Thinking Green

Choose the Right Fertilizer for Your Turf and the Environment.

Greener Turf, Greener Earth.

Your customers are increasingly concerned about doing what’s best for the environment, and this includes their lawns. Not only will POLYON^® Controlled-Release Fertilizer give you green, lush turf with fewer fertilizer applications, it also gives you a big selling differentiation with customers who appreciate its environmental advantages.

The Best of Both Worlds – Organic vs. Synthetic Organic Fertilizer

Many people believe that organic or natural products are better for the environment. Some consumers think that if a product is naturally occurring it’s organic and if it’s man-made it isn’t. But, there is far more to it than that.

Organic compounds contain carbon combined with other elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur. Inorganic substances do not contain carbon and hydrogen. The chemicals used in fertilizers are essentially organic because they have carbon in their chemical structure.

Some naturally occurring materials can also be made synthetically, including urea. Urea is one of the most widely used forms of nitrogen. Controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers, like POLYON, and slow-release nitrogen fertilizers are urea fertilizers and are classified as synthetic organic.

Synthetic-organic fertilizers work a lot like natural organics, but deliver more nitrogen per ton than organic fertilizers obtained directly from an animal or plant. It takes large amounts of natural organic fertilizers to provide sufficient nutrients to the turf, which means you have to apply a lot more product. Because synthetic-organic fertilizers offer a predictable, controlled release and high nitrogen content, lawn care operators can get the same great results in fewer applications.

Why POLYON Controlled-Release Fertilizer is Better for the Environment

Dependable slow- and controlled-release fertilizers effectively deliver more nutrients to plants while reducing nutrient losses. Because these fertilizers deliver nitrogen to the soil gradually and consistently, they are able to feed the plant roots steadily over a longer period of time.

When nitrogen is delivered too quickly, the plants’ roots can’t take it all in and the leftover nutrients have to go somewhere else. That means fertilizer can leach into the soil or escape into the atmosphere. A nutrient that leaves its intended application site becomes a pollutant.

Leaching is a common problem with fast-release fertilizers. A nutrient leaches when it moves beyond the grass root system and is no longer available for plant absorption. Leaching and runoff can cause nitrate-nitrogen and phosphorus to contaminate groundwater and create health hazards. Nitrates and phosphorus in water bodies can also lead to algae “bloom” and other plant growth that depletes oxygen in the water and reduces its ability to support life.

Increased concerns about fertilizer runoff and water contamination are prompting many government officials to pay closer attention to the landscape industry and consider new restrictions on fertilizer applications. It’s critical for you to assess your approach to fertilizers, especially in regard to longevity. By using the right fertilizer at the at the right rate, right time and right place, you can realize cost and time savings from fewer applications, remain competitive in the market and stay ahead of possible environmental restrictions.