Re: [compost_tea] Quiz - do you know the answer?

From: Ted Peterson <ted.peterson_at_tcsn.net>
Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2003 18:39:41 -0800

Elaine:

These last posts are enlightening. Well done! We have been managing a pub=
lic park and converting it from traditional turf management practice to a p=
ractice that first builds the SFW. We have done turf tests including leaf =
essays and soil tests. Our clients were amazed that the turf soil we have =
been managing actually shows low for NPK yet has healthier, more robust roo=
t systems, withstands drought better, has a quicker recover time if somethi=
ng goes wrong and appears, to date to be rather more disease resistant. We=
 have taken one entire park off of the yearly chemical fertilizer program. =
 It was done reluctantly because I wasn't sure whether change should be imp=
lemented so quickly -- nine months. However, every leaf assay shows health=
y levels of all nutrients even though the soil shows a, traditionally accep=
ted, low amount of certain nutrients. I reminded them that the nutrients a=
re still there just not in the form we were measuring for but in a form the=
 plants needed.

So the conclusion seems to be that once a food web is established, the turf=
 manages itself much better. I will have to admit that low soil NPK had me=
 initially worried but the plants themselves tested fine. There were no nu=
trient shortages. An interesting side note is that we have demonstrated, =
to date, that we can take most park watering programs that are based on tra=
ditional watering techniques and, by using our methods, can reduce water co=
nsumption by a significant amount. I am compiling a report and will forwar=
d it to the list.

I don't know if you are aware of how much potable water cities use for irri=
gation but it is considerable and the acre-foot cost is rising yearly. The=
 prediction is that water will rise to a cost, in California, of $1200 per =
acre foot.

Ted Peterson
Earth-Wise/Spirit of the Earth
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: soilfoodweb_at_aol.com
  To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
  Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2003 11:15 AM
  Subject: Re: [compost_tea] Quiz - do you know the answer?


  You don't apply compost tea based for NPK.




Received on Sat Nov 15 2003 - 22:56:16 EST

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