Denny Mundell’s Fertigation Company Blog

I spend quite a bit of time focused on the landscape industry because that is what I know best.  But we have some great people in the agricultural side of our ‘organic fertigation’ equation, people such as Steve Brazeel, Steve Hagy, Dan Swiersz, and Blaine—people who have grown a variety of crops for years or are actively testing in field applications today.  I really can’t forget Don Morgan either, a gifted chemist who opened my eyes to the world of agricultural benefits by doing things properly.  I have witnessed great things in agricultural testing of natural and organic products—increased nutritional content in Sunkist Citrus, increased yields in organic Kona coffee, increased yields and dairy grade quality with major water reduction in alfalfa, wonderful onions and melons, etc.

My agricultural focus today is the possible imbalance in trade as more and more products are purchased abroad; and also being grown overseas.  I am not an ‘American—love it or leave it’ zealot, but rather let’s ‘love it and make it better’.  Cleaning up the U.S., saving water, increasing yields with higher nutritional value, and saving on fertilizer product costs is all now possible through organic farming with fertigation’s spoon feeding techniques.  Let me ask a rhetorical question, “Why would a person eat produce from another country where growing is done with water you would never drink?!”

We literally are tomorrow’s past so shouldn’t we always try to do things correctly at home-the good old US of A?

Tune in tomorrow to see how hamburgers create more pollution than a Hummer—really!

It has been often said that education is not a profitable venture; how does one put a monetary value on education?  Many of us have advanced degrees and, as any business owner knows, to advance your knowledge base in your given industry is critical to increased market acquisition and, more importantly, retaining and servicing your existing client base.  With evolving EPA regulations, water ordinances with restrictions and fertilizer application issues, one cannot have enough education today in our industry.

But if we, as industry professionals do not implement what we learn in an intelligent manner, results will be sketchy at best, and we have wasted our valuable ‘revenue creating time.’  I would like to suggest a short list that focuses on fertigation and its benefits-with knowledge and profits as the end result.

1. Relatively new industry to residential and commercial landscape made feasible by competitively priced natural and organic products.
2. In field training that provides problem solving benefits and savings from day one.  Well informed customers are your best customers, and they may be kept abreast of your advances while viewing their properties and experiencing cost savings.
3. Reduce labor, material, and water costs to yourselves will thereby influence bottom line profits while training is on-going.
4. Doing what is the ‘right thing’; comply with repeated requests for reduction of nitrogen and phosphorous pollution of our waterways, defuse water restriction issues, assists developers and homeowners in enhanced esthetics while saving water and being in compliance with Federal Clear Water Act with regards to runoff.

Fertigation is a new industry that is here to stay, if for no other reason than it mitigates runoff and saves fertilizer while spoon feeding.  Couple that with water savings as soils improve while natural feedings occur, a major reduction in labor as point irrigation becomes more popular and required, and you have a winning combination for education and increased profits.

Fertigation is not a panacea or a bandaid—it is a well thought out program of sustainable support for an industry and our customers.

I guess we need to answer a simple question, “Do we want to be an agent of change, or a victim of change?”  Education will most definitely assist in that change.

Often, in today’s world of ‘our’ modern environmental revolution, guilt is relied on heavily to create change.  Should action not be prompted by a single question, “Shouldn’t it be politically correct and wise to just do the right thing, whether global warming is a reality or not?”  Never give up preaching the word of water conservation and environmental protection.

A company that practices what it ‘preaches’ is ValleyCrest Companies, a landscape firm of over 10,000 employees that is always looking to the future.  Even with the current economic downturn, ValleyCrest has just purchased Scapes, a Georgia-based firm known for its horticultural expertise and doing things correctly.  This acquisition is in keeping with ValleyCrest’s intent to expand its southeastern operations.  Valley Crest, having their home office in Calabasas, California, is continuing to spread its influence and show exactly why they wield so much influence nationally.  ‘Scapes’ was founded in 1982 and has been recognized by the Professional Landcare Network and the Metro Atlanta Landscapes and Turf Association— Scapes, a quaint name, and a nice feather in the cap of  Valley Crest who cares and dares to be the best in the industry.

Having spent 13 years assembling teams in football and baseball that never had a losing season, it is extremely satisfying to see ‘pieces’ of the large picture of success come together.  A young pitcher throwing his first game at the varsity level, a new quarterback taking his first snap under center, and no matter what their individual talent level, what is the primary element that assures their success and that of the team?  The support system around each athlete that acts as a safety net for their development and success—just what ValleyCrest brings to any gifted company that steps into their lineup—congratulations to both companies and let’s fertigate!

Much of what is provided through fertigation and the use of natural and organic products involves our oceans. Dr. Maynard Murray suggested over 30 years ago, that ocean water contains a concentrated perfect balance of trace minerals in bioavailable form. Charles Walters, a leading naturalist, primarily in the field of agriculture, examines Murray’s theories and concurs in a book titled, “Fertility from the Ocean Deep.” The book provides amazing successes experienced by growers who have used his methods and outlines experiments and resulting technology currently accessible today. Obvious beneficial conclusions can be drawn from the hard data obtained in the field which conclusively demonstrates that sea-solids fertilization produces stress resistant plants, foods with ‘naturally’ extended shelf life and vastly increased nutritional levels!

A companion study I also found in “Sea Energy Agriculture” by Dr. Murray. In this book, Murray researched the critical importance of minerals—especially trace elements—to plants and animals. Murray used sea solids—mineral salts remaining after water is evaporated from ocean water—as fertilizer on trials for a variety of vegetables, grains, and fruit. Overwhelming evidence supports the findings that plants fertilized with sea solids had increased health, nutritional content and exceptionally more insect and disease resistance.

I have been using sea weed/sea kelp brand products to feed landscapes and crops for over eight years through fertigation, and although I am not a respected Ph.D., results have been exceptional. Results of healthy lawns, trees, shrubs and agricultural crops have allowed for a drastic reduction in herbicides and pesticides—not to mention, the conserving of water.

Now if we can just curtail the pollution of our oceans by mitigation of runoff, life will be good. Good time to repeat a well worn phrase when discussing fertigation, “The future is not something we enter, it’s something we create.” What will each of you be creating today as you fertilize and water?

Enjoy your Monday.

P.S. For strictly agricultural aficionados, “Food Power from the Sea”, by Lee Fryer and Dick Simmons, provides excellent documentation on the use of ocean products versus wasteful and unsustainable chemical fertilizer to extend growing seasons, increase yields, and protect crops from insects and disease. Not for everyone’s nightstand reading material, but I know a coffee grower in Hawaii who believes!

Dandelions are the most recognizable weed worldwide.  I remember my mom never allowed me to go to the empty lot and play sandlot pickup games of baseball until the lawn was dandelion free!  So my Pee Wee Herman beach cruiser with the large paper basket in the front and the two ‘saddle bag’ baskets on the back stayed put until no yellow weeds were in evidence anywhere!  (I truly believe my paper route gave me the best pitching arm and wrist action of any pitcher in Illinois—not my games in the sandlot!)

Lawn perfectionists often curse the bright yellow daisy—like weed from Europe while herbalists use it for a source of vitamins A, B complex, C and D, as well as iron, potassium and zinc; I’ve heard it makes great wine too.

Today’s blog is to suggest a natural solution to dandelions and the elimination of herbicides as a means of eradication.  As a kid growing up, my answer was mow them down with my trusty electric lawn mower—and wonder why more were in evidence the following week.  Problem is, the dandelion has a extensive tap root and produces 55 to 175 seeds per plant or 2,000 seeds per season.  A dandelion must be dug up in total or addressed nutritionally.  If I had dug up every dandelion I saw in my yard as a kid, my knees would have been permanently locked and today be unable to hold a baseball or football, let alone throw one.

So how does fertigation assist in the elimination of dandelions and their unsightly presence in your lawn you ask?  Dandelions grow in a soil that has little or no calcium and usually an excess of nitrogen.  Perfect, just what we all have done in our checkered landscape past—pour on the nitrogen for green and add costly herbicides for the weed family.  Realizing that the root of a single little dandelion plant is easily 3 feet deep, this little yellow dude has a much more invasive and resilient root system than your lawn!  You may control nitrogen content and calcium through organic blends available for fertigation—remember, solve the problem with an intelligent program, and don’t just apply a polluting band aide.

In Canada, where herbicides and pesticides are increasingly coming under ban, the introduction and use of a beneficial fungus (sclerotinia minor) is being used to destroy the weed in 5-7 days.

Those of you with a voracious appetite for ‘weed knowledge’ may access Paul Tukey’s, “The Organic Lawn Care Manual” or Joy L. McCanan’s, “Weeds and Why They Grow.”

For those bemoaning the high food costs today, just harvest the pretty yellow flower and create a salad—they are tasty and, remember, full of vitamins—and just remember to make sure you or your trusty gardener hasn’t just applied herbicides!

I realize relatively few of you were able to sleep last evening in anticipation, so the first bit of good news for those still groggy with sleep in your eyes—‘organic coffee boom’! In 2007 the organic coffee market in North America achieved the $1 billion mark in sales—84 million pounds. Despite only representing 3% of the total coffee market, organic is growing at an accelerated rate of 32% annually, compared to 2% growth in the conventional market since the year 2000. Organic coffee is being grown in 40 countries and Hawaii. Remember a past blog suggesting fertigation had achieved 100% harvest increase in organic Kona Coffee last year—well we now have a listening ear in 40 countries in which to evangelize the benefits of fertigation to a rapidly growing industry. The Organic Trade Association suggests that consumers now, not only have access to ‘high-quality organic coffee,’ but will also be promoting sustainable agriculture and sound economic and environmental practices. Boy does my Ganoderma Coffee taste great this morning! But is it cost effective to feed or fertigate organically, you might ask?

Enter the ‘Real Good News’—organic fertigation is now cheaper than synthetic, as costs have now jumped 200% in the synthetic world, due to petroleum prices that have soared! This great news, coupled with rising costs and rationing of water, has just provided two more excellent ‘arrows in the quiver’ of fertigation! Organic farming and feeding of landscapes is no longer being thought of as the exotic, expensive alternative it once was. Now couple those savings with the savings in fertilizer costs of any kind when you use fertigation, 70% plus, and you have a real convertible savings opportunity and formula that is environmentally sensitive! A turf farm owned by John Chapman of Foley, Alabama decided, as an emergency measure, to use organic fertilizer on part of his 2,500 acre turf operation. Can you imagine his delight when he paid less for organic and used less than half the water previously used!! Are you listening Maui County Water Users Association? In addition to cheaper fertilizer costs and half the water used, “a superior crop was produced in less time—and that is critical as you cut and roll turf for delivery. John Strickland of Organic Growing Systems of Alpharetta, Georgia, Chapman’s supplier, has seen the same circumstances play out in “several sod farms in the Midwest, South, and Southwest”.

Additional benefits to organic use allows for savings through the growing cycle, organics (especially spoon feed daily through fertigation) putting nutrients back in the soil rather than deplete them with petroleum based synthetics, and there is no on-going toxic leeching into our groundwater. I wonder if organics will be able to keep up—they will if those using organics will couple that use with fertigation, thereby realizing a 70% reduction in fertilizer required to feed!

I can’t wait for John and Ed to read this—truth be told, I had a hard time sleeping last night myself-pass the coffee please!

Europe and Canada are introducing new restrictions on cancer-related chemicals and specifically pesticides that cause a variety of health issues, not just cancer. New laws in Europe require companies to demonstrate ‘that a chemical is safe before it’s allowed to enter the world of commerce’ as opposed to the U.S. stance that ‘regulators must prove a chemical unsafe before restricting it or pulling it from the market’! As usual, U.S. manufactures are using the fear of higher prices to fight what seems to be common sense in Europe and Canada with regards to our health. The Calgary city committee has voted to phase out pesticides, and golf course superintendents are in a frenzy as they adamantly suggest they will be put out of business. Municipalities in Canada have the right to restrict the use of pesticides but not their sale—seems strange, but the only consistent element of the pesticide issue is its inconsistency of application with regards to regulations and laws. Mitch Jacques of the Alberta Golf Industry Association says smaller courses will be hit the hardest and unable to maintain the level of acceptability for those paying green fees.

Remember the endangered bee (CCD or Bee Colony Collapse Disorder) I’ve discussed in the past—Europe is banning pesticides now and suggesting the U.S. do the same or risk the loss of commerce with 27 countries and nearly 500 million people. Canadian geneticist, Joe Cummins indicated, “The United States needs to take drastic action.” Cummins suggests that, besides the CCD problem, nearly every third bite of food we ingest in the U.S. is threatened by the use of pesticides!

Extremely complex and volatile issues and yet how can these concerns and realities be ignored when our very health is at stake?

One of our most basic human qualities (and often most difficult when profits/losses are involved) is staying the course with regards to what is right.

In my travels and discussions with industry professionals, everyone has an opinion, but my legacy in fertigation will be what my kids think of my efforts when I’m gone. Unrealistic in some eyes, unprofitable and naïve in others, and yet if we are to do what is right from the very beginning—feed responsibly and daily through natural and organic application of fertilizer—insects and the need for pesticides will be reduced dramatically! High sugar content, from proper feeding, repels insects and creates a healthy plant. A program is necessary, it works, and in the long run it is profitable and healthy—what’s the problem!? Using pesticides and herbicides is nothing more than a reflection of our lazy, greedy society—sick take a pill and provide revenues for pharmaceuticals; please don’t eat right, exercise, or get your rest. Unfortunately our landscape/farm/golf industry is no different; taking time to do it right to the benefit of all just doesn’t translate into ‘optimum profits’. Reward for hard work and success—more hard work and success; what’s wrong with that?

Oops, my soap box just flipped, gotta go. Have a great pest free day and tomorrow a little known and exciting fact about the state of organics versus synthetic fertilizers. Sorry about that; I’m sure most of you won’t be able to sleep now tonight!

So today I come out and confess—this green environmentalist and self-proclaimed ‘King of Fertigation’ (has to be self-proclaimed because no one else knows of me or would provide the coronation) must admit to owning a 1969 Camaro Rally Sport convertible with a 350 engine. Just starting the car uses a half a tank of gas and is also able to rattle my many fillings as I ‘goose it’. For you in the Camaro Club across the country, the coup de gras is the fact I am the ORIGINAL owner.

There weren’t many of the Rally Sport convertibles manufactured so the current value should be obvious—I’ve seen two other ones since 1969.

I remember an old teammate from Memphis State University whose dad owned Union Chevrolet in Memphis, Tennessee. I was upset because I couldn’t afford the Indy 500 pace car model—remember the white convertible with the orange strips and checked seats? He was trying to make me feel good and said the metallic blue with white interior and white top was classic looking anyway; boy was he right. After sending a picture to the Barrett-Jackson car auction in Scottsdale, and receiving a ‘tentative’ appraisal, I certainly forgive him for the errors he use to make behind me while I was pitching; the dude knew of which he spoke!

So as my wife suggests my ‘Blue Baby’ or ‘other woman’ and I began our adventure after college together. A trip to Arizona with a new daughter, Kristi, in the front seat (no car seat) and Gentry, a German Shepard in heat in the backseat was in order, as my first coaching job was awaiting me.

What a ride ‘Blue Baby’ and I have been on over the years. So as my life has evolved from a coach, to landscape contractor, to green fertigation activists, I can only confess I am a polluter and beg your forgiveness; don’t we all have a vice or two? Maybe my guilt is what drives me to see ‘fertigation’ become a part of Wikipedia—maybe even Webster’s New Collegiate—or maybe merely the joy of one cherry ’69 Rally Sport Camaro convertible laying rubber amongst all those new electric cars that are due anytime now.

For my Camaro friends out there I have a question for you. Several months ago one of my blogs highlighted a new company in California that turns old muscle cars into non-polluting environmentally sensitive machines (Governor Schwarzenegger converted his Hummer) and my question—should this environmentalist capitulate and turn my original ’69 Camaro over to the ‘other side’ or should I keep sinning and loving it?!

Life is full of dilemmas but, with a fertigation system in my yard using organic/natural products, at least I have no salt spots on my ‘Blue Baby’.

Don’t envy me. Gas prices being what they are, I can’t afford to drive it.

Have a great day!

Oil may be replaced by water as the most sought after and beneficial commodity in Texas—thank goodness.  In Fort Worth, where water restrictions have been in place to cover watering times during ‘peek use’ summer months, an ordinance now will extend the hours of non-use, and make the restriction extend year-round.

Once again a ‘water district’ that oversees the use and sale of water to Fort Worth is involved in the management and implementation of water sensible ordinances.  In addition to the watering time limitations being invoked, water sensors attached to irrigation systems are being required on all ‘new’ businesses and residential properties.  (Retroactive should be the next step)  For those who are not aware of sensor technology, this advance in sprinkler irrigation for landscape properties turns watering timers off when rainfall occurs and actually is responsive to temperature changes as well.

The grace period to install sensors is over Fort Worth—it is now mandatory and time to start saving water.

Now, as a disciple of fertigation, you would be disappointed if I were to not pose the question—when fertigation?  Knowing the water saving benefits of fertigation through the application of organic and natural feedings, it would only seem logical that a sensor program should partner with fertigation for a complete ‘benefits package’.  Sounds kind of like an insurance policy doesn’t it?  Trust me when I say it is, and all attempts will be exhausted to marry the two technologies.

Can you imagine the persistence and dogged determination of someone who has supported the Chicago Cubs efforts to win a world series—fertigation acceptance and blanket implementation is nothing!  A lucky man gets up in the morning, knows what he has to do, and believes it still matters!

Have a great weekend!

Who would have thought collecting rainwater, or harvesting, would even be regulated?!  Understandably contentious are the use of water from wells, streams and rivers, but the state of Washington and New Mexico already have provisions in place or are requiring permits to harvest; Colorado strictly prohibits the collection of rain, Kentucky Arizona, Ohio, Hawaii, Texas and West Virginia are all in the process of, or considering, the regulations of rainwater harvesting—this is getting serious for something most of us knew nothing about.

Collection systems range from the conventional barrel to multiple tanks, complete with pumps and controllers.  As is the custom with environmental issues, the U.S. lags a bit behind other countries—China began 6,000 years ago and India 4,000 years ago.

In the U.S. our water resources are typically governed by the individual states and thereby range from total prohibition in Colorado to incentive laden advances in Texas.  In central Texas over 400 companies have systems in place and Austin has over 6,000 barrels installed in residences through an active incentive program—boy have I been living in a cave or what?

Washington State is an example of the forces that war with each other in the creation of beneficial regulations for all.  The Washington Department of Ecology is attempting to create guidelines, yet a severe challenge is the need for harvesting in a eastern state climate that is arid, versus the Puget Sound region that is inundated with rain.  In Puget Sound, storm water and waste water sometimes share the same sewer system, and I think you know where I’m going with this information.  Large amounts of rainfall could actually create an overflow (CSO’s) situation with untreated sewer flow that could literally create runoff into lakes, streams, and the Sound itself.

Today the sophisticated organized efforts of the Seattle Public Utilities is able to work with Ecology and has secured a permit to capture ‘approximately 23,000 acre feet of rainwater from city roof tops, while the islands of San Juan County have an island-wide permit ready to be issued this year for its collection efforts.  For the average Washington state resident though, the permit process is too cumbersome and the Department of Ecology would be severely tested should a large number of requests be forthcoming.

As I am now aware, harvesting rainwater is an excellent environmental option, and as awareness increases as to its value and need, policy speed bumps will continue to be addressed.  The thought of harvested rainwater providing a supply of captured water to our irrigation systems, in conjunction with fertigation, is an exciting thought—it never rains but it pours!

By the way, the Cubbies have taken three of three from the Brewers and all is well in my little corner of the world. Have a great day and put a bucket out for me-the only thing I am harvesting today in the desert is sand and 110 degrees. Wonderful!