Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/85697
PolyOn fertilizer (left) releases nutrients via temperature regulated diffusion. polymer-coated fertilizer, you can specify with your distributor how long wish it to last. "If you have turf in Maryland, and you apply fertilizer at the end of March, you'll have season- long feeding until the end of the year," Dekok says. "You save time and money — which doesn't even take into account the environmental benefi ts you derive with these products." If you choose, the coating also can be impregnated with a pre-emergence herbicide, Dekok says. Time Is Money Controlled-release fertilizers are more expensive than their traditional counterparts. However, Mays chemical care says time savings and redistribution of labor offset the higher price — plus, he acknowledges the satisfaction of knowing his company is more envi- ronmentally responsible, a goal he set fi ve years ago when the business turned 50. "Our biggest costs savings results from having to apply fertilizer only twice per year for our typical residential lawncare program. In athletic turf and on commercial property, we have to apply only once a year," he says. "This allows us the time to sell alter- native services. Other guys are out there applying fertilizer until Christmas." He also says turf color with controlled-release products is better than what's achieved with tradi- tional fertilizers, even though less nitrogen is being delivered. "We are putting out 30 to 40 percent less nitrogen and getting better results. In addition, be- cause the nitrogen is being released slowly, we're not getting a big growth spurt that tapers off. It's more uniform and the color remains uniform throughout the year." MORE confidence. Use it on any cool-season turf, any time during the season, and control virtually any broadleaf weed. And do it all without any surprises. That's how Escalade2 herbicide gives you more confidence where it matters most. Write 367 on Reader Service Card or visit TotalLandscapeCare.net/info More where it matters most. www.nufarm.com/usto ©2012 Nufarm. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Escalade® is trademark of Nufarm. March 2012 / TOTAL LANDSCAPE CARE 53