GO WITH THE ORIGINAL PRO-BIOTIC ™ FERTILIZERS
After years of research, plant biology expert Milo Lou Shammas developed the first "Pro-Biotic" fertilizers formulated for the home gardener in 1991. In 1992 he founded the Dr. Earth Co. and began producing and marketing his newly discovered products through independent garden centers.

What does "Pro-biotic" mean? Translated from the Latin and Greek, it literally means "for life." And that is the essence of Dr. Earth products- the very first to combine beneficial, living soil organisms (microbes) with organic fertilizers to create the bio-technical breakthrough that is now revolutionizing the gardening and landscape industries. It has long been recognized that organic gardening is the superior approach to healthy, productive plants and soils. Unfortunately, this approach has always been- until Dr. Earth products came along- tedious, slow, demanding and requiring a commitment well beyond that of the typical homeowner gardener.The Dr. Earth difference of course, is in the performance. Dr. Earth products provide FAST growth results PLUS the long-term plant and soil health associated with true organic fertilizers. Dr. Earth has made the well-known benefits of organic gardening available to the typical home gardener and eliminated the environmental and safety risks often associated with chemical fertilizers.Dr. Earth was the first to create it, the first to test it; the first to market it, Dr. Earth is still the first. Milo Lou Shammas invented this concept, created the original milestone fertilizers and today, through continuous research and product development, clearly remains the leader in this new and exciting field.

THE CHAMPION STRAINS
At the "heart of all Dr. Earth products are the seven "champion" strains of beneficial soil microbes and fungi. "Champion" strains because years of research led Milo Lou Shammas to identify this precise combination of specific bacteria and fungi to be the ultimate "team" for optimum plant growth, health and longevity. He recognized that these organisms working together performed the pro-biotic magic in the organic fertilizer and soil he envisioned. Each has been studied and tested thoroughly, and ultimately selected for superior ability to perform critical task(s) in the soil environment. Among them:

• Azobacter Vinelandi- Actually helps build optimum soil structure and serves to convert atmospheric Nitrogen to soluble Nitrogen.
• Lactobacillus Acidophilus: Particularly effective in converting lignins and cellulose into usable plant nutrients. Lignins and cellulose are found in the cell walls of most plants and are especially prevalent in the cell structure of woody plants. They are difficult for most microbes to digest.
• Aspergillus Oryzae- A specialized fungus that further contributes to ideal soil structure through the use of fine, thread-like mycelia.
• Bacillus Cereus- A bacteria that actually produces phenols and penicillinase, powerful anti-biotic compounds which help control soil born plant diseases such as Fusarium, verticillium and rhizoctonia.
• Rhizobium Japonicum- The bacteria that are essential to plants in the enormous legume family of plants. Legumes are one of the largest families of flowering plants with at least 18,000 known species, including all peas, beans, acacia, clovers and many other common trees, shrubs and flowering plants. Without Rhizobium, plants in this family have difficulty absorbing enough nitrogen. By means of a symbiotic attachment to the roots, the Rhizobium bacteria convert nitrogen into a usable form.

These important members of the "champion" microbe team are found only in Dr. Earth products. No other fertilizer comes close to duplicating the "seven champion strains" combination. That is one important reason that other organic products cannot compare to Dr. Earth in over-all performance.

LIQUID FERTILIZERS (OMRI™ LISTED)
Dr. Earth now offers a complete line of natural liquid fertilizers for use on all plant types. These fertilizers produce superior growth from a bottle. They are rich in primary nutrients, multi-minerals and natural growth enhancers. These liquids quickly correct any nutrient deficiencies, helping transplants and established plants to thrive. Easy to mix and apply, Dr. Earth liquids are formulated for use on all indoor and outdoor plants and for both soil and foliar application. You can count on fast results every time.

HOW SIMPLE ARE THE "SIMPLES?"
Not so simple! All Dr. Earth "simple" products (single ingredient fertilizers) are inoculated with the "seven champion strains" of beneficial soil microbes. Gardeners are assured of receiving all the pro-biotic soil benefits when using them in their various specialized applications. Dr. Earth Co. is unique in incorporating this feature into a complete line of organic simples (10 plus a true compost starter.)

IS MORE REALLY BETTER?
We all know that more of something is not always better. Taking two aspirin can help a headache. But taking the whole bottle is not such a good idea. Many things are like that- there's "just right," and there's "too much." Every package of Dr. Earth Fertilizer lists the number of cells of each species of living microbes per cubic centimeter. These numbers are not arbitrary or guess work. They are the result of in-depth research to determine the optimum performance of each product in garden soil. Too few and the "champions" are unable to produce the fast growth, greening and blooming for which Dr. Earth fertilizers are famous. Too many, and studies have shown that the long-term benefits of the fertilizer are diminished. An over-population of microbes may consume and convert the organic materials faster than the plants can consume them or the soil can store them. Valuable nutrients are lost and re-application of more fertilizer becomes necessary to resume healthy growth. The result can be sporadic plant growth rather than the healthy, steady growth characteristic of balanced biological soil activity.
Based on sound principles of population dynamics, the number of microbes included in every package of Dr. Earth product has been scientifically determined so that each "champion" microbe specie will multiply, grow and perform at a balanced, sustained rate, optimally supporting both short-term and long-term plant and soil health. Be wary of imitation products that are more about marketing than science.

MYCORRHIZAE
Besides the "champion strains" of microbes, Dr. Earth fertilizers and soils contain the added benefit of Mycorrhizae- specialized fungi that augment and enormously expand the capability
and effectiveness of the root systems of a huge variety of plants, trees and shrubs. The benefits of mycorrhizae fungi to host plants are well known and include increased drought tolerance,
disease resistance and over-all growth potential. There are two types of Mycorrhizae. Some plants utilize Endo-Mycorrhizae and others form an association with Ecto-Mycorrhizae. Endo-Mycorrhizae actually attach themselves inside the cell walls of roots. Conversely, Ecto-Mycorrhizae attach themselves to the exterior of the root cells and are associated with most conifers, birches, oaks, poplars, walnuts and many other trees and shrubs. Dr. Earth products include both types of Mycorrhizae to ensure that the proper mycorrhizal variety will be abundantly present whatever the planting project may be. While there are some plant groups that do not utilize mycorrhizae at all, the presence of mycorrhizae in the soil is in no way harmful to them and may well be beneficial to collateral plants.

QUALITY ALL THE WAY!
When it comes to organic fertilizers, the quality and source of the ingredients is critical. Dr. Earth Co. does not skimp when it comes to organic ingredients. All the magic of the microbes and mycorrhizae discussed above mean little if there is nothing for them to digest and convert to nutrients. Dr. Earth has researched and identified the most effective all-natural and organic components, selecting those with the greatest potential yield of plant nutrients. While "N, P, & K" are certainly important, a myriad of additional nutrients and "micro-nutrients" must be present in varying amounts to assure maximum plant health and growth. All Dr. Earth blended fertilizers contain Fish Bone Meal as a "base ingredient." Fish Bone Meal has been found to be an ideal medium for microbial interaction, containing an exceptionally rich array of essential plant nutrients. Although more costly than the poultry waste commonly used in other organic fertilizers, the nutrient contribution and other beneficial properties of Fish Bone Meal are far superior. Seaweed Extract is another key component exclusive to Dr. Earth products. It's a source of powerful plant growth hormones and valuable trace minerals. Of course, many other all-natural ingredients are used in Dr. Earth as needed to address each fertilizer's specific purpose. Some examples include alfalfa meal, cottonseed meal, kelp meal and feather meal, to name just a few.

HUMIC ACID: WHAT IS IT AND WHY DOES DR. EARTH CONTAIN MORE THAN THE OTHERS?
Humic Acid is a biostimulant extracted from special deposits of shale and is among the most concentrated organic materials available. The exact composition of Humic Acid can vary from one source to another. Dr. Earth uses a Humic Acid found in North Dakota that is derived from coal deposits that were created millions of years ago by the compaction and heating of the abundant tropical vegetation that covered the region during the Carboniferous period of the Paleozoic era. The shale source of this Humic Acid is the result of ancient, compacted concentrations of organic acids and esters (organic salts) associated with these particular coal formations. Because of its origin from lush vegetation, Humic Acid is exceptionally rich and beneficial to today's plants.Humic Acid acts to bind soil cations (positively charged elements) including important "trace elements" such as Magnesium, Calcium and Iron through a chemical process known as chelation. Chelation prevents leaching and essentially helps "capture" these nutrients for absorption by
plant roots. Similarly, Humic Acid serves to detoxify soils by chemically "locking up" dangerous heavy metal ions so that plants cannot absorb them.Humic acid increases nutrient uptake, drought tolerance and seed germination. It promotes the microbial activity in the soil, making it an excellent root stimulator. Humic Acid increases the availability of nutrients in Dr. Earth fertilizers and in those pre-existing in the soil. It will help to aerate soil from the inside and assists in lowering the pH of alkaline soils by "flushing" high levels of salts from the root zone. Humic Acid is great stuff so that's why you'll find Dr. Earth fertilizers contain at least three times the Humic Acid as in other organic fertilizers.

THE DR. EARTH PACKAGE
Products as great as Dr. Earth need to be protected so that when used, they are as effective as possible. All Dr. Earth fertilizer 4 lb. boxes contain a poly plastic liner to effectively protect the contents from moisture and increase product longevity.
We all know what storage in a damp shed or garage can do to the life span of a fertilizer!
Dr. Earth 12 lb. bags are strong, completely protected and weatherproof. No need to worry about rain or sprinklers.

SINCE ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL…
Besides the ever popular 4 lb. and 12 lb. packages, Dr. Earth also offers larger 25 lb. and 50 lb. packages for the professional and really avid gardener!

VALUE
Dr. Earth is the name that started it all, the name that's been out there for over 12 years, the name that has become the industry leader in organic innovation. But most important of all, Dr. Earth products are the most effective- as proven and backed by research. They may be priced a snitch higher than some others but are the true bargains when quality, value and results are considered. Dr. Earth is often imitated- but never equaled.