It all begins with the soil!  For centuries mankind has known that the quality of the soil has everything to do with whether or not a given area of ground would make a good piece of farmland or a family garden.  Over the centuries we learned that some soils were better suited to grasses than vegetables and some soils were better suited to vines that melons.  In time we also learned that this had to do with the mechanical, chemical, and biological make-up of the soil in question.  Later still, we learned how to change the mechanical, chemical, and biological properties of the soils by use of various 'soil amendments'.  Today we can so completely change the character of a soil (amending) that it would seem miraculous to our ancestors.

Here at Hondo, much of our work these past three decades has been focused around amending soils.  We've been involved in all three of the aforementioned areas, mechanical, chemical, and biological.  However, our major emphasis over the years has been focused on chemicals.  Now immediately when folks here the word chemical, in their minds, red flags go up, sirens go off, and the voice of the robot from lost in space echoes in their head, "...danger Will Robinson, Danger".  But the truth is that we are surrounded by elemental chemicals anytime we walk out side, and we are infused with them the moment we turn over a handful of soil and let it run between our fingers.

If you recall your grade school science class, the earth is composed of 'elements' and these elements, or chemicals, are everywhere.  Oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen are all about us and are part of every productive soil matrix I ever encountered.  Additionally, they are joined by other elements such as potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, boron, molybdenum, and even chlorine to provide a balanced matrix in which plant life can survive and thrive.  Now if you are a professional farmer, agronomist, crop advisor, or even a serious gardener, none of this comes as news to you.  But we live in a time when so many people have lost touch with the 'soil' that it never hurts to remind folks that those of us who feed the world are working with the planet and not against it.

At Hondo, we work with farmers, agronomists, crop advisors, and even serious gardeners to take whatever soils they are working with and help them craft it into the most productive state that it can achieve 'cost-effectively.  We know that it's foolhardy to amend soils at the rate of say a $1,000 an acre to create a perfect all-purpose soil matrix when all your really want it to be able to get a profitable yield on your 640 acres of almonds or the two rows of string beans in your garden.  This means for us that one size does not fit all and it never has.  For 30 years we have recommended that our clients sample their soils, sample their water, and then submit them to proper testing so the true needs and rates of specific applications of amendments can be made.  There are no miracles here, only hard science.  But the good news is that hard science, when properly applied, can produce near miraculous results.

To learn more about how Hondo can help your farm, your client, or your garden, drop us an email or give us a call at answers@hondoinc.com or answers@hondoinc.net or 661-589-1042