Nitrogen uptake by plants is completely dependent on its proportion to carbon in the soil yet fertility programs are normally written without consideration to carbon. Nutrients PLUS now offers programs that include a column for carbon containing organic matter right alongside N, P, and K as it is applied over the course of the year. In turfgrass maintenance, we have always had an annual benchmark for nutrients to guide us - why not organic matter?

"We recommend applying about 15 lbs per 1000 sq ft which is 650 pounds of organic matter per acre and an amount equivalent to 1.5 tons of manure in wet tons. These topically applied organic additions are significant because we need to stimulate the soil biology, a biomass weighing 2-6 tons by total volume from an acre furrow slice. Modifying the physical structure of the soil requires much higher volumes of organic matter that may not be necessary. The results you will see from these new topically applied fertilizer applications will be outstanding and the beneficial microbes will love you for it!