Help Me Understand Something…

The other day a former student, an experienced superintendent and friend sent me an exasperated email that diagrammed his annual “expert” consultation meeting. It sounded like this:

“Good afternoon. I just wanted to drop you a quick line. I have made a few observations this year that I would like to share.

First, using Logan Labs tests and the Albrecht method to balance my soils has proven to be beneficial to the overall health of my greens and I think my most recent soil tests are a reflection of that.

Second, using EarthWorks products (Kick Rinse In Program) to flush sodium has dramatically improved the health of the plants and reduced by 98% the algae problems I’ve been fighting. I would say 100% but we will see how the year goes.

I find it laughable that they recommend that I discontinue the programs that have brought about these great changes for something that clearly is not sustainable!

The most recent paste extract test has shown a marked decrease in sodium.

At this point you may be asking yourselves why I am telling you things you things you already know. Here is why:  During my most recent (annual consultants visit), he stated that the golf course is in the best condition he has ever seen it in, and that the depth of rooting was surprising and showing great signs of improvement. In the very next breath he recommended that I discontinue the use of the natural organics that I have been using and move to urea. I find it laughable that they recommend that I discontinue the programs that have brought about these great changes for something that clearly is not sustainable!

I just thought you guys would get a kick out of this. Thanks for fighting the good fight.”

So I really don’t get it! Twenty plus years of success stories like this and still the conventional wisdom is that it doesn’t work!

This is not the first call of this sort over the years. A few years back a superintendent told me that his consultant told him that he has been coming to this golf course for twenty years and he had never seen the place this good. He had been following a pretty strong EW program, 5-4-5 wall to wall… and doing all of his soil testing with Logan Labs and then after a two hour ride around with nothing but accolades the tone changed. When they sat down in the office the superintendent brought out his soil tests and program (that helped to produce these accolades) and as soon as the consultant saw his program his quick response was “Oh we don’t believe in that…”

I give up! Carbon Based Fertilization, Biological Soil Management and Base Saturation works. We wouldn’t be here if it didn’t!

By the way, most everyone managing turf fights both sodium and bicarbonate problems that can lead to localized dry spot and wilt issues.

Check out our Kick Rinse In Program it really does work.