just a gripe

[hardboiled]

Pulled up to a customers lawn last week and saw the application sign on the lawn. The company he uses was there to apply granular fertilizer. I was there to mow a 6' strip of grass around the garden that gets water from the sprinkler in the garden. The rest of the lawn is totally brown and crunchy(mostly tall fescue). First of all it's my understanding that a June or July application in our area should not be done unless the lawn is irrigated through the summer. This lawn is not. Second add the drought into the equation and I don't think it should have been applied. Third, they don't clean off the walks, patio or drive, so I got that covered for them. I think that they should forget the application and adjust the customers account considering the conditions. Am I wrong? Fertilizing when dormant from drought... good or bad?

That is all.

[Stephen M.]

You are correct; its a waste, especially when a lawn is under stress or dormant.

Everybody, of the uneducated hort people that is, will always ask for fertilizing when they see their lawn under stress. My advice is always: water wisely to bring back the green, fertilize, and keep watering smartly; other wise, nada; fertilizing can kill the lawn.

[lclandscapes]

Pulled up to a customers lawn last week and saw the application sign on the lawn. The company he uses was there to apply granular fertilizer. I was there to mow a 6' strip of grass around the garden that gets water from the sprinkler in the garden. The rest of the lawn is totally brown and crunchy(mostly tall fescue). First of all it's my understanding that a June or July application in our area should not be done unless the lawn is irrigated through the summer. This lawn is not. Second add the drought into the equation and I don't think it should have been applied. Third, they don't clean off the walks, patio or drive, so I got that covered for them. I think that they should forget the application and adjust the customers account considering the conditions. Am I wrong? Fertilizing when dormant from drought... good or bad?

That is all.

I am sure that you have done this, however might be a good time to sell your customer on the needs of an irrigation system. THen you can tell him to fire the Chem company and you will do the work.

[Ric]

Pulled up to a customers lawn last week and saw the application sign on the lawn. The company he uses was there to apply granular fertilizer. I was there to mow a 6' strip of grass around the garden that gets water from the sprinkler in the garden. The rest of the lawn is totally brown and crunchy(mostly tall fescue). First of all it's my understanding that a June or July application in our area should not be done unless the lawn is irrigated through the summer. This lawn is not. Second add the drought into the equation and I don't think it should have been applied. Third, they don't clean off the walks, patio or drive, so I got that covered for them. I think that they should forget the application and adjust the customers account considering the conditions. Am I wrong? Fertilizing when dormant from drought... good or bad?

That is all.

HardBoiled

You are wrong.

I know you have heard of IPM and BMP (Best Management practices). But you are not aware of R&R. R&R is the best reason for making application on schedule. Any self respecting Corporate America CEO is going to be sure to follow R&R if he is to keep the corporate ship afloat and collect his big Dividend check in addition to his 7 figure salary.

[hardboiled]

R&R? Would that be Rape and Reap?

Fortunately, we got about a half hour of good rain yesterday and a little today.

Irrigation is out of the question for this property, as he is considering selling it for the lots value; someone will snatch it up quick, tear down and build a huge eyesore there. I do think I could get the fert program for next year.

[Ric]

R&R? Would that be Rape and Reap?

Fortunately, we got about a half hour of good rain yesterday and a little today.

Irrigation is out of the question for this property, as he is considering selling it for the lots value; someone will snatch it up quick, tear down and build a huge eyesore there. I do think I could get the fert program for next year.

HardBoiled

You have the right Idea but wrong translation on the R&R with the big corporation. Of course It was a set up. Reoccurring Revenue is the correct translation. Cash Flow is actually a big issue in all business. A stead income can be managed much easier than F & F, Feast or Famine. Actually an excellent Business model is one that affords a stead income to cover nut. And a Feast every once in a while for the extras in life. Many Landscaper will run a maintenance crew to cover the nut on a month to month bases. Their landscape income then becomes the get ahead money. I did it that way and it worked for for me. July and August were the slowest months in the landscape business in my area because of our snow bird clientele. But I could still eat off of Maintenance. The Landscaping was pure get ahead money.

[Finn]

I saw a similar thread on this same topic come up on another board. It was suggested that it might be better to put down an oranic based or 100% organic fert during these conditions. Microbs can break it down in the soil and it will be available when conditions improve. You can at least "feed" soil if you cant feed the plant. Problably should be trying to do that as a part of your program anyway.


What do you think Ric?

[hardboiled]

Good point. Thanks for the suggestion. I have a compost pile that is about ready to be spread over my own lawn. That has always helped in the past. I suppose Ringers or Milorganite would be a good idea and easier on those lawns that need help as a result of the drought.

[Ric]

I saw a similar thread on this same topic come up on another board. It was suggested that it might be better to put down an oranic based or 100% organic fert during these conditions. Microbs can break it down in the soil and it will be available when conditions improve. You can at least "feed" soil if you cant feed the plant. Problably should be trying to do that as a part of your program anyway.


What do you think Ric?

Finn

I won't welcome you to the board only thank you for starting to post. You appear to have a sound understanding of the needs of plants.

Organic fertilizer is in fact a very good thing on almost all soil types. The big exception might be a very rich silt soil where pH is very low. One of the big factor in drought conditions is Hydraulic Conductivity. Organic matter increase Hydraulic Conductivity. Organic Fertilizers have a much lower Electric conductivity also because of there low PPM of sodium. They use Microbial activity to release them so they are slower to provide nutrients. Therefore they have a less chance of burning plants. The down side of Organics is there High cost and lack of Nutrient value. Bridge products are the best of both world because the have both synthetic and organic fertilizer in them.

Hardboiled

That compost is the best thing you could do for your yard. Be sure to Hollow core before top dressing.

Now this is a quick answer and I am still working on my first book which I keep rewriting and adding to. It is about Calibration and I am adding Label reading and understanding to that book now. After that I will do a understanding soil book and then a understanding fertilizer book. Each book will build on the prior book. With out proper back ground you can not move to the next level. BTW I know my Grammar is horrible so I do have a very good friend who works for the newspaper, editing it.