Soil Microbiology

COMMENTARY

• Soil microbiology acts as the “worker bees” essential for nutrient cycling and plant health
• The benefits of organic compost and fertilizers over chemicals and pesticides
  • Acts like a sponge to retain water
  • Fosters beneficial microbes absorb nutrients, resists pests and diseases naturally
• Explanation of NPK values and their roles
  • Nitrogen for leaves
  • Phosphorus for flowers
  • Potassium for roots
• Organic fertilizers derived from natural sources like worm castings and bat guano

Best Water Practices & Mulch

COMMENTARY

• Importance of removing chlorine from irrigation/tap water to protect soil microbiology
• Rainwater harvesting is a superior alternative for watering gardens
• Differences between compost, planting mix and mulch
  • Compost is broken down organic matter to enrich the soil
  • Planting mix is compost with perlite and coco peat for aeration and moisture retention
  • Mulch is used to cover soil preferably woody mulch for its benefits and sustainability
•  Avoid chemical fertilizers, peat moss, non-organic straw, unvetted manure to protect soil health

RESOURCE

• Other ways to remove chlorine
  • Pour water in a bucket and let it set until the chlorine disappears
  • Big Blue Charcoal Filtration System

Bermuda Grass Intrusion

COMMENTARY

• The importance of physically removing Bermuda grass due to its regrowth potential
• Bermuda seeds can enter gardens thru unprocessed manure and bird droppings
• Chemical or solarizing treatments can’t kill bermuda
• Importance of locally made soil products tailored for Arizona’s arid climate and sustainability

RESOURCE

• Tanks Green Stuff’s Entire Line Of Organic Soils And Products