The recommended method is to apply the extract via a liquid fertilizer attachment to your planter in such a manner that the extract is sprayed/dribbled onto the seed and onto the open furrow as you plant.

Recommended rate is 1 pound of our Premium Johnson-Su Compost in 5 gallons of extract per acre for 30” rows. If your tanks are large enough it may be marginally helpful to increase rate up to 1 pound in 10 gallons.

It is helpful to screen your extract with a filter prior to pumping it into your planter tank, commonly used is from 50 to 80 mesh screen. Depending upon your filter system you may want to progressively filter, starting with 20 mesh, then 30, then 50 mesh. Usually this progressive screening is not necessary. Keep extract vigorously agitated as you are planting. To keep from plugging orifices we recommend the use of metering hoses on your planter.

We recommend thoroughly flushing your planter/drill/sprayer after each use to prevent microbial growth from plugging of your system. Initial flushing with water and following with Mean Green works well.

Foliar Spray Applications

Premium Johnson-Su Extract can be applied as a foliar spray for row crops, hay ground, pastures, cover crops, orchards, and gardens alike.

Always use non-chlorinated water for your extract.  If you do not have access to non-chlorinated water you may neutralize it with vitamin C with a suggested rate of one tablespoon per 250 gallons of water.

Always flush your sprayer lines within a few hours after spraying as during warm weather the biology can grow rapidly and clog filters and hoses.

Preferably spray during late evening, after dark, or early morning to avoid direct sunlight, limiting direct UV exposure toward the microbiology contained within the product.

In terms of application, coverage is essential.  An even distribution across any and all plant tissue is preferable in order to promote plant benefits of the Premium Johnson-Su Extract culture.  A light coating is all that is needed.  Plant and soil alike are strongly benefitted from the addition of a fungal-dominate, microbiological culture derived from our Premium Johnson-Su culture material.

We recommend taking one or more “just water” passes with your sprayer to determine how much liquid is needed or used; then mixing your extract to apply the recommended pounds per acre rate using the gallons per acre you have determined.  

We recommend carefully selecting your sprayer nozzles orifice size and your filter mesh size for compatibility with your pre-filtered extract. As a general rule of thumb using a 40-60 mesh filter with an appropriately sized sprayer nozzle is a good starting point. Some are using a turbo tee jet at 40 PSI. You may need to clean sprayer screens after each load. Keep extract agitated/recirculating as you are spraying. You may be able to use a Tee-Jet Extend Range Nozzle such as XR TeeJet SS8010, remove individual filters, and only use a 16 mesh filter.

Rates: Actual pounds of compost per acre vary depending upon the crop, see below.

Corn:

There are two prime times for foliar treatments on corn.

· Apply at V5-V6, the most important foliar timing.  You are equipping the plant for yield potential and mitigating early season stress.

· Apply at VT-R2, the second best timing, to maximize kernel set and size by mitigating late season stress.

· You may additionally apply at V2-V4 or at any growth stage for corn for stress mitigation and disease suppression.

We recommend applying a minimum of 1/4 to 1/2 pound of compost per acre per application.

Soybeans: 

There are two prime times for foliar treatments on soybeans.

· Apply at V3-V4, the most important foliar timing.  You are equipping the plant for yield potential and mitigating early season stress.

· Apply at R1-R3, the second best timing, to maximize pod set and seed size and mitigating late season stress.

We recommend applying a minimum of 1/4 to 1/2 pound of compost per acre per application.

Other Field Crops:

· Generally apply at peak vegetative stage, the most important stage to foliar feed, provides support during the highest energy demands.  You are equipping the plant for yield potential and mitigating early season stress.

· Another application during their early reproductive stage, the second best timing, to maximize seed size and mitigate late season stress.

We recommend applying a minimum of 1/4 to 1/2 pound of compost per acre per application.

Additives to Improve Foliar Performance:

· You may combine your extract with additives and amendments like melted urea, low-salt foods such as biologically friendly fertilizers (fish hydrolysates, amino acids, humic substances, micro-nutrients, etc.).

BACK TO TOP

The recommended method is to apply Premium Johnson-Su Compost extract via a boom field sprayer as soon after crop harvest as you can manage.  Some farmers chop corn stalk residue prior to spraying, some don’t.

Recommended rate is ½ to 1 pound of our Premium Johnson-Su Compost in a minimum of 10 gallons of extract per acre.  If your sprayer rig allows it, up to 20 gallons per acre is preferable.  A compromise of 12-15 gallons is commonly used.  Basically you want as much moisture as you can readily supply to allow for maximum adsorption onto the residue.  Good if you can time your application in the evening prior to a heavy dew or prior to a rain event.  If you have a center pivot some use up to 50 gallons per acre.

It is helpful to screen your extract with a filter prior to pumping it into your sprayer tank, commonly used is from 50 to 80 mesh screen. Usually this progressive screening is not necessary. Keep extract vigorously agitated as you are spraying. We recommend using large droplet sprayer nozzles.

We recommend thoroughly flushing your sprayer after each use to prevent microbial growth from plugging your system. Initial flushing with water and following with Mean Green works well.

If your planter is not equipped with a liquid fertilizer attachment, you can inoculate the seed shortly prior to planting. Apply compost extract lightly onto seed, just mist it lightly, allow seed to set a few minutes to a few hours for the moisture to be absorbed so as to not clog planter/seeder, then plant. Best to not let it fully dry out, best to plant while it is still somewhat moist.

Recommend using 1 pound of our Premium Johnson-Su Compost per 5 gallons of non-chlorinated water concentration of extract. Typical application rate is approximately 1 gallon per 500 pounds of seed; but this can vary substantially depending upon seed species and method of application. Rates as low as 1 gallon per 750 pounds and as high as 1 gallon per 250 pounds have been used successfully.

Application methods vary: You can soak seeds in the extract for a few seconds (however if you soak seeds be careful as the seeds may get too wet and too fragile for your planter), you may spray/dribble extract onto a conveyor belt or loading auger as you fill your pro box/tender, you may mix it with your seed in a small feed mixer, etc. It may be necessary to fill one pro box/seed tender, let it sit a few minutes, then move it into a 2nd pro box/seed tender to keep seeds from clumping together.

If you have difficulty with the moist seed flowing through your planter the addition of talc or graphite may be helpful. This is not needed with most planters.