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Do we need to move our bark mulch before applying your product?

Question: 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? Answer: 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, 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.

How do the costs of your products compare to other options?

Question: 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? Answer: Well, let's do the math. If you buy a Nature's Gardening Kit which includes Soil Optimizer, Penetrate Liquid Bio-Tiller, Maximize Microbes and 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 for 1,000 feet, totaling 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.

How do we apply your product?

Question: Hi - just got our stuff. Is there a chart or instructions on what to put down first, 2nd, etc -- the play book for the lifeless soil would be really helpful. Thanks, Christie. Answer: Christie, You can apply products in any order and at any interval. It's great to apply all at the same time, but if you want to wait in between applying each product, that's fine too. It is OK to mix all the granular products (OPTIMIZE, NOURISH Biosol, MAXIMIZE) together and apply all at once. If you do this, you need to apply all that you mix, it can only be stored if the products are kept separate, just as they came from us. My preference would be to apply all the dry products first and then apply the PENETRATE last. After you apply the PENETRATE don't disturb the soil for several days. But that isn't essential, just a slight preference on my part. Thank You, John

How long can I store your products?

Question: I applied your products, as directed, and ended up with some extra. How long can I store your products without them losing effectiveness? Answer: 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.

How long does the product stay on the soil?

Question: I put soil optimizer in flower beds and some lawn about a month ago and the product is still on top of the soil with daily watering. Is this normal? Rick Answer: That is exactly normal and is why applications are needed only every 6 months. OPTIMIZE breaks down very slowly so that the organic compounds are released gradually for about 6-8 months. You should continue to be able to see it for awhile and that is good. It works gradually and for a long period of time.

Should I use standard soil amendments with your products?

Question: I am used to adding compost and other additives to my garden every year. Should I use standard soil amendments (compost, redwood) with your products? Answer: 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 because of the billions of soil micro-organisms that fundamentally change the soil. So no, other soil amendments aren't necessary.

What is the shelf life?

Question: What is the shelf life of your products after they are opened, or not opened? Thanks, Dale. Answer: Dale, the products have excellent shelf life, but there is some variation from product to product. 1. OPTIMIZE will last the rest of our lives opened or unopened. 2. MAXIMIZE is equally durable and viable and will store indefinitely. 3. PENETRATE keeps a long time, but after one year, we noticed that the bacterial counts in Part B begin to decline slightly, so you get the most active product if you use it within one year, and of course, you need to keep 'A' and 'B' in separate containers. Once you mix them, there is virtually no shelf life and it should be used within 12 hours. 4. NOURISH-Biosol keeps for several years in an unopened bag (should be used within 5 years). Once you open it, you need to seal it well for storage and keep as dry as possible. If an open bag is not resealed and the NOURISH is exposed to moisture in the air, usually a mold will begin to grow on it and while it will still be useable, that is the first step to decreased viability. The three dry products, OPTIMIZE, MAXIMIZE and NOURISH can be mixed together and applied all at once for convenience, but they will not store for more than a few days in this mixed state. If you mix them together you need to apply them immediately. Thank you for your interest! John

What’s in your products?

Question: What’s in your products? Specifically, I know that the run-off on nitrogen and phosphate is bad for water. I really want to get my lawn looking better. I don't care about the typical beautiful lawn, because that takes too much water and I won't use products that are not environmentally friendly but, I need fertilizer. My soil is hard from lack of rain. I have sand at the sides of my house but the rest of the lawn is hard. I live in Norman, OK, if that tells you anything. Coleen Answer: Coleen, Our concept is we use nature's mechanism (beneficial soil microbes) for building soil that can create its own nutrients and can prevent or defeat every pest and disease. Its soil microbes that will grab and use natural nitrogen and phosphorous and potassium and not allow it to be leached through the soil. All the products are concentrated and convenient and contain the effective components of very high quality compost, which include either beneficial soil microbes, food for microbes or attractants for microbes. Our plant based organic fertilizer is unique in its source and effectiveness---it not only feeds plants as effectively as a synthetic, but is great at building the soil. I think you'd be impressed with the improvements in your Oklahoma soil when our soil improvement program is used. Thanks for your interest! John

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