Application of fertilizers

[hopps1124]

Can anyone tell me how profitable this business is compared to mowing?
Is it worth starting up profit wise?

Thanks

[GrassMaster]

reply


<b>Welcome to the Lawnservicing Forum Community, hopps1124!</b> []

[FeartheDeere]

reply

Welcome to the community Hopps!

hey I'm wanting to get in this business next spring the reason being is many of my clients hired one of my competitors to fertilize this year. It makes the grass look better and you don't have your competitors out on YOUR yards. I'm not sure about profitability, but I bet pros will charge accordingly like they would for mowing.

[qualitylandscaping]

reply

Welcome Hoops!!

Fertilizing is very profitable do to the fact that you only need a spreader to do it.

You make money off the product and the labor, so it is more profitable than mowing if you have enough jobs..

Good Luck!

[qualitylandscaping]

reply

opps forgot!

You may need a license too, but they are worth the cost..

[FeartheDeere]

reply

Hey quality,

my county agent says I don't need a liscence for fertilization as long as there's no pesticide in it...what about herbicide additives? i.e. crabgrass preventer

also, do you get lesco fertilizer at wholesale prices? do they ship it to you?

thanx

[qualitylandscaping]

reply

Fear,

Most fertilizers contain some form of a pesticide and/or a herbicide. You will have to read the fertilizer bag to be sure. Around here, it is legal to apply straight fert (10-10-10). But you will need to check to see EXACTLY what you can apply..

I get 10% off anything I buy at Lesco, because I buy so much from them. The store is about 12 miles away from my house, so they will deliver it or I will pick it up. I don't like to buy pallets, unless I have alot of jobs to do, because I'm already tight on space to store everything.

[Scott]

reply

Herbicide can be a generic term used. Usually when "they" say "herbicide" it encompasses herbicides, pesticides, rodentcide, etc...

[FeartheDeere]

reply

OHHH, I see scott!

[landdawg]

reply

Hopps,

Another option is to subcontract it out. That's what I'm doing until I'm established enough to make sure I have the equipment, employees, time and know-how without going in over my head. It helps me to be "Full service" and I still make money off of it!

[FeartheDeere]

reply

landdawg, do you just tack on an extra few bucks for yourself to the customer? How do you get a good price from another company?

[CCLS]

reply

For fertilizing you usually make the same amount as mowing but it takes you about a 1/3 of the time. You just got to add the cost of your fertilizer to the price of the job to make it profitable. Get your app license, it will pay for itself.

[AllieLawn]

reply

How many seperate bags of fertilizer do some of you guys carry on your trucks? In the meaning that not all your yards are the same grass type.

[bobkessler]

reply

Most fertilizers don't contain pesticides. If they do they are labeled with a signal word of <b>CAUTION </b>or <b>WARNING.</b> All weed & feed products contain a herbicide, usually Atrazine or 2-4-D, which are generally classified as pesticides. Years ago weed & feed products carried Atrazine at 2%. The EPA declared formulations over 1% as <b>restricted use.</b> The end result is current formulations are below 1% and less effective. Manufacturers are busy looking for new more effective, more environmentally friendly herbicides. There are some new products out there now and the feed back I get is good.
My best advice is buy from a professional distributor where you can get some solid advice on product use, licensing, etc.
Keep em Green!

[GrassMaster]

reply


<b>Welcome to the Lawnservicing Forum Community, bobkessler!</b> []

It appears you will be a Great Asset to the Community! We have at least 3 others here that have a Great Deal of Knowledge in Chemical Applications for the Green Industry!

I Look forward to reading more of your Post!