4/17/2019

Preventing erosion of Duxbury Dunes using POLYON controlled-release fertilizer.

Joe Grady, Conservation Administrator for the Town of Duxbury, Massachusetts has been fertilizing the beach grass and woody plants on Duxbury beach for over 40 years in order to encourage growth to protect the dunes from erosion from Easterly storms.  

For 23 years they have been using POLYON® as their main fertilizer. Approximately 10 years ago we started using a helicopter to spread it. In previous years it would take several employees weeks to spread it with shoulder spreaders. The helicopter spreads 1 acre of fertilizer in 40 seconds. They spread 200 acres in less than ½ day.   The formula for the beach grass has changed slightly in the last few years. We previously used a custom blend 29-3-4 35% POLYON® 43 but three years ago we switched to 18-0-9 75% POLYON® 44.4 (820195) primarily because of the No Phosphorous laws in Massachusetts.  For the woody trees and shrubs we use the 12-6-8 Woody Ornamental Mix (200132). We are blown away by the accurate coverage. 

The helicopter spreads 1 acre of POLYON® fertilizer in 40 seconds. 

The pilot uses a GPS to keep track of where he has spread. When he activates the hopper levers the GPS monitor fills in the exact width of the fertilizer showing him exactly where he has spread. The helicopter has two hoppers on either side. Each holds 250 lbs. Steve, our delivery driver, sets up the pallets precisely where the ground crew instructs him so the chopper can land in between the pallets. The ground crew then quickly loads 5 bags in each side. Less than 1-2 minutes later he is back getting reloaded. The results have been phenomenal and compared to surrounding towns there is no doubt Duxbury Beach withstands the severe wind and waves far better than any other community.  

Loading POLYON 18-0-9 into the hoppers.

However, this fertilizing isn’t without controversy. Several people are horrified that the town would fertilize beach grass. Joe stands his ground and confidently informs the public that the benefits far out way the negative. Beach erosion is far worse for the environment than fertilizer.  I am hoping other surrounding coastal communities follow suit.  I have to admit selling POLYON® to spread on a beach sounds like selling snow to an Eskimo, but in reality, the results are amazing. 

To watch the video of this story visit: www.harrells.com/duxburydunes