Over the summer and through the recent string of excellent weather, some of our cooperators have been out conducting field trials with Humic DG and Black Gypsum DG products. The results (some expected, some better than expected) we’re seeing from these trials are extremely encouraging.

Turf Trial #1
In the spring of 2013, we asked one of our cooperators in North Dakota to conduct a Humic DG trial on bluegrass/ryegrass turf cut at 2 inches in height.

Here are some of the trial specifics:

• One direct application of Humic DG at 40 lbs. / acre
• Humic DG application between two applications of 1 lb. of nitrogen from a complete turf fertilizer
• Soil type: heavy clay

The images below tell the story of the results. What we saw was improved turf density of the turf treated with Humic DG (below, left), when compared to the untreated (below, right). The turf treated with Humic DG also had better residual color and less summer stress. At the given rate of Humic DG, we can also expect less thatch build-up.

Turf Trial #2
A Southern Wisconsin golf club was the site of another summer Humic DG study, conducted by a superintendent looking to improve his bentgrass fairways.

This superintendent used one of The Andersons A+ fairway fertilizers, with Humic DG added as a component.

After seeing positive results in treating his greens with Humic DG, he decided to use a 16-0-8 SGN 150 fairway fertilizer applied at 0.7 lbs. of N / 1000 sq. ft. and 40 lbs. of Humic DG / acre for his fairways.

He applied the fertilizer + Humic DG blend a week before the scheduled aeration of the low-fertility Seaside II fairways.

7-10 days after the aeration, he considered his fairways to be “completely recovered,” and showed no signs of surge growth. The picture to the left shows his fairways five weeks after the 16-0-8 SGN 150 fertilizer + Humic DG application.

The Results Are In
Improved turf density and turf color. These are only a few of the many benefits experienced by Humic DG users across the country and around the world.

For more information on what Humic DG can do for your turf (or other) application, contact us today!

John Pope is a Territory Manager for The Andersons, Inc. Turf & Specialty Group, with a focus on high-tech, high-value solutions for the professional turf, horticulture and agriculture markets. John has been in the Plant Nutrient Industry for 33 years. He can be reached at: john_pope@andersonsinc.com.