Question
Mr. LIG, I was wondering if you had any experience in using a product called Nitron A35. The web site is very vague and the product is somewhat pricey. Would the benefits of using this product be worth the expense, or would you recommend a less expensive soil conditioner? I've read somewhere that Simple Green (The Biodegradable cleaning solution) could be used as a soil conditioner as well without causing harm to the soil micro-organisms?

Thank you,
Joseph...  

Answer
The Nova Scotia Organic Growers Assn on its 'NSOGA Materials List' (http://www.nsoga.org/FORMS/materials.doc) signs off on Nitron A35: '(applying) Enzymes (is) (a)cceptable if (the Enzymes are) derived microbially from natural materials and not fortified with synthetic plant nutrients.  Acceptable brands include Nitron A35, biotron, Medina, Symbex.'

I trust NSOGA.  I don't know anything about Nitron A35.  What NSOGA is saying, however, is not that you NEED Nitrogen A35.  They're saying that if you use it, it's OK; it won't disqualify you from Organic legal status.  This is by the way a solid, comprehensive list that I think is well worth saving.

Back to Nitron A35.  I agree, the copy on this is vague and that always looks suspicious to me.  Thanks to those Organic people in Nova Scotia, however, we can look up similar products.  I look up Biotrin and I find it is based on something called 'Lignite':

http://www.cifo.it/english/prodotti/agricoltura/Ammendanti/Biotron.html

The term 'lignite' (lower case 'l') is defined at infoplease as 'a soft coal, usually dark brown, often having a distinct woodlike texture, and intermediate in density and carbon content between peat and bituminous coal.'  I have trouble believing this is something you would add to your soil as a soil conditioner.

'Medina Soil Activator' (http://www.medinaag.com/msa.htm) 'stimulates the beneficial organisms' among other things -- they say.

Symbex is detailed at the Agro-K Corp website (http://www.agro-k.com/productDetails.php?documentId=69): 'When incorporated into the soil, these bio-enzymes and micronutrients. create a chain reaction of microbial activity causing a 5 to 20 fold increase in microbial population ...'  Analysis: .05-1-1.

Joseph, in a world where people are getting rich by damaging the Earth, in a world where companies are selling people products that make them sick in the name of green grass, it's hard to criticize organizations that will sell you stuff that's good for you.  But I have to draw the line somewhere.

The line is drawn right here.

There are companies out there selling products that are GREAT for your soil -- made of Blackstrap Molasses.  This is a natural Fungicide that will enhance bacterial growth and destroy Fungi, which are not the best co-habitants of friendly Bacteria for reasons we can't go into right now.  Sometimes, it's better to have more Fungi.  Generally, we want Bacteria in our lawns and perennial beds.  And diluted Blackstrap Molasses will add trace elements and enhance bacteria growth and damage the Fungi population, all of this setting up improvements in soil tilth and quality.

Other companies are selling Fungicides that are guaranteed Organic.  If you read the fine print, you see it is Baking Soda.

The best, absolute positive most efficient way to build your soil up is very simple, and very cheap.  NOTHING YOU BUY WILL DO THIS BETTER.

Got that?

Nothing.

Aerobic Compost Tea will do the ultimate job of maxing out your microbes.  Add a Tablespoon of Blackstrap Molasses (don't forget the 'Blackstrap' part) and you have the ultimate soil conditioner.

Add Compost, Humus, Manure.  These will condition your soil.

Nothing you buy will do it better.

It is however fun to buy these things.

Leaves from your trees, Clippings from your Grass, Vegetables and Fruits from your refrigerator, Coffee Grounds from Starbucks -- THESE are the BEST SOIL CONDITIONERS MONEY CAN BUY.  And in the case of the Starbucks, they're free.  And no, that is not too acidic.

If you have to spend money on your Grass -- we do want to do that sometimes -- get a first rate soil test.  You can get a Volkswagen level soil test at your local Cooperative Extension.  You can get a Rolls Royce level soil test at one of Elaine Ingraham's Soil Foodweb Laboratories, they're sprinkled around the country and analyze your soil down to the most basic molecules and they are a lot of money.

I am concerned about what cleaning solutions and detergents do to Microbes.  They just do not seem to me to be very bacteria-, protozoa-, Fungi-, or arthropod-friendly.  But they do catch your eye.  You have to start somewhere.

Jerry Baker writes about using Coca-Cola for the soil.  Anyone who isn't using Scotts is OK in my book.  But there are better ways to do this.  Not as interesting to many people; a little overwhelming, sometimes intimidating to many people.  I try to keep it simple.  Everybody should feel comfortable and confident when they work in their own gardens.  

If you want to spend your money on Nitron A35, I don't think it will hurt anything.  But there is NO doubt in my mind that there are better ways to do that.  I applaud your interest in Things Green.  Totally.  Still, we return to the basics.  Soil tests, amendments based on the tests, humic acids.  There is no other way to do this better.  That, I guarantee.