The Scientist

“I first became aware of Poo Peas organic soil amendment in 2010 and have used it in informal trials in varying landscape and garden plantings representing varying soil types and irrigation methods.

In the 36 years of my professional involvement in the Horticulture industry I have seen, used, and tested a LOT of different organic soil amendments: manures; washed manures; bedding and manure combinations; composts; and municipal sludge and wastes, to name a few.

One product stands out head and shoulders above the others, and that product is POOpeas.  I have done repeated salinity ( ECe) testing from different POOpea’s bags and have found salinity levels from both short and long term saturated extracts to be ideal, in the .9 to 1.8 ECe range.  This represents ideal levels of soluble nutrients along with the longer-term organic matter content of POOpeas.  The salinity level of an amendment is a very big deal, as the high salt levels typical of manures and certain composts have contributed to innumerable cases of root damage and plant injury and death.  The salinity level of your ‘average’ manure / compost product can range from an ECE of 6 all the way to an ECe of 25.  It is general knowledge within the field of Horticulture that an ECe of higher than 5 is considered salt-toxic to the roots of most plant species.

An ECe between 1.0 and 2.0 is considered ideal for most plants, and POOpeas is right in the sweet spot, between .9 and 1.8.  You could not engineer a better salinity level even using synthetic inorganic fertilizers, which of course do not provide the microbes and organic matter.

The terminology I am using may seem too technical or academic for some, but there is nothing academic or overly technical about losing crops and landscapes to manures and composts with toxic salt levels.  Root damage due to high salts comes on very quick, mimics drought stress, and often has done the damage before anyone realizes what has happened.

I can without hesitation recommend POOpeas to professionals and home gardeners alike for safe, superior results for both immediate nutrition and the long term, necessary benefits of organic soil amendments.  Additionally, the pelletized form of the product makes it very user friendly and easy to apply in accurate amounts for pre-plant soil mix’s or post-plant gardens and landscapes.

This is a personal endorsement, not an official one from the College of Western Idaho. I have no ownership or affiliation with the manufacturer of POOpeas.”

John Dodson

Assistant Professor, Horticulture Technology Program at the College of Western Idaho