conditions.

>>Click here to explore the science behind soil health in our science ebook  

Better For The Environment – Fertilizer may runoff into our water ways, potentially depleting marine life or causing pollution to ground water.

>>Click here to learn more about fertilizer runoff

Do you want to go fully organic?

When you are looking at incorporating organics into your fertilizer program, you have to consider whether you want to go fully organic or with a hybrid organic program.

Regardless of the product you decide to implement, organics work more slowly than traditional chemical fertilizer products and it is important to set your customer’s expectation accordingly. Looking at a hybrid program allows you to combine the benefits of an organic with reduced amounts of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. That means your customer can still expect the quick results of a traditional program while still maintaining the benefits of an organic one.

Holganix Bio 800⁺ products allow fertilizer users to reduce the amount of fertilizers and pesticides needed by 50 – 75% while still providing the results at par or better than a traditional chemical program. Bio 800⁺ products are plant probiotics that team with over 800 species of soil microbes that convert nutrients in the soil and atmosphere. Holganix Bio 800⁺ also boosts plant tolerance when faced with stressful conditions.

Watch our 1.5-minute video below on the benefits of Holganix Bio 800⁺ products than click here to explore different product options available.