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Can I use your products to improve the soil in my containers?

Question: The soil in my containers is old and lifeless. I want to give it a boost! Can I use your products to improve the soil in my containers? Answer: 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.

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Do I have to remove the sod to improve the soil?

Question: 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? Answer: 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.

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How can I repair my alkaline soil?

Question: My soil is really alkaline -- too much so, my plants turn yellow. What product or products do you suggest to adjust the PH? Lisa Answer: Lisa, The best way to dramatically and permanently lower ph is with complex microbial soil life-- beneficial bacteria, fungi, protozoa and good nematodes. John & Bob's GrowGreen Smart Soil Solution Kit called Nature's Gardening Kit has OPTIMIZE-Soil Optimizer, MAXIMIZE-Microbes & Minerals, PENETRATE-Liquid Biotiller, and NOURISH Biosol and using all four is the best approach. If your ph is 8.5 or less, then you can apply them all at once. If it is more than 8.5, then you should apply the OPTIMIZE and NOURISH Biosol only and leach your soil to lower the ph a little. The reason is the live organisms in the other two products will die if they are place into extremely salty soil. This treatment will be very effective and then continue applications every 6 months. John

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How can I repair my sandy soil?

Question: What product do you recommend to break through the hardpan below the sandy soil? I am going to plant a grapevine in this spot. Richard Answer: I recommend you use PENETRATE-Liquid Biotiller, MAXIMIZE-Microbes & Minerals, OPTIMIZE-Soil Optimizer and NOURISH-Biosol. If that layer is hard compacted clay or anything like that, these products will work great. If it is genuine, real hardpan, which is the same as concrete or rock, then the products will not have a beneficial effect. The only way to change real hardpan is to drill through it.

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How can I restore my poorly-drained soil?

Question: I have heavy sticky clay soil here in Williamsburg, VA and my yard has standing water for several days after a rain and then soft muddy areas. Will your product quickly assist in drainage and can it be applied at any time of year? Thanks, Rick Answer: Rick, Our products will go to work immediately and start improving everything about your soil (tilth, porosity, workability, moisture retention, etc.). Our universal formula that works on all soils everywhere involves the use of soil microbes, attractants for microbes and food for microbes. Complex soil life is the fastest, most permanent and most convenient way to fundamentally change your soil. You ask if we can improve your soil "quickly" and that depends on your definition of "quickly." There will be gradual, steady improvement with our recommended every 6 month applications. You will see minor improvement after 2 months and then the changes continue as long as you apply every 6 months. After 1 year the changes should be more than minor, particularly regarding water penetration and plant health. I think you will be impressed, but it is not magic---it is gradual and takes a little time. Thank you for your interest! John

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How long will it take to repair my clay soil?

Question: I have a clay soil (So Cal.) and want to know how many applications typically does it takes to penetrate to a depth of one foot and achieve a noticeable softening? Jeff Answer: Jeff, I would use the PENETRATE and MAXIMIZE and NOURISH with it for fastest and best results. I seem to get changes in layers about 3" at a time and those incremental changes occur about every 6-12 months. Make sure you are growing something in the area also. Plant growth is an important part of changing the soil. John

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John and Bob’s Soil Life Infusions: Small Amounts, BIG Results

John and Bob’s Soil Life Infusions: Small Amounts, BIG Results

 We often receive questions about the quantity of product needed for successful soil life infusion, and the answer is - less than you would think!  Here’s why -  John & Bob’s Soil Optimizer is formulated around the concept of very small amounts providing powerful and previously unheard of benefits. Calculate how little you need for your garden based on our recommended rates and you will be amazed! It is a concentrated and comprehensive, blended approach to organic soil nutrition.  Greenhouse research and field trials have documented that plants respond more positively to iron with soluble concentrated humus than to soluble concentrated humus or iron alone. Researchers have found that soluble concentrated humus is an inexpensive chelating (collecting) agent that makes iron more mobile in the soil and within plants. Soluble concentrated humus offers the best solution because it is of ideal chelating strength and is one of the very few organic chelating agents that remain in the soil for long periods of time. When soil pH is above 6.0, inorganic forms of iron are insoluble and immobile. Only organically complexed forms of iron are soluble and mobile enough to support a plant’s needs. Once iron enters the plant it doesn’t move well. This is why newer leaves exhibit chlorosis symptoms more than older leaves. Yields can be severely reduced because iron plays such a crucial role in chlorophyll synthesis.  We have been stunned by the ability of John and Bob’s to, in effect, unleash iron and cure ill or underperforming plants. We believe this is, in part, because the soluble concentrated humus in John and Bob’s collects rich iron, improving its availability for plants. Soluble concentrated humus is nature’s way to complex iron. Studies conducted on permanent crops using radio isotope labeled iron showed that soluble concentrated humus moved iron through vascular tissues into leaves under conditions where iron alone did not move in the plant. Soluble concentrated humus has an ideal balance of chelate strength, plant mobility, soil durability and cost, and is one of the star performers in our synergistic blend. John and Bob’s improves iron uptake and translocation, resulting in dramatically better chlorophyll density (greener, healthier plants). John and Bob’s treated plants photosynthesize faster and grow faster than non treated plants. As a result, nearly all plant functions are enhanced and plant performance is optimized, resulting in better yields, lusher appearance, less disease and decreased dependence on chemical fertilizer.   REAL Before & After Photos from John & Bob's users! The homeowners used Blend, Penetrate & Nourish-Biosol to rectify their dry grass and plants, treat bad fungi, & promote growth in all plants.                                                                  Want to see this yard transform before your eyes? Watch our YouTube Video linked below, and visit our Youtube channel for all your gardening needs.       

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