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Question 1

Is En-Soil organic?

Answer

En-Soil is currently under review to be OMRI listed in the U.S. and Canada.

Question 2

How much En-Soil should I apply?

Answer

Applying En-Soil is as easy as applying any liquid soil additive. You can use drip tape, a backpack sprayer, or a watering can. For multiple acres, a crop sprayer may be used. The basic ratio for En-Soil is 5 tsp to 1-1.5 gallons of water. This will deliver an optimal application dose of 50,000 algae cells per square foot over a space of 1,000 sq. ft. A 1-liter bottle of En-Soil, once diluted, is enough to cover 4.5 acres.

Question 3

Can En-Soil be applied along with organic mulches and fertilizers?

Answer

Yes. En-Soil can be paired with organic mulches and fetilizers. It may even help to enhance the the organic nutrients.

Question 4

Can En-Soil be used with synthetic-chemical NPK fertilizer?

Answer

Yes. En-Soil can be used along with synthetic-chemical NPK. When making the transition from synthetic NPK to En-Soil, many are insecure about risking any decline in growth or yield, so they gradually lessen the amount of NPK used while increasing the amount of En-Soil. However, once the results of En-Soil treatment are experienced, most substitute En-Soil for NPK.

Question 5

Can herbicides and pesticides be used with En-Soil?

Answer

Yes. Herbicdes work on C-3 plants (this refers to a chemical pathway early in their development). Algae are C-4 plants and do not share that pathway, so herbicides have no effect on En-Soil.

Question 6

Can fungicides be used with En-Soil?

Answer

Yes. Fungicides do not have any effect on C. vulgaris. In fact, if an algae colony becomes contaminated with fungi, it is common practice to apply a fungicide to treat it.

Question 7

Should En-Soil be refrigerated?

Answer

Yes. En-Soil is a live algae culture. Like most "fresh" produce or plants, they last longer when kept cool. In order to guarantee the cell count of 10 million/mL for at least six weeks, En-Soil should be kept in a refrigerator. (But don't freeze En-Soil. Algae are plants and will die when frozen.) If En-Soil is left at room temperature, the live cell count will drop at a much quicker rate, and this will affect potentcy.

Question 8

What is the best time of day to apply En-Soil?

Answer

We recommend that you not apply algae in the heat of the mid-day, summer, sun. If not applied with irrigation water (drip or spray), we suggest application shortly before irrigation. Before it rains is ideal. Most of us irrigate in the early morning or late afternoon, and application in close proximity to irrigation/watering works well. This approach facilitates penetration of algae through the topmost layer of soil. The algae cells are quite tough and can tolerate temperature extremes and mechanical stress. We recommend that En-Soil Algae be applied through a back-pack spayer or drip irrigation at dawn or dusk to allow the cells to penetrate below the sun exposed topsoil layer. For center pivots and sprinkler irrigation systems, we recommend irrigating with En-Soil at dusk only to allow it to penetrate the soil column more effectively. Once the crop has grown and successfully covers the soil, UV radiation will penetrate the soil less, further allowing microbial numbers to increase on the soil surface.

Question 9

What is the ideal pH for water used with En-Soil?

Answer

Tap water pH is about 7, as is most well water, and that is fine for the Chlorella in En-Soil. Algae can actually tolerate a wide range of pH, from 5.0 to 12. By the same token, algae tolerate salt water, as well.

Question 10

Should En-Soil be agitated before use?

Answer

Yes. When the algae concentrate has been on the shelf there is precipitation of cells to the bottom of the container. That is normal and does not indicate a problem with the algae cells. A gentle shake disperses the sediment quickly. En-Soil should be kept mixed during initial dilution with water. Large, commercial, tank sprayers commonly have an agitating system which is ideal for En-Soil.

Question 11

Will increasing the recommended amount of En-Soil improve results?

Answer

While, adding a little extra En-Soil for a treatment will not cause negative effects, putting it down thicker does not necessarily make En-Soil more effective. 50,000 cells applied to each sq. ft. produces enough molecular signaling (growth promoting compounds) to do the job. More frequent applications (up to a one-week apart ) can be a great way to "jump start" a new garden, freshly seeded sod, or turf after a long winter. However, you would not want to treat an area or potted plants "every day." There is some research that shows when algae is applied too frequently to soil it can slow down the microbial processes in the soil.

Question 12

Can En-Soil be harmful to humans or animals?

Answer

No. En-Soil is not harmful to humans, animals, or the environment. Although En-Soil is not formulated for human or animal consumption, C. vulgaris is actually edible and has been used in cosmetics, food supplements, and livestock feed. We do NOT recommend drinking En-Soil, but it is nontoxic if accidently ingested. (Although, there is probably little risk of that since it smells like a fish tank). There are no adverse effects upon skin contact, and En-Soil produces no harmful fumes.

Question 13

Can spraying En-Soil on the ground lead to harmful algae bloom in nearby water?

Answer

No. Algae bloom with nitrogenous fertilizer happens because the chemical compounds dissolve in water and either wash through to the water table or wash from the surface into adjacent ponds. En-Soil's algae cells do not dissolve (go into solution). While 50,000 algae cells per sq. ft. sounds like a lot, it is actually a very small amount. When you mix En-Soil with water, the solution remains clear. Once the algae cells are on the ground, they remain in the neighborhood of the roots. We have tested the possibility of runoff by applying algae to garden soil in 10 inch deep pots, then adding the equivalent of a 3-inch rain 3 days in a row. There were no algae detected in water runoff from the bottom of the pots. Additionally, algae cells and soil particles each have a small but opposite charge, one positive the other negative. This works as an electrostatic glue to bind them, so there is a mechanism for algae sticking in the top few inches of soil.

Question 14

What does an En-Soil Distributorship entail?

Answer

Each distributor is given an approved region to sell and apply the En-Soil. Each distributor commits to a minimum monthly purchase dependant upon the size of the region granted. There is an upfront training and license activation fee. Each licensee then commits to a minimum monthly order (net 30 payment terms). Additional liters over the monthly minimum are purchased at a 10% discount. We provide all licensees with approved marketing materials and support. If you are interested in a distributorship, please reach out to either of the following: Director of Sales: Tucker Garrigan at 843-867-3427 or tucker@enlightenedsoil.com Director of Marketing: Merideth Garrigan at 843- 867-3445 or merideth@enlightenedsoil.com