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By Working in Concert with Nature, Superintendent Brian Sarvis Limits Synthetic Product Use, Reduces Spending and Achieves Fantastic Results

October 2nd, 2008

The philosophy we use to guide our efforts here is based upon doing everything we can to enhance the natural processes of plant growth. Some of the long standing, traditional methods used throughout the agricultural world get results by overwhelming that system rather than by working within it. In some ways, we are putting a square peg into a round hole; if you use enough force it will fit, but it isn’t the most efficient way to go about it.

It has been documented that a significantly high percentage of active ingredients within granular fertilizer will never be accessible to the plant, which means we have long been paying for product we know is not being utilized. There are now available more cost effective organic options to the synthetics our industry has come to rely on but in many ways can no longer afford. As a turfgrass manager, my responsibility is to maximize results while keeping expenditures as low as possible, so we are transitioning that way.

As an individual concerned with the environment, I believe it is important to consider what happens to the chemicals we spray after they have been applied. That is what has impressed me as different about Geoponics as a company. Unlike most salesmen that come in and focus on results, their representatives spent time discussing how their products are designed with the environment in mind. I’m not the type to jump right in when it comes to the “next big thing,” but my interest was piqued, so I did some research. Once all my questions had been answered, I was comfortable to try some of their Earth Chemistries,™ specifically the Agriox and Penterra soil treatments.

But my main focus currently is on the role that carbon plays in plant health, which is why we are so intrigued by Carbotein and its various uses. The labor related benefits of working with a foliar are well known, but the potential savings of moving away from granular have not been very widely evaluated. We have seen some very promising results so far, enough so that we’re planning on purchasing in bulk next season, which will lower our cost per acre even more. It isn’t my personality to discuss our approach publicly, but I am more than willing to speak with anyone that has an interest in developing a more naturalistic fertility program.

Brian Sarvis
River Hills Golf & County Club
Little River, SC

Entry Filed under: Stabilized Aeration, Testimonials, Turfgrass Care and Maintenance