WIN THE FIGHT AGAINST LATE SEASON INVADERS!
Did you know that one of the best times to promote a healthy lawn and treat for weeds is the fall? Yes, it’s true! During the summer, the weed lifecycle is dominated by foliar top growth, but as fall approaches, perennial weeds begin to transport energy in the form of sugar down to their roots systems in order to prepare for the impending winter. This is a great time to apply both pre- and post-emergent herbicides. As plants transition from storing energy in their leaves to their roots, post-emergent herbicides will be absorbed foliarly and transported down into the roots resulting in highly effective control. A fall treatment will not only control pervasive fall weeds, but also defend against early spring invaders as well.
WHY ISN’T A SINGLE HERBICIDE APPLICATION IN THE SPRING ENOUGH?
Weeds
can invade your turf grass anytime of the year. There are numerous summer annual and biennial weeds that need to be controlled in order to defend against outbreaks. If you have weeds in spring, it’s a safe assumption that many of them were already entrenched in your lawn the previous fall. This is the primary reason you shouldn’t treat for weeds only in the spring. As previously mentioned, perennials that grow in late summer/early fall will begin to store energy in their roots to overwinter, so by treating in the fall, you’re effectively preventing a spring outbreak.
SHOULD I USE A PRE OR POST-EMERGENT HERBICIDE?
For maximum effectiveness, try to find a lawn care product that contains both. The benefit is “two for one” when you treat your lawn for weeds in the fall because you can target both annual and perennial broadleaf invaders with an herbicide that combines pre- and post-emergent control. A post-emergent attacks weeds that are already established while a pre-emergent tackles newly germinated weeds before they can establish and disperse.
Before applying any fall herbicide treatments, closely examine the product’s active ingredients or AI’s. There are a wide variety of pre-emergent herbicides offered in the market. Some of the more prominent technologies include Prodiamine, Dithiopyr (Dimension®), and Specticle®. There are also a wide variety of technologies that provide post-emergent control, many of which stack multiple technologies
in one formulation. Common post-emergent chemistries include 2,4-D; MCPP; and dicamba. Combining multiple technologies allows for a wider spectrum of broadleaf weed control.
- NOTE: Carefully examine the list of “controlled weeds” (typically labeled on each bag) in order to determine if the control agent is the right one for your situation.
- ProTip: Herbicides can be applied in liquid or granular form. Herbicides are often combined with fertilizers so you can kill the weeds and feed your turf in one single application.
TREATMENT TIMING
The best times to apply herbicides in the fall vary with region and climate. For cool season grasses in southern regions (south of the Ohio River), fall treatments may be applied as early as September and as late as November (often in conjunction with fall fertilization). In northern regions, treatments can be applied as early as Labor Day, typically ending by early November. A good rule of thumb is to apply herbicides when air temperatures average at least 50° F or above. To help determine the best timing for herbicide applications in your area, contact your local extension agent.
- NOTE: Read and follow all directions of use and application instructions prior to the use any lawn care product.
Get started on the lawn care weed battle for next year by following through with pre and post-emergent treatments this fall. Take down those invaders before they become a nuisance next spring!
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For green industry professionals or others interested in ordering Turfcare products, please contact our Customer Service
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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.