Product Application
Existing Landscapes
New Landscaping Projects
Other Questions
Product Application
How do you apply your products?
You apply John and Bob's GrowGreen Optimizer, Maximize and Nourish like you would apply fertilizer, but because of their concentration, you use much less. Just throw the granular mixes by hand, or use a whirlybird or a drop fertilizer spreader. Be sure to sweep or blow excess product off paved surfaces to avoid staining from the iron. For Permeate, the only product applied in a liquid form, simply spray with a hose-end sprayer. It's that easy.
How often do I need to apply your products?
For significant, long term changes in your soil's physical make up and health, applications every 6 months, or just twice a year, is all it takes. The longer you follow this regimen, the healthier your soil becomes.
What is the best time of year to start applying your products?
John and Bob's GrowGreen products start working immediately so the best time to apply is as soon as possible. The products need to be watered in to activate them and carry them into root zones. If irrigation is available, you can apply any time of the year. If you are going to rely on rainfall, then you should apply just before the rainy season. It is not advisable to apply over a blanket of snow.
How much time does it take problem soil to fully recover to its ideal state using the full four part system?
The exact time required for soil to recover to an ideal state isn't possible to specify because "ideal" is subjective. Our products start working immediately and the first improvements are noticeable after about two months. Improvements are ongoing and cumulative with continued applications. Production of nutrients, and creation and maintenance of complex microbial life (providing for pest and disease defense) is never ending. Over time, the soil is impacted at deeper and deeper levels. Also, variations in regional and individual soil make for differences in results.
Can I use your products with the Miracle-Gro I just applied?
Yes, our products work great with Miracle-Gro or other synthetic fertilizers, helping to build the soil in ways they don’t. In fact, one way to look at it is, if you have been using synthetic fertilizers for some time, you are in even greater need of John & Bob's GrowGreen System. For long term soil health, we do recommend using a good organic fertilizer with our products.
How long or how many applications of the John & Bob's system are required to modify soil PH to neutral?
There's no exact time that can be calculated for adjusting PH back to neutral because there are too many associated variables and complexities. The best and fastest way to improve and maintain optimum PH levels is by building and maintaining micro-biologically active soil. Simply put: applications every six months gradually move the PH in the right direction and this can be verified with regular soil testing.
Does your Penetrate product correct pet urine spots on grass?
Penetrate's ability to amend pet urine spots on lawns is something we have not yet tested but antidotal information suggests that this product may help in many cases. If your pet's activities have resulted in burned spots on your lawn, that's one more reason to give Penetrate a try!
Existing Landscapes
I've just had new sod laid on my yard and now realize that the soil underneath isn't very good. Do I have to remove the sod to improve the soil?
The perfect way to use John and Bob's GrowGreen products is to apply them on top of the soil right before you lay the sod. Or, if the sod is already down, apply on top of the grass as package directions outline. Then continue to condition your soil every 6-12 months by applying them over the top of your grass. This should be done right after a mowing to minimize the possibility of picking up granules with the mower before they begin to break down and dissolve.
We have a lot of bark mulch in our landscaping. Would we need to rake the bark back, apply your soil products and then rake bark back around plants?
Ideally, John and Bob's GrowGreen products would be applied before bark mulch was added, but that's not essential. The goal is to get the product into the soil and since it is water soluble (slowly, over time), that will happen eventually whether it is applied under or over the bark. A major appeal of this product line is that you can continue to improve your soil on an ongoing basis without a lot of hassle. The other amazing aspect is that a little covers such a large area. Applied as directed, just 3lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. or 1 cup for 180 square feet, is sufficient. Have faith, it really is an effective and convenient product - you will be impressed.
Should I use standard soil amendments (compost, redwood) with your products?
The idea behind John and Bob's GrowGreen Smart Soil Products is that you don't need bulky amendments such as compost or redwood. Our product line is more effective, less expensive, and much more convenient. That's because of the miracle of zillions of soil micro-organisms that allows organic matter to fundamentally change soil. So no, other soil amendments aren't necessary.
If I use your product, do I need to change my usual fertilizer, especially weed and feed for roses?
Our product line is compatible and effective with all fertilizers, weed killers, etc. However, organic products, such as John and Bob's GrowGreen Nourish organic fertilizer, work better with our natural products. We don't recommend traditional fertilizers such as ammonia sulfate or Miracle Gro because these products feed plants but damage the soil by killing valuable soil micro-organisms. Over time you need more and more chemical fertilizer to keep things looking healthy. Also, you'll gradually be creating an environment, because of damaged soil and overly succulent growth, where pests and diseases are more prevalent.
The better approach is to feed and build the soil - not the plants - so that you need less fertilizer and water over time, and experience fewer pest and disease problems.
My garden has fungus growth; how can I control this?
The most effective way to prevent and/or defeat fungus is to build your soil with a complex mix of beneficial micro-organisms including fungi, aerobic bacteria, protozoa and beneficial nematodes. While the traditional way to treat problem fungus is to spray with a fungicide, this isn't recommended because it kills both good and bad micro-organisms and leaves soil deficient of nature's mechanisms to fight future bad fungus. This approach would almost guarantee a reoccurrence of the problem again next year.
Good fungi are much stronger than bad; they'll either out-compete or eat or kill the bad fungus. Good fungi also have other important roles in your soil, mainly capturing and storing nutrients so these can be used by tomatoes and other garden plants. OPTIMIZE, PENETRATE, and MAXIMIZE will infuse your soil with these necessary beneficial micro-organisms and with food for these natural pest and disease fighters. Our new Nature's Soil Solutions Kits are the best value for this trio of products.
New Landscaping Projects
I'm not very patient. What's the fastest way to begin to see results in the new landscape
I'm about to create?
For new projects, we recommend the following: at the beginning, before any fine grading, trenching for sprinklers or similar activities, apply a starter application of Soil Optimizer, Permeate and Maximize to all landscape areas. Then install sprinklers, grade and plant. When you are almost done and your plants are in, but your turf hasn't yet been planted, apply another application of Optimizer right on top of your finished grade. Finally, add a good organic fertilizer such as Nourish. With this approach, John and Bob's GrowGreen products will be working throughout the soil profile rather than at just one level. This is the very fastest way to see results.
I'd like to start a vegetable garden but my red clay soil isn't very good. Can I apply your products to my soil rather than adding dozens of bags of potting soil?
Yes, that's what makes this product line so special! The key to changing that red clay is repeat applications, about every 6 months. After each application your soil will improve a little. Over time you'll see a marked difference. John and Bob's GrowGreen products will transform your clay soil better and much more conveniently than dozens of bags of potting soil.
Can I use your products to improve the soil in my containers?
Yes, this is a great idea, especially if your pots, baskets and window boxes contain soil that's been used for several seasons. Because containers are often densely planted, a concentrated, time release quality organic fertilizer like Nourish is also recommended to keep all those hungry plants in prime condition throughout the entire growing season.
Other Questions
Will my plants be injured if your products are sprinkled or sprayed on the leaves?
No, don't worry about that. All our natural, organic products are safe for use around established landscapes and won't cause any hart to your favorite plants. And there's no need to be concerned about using John and Bob's GrowGreen products around pets either.
How long can I store your products without them losing effectiveness?
John and Bob's GrowGreen products can be stored indefinitely as long as they don’t get wet. For PENETRATE, store the two bottles as they are, with the contents separated. Once you mix these two components biological activity begins and the resulting blend should be used promptly. Also, once NOURISH Biosol is opened, it should be used within 3-4 months. We have seen mold growth when not used within that time. The mold is not harmful, but we would prefer to avoid it.
I purchased your Soil Optimizer last year, applied it as directed and don't see any difference in my red clay soil. Is it working?
Soil Optimizer won't change the outward appearance of the soil with one application, but you will notice an improvement in plant performance, water percolation, etc. Also, if you dig down into the soil you'll notice an increase in life, such as earthworms in the soil.
John and Bob's GrowGreen Soil Optimizer contains food for helpful soil micro-organisms, such as bacteria and beneficial fungi, and it is this life that is the key factor in soil health. That is why the concentrated organic matter in Soil Optimizer fundamentally changes soil, not because of its physical presence but because over time as it decomposes and attracts all kinds of life to the soil - some you can see, some you can't. This life changes soil for the better in every way; better water percolation, better moisture retention, better availability of nutrients and micro-nutrients to plants, and more.
I ordered your Soil Optimizer, used it and like the results. But is seems a little expensive. How do the costs of your products compare to other options?
Well, let's do the math. If you buy a Nature's Gardening Kit which includes Soil Optimizer, Liquid Biotiller, Microbes & Minerals and Nourish fertilizer in the 1,000 square foot size, that's less than $80 to condition your soil. Use it twice a year as recommended and that's a total of just under $160 per year and an investment of less than 2 hours of your time.
If instead you choose a bulky soil additive like compost, you'll have to buy about 56 1.5 cubic foot bales, totalling about $400 for a single application. You'll need to load those bales, transport them from the store, unload them, split them and spread the contents around your yard with a wheel barrow and shovel. That's a lot more money and way more work.
For the best value, buy John and Bob's GrowGreen products in larger size bags and kits. But in any size these products are excellent values, are fast and easy to apply, are good for the environment and can be delivered right to your door step.
I'd like to use your products commercially. Who do I talk with about purchasing larger quantities?
For commercial quantities of our products, please call us at 559-291-4419. We'd be happy to help you figure out the quantities needed for your projects and provide a price quote.
I see most of your retailers are on the West Coast - do you products only work in certain parts of the country?
No, John & Bob's GrowGreen Solutions products work very well in all parts of the country. We are located in California and much of our current retail distribution network is in the west, but expanded distribution efforts are underway. You can hurry the process along by asking your local garden center to carry our line of products! |
