Turf Maintenance with Effective Microorganisms (EM)

Agriculture

Managing Turf with Effective Microorganisms

EM-1® Microbial Inoculant has quickly become an essential tool in sustainable and organic management of healthy turf. EM-1® has been utilized by the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) division of the Park and Recreation Department of the City of San Francisco for the past 4 years to improve turf quality and without the use of dangerous fungicides and pesticides. EM-1® is a necessary technology for the golf course industry to help meet new city and state government mandates that require up to an 80% reduction of most fungicides and pesticides. The public is now demanding turf management that does not compromise the environment or our health. EM-1® represents a viable solution, and is a safe and effective alternative for residential lawns, city parks, schools, and golf courses.

EM-1® supplies a benificial micro-ecology that improves soil structure, drainage, and water retention of the soil's rhizosphere (root zone). EM-1® will significantly improve turf quality during the months of extreme heat and moisture when disease pressure is greatest.

Amount of Turf Stress	Application frequency	Application Rate (EM-1®:Water)	Hose-end sprayer setting
Low	Once a month	1:100	1-1.5oz./gallon
High	Once a week	1:50	2-3oz./gallon

Managing Turf with Effective Microorgansims™

Recommendations for a successful EM-1® lawn:

1. Apply the EM-1® with a hose-end sprayer, backpack sprayer, or inject EM-1® into the irrigayion system. EM-1® can be applied once a week during periods of extreme drought or rain and once a month for maintaining optimal turf quality and health.
2. Use organic fertilizers with EM-1®. During cool weather apply EM-1® with liquid kelp. In the fall or spring Effective microorganisms can be applied with a liquid fish emulsion.
3. Use a "mulching mower" to chop and redeposit the grass clipping. Spray EM-1® onto the turf after mowing. This enables the clippings to rapidly breakdown into stable organic matter for the soil. Organic matter particles provides a home for EM-1® to establish in the soil.

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