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Study! Nature and Grow

April 2008

SSince I first committed to organics over 12 years ago, I've attended hundreds of seminars, conferences, lectures and courses. A number of the courses enabled me to earn or renew the landscape-related certifications listed in my credit line below. At this point the only certification I'm lacking is "arborist."

Each time I register, I think, "If I only pick up a few good ideas, this will be time well spent." Everyone has strengths and weaknesses - areas of special expertise and areas where they're weaker. Combining the best ideas from a wide array of knowledgeable people results in a healthier knowledge base than following the teachings of a single person. That sounds like what I believe to be the principle underlying success in soil management - diversity.

Recently I took a 2 week course in preparation for my arborist certification. I know a lot about trees, but I've decided I need to be 'certified' to be credible. People pay me to turn around their sick landscapes. When we apply our proven techniques and materials, the trees are often first to respond. We can get rid of their bark aphids and mildew and sometimes even halt oak wilt. And, we get phenomenal growth.

Astounded by this growth spurt, homeowners often consult a 'certified arborist.' They are told that it's impossible to get the kind of growth without using some kind of mysterious chemical. Further, they're told that this growth spurt will suck energy out of the roots and kill the tree. They tell my clients that the only solution is to whack off all the new growth. I know that's wrong - that the new growth actually increases the tree's photosynthesis capacity - its ability to pull CO2 and moisture out of the air and with the sun's energy, generate plant energy. I've been distressed far too often when the client takes the word of the arborist over mine since I'm not 'certified.' Far too often that drastic pruning stresses the trees. That brings on insects and diseases that kill the trees.

I went to school with an open mind. And, I did learn a lot. Unfortunately, I also learned I'm thankful that I didn't get my education at a land grant university. While A&M is now making some semi-organic recommendations, they still cling to the idea that the ultimate solution to any plant problem is a chemical. In the 1980's I'm afraid my education in soil biology may have qualified me for a degree in chemistry.

Example: Our instructor, a PhD from Texas A&M, was covering the benefits of mychorrizal fungi. It's a symbiotic - mutual benefit, relationship. Mycorrhizal fungi bond to the roots of plants to obtain the nutrients they need. In return, they help the roots uptake minerals from the soil. This added nutrient uptake help plants cope with environmental and site-related stresses.

Again, biodiversity is a critical concept. There are many different varieties of bacteria and fungi and having a good balance is highly beneficial. Our instructor estimated that about 90% of these microorganism are beneficial. If things get out of balance, the harmful one can take over. He said that at that point chemicals are the only way to deal with problems like oak wilt.

I saw an opportunity. Here's an A&M PhD who agrees that most microorganisms are beneficial. He may be the ticket to university research into beneficial predators - fungi or bacteria that will eat up the bad guys. I raised my hand and suggested that. It went over like the proverbial lead balloon.

My next stop was the week end long Soil Food Web Conference. The name itself screams biodiversity. A soil food web is a community of organisms living all or part of their lives in the soil - a complex living system in the soil interactings with the environment, plants, and animals.Dr. Elaine Ingham from Oregon State University is a strong proponent of the use of compost and compost tea to stimulate biodiversity.

Compost can be graded Good - Better - Best. The Best is that you produce with garden debris from your own property. Next best is a chocolate brown compost with with visible fungi threads from a reliable local supplier. Along with increasing the organic matter in your soil, increasing the air supply is critical. Microorganism have to breathe, so aeration is good.

Dr. Ingham recommends soil testing to chart your progress. I agree. Malcolm Beck, the father of organics in Texas, says that you're doing well if you increase your organic matter content by 10% per year. I have increased my organic content from 1.40 to 3.0 over a five year period. That's a 20% increase a year using only compost and my natural soil amendments.

For a reliable soil test with organic recommendations I strongly recommend Texas Soil and Plant Lab www.txplant-soillab.com.

Healthy soil does more than grow pretty plants and healthy fruits and vegetables. It pulls CO2 from the air and minimizes runoff. So, no matter what, never use synthetic fertilizer and do not resort to chemicals.