Organic Landscape Maintenance Program
AJ Southwest uses all-natural materials to make your lawn healthy and lush. Over the years, we’ve developed a highly effective maintenance program, which includes:
1. All-Natural Fertilizer
The keystone of an organic landscape program is fertilization. At AJ Southwest, we use both dry and liquid fertilization, which work together for outstanding results.
Dry pellet fertilizer. We apply dry fertilizer pellets to planted beds and lawn areas. We use only the best all-natural fertilizer – rich in organic nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus – to add as much organic matter and nutrients to the soil as possible. Dry pellet fertilizer is applied at 20 pounds per 1000 square feet.
Liquid fertilizer and microbial solution. These two products are mixed together and sprayed from the base of the house to the property line. Trees and shrubs up to eight feet in height are also treated. The liquid fertilizer contains fish emulsion, seaweed, molasses, and bone meal. It is absorbed by the plant foliage to create an immediate impact. The microbial solution quickly increases organic matter in the soil, creating a healthier landscape. For each 1000 square feet of existing landscape, we apply 4 ounces of liquid fertilizer and 2 ounces of microbial solution.
2. Soil Amendments.
We use a variety of soil amendments to benefit your soil, including:
Corn gluten meal. This all-natural powder has a terrific ability to rejuvenate your lawn. It adds organic nitrogen to the soil and reduces germination of many broadleaf and grass weeds. We apply corn gluten meal at 20 pounds per 1000 square feet.
Green sand. Green sand adds much-needed trace minerals, including iron, to your landscape. It works best when used with other fertilizers, and It’s particularly useful in helping to correct imbalanced soil. We apply green sand at 10 pounds per 1000 square feet.
Compost top dressing. Compost instantly adds a large amount of organic matter to the soil, including nutrients, humus, humic acid, enzymes, vitamins, and micro-organisms. Our compost top dressing service spreads 1/3 inch of compost over all lawn areas. We use approximately one cubic yard of compost per 900 square feet.
Lava sand. Lava sand is a porous, crushed volcanic rock that supplies plants with trace minerals. It helps relieve compaction and increases the effectiveness of other organic products. Its porous composition allows it to store air, water, and nutrients which plants can extract. Lava sand also stimulates microbial activity, providing more organic matter for a healthier landscape. Lava sand is applied at 60 pounds per 1000 square feet of existing bedding areas and lawn.
Sulfur. Granulated sulfur, applied to lawn and beds, helps fight off fungus and loosen the soil. It also counteracts the problems caused by using city water, which contains large amounts of chlorine and ammonia. We apply it at 5 pounds per 1000 square feet