7100 – E 2^nd Street NW / Albuquerque, NM 87107

(505) 761-1454 / Fax#: (505) 341-0424 / Web: www.agronics.com /E-mail: linvent@aol.com

Dear Landscape Architect:

Organic matter has long been accepted as an absolute essential for soil construction, particularly in southwestern soils where it oxidizes so rapidly. However, the best compost or mulch cannot provide the benefits of mined humus which has been concentrated and fully decomposed over the eons. Organic activity is not only physical but chemical and it’s most effective activity is cation exchange capacity which is the mechanism by which primary nutrients are assimilated from the soil to the plant through the root system.

If you want the top quality turf, tree, shrub, or other plant growth, you should use Rico Verde in your recommendations. Without weed seed, odor, lower application rates than crude organics such as composts and manures, it provides a higher level of benefit that conventional organics without the cost, high application rate and questionable results.

Applications of high quantities of organic matter to attempt to raise the organic activity in the soil is often futile as the oxidation rate is so high that it has a short lifetime. Rico Verde’s humus is long term stable and highly active.

Agronics also offers customized soil testing and recommendations for those tough, caliche, sandy or otherwise difficult soil conditions. Our Fertimax II soil test provides more information on basic elements and micronutrient availability than a conventional soil test and provides in depth knowledge of soil composition. Application of other materials not generally considered as necessary has resulted in significant improvements in plant growth.

Rico Verde has a cost that ranges from $12.00 to $20.00 per 100 sq. ft. (50-100#/100 sq.ft.) for new soil and about half for an annual application in maintenance applications. Additional amendments are additional, but this is much less than the limited overall full cycle costs of crude organics.

We look forward to your use of our technical and product services to improve your organization’s performance and customer satisfaction in the final product.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Application Recommendations-

Turf: 50 to 100# per 1000 sq. ft., lighter or sandy soils require heavier application; should be tilled in prior to turf grass planting; recommend using with calcium for best benefits. Not recommended with bark or crude organics such as manures unless well decomposed and given adequate time to decompose prior to application. Water well after application to begin dispersion in the soil, nutrient release, and organic matter development.

7100 – E 2^nd Street NW / Albuquerque, NM 87107

(505) 761-1454 / Fax#: (505) 341-0424 / Web: www.agronics.com /E-mail: linvent@aol.com

Trees: Root feed at a rate of ¼ # per inch tree caliper in holes 18 – 24” deep located ½ distance from dripline to trunk; 1 hole per 3” tree caliper evenly spaced. Fill holes and then water in. Root feeding increases availability to root system and promotes deep root growth.

Shrubs: 50# per 500 feet of bed area. Scratch or work in and water heavily after application.

House Plants: 1 teaspoon per quart of capacity, watered in. Treat every 90 days for consistent feeding.

Other recommendations and management changes:

Recommend reduction or elimination of aeration once applied as soil changes will increase permeability of soil. Thatch from grass residue will be decomposed from biological activity. Recommend using Rico Verde every six (6) months on turf. Use of other fertilizers will result in reduced amounts for higher performance. Phosphate use is discouraged. Manures, composts and other crude organics is also discouraged. Calcium materials are encouraged as most soils are deficient in available calcium and increased availability reduces weed pressure and water consumption.

Rico Verde analysis:

Nitrogen 5.0% Urea, Nitrate, naturally occurring nitrogen

Phosphate 3.0% Monoammonium phosphate

Potash 3.0% Potassium sulfate

Sulfur 3.0% Elemental sulfur, sulfate from iron, potassium sulfate

Iron 2.0% Iron sulfate

Manganese 0.3% Manganese sulfate

Zinc 0.2% Zinc sulfate

Copper 0.1% Copper sulfate

Non-nutrient elements (by state regulations):

Humus 30%, Humic Acid 15% pH 4.5 (acid) Cation exchange capacity (soluble basis) 400 – 500 meq/100gms.

Weed and odor free. Non-granulated: Combination of powder and granules. Spread with a broadcast type spreader. Moisten area before spreading.