LANDSCAPE AND TURF MAINTENANCE
Unless you're completely new to lawn and landscape care, you
probably think you know quite a bit — or, at least, enough —
about the different types of turf fertilizers available and how to
apply them. And, maybe you do. However, research has shown
that some landscape contractors and lawn care operators are
harboring misconceptions about fertilizers, how they work, how
they affect the environment and how to use them to get the best
results for their customers. According to Dr. Eric Miltner, agrono-
mist for Koch Turf & Ornamental, fertilizer technologies and best
practices are continuing to evolve, making it a good idea for lawn
and landscape contractors to periodically educate themselves on
the latest developments.
"The most important asset a lawn care contractor can have is
knowledge," said Miltner. "We've seen some mistakes because the
contractor doesn't know how to choose the best product or use it
most effectively. For instance, if you're putting down a controlled-
release fertilizer that is designed to last for several months, you
have to put down enough of it. You have to understand how the
product works."
Miltner said that when he consults with customers or speaks
with trade show attendees, he often hears a lot of misconceptions
about fertilizer types, product quality and application practices.
The following are a few of the most popular misconceptions
he's heard tossed around the green industry during his years as
an agronomist.
Misconception: All fertilizers are the same. Nothing works bet-
ter than good old urea or ammonium sulfate.
Reality: There are many fertilizers that perform better than
readily available, quick-release nitrogen (N). Enhanced-efficiency
fertilizers, such as those produced by Miltner's company, Koch
Turf & Ornamental, claim that a greater percentage of the N ap-
plied actually gets into the plant. This means that less N is left
behind to be lost to the environment.
"More of the nutrients that you buy and apply get into the
plant, where they belong," Miltner explained.
"In addition, slow- and controlled-release fertilizers meter
out nutrients at a leisurely rate, over a longer period of time, as
Dispelling
Common
Fertilizer
Misconceptions
Above: Lawn Dawg is a regional lawn care company with 11 branches throughout
the Northeast, and is answering the need for more sustainable solutions. According
to the company's corporate agronomist, Bob Mann, enhanced-efficiency fertilizer
supports Lawn Dawg's ongoing sustainability efforts and environmental focus. Lawn
Dawg's customer base has grown as a result of the company's continued emphasis
on sustainable practices.
Below: Enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, such as those produced by Koch Turf &
Ornamental, claim that a greater percentage of the N applied actually gets into the plant.
This means that less N is left behind to be lost to the environment.
PHOTOS
PROVIDED
BY
KOCH
TURF
&
ORNAMENTAL
26 March 2016 Landscape and Irrigation www.landscapeirrigation.com
