Humic Acids: Help For Poor Soils
Humic acid (H/A) is one of the most important components of organic matter. It is an
organic bio-stimulant that contains three very important components: Humic Acids,
Fulvic Acids and Humin. It has many uses and has become very popular in organic
lawn care and organic gardening. However, few people really know what it is or
what it does.
Humus allows soil organisms to feed and reproduce, and is often described as the "life-force" of the soil.
Humus has been referred to as “the most important source of human wealth on
this planet”. Humus is dark colored, mostly decomposed organic matter that
remains after plant or animal residues have bio-degraded or composted. It can
occur naturally or it can be created intentionally with good gardening/agricultural
practices.
Aside from helping improve soil structure, Humus is a virtual storehouse
for both micronutrients (trace elements) and essential macronutrients – nitrogen,
phosphate, and potassium. Humus is loaded with beneficial biolife as well.
The importance of humus is not a recent discovery. Soil fertilization in early
agricultural practices was based on the recycling of organic -vegetable, animal
and human- waste. It can be said that the organic matter content of a soil
generally determines both the quality and fertility of that soil.
Since all organic matter eventually bio-degrades to Carbon, the amount of available Carbon
is another way to measure the quality of a soil. Carbon can be added to soils directly. In fact,
it has been recently determined that the super rich, humus-laden soils of the Amazon Basin
know as Terra Preta (dark soil) are actually man-made soils containing carbon-rich charcoal
along with animal manures, fish residues well as pottery shards.
The soils that will benefit the greatest are those low in organic matter, such as
clay or sandy soils. Products that have the highest concentrations of humic acids
will provide the most benefit. Be aware that many products sold have very low
concentrations that will provide little noticeable effect.
Humic Acid Benefits
Increases the nutrient holding capacity of the soil.
Improves fertilizer utilization by “chelating” nutrients, which puts them into a more
absorbable form.
Increases and enlarges root systems and promotes plant cell division.
Improves the growth of various groups of beneficial micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi,
earthworms, etc.).
Helps aerate and bioactivate soils by changing soil properties.
Adds carbon.
Reduces transplant shock.
Aids in correcting plant chlorosis, loss of the normal green coloration of leaves
caused by iron deficiency.
Improves germination rates of seed.
Soil / Farm Apply 1-2 gals. HUMIC ACID with sufficient water to
cover per 1 acre. Broadcast directly onto soil at pre- planting. For best results
incorporate into the top 1-2 inches. It is not necessary to use more than 1
gallon per acre twice a year Spring and Fall application.
Turf Grass / Garden Soil Apply 1 quart per 5000 square feet.
(Commercial Turf application at 2% solution mix.) Apply directly after a dry
fertilizer application.
Gardens / Potted Plants / Trees / Shrubs Mix 2-3 oz to each
gallon of water. Apply solution around root zone of existing plants: Water in
just enough to soak the root zone (up to 4 inches for most.) Apply as often
as every 2 weeks.
Foliar Spray Mix 1-2 quart. HUMIC ACID with sufficient water to cover, per
acre. Mist tops and bottoms of leaves. Moisten only to the point of run-off (Use a minimum of 5 gallons of water).
Dog Spot Aid / Prevention — Lawn Detox Initially apply heavily
at 1½ oz per 100 sf or 12 oz per 1000 sf. After applying give the lawn a good
watering to move the Humic Acid into the root zone. Apply again in 3 weeks
at 1 oz per 100 sf or – 6 oz per 1000 sf and water in. Then apply every 6
weeks at the 1 oz per 100 sf or 6 oz per 1000 sf.
Lawns: Humate soil conditioner can be applied to a lawn any time of year on a lawn.
We often apply humate to lawns the last week of May or first week of June (prior to the
summer heat)
Seeding Lawns: Any time when seeding a lawn, humate is proven to increase seed germination.
Lawn Aeration: After aeration, humate will get deeper into the soil and stimulate microbial activity in the soil
at a deeper level.
Garden Planting: Humic acid can be applied in granular form as a soil amendment when you plant
or transplant.
Watering Garden: You can add it in liquid form to your watering can.
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