The science of preserving nature since 1964

Organic Care:

A Natural Approach to Landscape Care

Many property owners are interested in organic care for their trees, shrubs and lawn and Almstead has some great options available. The main principle of organic care is to establish a well aerated, biologically rich soil. The goal is to create and maintain a soil teeming with the beneficial microorganisms that naturally promote growth while out-competing harmful, disease-causing organisms that often thrive in unhealthy soils.

Organic care involves specialized treatments that require trained and committed arborists and technicians who know the property they manage well and understand the specific needs of that landscape. As part of our holistic approach to tree, shrub and lawn care, we offer our customers a complimentary landscape inspection in fall. This allows our certified organic professionals to identify issues early so treatments can begin at the appropriate times — and the same technician continuously monitors your plant material throughout the season.

Our organic care treatments include the use of compost teas, air spading and organic controls. We use ingredients certified or certifiable by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), which fall under the same standards as the production of organic foods. We also produce our own organic teas and OMRI certified compost.

Air Spading is one of the most effective elements of organic tree care. It eliminates soil compaction — which prevents much-needed air and water from being incorporated into the soil. The Air Spade is a pneumatic device that can aerate the soil with the least amount of root damage (watch an Air Spading video on the front page of this issue). Once aeration around the roots is complete, our arborists usually prescribe a selection of custom-blended soil amendments, compost, mulch and compost tea treatments to rejuvenate and sustain microbial life in the soil.  We also incorporate a high amount of nutrient rich, organic compost mixed with BIO-CHAR into the soil.

Our Organic PHC Program effectively manages the pests and diseases on your property through minimum use of chemicals. We focus instead on preventative maintenance, early detection and organic controls. We also utilize non-control organic products, including microorganisms (such as mycorrhizal type fungi, which form symbiotic relationships with roots that increase water and nutrient uptake for trees) and other larger organisms like earthworms, which enhance soil quality.

Our Organic Lawn Care Program uses only 100% organic fertilizers and treatments to create biologically sound, hearty turf. This program also focuses on improving soil conditions with compost, compost tea and other natural soil supplements. We also offer an Organic Based Program which serves as a gateway to our Pure Organic Program. By utilizing natural soil supplements and organic fertilizers along with traditional methods, the program builds up the strength and health of your lawn naturally. As your lawn becomes organically richer, these non-organic treatments can often be reduced over time.

For more information on our organic programs please visit our website or contact your Almstead arborist.