Organic Soil Management: Busting Myths with Real World Results.

UPDATED 04/01/2023:

We have traveled the world to select only the very best methods of taking care of our lawns and plants in Austin, Texas. We aim to fully explain our organic soil management. What we do, and how we do it.

At the core of our organic soil management is the recognition of the vital role that soil microorganisms play in the health and vitality of lawns and plants. Recent studies have shown that soil microbes are critical for soil fertility, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration. By promoting healthy microbial activity, we can improve soil structure, nutrient availability, and water-holding capacity, resulting in healthier plants with better root development and increased drought resistance.

Our approach involves building healthy soil by providing a balanced and diverse array of organic matter to the soil. This includes compost, worm castings, and other forms of organic matter that are rich in the nutrients that plants need. We also use cover crops, crop rotation, and other practices that promote biodiversity and soil health. By fostering the growth of soil microorganisms, we can create a self-sustaining ecosystem that produces healthier and more resilient plants over the long term.

In addition to promoting soil health, our approach also seeks to minimize environmental impacts. Synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and pesticides can all have negative impacts on soil health, water quality, and wildlife. Our organic methods reduce the need for these harmful chemicals, promoting a healthier and more sustainable environment for all.

Overall, our organic soil management approach is based on the latest scientific research and proven practices from around the world. By working with nature and promoting healthy soil biology, we can create healthy lawns and plants that are better able to resist disease, drought, and other stresses. We are proud to offer these natural and sustainable solutions to our clients in Austin, Texas, and look forward to continuing to innovate and improve our methods based on the latest scientific knowledge.

"Dirt" in photo: Soil devoid of life.

Our organic soil management focuses in the natural nutrient cycling provided by nature for lawns and plants. By identifying the natural cycle first, we run against the grain industry convention of using synthetic chemicals and harmful pollutants, such as synthetic fertilizers (elevated nitrates and phospates), herbicides, insecticides, and pesticides (heavy metals), to counteract highly specific lawn and plant health conditions. We believe a holistic approach in taking care of lawns and plants is and has always been the best approach. We highlight our use of natural and organic methods to achieve desirable results. Our unique approach to lawn and plant care has been proven to improve soil water retention, increase the breakdown of organic layers (thatch) and leaves (yes, fallen leaves!), increase nutrient availability to plants, suppress diseases, and increase the natural aeration capability of the lawn.

Chemical Analysis

Measuring the pH level is typically where a chemical analysis starts and historically ends. However, as science progressed, we eventually added the three primary nutrients known to encourage grass and plant growth: Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus (N, K, and P). This is crucial in determining the baseline of available nutrients and making accurate adjustments in the field. Then, secondary plant nutrients were added, such as Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulfur. Most professionals will now say that there are between 40-44 essential grass and plant nutrients.

For large projects, it is typical to contract a trusted laboratory to measure all essential nutrients and Cation Exchange Capacities (CEC) and soluble salt contents. However, for most residential applications, knowing the pH, primary, and secondary nutrient levels is sufficient to make informed decisions.

Laboratory Soil Test

Compost Tea Under 400x Magnification, Showing Fungal Hyphae (long strand)

Microbial Analysis

When selecting an organic matter amendment strategy, it is essential to analyze immobile and mobile bacterial levels, fungi, and beneficial predators like protozoa and nematodes population, in addition to the commonly used testing of available primary nutrient levels in soil. For lawns, a nutrient cycling system that is largely bacterial-dominated is needed to function optimally, while for plants, fungal-dominated soils are required. Microbial analysis provides an additional tool to create a holistic picture of the soil composition.

Mycorrhizal fungi are microbial organisms that form narrow threads in compost and attach themselves to root structures. These organisms consume exudates from plant roots and store the nutrients as food and moisture for plants and nematode predators. The waste from the nematodes also becomes food for the plants, completing this natural nutrient cycle.

Bacteria also play a crucial role in plant nutrition by immobilizing nutrients in the rhizosphere. These microbes decompose organic matter and ingest root exudates, preventing them from leaching out of the soil. These valuable nutrients are tied up in the bacteria until they are eventually released in the ammonium (NH4+) waste of protozoa predators for use by the plant.

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ORGANIC SOIL MANAGEMENT RESULTS

Note: All photos are unedited real world photos.

Organic Lawn Care Repair Using Only Compost Tea on native St. Augustine grass

Day 0

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Note: All photos are unedited real world photos.

​DAY 15

DAY 43

These were the last photos of this property. Unfortunately, our client had to move. We would have loved to continue taking photos of the continuous progress we made.

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Shrubs and Hedges

Note: All photos are unedited real world photos.