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Landscape Maintenance 101

August 1, 2017

Landscape Maintenance 101

August 1, 2017
5 WAYS TO CULTIVATE HEALTHY, BEAUTIFUL PLANTS AND ORNAMENTALS
Landscaping adds to a home’s value, curb appeal and over all aesthetics but beyond installation, plants, ornamentals, trees, and shrubs must be properly maintained to keep up their beautiful appearance. Once you make the investment to install, these landscape additions can be long lasting enjoyments to a home if properly cared for. Many plants aren’t necessarily native to the landscape’s region, so maintenance practices must be done to manage soil quality, nutrient availability and water retention to endure environmental stresses to extend the longevity of life and health of the plant. Follow these 5 tips to manage and maintain your plants and landscapes for years to come:

1. ASSESS SOIL CONDITIONS
Just like prior to treating a lawn with product, one must evaluate the soil around their landscape’s plants, trees, shrubs and ornamentals with a soil test. This will not only provide you with valuable information in regards to soil pH near the plants, but it will pinpoint any nutrient deficiencies in need of correction to maintain optimal soil fertility and lush plant growth. TIP: A soil test kit may be obtained from your local county Extension office.
  • NOTE: All plants, trees, shrubs and ornamentals require different levels soil pH and key nutrients to sustain healthy growth. Be sure to learn the type of nutrients and soil pH levels the plants in your landscape require to better understand what products will best maintain the health of your plants.
2. FERTILIZE
Adopting a good fertility program will help maintain the health and growth of your plants. Plants, trees, shrubs and ornamentals with strong fertilizing programs are less susceptible to disease and insect infestations. It’s important to understand that each plant group within a landscape requires different levels of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, copper, molybdenum, magnesium, iron, sulfur, manganese and boron) to sustain healthy growth. Be sure to understand and research your plants before applying fertilizer. Allow your plants one year to become established before beginning your fertilizing program.

Although there is no, all-encompassing plant fertility program to cover all landscapes since all landscapers differ, there are a few tips to consider when developing a fertilizer program for your landscape:

Gardens and Flower Beds
Evenly apply product depending on crop and soil analysis. Work into the soil to a depth of 6 inches. Once plants are established apply additional fertilizer based on County Extension Service recommendations. Apply fertilizer evenly and do not apply fertilizer directly to plant foliage or stems. Water in after application. Always read and follow all label instructions for rate of application.
general purpose tree diagram

Shrubs and Trees

For shrubs, apply product when plants are dormant in the late fall or in the early spring. The fertilizer should be kept 12 to 18 inches away from the base of shrubs. Water in after application to remove any fertilizer that may be in contact with the foliage and to move fertilizer into the soil. Always read and follow all label instructions for rate of application.


 For trees, apply product when trees are dormant in the late fall or in the early spring. Apply 0.8 pounds of fertilizer per inch of trunk diameter at chest height (4" diameter tree = 3.2 pounds of fertilizer) evenly under the canopy of the tree where there are no ground cover plants or turf growing. An alternate method is to auger holes 6 to 8 inches deep in a grid pattern as shown in the diagram (left). Keep holes at least 3 feet from the base of the tree. Place fertilizer in holes, evenly applying the appropriate amount of fertilizer under the canopy of the tree using 0.8 pounds per inch of trunk diameter at chest height (a 4" diameter tree would require a total of 3.2 pounds of fertilizer). Then finish filling the holes with dirt. Water fertilizer in after application. Always read and follow all label instructions for rate of application.
WATER! 
Watering your plants is crucial to the maintenance and sustainability of your landscape, especially right after installation and throughout its first full growing season. Since landscapes differ, there can be many different rules to watering. However, here are some general recommendations and tips to consider:

Plant Watering Recommendations
  • Check plants weekly from Spring to Fall (March 1st – November 30th) for signs of lack of water. NOTE: Physical signs your plant needs water include: leaves wilting and drooping, slowed growth, reduced plant production (fewer plant buds, sprouts or fruit), as well as plant damage (leaves will die and drop off plant). 
  • Don’t over water. NOTE: Signs of over watering include: wet soil but wilting plant, brown leaves, edema, yellow falling leaves, new growth falling from plants and root rot.
  • Touch and feel the soil around plants. If the soil is dry to the touch it needs water, if its damp, your plant is okay.
  • If rainfall is insufficient, supply supplement water.
Trees, Shrubs and Ornamental Watering Recommendations
  • Check new plants weekly for signs of over or under watering.
  • After the plants 1st year, established plants should be watered every 3-4 weeks from June-September.
  • Place hose at the base of plant trunks, allowing for a slow flow of water to saturate the entire root zone.
  • If rainfall is insufficient, supply supplement water.
MULCH
Mulching around your landscape installations prove to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Mulch around plants helps to:
  • Aid in Weed Control
  • Supply nutrients to the soil after it decomposes
  • Conserve soil moisture
  • Limit soil temperature fluctuation by insulating the root zone
  • Allow more water to penetrate soil by preventing run-off
PRUNE
Don’t worry, pruning is not destructive and won’t kill your plants; it’s a necessary part of landscape care that will preserve the health of your plants. When left to their own, overtime, plants will put out too much growth, resulting in dense foliage that doesn’t allow it to dry out, making it more prone to disease. The difficult part is knowing how each of your plants should be pruned.

Pruning Recommendations From Passiglia’s Nursery & Garden Center
  • Flowering Deciduous Trees and Shrubs should be pruned immediately after flowering.
  • Non-Flowering Deciduous Trees and Shrubs ideally should be done during the dormant season. However, pruning may be done anytime the wood is not frozen.
  • Evergreens may be pruned just after new growth is completed, usually in late spring or early summer.
  • Broadleaf Evergreens (Rhododendrons and Azaleas) need to have faded flowers pinched off (deadheading). Be careful not to pinch off next year’s buds along with faded flowers.
  • Whenever a stem or branch is dead or damaged.
For more information on our Product Catalog, Click Here.
 
For green industry professionals or others interested in ordering Turfcare products, please contact our Customer Service to find a distributor near you.
References:
http://www.passiglia.com/gc_plant_care_tips.htm
http://www.greenviewfertilizer.com/articles/choosing-plant-fertilizer/
http://www.teleflora.com/blog/are-you-sure-that-plant-needs-water-5-signs-of-overwatering/
https://www.miraclegro.com/smg/goART3/Howto/how-to-feed-trees-shrubs-%26-ornamentals-trees-shrubs-landscaping-miracle-gro/29500032/7400004/27000004/
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/signs-lack-water-plants-39198.html
https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/fertilizing-trees-shrubs
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
https://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/trees-shrubs/tree-fertilization-guide/
http://www.greenviewfertilizer.com/articles/to-trim-or-not-to-trim/

Turf Care Supply - TurfReport Blog

Turf Care and Beaty Fertilizer Unite for Growth, Innovation, and Increased Value to Customers

April 18, 2025
Turf Care Supply, LLC, a portfolio company of Platte River Equity, has officially acquired Beaty Fertilizer, the industry respected Tennessee-based manufacturer and blender of custom granular and liquid fertilizers, as well as combination products. This strategic move expands Turf Care’s manufacturing footprint, adds new product capabilities, and enhances overall production capacity. “The partnership with Beaty Fertilizer marks a major milestone in our journey and an important step forward in our mission to grow, innovate and lead in our industry,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “This acquisition is more than just expansion; it’s a powerful opportunity to strengthen our product offerings, broaden our market reach and provide greater value to our customers. By welcoming Beaty into the Turf Care family, we are reinforcing our commitment to excellence and positioning ourselves for an even brighter future.” “We are excited about this next step in the Beaty Fertilizer story. For almost 50 years, our family and our employees have worked hard to serve customers and communities with pride and heart,” said John Beaty, President of Beaty. “Now, we are embracing an opportunity for growth with Turf Care. With our combined know-how and resources, we’ll keep building on what we’ve worked so hard to create and bring even more value to our customers, employees and partners. We truly believe this partnership will keep the Beaty legacy going strong while opening up new doors for growth and innovation.” Tarun Kanthety, Vice President at Platte River, added, “We believe the acquisition of Beaty Fertilizer represents a strategic step in expanding Turf Care’s footprint and product breadth... as it scales and enhances its value proposition to customers.”

Grub Management: Understanding Life Cycles and Optimal Treatment Timing

April 18, 2025
Root out Grubs, Before they Attack Yours! White grubs, the immature stage of several scarab beetles—including Japanese beetles, masked chafers, May and June beetles, and green June beetles—are a major threat to turfgrass across the Southeast. These beetles follow a complete metamorphosis (egg, grub, pupa, adult), with most species completing their cycle in one year. Eggs are laid in early summer, grubs hatch within two weeks, and begin feeding on turfgrass roots through the late summer and fall. May and June beetles differ slightly, with a two- to three-year life cycle and prolonged feeding as third-instar grubs. Grubs damage turf by severing roots, causing grass to yellow, wilt, or lift easily from the soil. Feeding is typically concentrated in patches and worsens during hot, dry weather. Wildlife digging for grubs can create further turf destruction. Healthy turf may tolerate 5–10 grubs per square foot, but damage becomes evident as populations rise or turf is under stress. Early detection and timing are essential. Scouting begins in late June, shortly after adult beetle activity peaks. Monitoring plants favored by beetles can signal egg-laying is underway. Treatment is most effective when small grubs are active—typically from mid-July through early August. For professional turfgrass managers, insecticides containing imidacloprid (Merit®), chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn®), or trichlorfon (Dylox®) are the most effective tools. The primary months of preventative application of Acelepryn® is from April to end of May and Merit® from April into July - targeting grubs before they hatch. Curative treatments with Dylox® or similar products are applied July through the fall, when young grubs are feeding and most vulnerable. Always follow label directions for optimal application and safety. Timing may vary slightly by regional seasonal needs. Turf Care Supply has a variety of professional TCS Growstar insecticide fertilizers available to protect your turf and prevent grub damage, before it starts. Click on the button below to view products, contact your sales rep for addition TC Growstar products available.

Platte River Equity - Press Release: Turf Care Supply, LLC Acquires Agri-Nutrients, Inc.

October 9, 2024
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.
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