Organic Vs. Chemical FERT..

[MOWANDGO]

Hey ALL,
I've already got a well established lawn service running, and I'm looking to get into fertilizing and other "add on" services. I had a meeting earlier this week with one of the local nursery owners who only deals in organic lawn and landscaping care. Do any of you use organic based fert's instead of the other ones. What are some advantages and disadvantages. I thought it would be more expensive, but given you only have to apply about half as many times as the regular fert, it costs about the same. Oh and also , if I decide to go the Organic route, do I need licensing?? If so what type do I need , where can I get it, and how much will it set me back. I live in ohio, (in case it differs from state to state

[Phil Nilsson]

I would advise NOT going the Organic Route ... quite yet. When is the right time ? ... when you see the "majors" doing it ... is there a market for organics ... right now? ... sure ... but it is NOT a significant market (yet) otherwise the majors would already be there ... wait it out.

All of the above IMHO ...

Phil

P.S. What customers want most is green grass with no weeds and few insects ... if your price is right how you get them "there" is ... you fill in the rest ....

[Woody]

Hmmmm.... I'm curious to know what organic program would end up costing about the same as a regular chemical program. Thus far, I haven't seen that to be the case.... At least not in my experience.

If the "fertilizers" contain condensed sewage, I wouldn't even put the stuff on any of my customers properties, but would rather talk them into using a traditional chemical program. Why? Because condensed sewage has MANY undesireable things in it, no matter WHAT the people trying to hawk it are telling you.

As far as licensing, have a look at this thread.
Licensing?

Never be afraid to use the SEARCH feature.

A good place to get started is......

Ohio State Pesticide Education Program


Personally, I find that "organic" products are great for managing various pests, conditioning soil, adding a multitude of micronutrients, supporting proper bacterial life in the soil, providing certain growth hormones, and things like that. For "fertilization" (providing the 3 macronutrients), I'll stick to the selection of off-the-shelf chemicals.

Woody

[Phil Nilsson]

Organics are "preferred" IMHO and safer, and better for the environment etc etc etc ... but the fact remains from a marketing/sales point of view ... that it's an "educational chore" ... falling onto relatively "deaf customer ears" ... just give "em" green grass ... many will tell you to save the "environmental" LECTURES for later ... they don't have time to listen or seem that interested in reading up on the subject ... either.

If pesticides get totally banned ... it might change things but me ... I'd wait on it.

Do whatever "floats your boat" ...

[MOWANDGO]

Thanks Phil and Woody,
One of the main reasons I'm probably going to resort to organic vs. Reg. Fert. is just from my health stand point. I don't want to spend to much time working with chemicals. As for the market in my area. I want to get into it before anyone else.. In other words I want to create the market. The products that I have a slight odor, but the smell disappears in 24 hrs. Anyways, I appreciate the advice, and I'll definetly check out the web links. The help was very useful.
Thanks,
Jeff

[Ric]

MOWANDGO

At present time the EPA has given certain organic pesticides a pass on registration. Some of these organic pesticides have some value. You need the check your State Laws, but you may be able to apply certain organic as a fertilizer and get pesticide benefits from them. However we are living in the 21th century and Synthetic pesticides work and are becoming safer by the day.

In My State if you practice any form of control, no matter what you use, you must be licensed. Yes Organics are more costly and you can price your self out of the market.

Fillup

I will agree with you about the major market not being ready for organic yet. But I will add that the North East is close and has quite a number of Tree Huggers already. Many of these Tree Hugger are educated just misdirected.

[Phil Nilsson]

MOW/GO ...

Offer organics as an OPTION ... customers like options

[Alpine Naturescapes]

M & G,
chemical fertilizers have some advantages. If you use the granulars, you can mix and match to the soil requirements of your area. I use granulars, and get excellent results. I use a biological pest control for the lawn pests, and I spot spray weeds. This is a little more work initially, but it is more effective. I do all this for the same or less annual cost of the spray guys, but my per application cost is higher. I do offer a monthly contract though that just comes under what most spray guys charge on a monthly basis. I'll echo what the others told you though. Basically, your customers want green and no weeds. If you deliver that, most don't care how you do it, so you have to be competitive. For me the biologicals are less trouble. Apply them once, and your done for the year. You can email me if you are interested.

[backsmackwristcrack]

I agree with Phil on this and I own and operate n Organic lawn service (raised next to grandpa s organic farm ..the nut doesnt fall far from the tree... it is an educational chore but..they are receptive it does hurt to learn more and help protect what is left of a soil enviroment locally and hey those plants are looking reaaaaaaaally healthy lately....go gfor it but be prepared for the long vision while serving the shorter one.

[Alpine Naturescapes]

With organic you will still need at least two apps per year vs. three for chemical granulars - at about 1/2 the cost. So no, the organic is not as cheap. Esp if you are taking over a poorly maintained yard. It will eat up the fert at first. I haven't had anyone bite.

[Phil Nilsson]

I read just recently a 15% increase in demand for organic products ... don't remember if that was retail sales (DIY) or some of it increased demand for the application services.

[Alpine Naturescapes]

Organic does give better quality, longer lasting green. There are markets that will pay for it. I guess just not mine.

[timturf]

I believe the answer is using an organic base fertilizer that has been enhance with sythetic fertilizer which have an low salt index and very low levels of chlorine! Another words, combine the best of both worlds! If proper combination, you can reduce the amount of fertilizer, and keep cost reseanable. Stress building and feeding the soil first, then feed plants!

[Alpine Naturescapes]

The combo can have the advantage of ferting right away. Some organics take a little time to start releasing N. So the synthetic fills in for the immediate interim. Who has a good source for this fert?

[hamons]

Naturesafe has some good products at a reasonable price. so does nutrientsplus