LEARN WHY YOU & YOUR LAWN'S LIFE DEPEND ON THEM!
Beautiful lawns don’t just happen, a lot of support is required to maintain healthy turf. You’re probably thinking that the support comes from fertilizer applications, soil amendments
and regular lawn care maintenance, but that’s not what I’m referring to. I’m referring to the tiny, hard working army known as microbes. Now, don’t get me wrong, fertilizing, applying soil amendments and doing regular lawn care maintenance like aeration, mowing and thatch management all help in the support of a healthy lawn, but without microbes assisting, none of those treatments would be as effective.
SO WHAT ARE MICROBES?
Microbes are very small forms of life, often times single celled organisms so tiny that you need a microscope to see them. Microbes include several different species like bacteria, fungi, algae and protozoa that exist in the soil, most abundantly found in the topsoil where food sources are plentiful.
- Did you know? One teaspoon of healthy soil can contain more microbes than people on Earth!
WHAT DO MICROBES DO?
These organisms primary decompose organic matter but they also detoxify harmful chemicals, provide nitrogen to help plants grow, suppress disease organisms and produce nutrients that stimulate plant growth.
WHY ARE MICROBES IMPORTANT TO SOIL?
Microbes are important to the soil because they play a vital role in supporting plant and animal survival. The significance of microbes is complex but to put it simply, microbes eat, therefore plants and animals can eat too. You may remember this from your elementary school days, it’s called “The Food Web,” however, a more complex one. Many plants are unable to take up nutrients from the soil without the assistance of microbes. These small living organisms consume organic matter (dead plant residues) and through digestion, turn this matter into nutrients a plant can absorb like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, oxygen, hydrogen and other essential minerals. Microbes also consume then convert the NPK and minerals applied to soil to make them available to plants. In addition, plants release carbohydrates (sugars) that microbes then “eat” which assists in the recycling of nutrients. Since microbes create the necessary environment to promote plant growth and health, they are essential to animal and human existence.
FIVE WAYS MICROBES IMPROVE YOUR SOIL
1. BREAK DOWN ORGANIC MATTER & NPK
Microbes are responsible for decomposing organic matter (wood chips, leaves, manures and other organic materials) and consuming nutrients like NPK, which through digestion create the necessary form of nutrients that a plant can absorb (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium cycles).
2. RECYCLE NUTRIENTS
These organisms form a crucial role in mineralization; the process of returning nutrients to their mineral form. This process allows essential plant nutrients to become available in the soil.
3. FIX NITROGEN
Microbes have the ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrate, the form usable by plants. This process is known as biological nitrogen fixation.
4. RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING HUMUS/HUMIC
Through microbe digestion of organic materials, they create Humus/Humic. Humus improves soil structure, helps retain soil moisture and is good for root penetration and development. This substance can remain in the soil for potentially a millennium.
5. CREATE SOIL STRUCTURE
Soil structure is important for successful plant growth. The basis of good soil structure incudes gums, polysaccharides and glycoproteins. Microbes secrete these three aggregates which glues soil minerals together.
HOW MICROBES CAN IMPROVE YOUR LAWN
Turf grass supports some of the largest microbial populations. If the population is imbalanced, nutrients would stay unavailable to the plant and lawn health would be compromised. This is because microbes are in charge of maintaining a prosperous environment for soil health and nutrient conversion, which is essential for plant survival.
Understanding microbial environments can unlock beneficial turf grass health. Elevating a harmonious balance of microbes can assist with nitrogen availability, as well as increasing the presence of other nutrients essential to plant growth. The unique interactions between turf plants and microbes collectively benefit a lawn’s nutrient cycle, soil aggregation, carbon-nitrogen levels, organic matter degradation as well as enhance root growth and development. Microbes are essential to turf survival, increasing their presence in the soil is sure to improve the appearance and overall health of your lawn.
Coming Soon!
TurfCare™ has been developing an exciting microbial product, AMP-XC™ Liquid Concentrate that will soon be available to you! Keep your eyes open for the launch of AMP-XC™ Liquid Concentrate, a microbial product that is essential to your soil and plant health.
GLOSSARY
- Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF): the term used for a process in which nitrogen gas (N2) from the Atmosphere is incorporated into the tissue of certain plants. Only a select group of plants is able to obtain N this way, with the help of soil microorganisms.
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.
References:
http://www.holganix.com/blog/bid/62700/the-science-behind-holganix-soil-microbes-101
http://sesl.com.au/blog/the-role-of-soil-microorganisms/
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1936/#b
http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Books/Building-Soils-for-Better-Crops-3rd-Edition/Text-Version/The-Living-Soil/Soil-Microorganisms
http://www.agriinfo.in/?page=topic&superid=5&topicid=136
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&ved=0ahUKEwjotPne69HTAhUBVyYKHVW4CbIQFgg7MAM&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanlscape.com.au%2FLiteratureRetrieve.aspx%3FID%3D66570&usg=AFQjCNFf6PAjmY8EqpPhXhODtPVm5Ewigw&sig2=Qx_oPL5Q2bFA1aD3XTwM3A
http://forages.oregonstate.edu/nfgc/eo/onlineforagecurriculum/instructormaterials/availabletopics/nitrogenfixation/definition
http://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/mitgc/article/2001133.pdf
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.