Feed the soil, let the soil feed the plant. "A soil system for nutrient and energy production is a living system in which bacteria and the many soil organisms must receive nutrition and energy from proteins, carbohydrates and cellulose and lignin -- all organic materials in a soil that has a managed supply of both air and water within a balanced chemical environment. This chemical balance involves more than just N, P and K. It requires an equilibrium of pH, calcium to magnesium, magnesium to potash and sodium. Without this balanced equilibrium, neither the organic system nor the N, P and K system has any enduring potential for soil building or plant nutrition. This total equilibrium is even more essential for the vital nourishment of man." Neal Kinsey, Hands-On Agronomy For the EarthWorks products to be fully effective we have established Soil First Consulting to address soil issues. Our basis philosophy is to Balance Chemistry & Feed the Soil. The soil services that we provide will achieve a balance of chemistry in the soil through the manipulation of the basic cations, on the base saturation of the test report. This allows for an environment where microbiology can truly proliferate. Once we start moving toward this balance we feed the soil. This is where the EarthWorks product line comes into play. Only through the application of sound agronomic principles, with careful attention to the condition and needs of the soil, can we achieve maximum sustainable yields from the land. This page will offer many of our suggested programs that will allow for the maximum advantage from the carbohydrate and mineral rich Earth Works products. THE EARTH WORKS "CONSTRUCTION MIX" ECO-LITE 1000 LBS/1000 Sq Ft RENOVATE 400 LBS/1000 Sq Ft This mix has been very successful for new construction and rebuild projects. The material is spread evenly over the surface of the green, prior to final grade, and roto-tilled down to 6 to 8 inches. It has been successful with a sand peat mix but is more cost effective when peat is left out of the mix. The high CEC of the Eco-Lite provides the bulk of the holding capacity while the organic amendments stimulate microbial activity through the first two seasons as roots establish themselves. This mix allows for greater buffering capacity through grow-in and allows for a reduction of nitrogen which clearly is beneficial in maintaining strong levels of humus in the soil. THE EARTH WORKS "SOUP MIX" BASE ONE 6 - 16 oz/1000 Sq Ft NITROGEN As needed (seasonal) KICK 6 - 12 oz/1000 Sq Ft CAL-VANTAGE 6 - 12 oz/1000 Sq Ft POTENT-SEA PLUS 6 - 12 oz/1000 Sq Ft IRON Only if needed The idea of the "Soup Mix" is to provide the superintendent a complete foliar package that can be used on a "Small but Frequent" basis. The great value of this program is that it provides you a complete package of NPK, Ca, Mg, trace nutrients and carbohydrates. It also provides flexibility. Instead of the manufacturer dictating how much nitrogen or iron is applied you control these important inputs. Base-One provides a complete package of needed foliar nutrients except three of the most important; Nitrogen, Calcium and Iron. These are the most important variables in any foliar program and the rates of these nutrients should be dictated by plant stress factors, such as weather or physical pressures. With this program the type and rate of nitrogen can be changed and increased as needed. In the spring ammonium sulphate may be used at high rates but in the middle of the summer it may be 1/10 lb of Urea. When the plant is under stress calcium rates should be increased. Iron levels are typically high and many soils do not need iron. This approach allows you to control these important variables with out impacting needed trace nutrients, assuring your plants are getting what they need when they need it. Ideally, this "Soup Mix" is applied weekly in very low rates. This allows the plant to get an even level of fertility with out "peaks and valleys." On sand greens weekly applications are important but not always practical, as frequent a program as possible is best. Remember, the need for a program such as this is to provide the plant what the soil can not offer.