To you this refers to the maintenance fertilizers that you are applying. But we take it a step further. Our job here is to determine which elements are lacking and then decide which form of product would best fill that void.

Conversely, if an element is excessive, we then need to decide which elemental compounds will be created. Often these compounds 'tie up' needed nutrition in unavailable forms. Our challenge here is to see that all elements are provided and available.

This diagram illustrates the interrelationship of one element to another. By following the arrows you can see how an excess of one may cause a deficiency of another.

In addition to the normal NPK that you are applying, we also look at calcium, magnesium, sodium, and sulfur. In addition to these major elements we also address the minor elements of boron, iron, manganese, copper, and zinc.

This not only refers to items such as drainage, but also to capillary and air filled pore spaces. By providing USGA approved testing methods, we are able to provide physical testing to determine what areas need to be improved. For example, these tests can be used to determine if your topdress sands are properly matched to the greens mix.

Profiling is another valuable tool. This lets us see cross sections of the green from the top to the bottom. What better way to decide if the green is 'working' properly.

This example shows one method of profiling a green.

The other item we teach our clients is how applying fertilizers in the wrong ratios can alter the physical properties and slow the movement of water and air.

When we discuss biologicals we are generally referring to the bacteria and fungi in the soil.

Ok, did you hear the one about the mushroom that goes into the bar? Yeah, the bartender tells him 'we don't serve your kind in here'! The mushroom replies, 'why not? I'm a fungi'.

Ok, back to the biologicals. Our goal here is not to get out a microscope and start counting these little guys. More correctly, we want to make sure that we are providing the correct environment for them to proliferate. This means that water and air must move properly. Once this has been accomplished we may need to 'feed' the system to get it going. To accomplish this we will recommend one of the many 'bio-stimulants' that are on the market or simply show you how the use of simple sugars and humates can accomplish this task without spending a lot of money on 'bugs in a jug' technology.

So what's the bottom line here? Biologicals are generally, though not always, present in the system. However, through a lack of proper levels of air and water, as well as some nutritional elements, they have become sluggish or dormant. By increasing their activity we will see raw organic matter converted to humus and fed back to the turf.