[j4c11]

So what's the deal with this stuff? I see everyone on Youtube is jumping on the bandwagon. Of course, LCN is selling it on his online store so I can't help but take his recommendation with a grain of salt, and there's others but you don't know if they're also sponsored or getting the stuff for free or what.

Is anyone actually seeing improvements directly attributable to the use of humic acid? Should I go out and buy some right now?

 

[viva_oldtrafford]

There's not a shred of scholarly material that proves HA has a measurable impact on plant growth (this was the case as late as 2016 - haven't seen any since either). With that said, there is a general consensus that HA can help improve soil quality in some extreme circumstances.

https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/newsletters/hortupdate/hortupdate_archives/2002/jun02/art4jun.html

 

[Ridgerunner]

My problem with it, not really with Humic Substances and acids, is the way it is promoted. That does it a real disservice. Per the hype it will do everything and anything, including your laundry. Humic, and even more so fulvic acid acts as a chelating agent (and lb per lb has an enormous CEC--it is, of course, the stuff of OM) which can help hold and make nutrients available to the turf. That could be particularly advantageous for sandy/low CEC soils.
My question is how long does it work?

 

[viva_oldtrafford]

My problem with it, not really with Humic Substances and acids, is the way it is promoted. That does it a real disservice. Per the hype it will do everything and anything, including your laundry. Humic, and even more so fulvic acid acts as a chelating agent (and lb per lb has an enormous CEC--it is, of course, the stuff of OM) which can help hold and make nutrients available to the turf. That could be particularly advantageous for sandy/low CEC soils.
My question is how long does it work?

I know we've talked about it briefly before, but we're working with Eon 75 on fairways with CEC in the low 2s and areas around our bunkers where the sand collects via wind / bunker rake removal. I'm very interested to see the impact in 2-3 months, then again in 6-8 months. The stuff we're using is labeled @ 1lb/k and is said to last through the year....we'll see.

 

[Ballistic]

I feel like it does something. I have only put down one application of it in a glandular form right before spring, and i can tell you my grass is definitely greener than anyone else in the area, and i have only just started getting my lawn going as the previous owner only watered and mowed it. And that was even before i started spraying FAS.

Its not super expensive so i think ill keep putting it down, i may look into spraying it once i build a sprayer.

 

[stotea]

I've done a lot of online research on humic acid, and the concensus of the not-obviously-biased sources was that it can help nutrients become more available for plants. When there's sufficient available nutrients already in the soil, though, HA yields no incremental benefit. Any potential benefits are only noticeable in less than ideal soil conditions and/or in new or transplanted plants.

Now, I'm not saying HA is snake oil, as I bought some earlier this year and intend to use it on my own lawn beginning next week. It's just that it's effects are waaaay over-marketed, with some being straight up lies.

 

[Richard Slater]

I quite like Matt from The Grass Factor's take on Humic Acid:

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5CxqZd2HM0[/media]

 

[jessehurlburt]

I bought a pound of humic/fulvic/kelp powder from kelpforless for $22 shipped. It will make dozens and dozens of spray apps. For the money I thought it was worth a shot to help my crappy, sandy soil. We'll see how it does- I've only applied one app so far.

 

[wardconnor]

I have been using it for around 3 years. I can not say for sure but I believe that it is working and helping drive roots. I did a video on how long some of the roots in my sod are. The roots I have on Kentucky Bluegrass are 6 to 8 inches. I believe that this has something to do with the humic acid. I can not say for sure but I believe it does. That video is here.

 

[Austin]

I put it on twice last year and once this year. Personally I can't tell a difference but then again the yard was terrible before we moved in.

 

[Ridgerunner]

FWIW: While researching the chelate characteristics, I came across this study:
http://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/thesdiss/vandyke2008c.pdf
Keep in mind that study was done with a very specific situation (soil texture, pH and turf), However many times the characteristics of a substance exhibit themselves consistently regardless of the circumstances/conditions. Although I never saw any effect one way or another (I didn't do a control, so nothing to compare to) I used to apply granular until my local source stopped carrying it.

 

[crussell]

Does anyone mix HA/Kelp with their FAS applications? Any reason that wouldn't be compatible?

 

[social port]

Does anyone mix HA/Kelp with their FAS applications? Any reason that wouldn't be compatible?

I was reading this https://thelawnforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=211&start=100 yesterday. Check out the last three posts. That should answer your question, at least with respect to HA.

 

[crussell]

Thanks that does answer my question - I am also using the Kelp4Less Extreme Blend, so sounds like I will do multiple applications...

 

[Turf Jitsu]

How often would you apply humic acid? I just bought a bottle and applied it yesterday.

 

[Harts]

I'd also like to know how often HA can be applied. I understand the skepticism as I too am in that category. But it's fairly inexpensive and won't do irreparable harm. So why not try it?

 

[Ecks from Tex]

I'd also like to know how often HA can be applied. I understand the skepticism as I too am in that category. But it's fairly inexpensive and won't do irreparable harm. So why not try it?

Two times per year should be good (not counting intermittent applications of products that contain humic acid). More than that and you're probably not gaining much. It's not the quantity you put down but the consistency in applications over multiple seasons that help amend your soil and improve turf. After 2-3 seasons you will see .... your herbicides will stunt the grass less and your roots will grow deeper even though you are cutting shorter to encourage thick growth.

 

[Harts]

Thanks @Ecks from Tex. Appreciate your help.

 

[jonthepain]

Interesting study.
Cooper, RJ et al. Influence of humic substances on rooting and nutrient content of creeping bentgrass. Crop Science
38(6):1639-1644, 1998.

 

[g-man]

Here is the article

http://www.jhbiotech.com/docs/Humic-Acids-on-BentGrass.pdf