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Our knowledgeable staff here at Garden-Ville are available to answer many of the questions you might have about gardens, landscaping, and trees. Many problems with plants, however, cannot be responsibly diagnosed other than in person. We're located in central Texas and may not be familiar with the details of gardening in very different climate or soil zones. One of the guiding principles of organic growing is adapting methods to the particularites of local soil and climate. With that in mind we'll do our best to answer your question, but if we can't we'll be happy to help you find the appropriate resources or professionals in your area.

Feel free to browse the topics below to see if we've already answered a question similar to yours. If you can't find the information you need, the question submission form is located at the bottom of the page.

  • What is the quickiest way to add the micronutrient iron to a compost heap or garden?

    1/12/200910:48:31 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Greensand

    We sell a product called Greensand that is 17% iron. Unlike some other iron sources the iron in greensand won't leach out with watering but will remain available until the plants take it up. You can add this either directly to the soil or compost. If you have an alkaline soil you'll want to add sulphur when you add the greensand, as too high a ph can interfere with iron uptake.

  • my soild Ph came in at 8.6 and Pete Moss was recommended. I have spread Pete Moss around an eight thick over my entire lawn--what else should i do. I understand the high pH is preventing the St Augustine from poicking up nutrients from the soil and that might explian why it looks dry, yellow and generaly unhealthy. Thanks

    10/8/20089:00:45 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Greensand, St. Augustine

    Add Soil Sulphur to correct excess alkalinity in the soil at a rate of 1-2 lbs. per 100 square feet.  In high alkaline soil iron becomes tied up and you will see St Augustine start to yellow.  If you look closely at the grass blade it will have vertical green veins, this is called iron chlorosis.  An application of greensand at 10-20 lbs per 1000 square feet will supply the iron to your lawn.  I would also apply a half inch to quarter inch layer of compost to your lawn.  The compost will reduce your watering needs, make more nutrients available from your fertilizer and add as a food source for good fungus.  Unfortunately, St Augustine in high alkaline soil and after Summer is a given to show iron chlorosis and fungal diseases.  If you are living anywhere besides the costal plains I would compost your yard in the spring and fall along with an application of greensand.

  • Amy- I have a small Pin Oak that is not looking healthy. Two people have told me it neds iron. Is that something I can do myself or do I contact a company? Bob

    9/18/20086:11:07 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Greensand

    When plant become deficient in iron the symptom is called iron chlorosis.  The identifying signs are yellowing leaves with green veins.  You can definitely apply greensand yourself.  First aerate the root zone of the tree by probing the ground with a fork half way past the drip line (the drip line is the trees canopy).  Then scatter the greensand and water well.  Garden-Ville sells a product called sick tree treatment that is a mineral rich blend of compost, volcanite, and greensand that you might consider.  Malcolm Beck told me Howard Garret and himself saved two old pecan trees on his property with this product - that was actually the reason why the product was developed.

  • Three years ago we planted 4 crepe myrtle minature shrubs. They bloomed the first year but not the last two. Leaves are mostly green but then turn a little yellow and no blooms. I need to know what fertilizer to use. We live in Round Rock and have put good soil in the beds. Any suggestions?

    6/3/20084:53:05 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    7-2-2, Greensand

    Get a bag of 7-2-2 fertilizer and a bag of greensand. Put them both out at a rate of 20 pounds per 1000 square feet and water deeply around the trees. If you have not mulched around the trees it would probably be a good idea to do that to help retain moisture and keep the soil temperature cooler.

  • We fertilized our lawn about 3 weeks ago. Since then we have patched of grass that are turning a florescent green/ yellow. What can we do so that the grass turns the dark green color more evenly?

    5/12/200812:10:41 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Greensand

    Alisa,

    Sounds like your lawn has an iron deficiency, Greensand is a natural source of iron and is a great alternative to Ironite. You might also try spreading a half inch layer of compost on the yard to boost the organic matter in the soil.

  • I want to put out Green Sand on my Zoysia turf grass. Your bags indicate how much to use for a given sq ft, but give no indication as to a suggested spreader setting. I use a Scott broadcast spreader. Do you have a suggestion as to what setting on this spreader would aprox the recommended amout?

    4/8/200810:21:30 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Greensand, Lawn Questions

    E.J.

    For the application of greensand through a Scotts spreader use setting number 10. This will ensure an even application of product over your turf. Don't forget to fertilize with our Premium Lawn Fertilizer 7-2-2. That product will be at setting number 10 as well.

  • What is the difference between Greensand or Seaweed fertilizer

    3/12/20088:26:10 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Greensand, Sea Tea

    Seaweed  helps to improve the structure and stability of the soil, as the organic components of seaweed meal break down, they provide nutrients for plants and increase the nitrogen content of the soil, it also provides B vitamins like B1 and B12, as well as E, K, and folic acid, which are taken up by plants grown in such enhanced soils. Trace elements, especially iron and calcium, exist in seaweed extract in their chelated forms, which plants can absorb more readily than from plain dirt. Adding seaweed extract increases the amount of chlorophyll in the leaves of plants. Seaweed also contains plant hormones that encourage the growth of foliage. Plants treated with seaweed extract are more resistant to pests like spider mites and aphids. The extract provides some resistance to diseases like scab, mildew, and fungus as well. Enriching the soil with the seaweed strengthens the native bacteria and fungi that provide some of this protection.
     
    Greensand is made from glauconite and is commonly used to treat chlorosis in plants and lawns, percentages will typically range from 5-7 which is a good alternative to Ironite as it will not harm the water supply due to runoff.

    Sea Weed is for foliar feeding or for use as a soil drench to give plants the missing nutrients the desperately need. If you have any other questions please let me know.

  • I have several ivy geraniums in hanging baskets. I overwinter them in the greenhouse & they are quite old. I'm wondering why I have such a problem with yellowing leaves. I pinch them off but they always return - even on new growth. The plants are flowering. I fertilize w/miracle grow & occasionally sea tea. I love them & don't want to lose them. Thanks for your help!

    8/21/200710:11:10 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Greensand

    Yellowing is usually a sign of chlorosis which is a deficiency of iron in a plant. Try spreading some of our Greensand in the soil and water it in. You should see a difference within a couple of weeks.

  • Hi Amy, I have several questions: A Meyer Lemon, about 4 years old, in a large planter, currently has blossoms and fruit. Lots of little green lemons - several of which keep getting yellow and falling off. Is that the tree's way of getting rid of too much fruit? Ginko tree - about 4 years old - the leaves are very, very light green - should the not be darker? If yes, what can I do? I have foliar fed with seaweed and fertilized with an organic fertilzer about a month ago. Cross Vine - one year old - the leaves are getting yellow but the veines stay green. I live on the Eastside of Austin - MLK and 183. Thanks for your help - Hella 370-1403

    5/8/200712:23:17 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Container Planting, Greensand, Rocket Fuel

    First question I have is for all of your container plants, when was the last time you stepped up the pots (moved the plants to a larger pot)? Some of the problems you are having might be caused by the plants in the container being root bound which is where the roots grow so much and have no place to go so they start growing in circles around the pot and eventually choking the plant. Next, if your plants leaves are not showing as much green as you would like it could be from a deficiency in iron. You might want to purchase some Greensand and put about a cup or so around the base of the plant and water in. For the Meyer Lemon I would recommend trying Garden-Ville’s Rocket Fuel as a fertilizer to help the tree along. For the Cross Vine, if it is in the ground try amending the area with compost and greensand. Keep using the Seaweed and organic fertilizers and use them more frequently since every time you water the plant it leaches more nutrients out of the soil.  

  • How does one spread greensand evenly over the lawn. I've tried broadcasting spreader as well as a drop spreader and it gums up in the spreaders. The greensand is too wet!!!! LUKE

    5/3/20073:36:23 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Greensand

    Luke,

    Due to conditions of storage in certain places the bags may take on moisture causing it to be difficult to spread, what you can do is open the bag and leave it in your garage and let it dry out or you can just spread a little of the greensand at a time to keep it from clogging up. What you are experiencing is a common problem that I too have had to deal with. Try those ideas out and see if that helps.

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