The Holganix Blog

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.

As Thanksgiving approaches, we've compiled 3 reasons why Holganix is thankful for turfgrass this season and why you should be too! 

1. Turfgrass takes care of pollution

Turf areas represent the largest carbon sink in the US, sucking up and storing greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. Turf also converts carbon dioxide into oxygen. In fact, the grass and trees along the US highway system release enough oxygen to support 22 million people. Turf also helps filter pollutants from run off and can purify and recharge ground water supply, protecting America's water systems from harm.

>>Learn about soil's affect on pollution here

2. Turfgrass makes us happy 

Grass areas affect people's moods by creating feelings of serenity, privacy, thoughtfulness and happiness. Furthermore, its yearly cycles of growth and color change lift human spirits and link urban inhabitants with their countryside heritage. 

>>Learn more about turf's affect on happiness here

3. Beautiful turf means bigger $

A well-manicured lawn can boost the selling price of your home by 15%! In fact, a Gallup Survey reports that 62% of all US homeowners felt an investment in lawn and landscaping was as good or better than other home improvements.

>>Learn more about the economic benefits associated with turf here 

Before becoming the National Sports Turf Specialist for Ewing, Luke spent 12 years as the Director of Field Operations at the San Diego Padres. “It was a high intensity job, but I really loved being on the turf every day and experimenting with new products and new practices.”

During his last two years at the Padres, Luke started using Holganix Bio 800⁺ Golf.

“At first I was skeptical of Holganix Bio 800⁺,” explains Luke, but when he saw the chief ingredient was a compost tea, he knew he needed to experiment with the product.

Prior to using Holganix Bio 800⁺, Luke had utilized a home-brewed compost tea with a worm-casting base. While he liked the results from his home-brewed tea, brewing the product was cumbersome and the two-day shelf life made applying the product a challenge.

Results at the Padres

Luke’s first application of Bio 800⁺ Golf was the hyper inoculation rate of 14 ounces per 1,000 square feet. Following the first application, Luke applied Bio 800⁺ every two weeks at 7 ounces per 1,000 square feet.

According to Luke, his three key results were:

1. Rooting – “Our roots were eight inches long by May after sodding in March. Typically, we would have four-to-five inch roots at that time,” says Luke. “We also saw more white root hairs and the roots were denser.”

2. Reduced Fertilizer Use – Because Holganix Bio 800⁺ increases fertilizer efficiency, Luke reduced his nitrogen by 25-to-30 percent.

3. Turf Recovery – “We had 100 events per year and I would typically sod normal wear areas three times per year. But, with Holganix Bio 800⁺ the turf held up better and I only had to re-sod one-to-two times per year.”

Results at Home

“I’m constantly experimenting at my home to fine tune the use of products,” explains Luke. He specifically sites one test with Bio 800⁺ Bloom on potted violas. In both pots, he used Fox Farm potting soil, 8-8-8 fertilizer and watered. However, in the Holganix pot, he also incorporated the use of Bio 800⁺ Bloom. “The pot wound up overflowing and lasting me a good six months.”

What’s in the jug?

The ingredients list is Luke’s favorite Holganix piece because it accurately paints a picture of what’s in the Bio 800⁺ product line and how those ingredients can cater to plant and soil health. Download your copy of the Holganix Bio 800⁺ ingredient list below.

There probably isn’t anything more American than American baseball. For many of us, warm evenings, hot dogs, and a local baseball game is an integral part of summer. For those of us at Holganix, our local team of choice is The Blue Rocks – a minor league team and Holganix user based in Wilmington, Delaware that is only a twenty-minute drive from headquarters.  

According to Steve Gold, Grounds Manager for the Wilmington Blue Rocks, “When I use a lot of chemicals on the turf. I make the turf fat and dumb. That’s one of the reasons why I was so attracted to Holganix Bio 800⁺. Less synthetics? Sign me up!”

Gold is on the super inoculation Holganix program, utilizing large amounts of Holganix Bio 800⁺ in combination with three pounds of nitrogen annually. Before Holganix Bio 800⁺, Gold still used a lean nitrogen program but Holganix Bio 800⁺ has allowed him to take the next step. At the end of the day, it was the reduction in fungicides that really got Gold excited. “I hate fungicides,” states Gold passionately. “It’s the dark side of the turf industry.”

“The really great part is that we’ve cut back our fungicide applications from 15 per year to 2 to 3 depending on weather conditions. To me, seeing such a huge decrease in fungicide use means results.”

How can Holganix Bio 800⁺ help you reduce the need for fungicides? Holganix Bio 800⁺ products build functioning soils that result in resilient turf with deeper, thicker root systems. In fact, by having more resilient plants with a better root system, these plants are better able deal with the stresses caused by disease. The result is that you can often reduce the need for certain fungicides.

Like many in the industry, Gold has grown up on turf. “My mother worked at the spring training complex in Florida,” says Gold. “At age 15 I got a job cutting grass in the neighborhood. At that time nothing seemed cooler than being able to work the spring training complex.” Gold worked the training complex until he graduated high school. After several other turf field positions, Gold received an offer with the Blue Rocks. Twenty years later, Gold is still happily caring for the Blue Rocks field. “It “grew” on me,” he said of the field.

Just like the field, Holganix Bio 800⁺ grew on Gold too. He first started testing the Holganix program in early 2012. By 2013, after seeing great results, Gold decided to jump on board. “Turf Root depth is what I notice the most,” says Gold who reports seeing 6 to 8 inch roots throughout the year. “Just the other day, we replaced the irrigation head. When we removed sections of the turf to replace the irrigation, it is like picking up a bowling ball because of all the roots.” All in all, Gold says he has longer roots than ever before.

"The cool thing about Holganix Bio 800^+", says Gold "is that it really is healthy for the plant". At the end of the day, “The turf plant and the human body are pretty similar,” says Gold. For a human, eating too much carbs or bad fats can be damaging to your health. For turf, synthetics act the same way. “My goal is to nurture a healthy plant not create a fat one.” Holganix Bio 800⁺ allows Gold to utilize drastically less nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides while promoting plant health. 

At Holganix, we are self-appointed soil geeks. Learning about new trends, research and theories that are happening in the field makes us tick. We bet it gets you excited too!

Here are our top 5 favorite plant and soil science TED Talks. Warning! Some of these are crazy, unique ideas that will make Holganix almost seem ordinary! If you know a good TED Talk we are missing, post it in the comments of this blog. We’d LOVE to check it out!

If you are reading this on an email, video function will not operate. Click on the link to watch each TED Talk. 

Humus – The Essential Ingredient

Humus is what is left after soil microorganisms have decomposed organic matter. It holds nutrients and moisture and provides a great structure for planting in. Humus is essential for food production and is being gradually depleted. Learn more in Graeme Sait’s TED Talk.

Healthy Soil, Healthy World 

If you pick up a handful of soil, you will be holding more microorganisms in your hand than the entire number of people who have ever lived on earth. Think about that for a moment. Can you imagine the quantity of living things in your grasp? Soil is FULL of life. In this TED Talk you’ll have the opportunity to explore the soil from a microorganisms’ point of view.

Putting Carbon Back Where It Belongs

Good news! Plants can quite literally change the face of the earth. By growing more plants, we can capture more carbon dioxide, water, production, biodiversity and profit? In fact, a 1% change in soil organic matter across just one quarter of the world’s land area could sequester 300 billion tons of physical C02. Check out Tony Lovell’s TED Talk here.

Stop Treating Our Soil Like Dirt!

Healthy soil is not dirt! Healthy soils are critical for keeping water clean producing food and buffering the effects of extreme weather. Soil plays a fundamental role in our lives in three key ways… Watch Karen Wynne’s TED Talk here.

Soil – From Dirt To Lifetime 

Did you know there are more living organisms beneath the soil then there are above it? Soil scientists can’t even come to an agreement about how many microbes are actually in the soil. Check out Fred Kirshenmann’s TED Talk here.

After several years of testing with our friends and partners at ENP Solutions, Holganix is proud to announce the launch of our PB1 Product Line featuring targeted probiotic solutions to turf and plant health. The Holganix PB1 product line consists of Holganix PB1 2-0-0 and Holganix PB1 4-0-2.

Holganix PB1 products function as bio accelerators when used in combination with Holganix Bio 800⁺ products (the refrigerated products), allowing users to reduce their rate of Bio 800⁺.

However, Holganix PB1 products can also be used as stand-alone probiotic solutions for green industry professionals that value the convenience of using low-volume spray equipment and the lack of refrigeration.

Why use Holganix PB1 products?

PB1 enhances nutrient uptake by the plant, nurtures the plant and facilitates root growth through specific microbes and Armament^TM Technology. Results have shown an increase in playability and enhanced plant tolerance of stress from weather, disease and insect.

Watch our video below for more reasons to use our PB1 product line. For those reading this blog via email, click here to access the video.

What’s in a jug of Holganix PB1?

Holganix PB1 products contain 4+-targeted microorganisms, microbe food and nutrient enhancers like Armament^TM Technology.

What is the difference between Holganix PB1 2-0-0 and Holganix PB1 4-0-2?

PB1 2-0-0 is designed for high-performance turf such as golf courses, sports fields, or high-stress properties. PB1 2-0-0 contains mycorrhizae fungi, which enhances root growth as well as nutrient, mineral and water uptake by the plant.

Holganix PB1 LTO 4-0-2 is designed for lawn, turf and ornamentals. Green industry professionals that select PB1 4-0-2 acquire a higher concentration of amino acids, which increases color response. PB1 LTO 4-0-2 is also recommended for property managers that are looking for probiotics but value cost.

How do you use Holganix PB1 products?

The below sample program provides general guidelines for green industry professionals. Contact your Holganix representative to build a custom program to best suit your needs.

1. Combining Holganix PB1 products with Holganix Bio 800⁺

Because of the targeted microbes, additional microbe food and Armament^TM Technology, Holganix PB1 products act as bio accelerators, allowing users to reduce the rate of Bio 800⁺ when applied in combination.

2. Combining Holganix PB1 products with PreBiotic Fertilizers

Holganix PB1 products contain highly targeted microbial populations, acting as a plant probiotic. Like peanut butter goes with jelly and salt pairs with pepper, probiotics can be paired with prebiotics to boost results.

Holganix Blue Sky 21-0-0 and Holganix PreBiotic 2-10-20 are infused with nutrients, microbe food and nutrient enhancers. As powerful prebiotic fertilizers, they act as the perfect companion product to Holganix probiotic products like Holganix PB1 and Holganix Bio 800⁺.

Looking for additional information?

Want to dig deeper into our PB1 Product Line? Download our sell sheets below or call Holganix to speak with a product representative: 866-56-EARTH.

>>PB1 2-0-0 Sell Sheet

>>PB1 4-0-2 Sell Sheet

>>Holganix Product Catalog

At Holganix, we are self-appointed soil geeks. Learning about new trends, research and theories that are happening in the field make us tick. We bet it gets you excited too! Here are our top 5 favorite articles on soil microbes (to be fair, some are videos).

Healthy Soil Microbes, Healthy People

The Atlantic Magazine reports that the microbial community in the ground is as important as the one in human guts. According to the Atlantic Magazine, “The greatest leverage point for a sustainable and healthy future for the several billion people on the planet is arguably immediately underfoot: the living soil, where we grow our food.”

Read Healthy Soil Microbes, Healthy People by Atlantic Magazine: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/06/healthy-soil-microbes-healthy-people/276710/

Microbes Help Grow Better Crops

Scientific American explores research from Virginia to Colombia that has been conducted on microbes to boost plant health and crop yield. “Microbes act as sentinels of food safety and furnish an environmentally sound alternative to massive inputs of fertilizers and pesticides,” says Scientific American.

Check out Microbes Help Grow Better Crops by Scientific America: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/microbes-help-grow-better-crops/  

The Soil Biology Primer

Consider this short read the "Bible of Soil Science". Written by Dr. Elaine Ingham – the godmother of the soil food web, in partnership with the USDA, The Soil Biology Primer introduces soil health and soil biology and how it contributes to agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.

Access The Soil Biology Primer PDF Version by Dr. Elaine Ingham: https://books.google.com/books/about/Soil_Biology_Primer.html?id=AgQUAAAAYAAJ

Healthy Soil, Healthy World

If you pick up a handful of soil, you will be holding more microorganisms in your hand than the entire number of people who have ever lived on earth. Think about that for a moment. Can you imagine the quantity of living things in your grasp? The soil is FULL of life. In this TED Talk, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the soil from the microorganisms’ point of view.

Watch Healthy Soil, Healthy World from TEDx: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTgH16omrJg

Modern Marvel’s: Fertilizer

While not an article, this TV series from the History Channel digs into fertilizer. From synthetic N-P-K to sewage-based solutions to vermicomposting and compost, Modern Marvels provides both an entertaining and factual documentary on fertilizer and the history of growing plants.

Hint: If you don’t have a subscription, you can stream the video online for $1.99 on Amazon.

View Modern Marvels: Fertilizer on the History Channel: http://www.history.com/shows/modern-marvels/season-13/episode-19

Purchase the episode on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fertilizer/dp/B0050WFI2S/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1

At Holganix, one of our core values is Evolution & Revolution. What does that mean? (1) we want to create a revolution in the green industry and (2) we believe in continually evolving our business and products to make them better and better.

With a focus on biology as the solution to plant health, Holganix is continually pioneering (dare we say, revolutionizing…) new methods of incorporating biology to build resilient plants and healthier soils. After all, fostering healthy plants begins by fostering healthy soils that are teeming with beneficial soil microorganisms.

As our industry evolves, we are excited that plant probiotics are becoming steadily accepted by the industry. However, as competitors emerge, we felt the need to evolve our brand and rename our flagship product line (the liquid, refrigerated products like Holganix Lawn, Golf, Tree and Shrub and Bloom) to differentiate it from the competition.

That is one of the reasons why Holganix is channeling its core value of Evolution & Revolution to re-named its flagship product line as Bio 800⁺.

Why Bio 800⁺?

Bio stands for life; 800 stands for the number of microbe species present in the product line; and + stands for more than or beneficial. In other words, Holganix Bio 800⁺ contains over 800 species of beneficial, living microorganisms (click to access the ingredient list). That’s a lot of bugs in our jug!

In fact, if you compare Holganix Bio 800⁺ to the competition, you’ll notice that all other products contain 2 or 3 or maybe 6 species of microorganisms that target specific plant problems.

When it comes to microbial products, the microbe count is important, yet diversity can be even more crucial. By having a product filled with a diversity of life, the soil and plant is prepared for whatever hurdle it needs to face.

Think of it as your equivalent to a multi-vitamin. Instead of a magic bullet, Holganix Bio 800+ products parachute in an army of specialists, each of which is capable of filling in gaps to balance the biological requirements of the soil.

Consider the environment you are asked to grow plants in. Are the soils the same from property-to-property? Do the climate conditions change day-to-day or hour-by-hour? Are the pathogens and stresses that are attacking your plants changing? Don’t you want to give your plants every possible advantage to adopt and respond to all of these changing challenges?  

Whereas a single microbial strain would be able to assist with one single, targeted problem, a microbial product with a huge diversity of species is better equipped to handle problems in a changing environment.

Just as a car can’t be fixed with a single screwdriver, Holganix Bio 800⁺ is an entire toolbox of microbes adept to handle numerous problems.

In a nutshell, Holganix Bio 800⁺ is a complete ecosystem in a jug that harnesses the power of over 800 species of beneficial microorganisms to:

1. Increase the plant's tolerance of stress from weather, disease and insect

2. Stimulate healthy foliage and root growth

3. Reduce inputs including fertilizers, pesticides and water

4. Many other benefits!

How can Holganix stuff so much life into a jug of Holganix Bio 800⁺?

When looking at microbial products, like Holganix’s Bio 800⁺, it’s not uncommon to be stumped by the ingredients. After all, the product is living and changing; how can you really be certain that you are applying a viable product?

Because Holganix is committed to producing quality product, Bio 800⁺ is:

1. Field and university tested

Holganix spends six-figures annually on university testing to learn more about our product and to validate claims. To read the cliff notes from our University Studies click here. Holganix also has recorded 70+ case studies across America. To access our favorite case studies click here.

2. DNA fingerprinted for product consistency

Each batch of product is DNA fingerprinted to ensure that each batch produced is living (literally) up to Holganix’s quality standards.

3. Refrigerated to keep the life dormant and fresh for use

At the end of the day, you can keep a couple or a few microorganisms dormant without refrigeration. But, to keep the diversity and quantity of microorganisms present in Bio 800⁺ fresh and ready for use, refrigeration is key.

4. 100% organic

To keep our product safe for people, pets and the environment, Holganix Bio 800⁺ is 100% organic.

We are excited to announce that we are expanding the Bionutritional Summit. Instead of hosting the Bionutritional Summit before GIE+EXPO, we'll be hosting several regional Bionutritional Summits from February through March of 2017. 

All industries are welcome to attend!

Why did we decide to go regional?

1. Different regions face different turf and agronomic problems. Having regional Bionutritional Summits will allow us to address problems that are specific to YOU and YOUR market.

2. Over the last few years, we've drastically expanded Holganix's reach across the United States. Hosting regional Bionutritional Summits will allow turf professionals to experience the event regardless of their region.

3 Reasons why YOU should attend a Bionutritional Summit near YOU

In addition to a rocking keynote presentation on building a personal brand that highlights what makes you UNIQUE, the 2017 Bionutritional Summits will have 5+ additional classes. Topics include but are not limited to: Soil Biology: The Last Great Frontier by David Stark PhD from Holganix; Holganix 101; Holganix Experience featuring several brag-worthy Holganix users; Goal Setting; and Holganix 101 Español for Spanish-speaking turf professionals.

Classes are designed as round tables so you can float from class to class based on your interests.

2. Network!

A wise man learns from his experiences but a super wise man learns from the experiences of others. One of the key reasons to attend a regional Bionutritional Summit is to network with like-minded turf professionals. Discuss what they are seeing in the market and share agronomic tips and tricks.

3. Meet the Holganix Team

The Holganix Team is packing up their suitcases and headed to a regional Bionutritional Summit just to meet you! Mingle over drinks and hors d’oeuvres with the team. Pick their minds on soil, turf and Holganix at large.

As Thanksgiving approaches, we've compiled 3 reasons why Holganix is thankful for turfgrass this season and why you should be too! 

1. Turfgrass takes care of pollution

Turf areas represent the largest carbon sink in the US, sucking up and storing greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. Turf also converts carbon dioxide into oxygen. In fact, the grass and trees along the US highway system release enough oxygen to support 22 million people. Turf also helps filter pollutants from run off and can purify and recharge ground water supply, protecting America's water systems from harm.

>>Learn about soil's affect on pollution here

2. Turfgrass makes us happy 

Grass areas affect people's moods by creating feelings of serenity, privacy, thoughtfulness and happiness. Furthermore, its yearly cycles of growth and color change lift human spirits and link urban inhabitants with their countryside heritage. 

>>Learn more about turf's affect on happiness here

3. Beautiful turf means bigger $

A well-manicured lawn can boost the selling price of your home by 15%! In fact, a Gallup Survey reports that 62% of all US homeowners felt an investment in lawn and landscaping was as good or better than other home improvements.

>>Learn more about the economic benefits associated with turf here