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How to Restore and Prevent Soil Compaction

August 4, 2020

How to Restore and Prevent Soil Compaction

August 4, 2020

Soil compaction is caused by the lack of pore space in the soil, which leads to a reduction in oxygen, water infiltration and nutrient availability. As the pore space decreases the soil density increases, starving the turfgrass and the microbes in the soil from the necessities needed for healthy survival. 


LEADING CAUSES OF SOIL COMPACTION
There are many factors that can lead to compaction but the leading issues are poor soil composition and environmental stressors. To produce an ideal soil composition the right combination of inorganic and organic matter is necessary. Low levels of organic matter make the soil more susceptible to soil compaction and an unbalanced soil composition of inorganic matter including sand, silt and clay can become prone to damage. Sports turf is often subjected to excessive vehicle and foot traffic caused by golf carts or athletes that lead to compaction and bare spots. Commercial and residential turf can also develop compacted soil and thatch layers due to increased traffic, especially more damaging when wet or in the peak of summer when turf is less resilient. Poor drainage and irrigation can also be a factor and can be identified by puddling on turf, which slowly dissipates after a rain.

HOW TO TREAT AND RECOVER THE SOIL
Although very damaging to your turf, soil compaction can be corrected. First, you must increase the flow of oxygen, water and nutrients that have been deprived from the soil by aerating. Core aerate the soil as deep as the compaction occurs, use a tine diameter from ¼ to ¾ inches and 2-6 inches apart is recommended. It is important to remove any thatch layers first and avoid cultivating when compacted soils are too dry to prevent adding additional stress. Turfgrass with excessive traffic like sports fields or golf greens should aerate 4-6 times a year and general turf should aerate at least 1-2 times annually. The plugs should be broken up immediately, removed from the turf or scattered to act as a topdressing material to manage thatch. Next, you need to improve the soil composition by adding the inorganic and organic material that is needed. Apply a thin finely granulated layer of soil and organic material (and inorganic if needed) to topdress your turf and amend the soil composition. Organic material will loosen up the soil increasing pore space and strengthen your soil against compaction. Then follow with over seeding, fertilizer and lime as needed. If aerating 1-2 times a year, follow this procedure in early spring and/or early fall for best results.

HOW TO PREVENT AND AVOID SOIL COMPACTION

Like many turfgrass issues that arise, prevention is key to avoiding compaction. Correcting your soil composition and assuring it has the correct balance of inorganic and organic materials can avoid the need to manage damage. (To learn more about ideal soil composition, watch the TurfLab Ch:4 webinar: Soil Amendments and Ideal Soil for a comprehensive explanation.) Since compaction from vehicle or foot traffic can worsen when turf is wet of dried out, try to keep traffic limited in these conditions. For sports turf, it is recommended to move tee markers, flag sticks or rotate practice fields to avoid excessive wear. The most important prevention is to follow best practices for managing turfgrass including, regular aeration, soil amending, adding organic material, proper irrigation/drainage, over seeding (when needed) and fertilization. 


For professional fertilizers, soil amendments and organic material including AMP-XC™ and humic 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.


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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.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Turf Care Supply, LLC Acquires Agri-Nutrients, Inc.

October 4, 2024
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

Turf Care Supply Goes Electric

September 28, 2023
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.
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