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WHAT CAUSES FROST
Frost typically occurs overnight when warm air rises and cool air near the ground drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. During a light frost the ground does not freeze, making it easier for grass and plants to survive.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PLANTS DURING A FROST
Grass blades move water throughout the length of the plant for nourishment, but when a frost comes, the moisture freezes inside (This is what causes the frosty look of the grass). When the water freezes it expands, rupturing plant cell walls. A light frost that does not freeze the ground won’t cause severe damage because the grass roots below the soil remain above freezing point. This may result in some blade damage but the roots often have the chance to heal the damage as the grass continues to grow.
FROST DAMAGE OF A LAWN
Visible Damage:
After several nights or a light frost, visible damage can be seen during the days. This visible damage looks different depending on your grass type, for example, Bermuda grass can become brown and patchy and will die quickly if warmer temperatures do not return, while St. Augustine becomes yellow, brown and even sometimes purple in hue in frost damaged areas.
Impact Damage:
When your lawn has frost covering it, it is susceptible to impact damage. This damage can be caused by walking, driving or leaving heavy objects on your lawn. When impact pressure is applied to a frosted lawn, the expanded water molecules slice through the plant, causing cell damage. You can often determine quickly if your lawn has impact damage because the grass will appear to look white or beige from being crushed.
HOW TO PREVENT/TREAT A FROSTBITTEN LAWN
Prevention:
- Wait for the sun to rise to melt the frost from your lawn before stepping, driving or applying impact pressure on your lawn.
- Give your grass a deep watering the night before an expected frost. The watering allows moisture to slowly evaporate overnight, causing friction and heat around the grass blades. As the night air drops below freezing, you turf will have a slightly higher temperature from the evaporating heat process, allowing your grass to not reach the freezing temperature that causes plant cell wall damage.
- Move the mower blades up .5 inches, allowing longer leaves to help shelter grass crowns from future frosts.
- Refrain from mowing right before a frost. Mowing creates a wound on the plant, making it more susceptible to frost damage.
- Rake yard of dead grass if the frost/freeze has been particularly hard in your area. Too much dead grass can lead to excessive thatch.
Treatment:
- Apply 1 inch (1 hour) of water in the morning to a frostbitten lawn because hydration plummets due to the dew evaporation off the leaves.
- Reseed damaged areas once spring arrives.
- Mow only after your lawn begins to grow again and not looking discolored. Move the mower blades up .5 inches, allowing longer leaves to help shelter grass crowns from future frosts.
- Wait to fertilize for up to a month after damage, extra nitrogen from frost dehydration can cause more damage.
For professional fertilizers, humic and AMP-XC™ enriched products available, please visit TurfCare’s online Product Catalog.
For green industry professionals or others interested in ordering Turfcare products, please contact our Customer Service
to find a distributor near you.
References:
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/light-frost-effects-grass-63421.html
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/treat-frostbitten-lawn-25856.html
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/frost.html
http://www.weed-pro.com/blog/bid/132887/Lawn-Care-Alert-Yellow-in-Your-Lawn-Frost-is-Likely-Culprit\
Turf Care Supply - TurfReport Blog
Platte River Equity Portfolio Company Turf Care Supply, LLC Acquires Agri-Nutrients, Inc. Brunswick, OH , October 9, 2024 – Platte River Equity (“Platte River”) portfolio company Turf Care Supply, LLC (“Turf Care”) is pleased to announce its acquisition of Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (“Agri-Nutrients”), a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the turf & ornamental (“T&O”) industry. This strategic acquisition provides Turf Care with an established presence in the south-central United States, an enhanced product portfolio and additional manufacturing capacity. “This acquisition represents much more than a business transaction; it is a strategic step forward in expanding our reach and enhancing our customers’ growth. By bringing Agri-Nutrients into the Turf Care family, we are broadening our product portfolio, expanding our market presence and further positioning ourselves as a leader in providing innovative solutions for our customers,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “We are excited about joining the Turf Care team,” said Jim Montgomery, President of Agri-Nutrients. “At Agri-Nutrients, our core values center around customer service and product innovation, and we are confident that this combination will allow us to better serve the needs of our customers.” “Platte River welcomes the Agri-Nutrients team to Turf Care. This transaction underscores our long-term commitment to fostering growth through both organic and inorganic initiatives across the Turf Care platform,” said Tarun Kanthety, Vice President of Platte River. “The partnership with Agri-Nutrients strengthens Turf Care’s value-added offering, creating additional growth opportunities across the combined customer base.” B&A Corporate Advisors served as the exclusive financial advisor to Agri-Nutrients. About Agri-Nutrients Founded in 1992 and based in Catoosa, OK, Agri-Nutrients is a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the T&O industry, predominantly selling into the lawn care, sports turf and golf course end markets. About Turf Care Supply Established in 1974, Turf Care Supply is one of the largest formulators and blenders of urea products to the T&O market. Turf Care has a comprehensive product portfolio of fertilizers, combination products (herbicide/insecticide), soil amendments and enhanced efficiency fertilizer ingredients. Turf Care's products are sold to distributors and blenders serving the commercial, residential and golf end markets. Turf Care operates four manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the eastern U.S. About Platte River Equity Founded in 2006 and based in Denver, CO, Platte River Equity is a private equity firm focused on investments in established lower middle market operating companies within targeted industrial sectors where it has substantial operating and investing experience. Platte River utilizes prudent capital structures in order to invest in future growth opportunities and withstand changing economic environments. The firm also provides significant ongoing support to its portfolio companies through dedicated resources across functional areas. The firm has raised funds with committed capital in excess of $1.6 billion and is currently investing out of its fifth fund. The Platte River team is the largest collective investor across its funds, deeply aligning the firm with its investors and portfolio company management teams.
Dear Valued Industry Partners and Customers, We are pleased to announce that Turf Care Supply, LLC has acquired Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (October 1, 2024) a respected manufacturer in the turf and ornamental fertilizer industry. This acquisition marks a significant step forward in our commitment to providing you with an expanded range of innovative products, services, and industry expertise, all designed to support your business’s continued growth and success. As a valued partner or customer, you will benefit from enhanced service capabilities and an extended geographic reach, thanks to Agri-Nutrients, Inc.’s strategic facility located in the Port of Catoosa, Oklahoma. With this established presence in the Southwest and Western markets, Turf Care Supply, LLC’s expanded operational footprint will allow us to serve a broader region with greater efficiency, delivering even stronger support to help drive your business forward. We are dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition while maintaining the high standards of service you expect. If you have any questions or would like to explore how this new location can enhance your operations, please feel free to contact your account manager or our customer service team. Thank you for your continued trust in Turf Care Supply, LLC. We look forward to partnering with you as we grow together and continue supporting your success. Sincerely, Mark Mangan President Turf Care Supply, LLC
With a focus on providing sustainable manufacturing and reducing carbon emissions, Turf Care Supply has embraced the electric power market with the latest mobile equipment upgrades. Completed in June 2023, TCS received all deliveries of electric forklifts to all three manufacturing facilities, including Hatfield, MA, Martins Ferry, OH and Sebring, FL.