Biological Gardening...Beyond Organic | News and Tips | RMBA

Conventional herbicides are incredibly effective. They are also highly toxic to humans, animals, and the microorganisms that make soil healthy. The most common non-selective (kills all types of plants) herbicide is glyphosate, the active ingredient in Round Up. Across the world, the dangers of glyphosate are being acknowledged, most herbicides are switching to a nearly identical compound that may have the same issues. Since the dangers of conventional herbicides are well documented, organic alternatives are increasingly attractive. FiNALSAN is a highly effective, non-persistent, all natural,  incredibly efficient, OMRI listed weed killer. Finalsan works, it kills and suppresses many common annual,...

Cutting down on harmful chemicals used in lawn maintenance is one of the best actions to build healthy, microbe rich soil at home. However, lawns often experience infestations by broad leaf weeds like dandelions or thistles. Synthetic lawn weed killers often include 2,4-D, which is highly toxic to weeds, using amine compounds to selectively kill plants, but sticks around in the soil and interferes with microbial activity--leading to long term harm. Hand weeding is the safest and most natural option, but in thick turf it is backbreaking work, and while some of the weeding tools available today work well, there...

Granular Humic Acids from Rocky Mountain Bio Ag is a processed humic substances blend sourced from a lignite deposit in the American Southwest.  The source is noted to be naturally high in fulvic acids as compared to other lignite sources due to repeated natural oxidization of the material through geological and climatic conditions

Growing plants is a simple affair, with a complex set of options. On one hand, gardening is a simple as putting a seed in the ground, and watching a plant grow. Those more experienced hands know that there is a lot more to the process of growing plants than setting a seed and walking away: The soil must be constructed correctly; there needs to be the right balance of nutrients for a plant's various growing stages; soil microorganisms need to be present and managed for the best results; watering needs to happen at the right time and in the correct...

In the late winter, or early spring, turf grasses in cool and cold climates begin to add new growth, both in the root zone, and the leaves. This consumes the available sugars, leading to a need for spring inputs. A proper slow release fertilizer or a biotic that nurtures the food web is essential to support grasses during this period of early growth. A novel approach to support both the grasses and the soil food web is an early foliar application of a product that can get sugars to the plant at this crucial time. Quantum Growth Organic Light is a biological inoculant that contains 'R. palustris', a bacteria capable of producing valuable sugars through photosynthesis. Early application of this product may support healthy growth, and a decreased need for early season feeding. This applications should take place in the late winter where snow cover is not persistent. If the lawn is in a climate where snow cover persists into the spring, an application of Quantum Growth Organic Light as soon as the snow melts could provide the same benefit.