KRAUTTER’S KORNER NEWSLETTER – SEPT 2016
The argument of chemical fertilizers versus organic fertilizers will continue to stir up a big debate. The problem is the true facts are clouded by the power of money to sway thinking on this subject. The sales of chemical fertilizers are over 40 billion a year while the sales of organic fertilizers are in the millions. The rich chemical companies have the power to sway University curriculum and Agriculture policies. I was taught at one of the top Agricultural Universities in the country the chemical way and after a long period of time of following and advocating their methods gravitated to the organic way. I learned through time, evaluation and trial and error that the organic way was the superior way plants grow. Once I realized this I went to an organic school, read and educated myself on Nature’s ways and experimented with different growing scenarios. In our greenhouses at Sprainbrook Nursery we converted our whole operation to growing our plants organically. We used an organic soil which we blend ourselves composed of a large mixture of different organic amendments.
Our theory is the larger the mixture the greater the effectiveness of the end product. Each natural ingredient adds something to the mix that might not be there if it were not present. We have learned through experience it is the mixture in organics that always makes the difference. Great composts are created by mixing a large mixture of materials into it. Kitchen wastes can be great. Great gardens that attract beneficial insects are a haven when large mixtures of different flowers are employed. So when we deal with organics our cardinal rule is the greater the mixture the greater the results. You will note in my book ’12 Steps To Natural Gardening’ I advocate alternating different organic fertilizers when applications are called for.
We stopped all chemical spraying using beneficial insects instead to control insect problems in our greenhouses. We used compost under our benches to provide an environment to perpetuate these insects. Prior to this time I sprayed the greenhouses every Friday night and since switching my operation over have not sprayed since. I came down with prostate cancer which the Doctors attributed to my spraying. The Agricultural inspector inspecting for insects and diseases on his yearly required visit to Sprainbrook was amazed at how clean our place was and couldn’t believe I never sprayed for 10 years. We fertilize with liquid organic fertilizers on a weekly basis and the results are astounding. Nature set up a system for us to follow and all we had to do was to follow and enhance it. Sustainable gardening is developing a food web that has all the life in the soil working together for the benefit of plant life.
When we add chemicals to the soil, we are adding an unnatural ingredient which contaminates our soils. We add to global warming by creating a chemical reaction that adds carbon to our atmosphere. When we use chemical fertilizers, we create feeding of plants like intravenously adding food to our body. We go directly to the roots of a plant with a chemical fertilizer causing absorption by the roots instead of going through the very complex system that takes place in the breakdown of organic products fed through symbiotic relationships to the roots of
the plant. I believe strongly that a chemical substitute for the real thing does not end up being the real thing. A pumped up forced system is not natures system. You need to understand the amazing things that take place in an organic soil. Aeration takes place when we have developed a strong active food web to develop. Once we try to alter Nature we upset the delicate balance that she has created for us and we change the nutrient value of food produced by a chemically grown plant. I believe a lot of the health problems we have in our country are created by the chemicals we use in growing our food. When we study these phenomena, we realize what is real and are amazed at the organic system that Nature supports.
When we try to short cut it through a chemical system, we are losing the true nutrient value that Nature provides us with. Unfortunately unless we can educate the public to this we will be facing increased problems in the future. Nature’s ways are the right ways and we need to separate this from the message the chemical companies send to us with all of their University funded studies backing their logic, favoring chemical farming and artificial mixes for greenhouse crop growing. We will need to separate fact from fiction and make the changes that support the natural way Nature intended us to grow healthy strong disease resistant plants.
This will only start with us educating our youth to the organic way. We need to educate the public that global warming is real and unless we change our ways and listen to the lessons of Nature we are propelling a path to disaster. Although we are already feeling changes in our climate it may not be a catastrophic change in our generation but it will be one in our children’s’ children generation. This brings it all back to my wifes favorite Native American proverb. ‘We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.
Krautter’s Year Round Organic Vegetable Garden Is the perfect example of the many educational lessons that Nature can teach us.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO
I am hopeful that you by now have bought my book and will read about and use the organic products and supplements I advocate. These are products that make a huge difference but may not be well known. These are products that we discovered and used as we made the switch to an organic approach. I want to leave you with this information because growing beautiful and healthy plants has always been my goal. They employ my tested theory the greater the mix the greater the results.
Fall is for planting. Heavy rains will bring moisture into our ground. Mother Nature is working for us and we need to take advantage and work with her. This is the time to of the year to get our gardens back into shape. Our feeding program features the use of Nature’s Source organic fertilizer and the results are quite amazing. Many landscapes can use a facelift. Take advantage of the favorable weather. Don’t let the value of your home deteriorate. Keep up with a neat, well-maintained piece of property. If you need help, contact Oscar who has taken over our landscape department. His telephone number is914-907-3352. We have some very large beautiful specimen shade trees still in the nursery. They are on sale at fifty percent off, at a tremendous bargain price.
ANNUALS
Those who watered adequately and followed our organic program reported great success. Plants grown organically tend to do exceptionally well because they are stronger and healthier and have developed a deeper root system. Dead-heading, weekly organic feeding with Nature’s Source organic fertilizer and light haircuts every week help keep plants strong and healthy. Fall is a new season and a new set of plants are available for the fall season. Add fall color to areas that are lacking. Make the season more beautiful. Having a beautiful yard and being part of Nature is more important than you may think.
PERENNIALS
Make sure you spend time cutting back, dividing, deadheading and weeding. Perennials will give you a lot more than you need to give them; but they do need care. Set aside some time to perform the necessary chores. Your perennial garden should be full of color at all times of the year. When it is lacking color, go to the Nursery and find what is in bloom and add it. Our recommendation for Perennial care this month is to feed with Nature’s Source organic liquid fertilizer or Neptune’s Harvest Fish and Seaweed Fertilizer.
VEGETABLES
More and more people are investing in vegetable gardens. We have raised a mixture of cool weather crops in small pots for the fall season. Since we have added Myke to our planting program, customers who have used it are reporting incredible results. Myke is the best thing that has come out in the past few years. It is filled with microbes that form a deep root system making plants thrive and survive through most anything. Some plants respond with fantastic results to Fish and Seaweed. The leafy crops in particular grow lush dark green leaves. Nature’s Source is a great liquid organic fertilizer stimulating flowering and eventually fruiting. Kelp is an incredible additive. My theory, the greater the mixture the greater the results, is being born out. . Mineral rock dust makes a huge difference by adding ingredients you cannot get in fertilizers. Those in the area who were getting my newsletter claimed that by following my program they were able to grow better vegetable crops than anyone in the area. It is very heartwarming to know that the formulas in my book make a difference. They are based on the principals I have discussed.
ROSES
Hang in there. The second flush of bloom is on its way. Keep up with my Organic Rose Program. Make sure any Ainfected fallen leaves are picked up and discarded, preventing spread of Black Spot spores. Recommendations for September are: feed roses with one cup of Plant-tone per bush and spray foliar Ecolizer EM every two weeks.
EVERGREENS TREES AND SHRUBS
This is the time of the year to rethink your outdoor living area. Overgrown foundation plants can be moved to the perimeter of the property and new lower plants should replace them. Remove plants that block the beauty of your home. Curb appeal is very important, adding to the value of your property. There are many homes in Westchester whose beauty is masked by overgrown plants. Make sure there is adequate screening for privacy on your property and that there is enough shade for your sitting areas and enough sun for your growing areas. There are many micro climates on your property and it is important to plant the right plant in the right location.
LAWNS
Lawns suffered during our period of excessive heat. Chinch-bug, crabgrass and weeds love the hot weather. Weeds were prolific and are able to gain a competitive advantage. With the cooler weather coming, grass should gain back its competitive edge. July and August are the most difficult times of the year for our northern grasses. Chinch bug and Grubs are major insect problems during the summer and early fall period. Those following our organic lawn program will have a well-fed lawn at this point and have fewer insect and disease problems as a result of growing stronger turf. In an organic lawn, microbes are doing their work breaking down organic material into a well-balanced food supply. Nematodes will control the grubs. The beauty of an organic lawn is that each year it becomes stronger, the roots go deeper and the grass is healthier.
This year a cooler August has left many of our lawns in better shape. Build on this by making our grasses even stronger. The Harvard study on lawns five years ago proved the organic lawn was superior. Harvard University has switched their lawn program to an organic one. The deeper root system Harvard University developed by following an organic lawn program proved to stand up to heavy foot traffic. In a healthy organic lawn, eventually your grass will become so thick it will crowd out all weeds and it will possess increased resistance that will ward off insect and disease problems. September is an important month for all lawn renovation. It is the month where re-seeding takes place to thicken the lawn. Particular emphasis should be placed in sections where weeds and crabgrass are trying to take hold. Where possible and as time permits, hand weed or hoe out the weeds and re-seed the bare areas. Where weeding or organic controls are not possible, add seed to the weedy areas so that grass can have a chance to germinate and compete. Over-seed the areas filled with weeds: sweep or rake the seed in so it comes in contact with soil: top dress these areas with Coast of Maine Black Earth top soil and broom or rake the soil so it lightly covers these seeds. Water these areas three times a day until the grass germinates. Remember crabgrass is an annual and will die with your first heavy frost. The formula for building a new lawn and renovating an old lawn I have included below. If your lawn is more than 50% weeds or your lawn lacks a good soil structure and is beyond rejuvenation, this is the time to build a new organic lawn. Timing is very important. . Aerating, re-seeding with a high quality resistant seed such as Black Beauty Ultra and fertilizing can go a long way to rebuilding your lawn.
September is a new growing season for grass, making it a great time to switch to our organic approach. Besides re-seeding in September and choosing the right grass seed for your location we recommend that you apply Jonathan Green Organic Lawn Fertilizer. Grass loves the cooler weather and with fertilization, grass will thicken up. With cool weather likely to continue, be on the lookout for mildew and other fungus problems. Do not water your lawn in the evenings as this will perpetuate the diseases. Below is our formula for building a new lawn and for rejuvenating an old lawn.
In summation, if your lawn looks good but you have a few bare spots, reseed these areas with the proper seed, cover the seed with a 1/8in. of top soil and water three times a day. If your lawn looks poor, and your soil structure is poor; it is time to build a new lawn. If your lawn looks poor but your soil structure is good follow the renovation program. . To grow a good lawn you need a good organic soil filled with microbes, earth worms and organic matter.
FORMULA FOR BUILDING A NEW LAWN
- To renovate an old lawn, I have developed a formula for you to follow. Cut your lawn slightly shorter just prior to this procedure to allow better contact to soil, but set your blades back to 3–3½ in. for the next cut.
- Rent an aerator. This will plug holes into your grass and bring oxygen down into the soil. It will open up areas for mycorrhizae and seed to enter.
- Apply gypsum at the rate of one bag per 1,000 sq. ft. Gypsum will break up heavy soils.
- Add Myke Turf to the soil. Myke Turf contains mycorrhizae fungi, which improve root development and plant vigor.
- Add Jonathan Green “Natural Beauty” Organic Lawn Food to supply the necessary nutrients.
- Add seed. For all difficult areas that have sun to part shade, I am recommending Black Beauty or Black Beauty Ultra at double the recommended rate. Black Beauty Ultra has blue grass added to its mixture. I am recommending the Black Beauty mixtures in my renovation program because they add genetically superior lawn grasses from three different families of grass that are bred to be drought and disease resistant. These grasses root deeply to reach available water underground. There are a lot of other great mixtures that have been developed. Pick the right grass seed mixture for the area. For shady areas, choose a grass seed such as Shady Nook. Remove lower branches on trees to allow more light in. There are many formulations of seed on the market. Study the ingredients and apply the right seed to the right location.
- Spread the grass seed and rake or broom it in so that the seed comes in contact with the soil.
- Top dress the area with 8 bags of topsoil per 1,000 sq. ft. Here again, rake or broom it in.
- Water your seed 3 times a day for five minutes. 10:00 a.m., Noon and 4:00 p.m.
- Continue to water on schedule for at least 10 days. This is the most important step. There are timers at the nursery that you can attach to your water spigot that will do this for you automatically.
FORMULA FOR RENOVATING AN EXIISTING LAWN
- On top of your existing lawn evenly spread 3 bales of peat moss, 2 bags of. Coir. 6 bags of Lobster Compost, 10 lbs. of Bio-tone Starter Plus and 2 bags of Penobscot mix per 1,000 square feet.
- Apply and evenly spread 50 pounds of lime per 1,000 square feet.
- Rent a rototiller. Make sure it is large enough to till to a depth of six or more inches. Till the area twice making sure the ingredients are well mixed into the soil. On small areas, hand digging can be done.
- Rough rake the lawn area to remove large rocks, clumps of weeds and to establish your desired grade.
- Apply Jonathan Green Humates evenly over the area. Adding mineral rock dust ‘Azomite’ at this time would be beneficial. Apply Myke for lawns evenly over the complete surface.
- Finely rake your area establishing the final seeding bed. Do not allow the prongs of your iron rake to penetrate too deeply into the soil and use the opposite side of the rake to develop a smooth bed.
- Seed your lawn using the proper seed mixture. Bring us details of your exposures and the lay of the land and we will advise you. Use a hand-held spreader and seed walking backwards.
- Lightly rake in the grass seed, covering it with only 1/8th of an inch of soil. Cover seed with a sterile Hay.
- Water the seed 3 times daily: 10AM, 12Noon and 4PM. Do this for three weeks until all the grass has germinated. Set yourself up with sprinklers and automatic timers.
- Cut the grass as soon as it is long enough to cut .
- 11.Follow our organic lawn Program which is listed in my book “12 Steps to Natural Gardening”.
- In summation, if your lawn looks good but you have a few bare spots, reseed these areas with the proper seed, cover the seed with a 1/8in. of top soil and water three times a day. If your lawn looks poor, and your soil structure is poor; it is time to build a new lawn or follow a strong renovation program. . To grow a good lawn you need a good organic soil filled with microbes, earth worms and organic matter.
PLANTS FEATURE
Chrysanthemums are perennials that represent the coming of the fall season. We have Ornamental cabbage and Kale.
HOUSE PLANTS
We will be carrying house plants this fall for the months of September, October and early November. We will be closing down this fall after Thanksgiving and opening up again in early March next year. I will keep you posted with my emails.
We still have lots of beautiful plants. Our bargains are in full swing and are tremendous. A stroll through the greenhouses is a delightful experience
SUMMER SPECIALS CONTINUE
Many Annuals will be in full bloom until Thanksgiving. They are a great value so don’t hesitate to buy them.
- Buy any 4 ½” annuals at half price.
- Buy a hanging basket and get a hanging basket free.
- Twenty percent off on all other plants or plant combinations.
With Sprainbrook’s fantastic summer bargains make your season twice as beautiful.
We stock a full line of organic supplies. We realize many of them are hard to get elsewhere but are important to our
