The Fall Factor

The most common mistake concerning fall fertilization is avoiding the application all together. “Some LCOs say that they don’t see immediate benefits, so it doesn’t behoove them to offer the application,” remarks Jay Winter, fertilizer merchant for LESCO, Cleveland, Ohio.

But fall fertilization isn’t instant gratification. The application doesn’t produce shocking visible results. In fact, customers will not know their turf is drinking up nutrients until spring. “The concept is to winterize turf,” he explains. “You want to add heartiness, vigor and strength to turf so when winter comes, it has the ability to withstand extra pressures.”

How much pressure does sleeping turf really experience? Disease, moisture, searing temperatures – consider the toll winter bluster has on skin, automobiles, roads and even roofs. Turf takes a beating, too. A few extra vitamins can help immunize plants from conditions, similar to how people pop extra vitamin C to keep away colds.

“You want turf recovery time to be faster in spring, so when temperatures go up you won’t have to do a lot of reseeding,” Winter notes. “For this to occur, you must build up a strong root and stem structure so the overall cellular structure of the plant doesn’t wilt or die in between seasons.”

Besides, glossing over the summer season finale of a lawn care program cuts out a sales opportunity. While complete programs should include this component, some LCOs choose to add the fall finish as an extra, Winter notes. “Fall fertilization should be part of every basic fertilization,” he advises. “If you are not including it now, the strategy should be to add the product to existing packages as a premium.”

In the meantime, remind customers that fall fertilization benefits surface in spring, and turf health depends on a sound winter sleep and vitamins to ensure that plants weather severe conditions and crop up green and ready to grow. – LESCO