2/16/2021 - By Scott Parker

For all you turf managers in the north, we’ve had quite the winter to deal with thus far. From bitter cold temperatures to heavy snow, to ice storms, to Nor’easters, we have pretty much touched it all so far! Part of that isn’t too bad I guess as 2020 was a very long golf season. It seemed like the season basically did not end until we rang in the new year. So, I hope all of you are taking some time for yourselves and your families during this big winter season.

That said, as you are in your office thinking about the upcoming season, programs, fertilization, etc., I want to highlight a few considerations to keep in mind about early season fertility and Harrell’s POLYON® controlled-release fertilizer.

If you’re looking for a great way to encourage spring green-up through foliar applications, check out our Start Your Engines blog outlining an early-season foliar program designed to promote quick greening and plant health. If you’re considering long-term feeding, POLYON® is very flexible. Using our proprietary POLYGRAPH® software, your Harrell’s rep can meet with you and custom blend anything you’re looking for.

From early-season green-up to season long release, we’ve got you covered. There are a few things to think about when spring fertilizing in the north.

We recently conducted a study at Michigan State University to evaluate blends of quick-release and controlled-release nitrogen to encourage uniform spring green-up and long-lasting turf color. To promote rapid, even green-up under cooler conditions we recommend including 0.35 – 0.5 lbs. of soluble nitrogen along with your spring POLYON® application—especially if your turf was lean going into winter.

Figure 1. Turf color response and POLYON® 41-0-0 mini release, May - August 2020, East Lansing, MI. Turf Color was rated on a 1-9 scale with 1 representing brown turf and 9 representing dark green turf. Weekly nitrogen release was described using Harrell's proprietary POLYGRAPH® software which predicts POLYON® nutrient release based on location and 30 years of historical weather data.

Both urea and Anuvia Green TRX™ were evaluated in the Michigan State trial—with Anuvia Green TRX™ providing superior upfront greening (Figure 1). Under cool conditions urea may not rapidly convert to plant available forms of nitrogen, limiting its effectiveness during cool spring temperatures.

If you’re looking for a blend with nitrogen release throughout spring into the early summer months, consider incorporating POLYON® 43-0-0 mini in your blend. Alternatively, if you’re looking for greater longevity of release and apply supplemental fertility with foliar nitrogen, iron, and manganese, our thicker coated POLYON® 41-0-0 mini may be a better option.

As previously stated, one of the biggest benefits of POLYON® is its flexibility and ability to deliver exactly what you are looking for. Excess traffic and less labor were both big issues to contend with last year and most likely will be more of the same this year. So, as you are planning your nutritional plan for this season, think about these options as an efficient way to provide season-long nutrition and I hope you’ll find them useful.

Stay warm the rest of the winter and take time to take care of yourself. Spring will be here before we know it and the hectic, crazy times will come along with it! As always, all of Harrell’s sincerely appreciates all of you and are very fortunate to be able to work alongside all of you.