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Customer Focus – Scientific Plant Serviceby Harrell's

Blog, General February 24, 2010 10:13 am

These days all eyes are on the environment and we’re all trying to leave a smaller “footprint.” Sometimes, finding ways to make a difference without breaking the bank can seem almost impossible. In their winter newsletter, Harrell’s turf care customer, Scientific Plant Service, Inc.,(Baltimore, MD) explains how a small change in their lawn program made a big difference in their footprint…and helped keep some change in their pocket.

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Change seems to be the word of the new decade. We get used to the old and resist making changes. Those old shoes, your hair style, the reliable car, your home, you job are all things difficult to change. However, most often than not, when we finally make that change, the thought is: “I should have done this sooner!” In our industry there seem to always be changes. Some companies pick up on those changes and move forward while others are real comfortable with the status quo!

At SPS we feel that change is good when it means improving our services and techniques. The best part about it is you, our customers, who have been very supportive and receptive of our ever-changing formats. When our first lawn care program was structured back in the early 1980’s our basic weed ‘n feed applications consisted of four applications of granular fertilizer and two blanket applications for broadleaf weeds. In the early 1990’s our weed applications were converted to IPM treatments to reduce the amount of herbicides we put in our environment. In the late 1990’s we were able to combine the two spring fertilizations into one by using a more effective nitrogen source, “Nutra-lene”. Nutra-lene (a more expensive source) releases its nitrogen very slowly making it possible to apply a higher quantity of nitrogen with a single application without risk of causing injury to the grass.

In the fall of 2008 after extensive research our biggest and most significant change was made when we re-tooled our lawn program for the exclusive use of Polyon fertilizer. Even with the cost 2-3 times of our conventional fertilizers this change made good sense! At SPS as stewards of our environment, has made it possible to help protect our environment and still provide an excellent product to you. Comparing 2007 to 2009, Scientific Plant Service has maintained the same client base yet our pounds of fertilizer applied has been reduced by 42%! We are currently applying 30% to 40% less Nitrogen without sacrificing results. Thanks to our “smart” Polyon, we have reduced, if not eliminated, the possibility of leaching and run-off so we can protect the Chesapeake Bay. Polyon has helped us reduce our carbon footprint by eliminating 1-2 rounds of applications and running our fleet of trucks up to 25% fewer miles.

To learn more about the environmental pluses of Polyon go to our web-site (spsonline.com) and click on the “Advanced Agrium Technologies” icon on the side bar. Be proud, tell your neighbors that you use SPS and Polyon fertilizer on your lawn. We are the first company in the USA with a lawn program that exclusively uses Polyon fertilizers!