The solution on the App called “Soil”?
The app lists “Soil, Seed, Leaf, Flower, and Fruit”.
I understand the thinking behind the nutritive cycle theory, but what is the “Soil” solution for? Is that prepare land before planting, or is that what we should use as a soil drench throughout the grow cycle? I’ve been using every solution as a soil drench so far....
The answer
The soil formula is specifically for the soil to feed the biology while inoculating with KNF Microbes. This process builds what KNF refers to as soil foundation.
Each solution can be used as a foliar spray or soil drench for good effect. Typically I drench at 100 gal/acre, while I foliar spray at 25 gal/acre. For me the spraying is easier with the setup I have. Many folks prefer to apply via a fertigation setup.
From the KNF library
From the KNF library
Drafted by Claude from Office Hours and the books
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Sep 2026
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6 sources
Drake's library says the soil solution belongs both before planting and through the season.
- Before planting, Drake recommends spreading IMO4 on bare ground and watering it in with soil solution, then laying cardboard, straw and pine needles on top. (Office Hours Ep. 16, 44:37)
- During growth, weekly soil-formula waterings for a month establish biology in the top inch of soil. (Office Hours Ep. 35, 59:53)
- With cover crops, Drake gives a leaf solution before mowing or crimping. IMO and a soil formula follow right after. (Office Hours Ep. 44, 50:05)
IMO is mainly soil foundation, though liquid IMO can go on anytime with other solutions. (Office Hours Ep. 117, 27:49) Applying the solutions helps microbes establish faster, like supplying good workers instead of leaving them to figure it out alone. (Office Hours Ep. 45, 52:12) Soil is one of seven formulas in Drake's book, alongside maintenance, seed, leaf, bloom, fruit and harvest. (Office Hours Ep. 65, 52:58)
The library does not say whether drenching every solution, as this farmer has, causes any harm.
Sources
- 27:49 Office Hours Ep. 117 (Mar 2024) — Kefir vs LAB, Maltose for Old Seeds, Jadam Sulfur for Rice · “IMO is mainly soil foundation, but liquid IMO can be added anytime with other solutions.”
- 50:05 Office Hours Ep. 44 (Aug 2022) — LAB Troubleshooting, Bacillus Subtilis Probiotics, Fish Amino Acid · “Give a leaf solution right before mowing or crimping, then a soil foundation with IMO and a soil formula right after.”
- 52:58 Office Hours Ep. 65 (Feb 2023) — Nutrient Cycle, Changeover Period, and OHN Extractions · “Into seven formulas built from nine core solutions: maintenance, soil, seed, leaf, bloom, fruit, and harvest.”
- 59:53 Office Hours Ep. 35 (Jun 2022) — Gray IMO, Protector Overuse, Chicken Feed Ratios · “biology well established in the top inch of soil after a month of weekly soil-formula waterings”
- 52:12 Office Hours Ep. 45 (Aug 2022) — Pig Feed From Dairy Waste, IMO Collection, Water-Soluble Calcium · “applying the solutions helps establish the microbes faster, like supplying good workers instead of leaving them to figure it out alone.”
- 44:37 Office Hours Ep. 16 (Jan 2022) — 120-Acre Land Restoration, IMO4 Rates, Cheap Microbe Recipe · “Spread IMO4 on the bare ground and water it in with soil solution before laying cardboard, corn straw, and pine needles on top.”
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