One Approach. Entire Property.
Biological Soil Management: Where Better Turf Begins
EarthWorks has been championing Biological Soil Management (BSM) for nearly 40 years, long before soil-first strategies gained widespread industry attention. Simply put, build a healthier soil environment and the soil will do the work for you.
EarthWorks provides a fully integrated line of granular and liquid fertilizers specifically designed to feed soil microbes. Mineral-dense granular products (lbs/1000) supply substantial food sources, while versatile liquid formulations (oz/1000) deliver multiple forms of readily available carbon to support microbial activity.
Feed the soil, and the soil will feed the plant.
What is Biological Soil Management?
Biological Soil Management focuses on improving soil biology so turf performs better with fewer inputs. When soil microbes are properly supported, they help convert nutrients into plant-available forms, stabilize growth, and reduce stress on the plant.
The Foundation: Balance the Soil
Soil functions best when three components work together:
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Biology
Many traditional programs emphasize chemistry alone, but biology is what ultimately drives nutrient availability and plant health.
Why Carbon Matters
Microbes require available carbon as an energy source. Without it, microbial activity slows and soils become increasingly dependent on synthetic fertilizers.
Providing carbon-based fertility helps:
- Feed microbial populations
- Improve nutrient cycling
- Create more consistent growth
- Eliminate the highs and lows of traditional fertility programs
Biological Soil Management Starts with the Right Products
Biological Soil Management isn't a single product. It's a complete soil-first system built around carbon-based fertility.
EarthWorks products work together to feed soil biology while supplying balanced nutrition.
EarthWorks Replenish Granular Fertilizers
- Feed the soil. Grow better turf.
- Carbon-rich nutrition for lasting performance.
- Supports biology, roots, and resilience.
EarthWorks Foliars+ Liquid Fertilizers
- Immediate response. Long-term results.
- Carbon-powered plant and soil nutrition.
- Promotes stronger roots and healthier turf.
A More Sustainable Approach
Biological Soil Management uses soil testing to guide nutrient balance while creating conditions where microbes can thrive. As biology strengthens, the soil begins to supply more of what the plant needs naturally.
Stronger Soil. Smarter Turf. Better Results.
Biological Soil Management is a proven, long-term agronomic strategy that empowers turf managers to:
• Use fewer inputs, less labor and conserve water
• Strengthen turf stability and plant turgidity
• Develop resilient soils with deeper rooting
• Naturally reduce thatch accumulation
• Produce healthier turf with greater stress tolerance
The outcome: a more predictable, efficient, and sustainable turf system.
Frequently Asked Questions About Biological Soil Management
Biological Soil Management (BSM) is a soil-first approach to growing healthier, more resilient turf. Rather than focusing solely on feeding the plant, BSM works to improve the soil environment by balancing soil chemistry, improving physical conditions, and supporting beneficial microbial activity. The result is more efficient nutrient cycling, stronger root development, and more consistent turf performance.
EarthWorks has been championing Biological Soil Management since 1988, helping turf professionals build healthier soils and more sustainable fertility programs.
Healthy soil supports healthy turf. Biological Soil Management creates conditions where beneficial soil microorganisms can thrive, helping release nutrients, break down organic matter, and support plant growth.
By addressing the soil conditions behind common turf problems, BSM can help improve rooting, nutrient efficiency, moisture management, and recovery from environmental stress. The goal is turf that performs more consistently throughout the growing season.
EarthWorks describes soil health as a three-legged stool consisting of chemistry, physics, and biology. All three must work together for soil to function effectively.
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Chemistry: Nutrient availability, mineral balance, and pH.
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Physics: Soil structure, compaction, and the movement of air and water.
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Biology: Microorganisms that help cycle nutrients, decompose organic matter, and support plant health.
Biological Soil Management considers all three components, with special emphasis on creating an environment where soil biology can flourish.
Carbon is an essential energy source for soil microorganisms. These microbes play an important role in breaking down organic materials and cycling nutrients into forms plants can use.
Carbon-Based Fertility supplies available carbon sources along with plant nutrients to support both soil biology and turf growth. EarthWorks incorporates carbon-rich ingredients into its granular and liquid fertilizers to help feed the soil while nourishing the plant.
Feed the soil, and the soil will feed the plant.
Yes. One of the primary goals of Biological Soil Management is to improve nutrient efficiency so turf managers can potentially reduce their dependence on fertilizer and other inputs over time.
As soil conditions improve and biological processes become more effective, nutrients can be cycled more efficiently, helping deliver consistent growth without relying solely on repeated fertilizer applications.
The goal isn't simply to use less fertilizer. It's to get more value from every application while maintaining high-quality turf.
Biological Soil Management supports the microbial activity responsible for decomposing organic matter, including dead roots and other materials that contribute to thatch accumulation.
By improving soil structure, rooting, and biological activity, BSM can also support better water infiltration and moisture management. Results depend on soil conditions, turf species, and management practices, but healthier, more biologically active soils can contribute to more efficient water use and reduced thatch accumulation.
No. Biological Soil Management doesn't mean eliminating conventional fertilizers or abandoning proven agronomic practices.
Instead, BSM emphasizes understanding soil conditions and using fertilizers more efficiently. Traditional nutrients still play an important role, but they are incorporated into a broader strategy that supports soil biology, balances mineral nutrition, and improves long-term soil function.
The objective is to build a more complete and efficient fertility program.
Soil testing is the starting point for an effective Biological Soil Management program. It helps identify nutrient levels, mineral imbalances, and conditions that may be limiting turf performance.
EarthWorks uses soil testing to help turf professionals understand what's happening beneath the surface and develop recommendations based on their specific conditions.
Instead of simply reacting to visible turf problems, soil testing helps identify potential underlying causes and guides more informed fertility decisions.
Conventional fertility programs often focus primarily on supplying nutrients to the plant. EarthWorks takes a broader approach by considering the chemistry, physics, and biology of the soil.
Since 1988, EarthWorks has developed Carbon-Based Fertility products, soil testing programs, and agronomic education around the principles of Biological Soil Management.
Our goal is not simply to sell fertilizer. It's to help turf professionals understand their soil, solve turf problems, improve nutrient efficiency, and build more consistent, sustainable programs.
The best place to start is by understanding your soil.
An EarthWorks agronomist can help you evaluate soil testing results, identify potential limitations, and develop a fertility program suited to your property and turf management goals.
With a complete line of carbon-based granular and liquid fertilizers, professional agronomic support, and educational resources, EarthWorks helps turf managers put Biological Soil Management into practice.
Better soil. Stronger roots. More consistent turf.