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LEARN THE PROS & CONS TO FIND WHICH METHOD IS BETTER FOR YOUR LAWN CARE NEEDS!
When choosing how to fertilize a lawn, you have probably been faced with the dilemma of whether or not to use a liquid or a granular application. When it comes to treating a lawn, plants aren’t capable of telling the difference between the vehicle in which fertilizer or control products are applied, but there are pros and cons to each which are important to understand. It is helpful to review the differences prior to choosing between these types of applications to decide which will work best for you.
LIQUID FERTILIZER
Liquid fertilizers are concentrates of water-soluble synthetic chemicals or powders that contain mixes of N-P-K (Nitrogen – Phosphorus – Potassium) as well as insecticides, fungicides, weed killers, or wetting agents. Commonly used liquid lawn applicators include backpack, push sprayers or spray trucks.
PROS
- Even application, identical nutrients or control technology in every drop
- Provides a uniform application
- Nutrients become readily available to plants
- Can be ground applied or foliar applied (taken up by roots or leaves of plants)
- Foliar applications allow for fast corrections to mid-season deficiencies
- Ease of blending. Mixes well with other lawn care pesticides, other control or soil amendment technologies
- Available for both starter and in-season applications
- Phosphorus is more mobile in liquid applications
- More control over creating your own mix
- Easy clean-up
- Less chance of drift to nearby flower and shrub beds
CONS
- Fast-release technology requires frequent applications to maintain lawn health & color
- Improper mixing and application can burn turf
- More susceptible to volatilization and product loss
- Converting to liquid fertilizer equipment can be expensive
- Products can settle out over time and in regions that experiences cold weather, products can salt out (sludge-like matter that develops when the temperature of the water cools, triggering the some of the fertilizer concentrate to revert back to its solid form; causing it to clog your sprayers if not brought back to normal temperature and mixed once warmer weather returns)
- Products have a shelf life of roughly 8-10 years
GRANULAR
Granular products, also known as dry fertilizers, are blends that can be created by mixing different nutrient combinations into a desired analysis (example: N-P-K, 12-24-10) as well as be treated with a variety of control technologies for desired results. A rotary or broadcast spreader typically applies granular lawn care products.
PROS
- Option of customizing/fine-tuning a lawn care fertility program
- Slow release options are more readily available and allow for less applications needed (great for continued feedings during stressful times of heat and drought), allowing results to last much longer
- Product analyses can be easily changed or substituted to fit specific needs
- More efficient for pre-plant applications
- Cheaper when purchased in bulk
- Does not “go bad” if stored properly
- Easy to store
- It can also be seen on the lawn so you can tell where the product has been applied
CONS
- Inappropriate application can lead to burning of turf
- Applications may require clean-up (sweeping up extra fertilizer off of paved surfaces) and may drift into flowers or shrubs
- Individual nutrient components in every granule, can lead to non-uniform amount of nutrients distributed if not applied correctly
- Immobile nutrients like phosphorus remained locked up in the soil since they can’t be carried like liquid in water
- High salt content that can lead roots to steering away from the nutrients if applied incorrectly
In conclusion, although liquid and granular fertilizer application methods have their differences, you can choose one or the other or find a balance of using both during the growing season to create a program that enhances a lawns health and works best for you.
- NOTE: No matter the process of application, read ALL label instructions before applying product to a lawn to prevent inappropriate methods of applying fertilizer that may cause damage or burning of turf.
Turf Care Supply Corp does not recommend one vehicle of application for fertilizer over another. We recommend you consider your lawn care goals and how they correlate to ease and convenience of application, costs, and potential plant response when making fertilizer application choices.
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.
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.