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
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.”
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 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.