2/16/2022 - By Chris Simon

These past few months some of the most often addressed subjects have been fertilizer costs, labor and personal health. With each conversation come a few realizations:

1. It is going to be a little more expensive
2. You can't plan for everything
3. No matter what, we’re going to get through it and be stronger on the other side.

Each year, superintendents are being asked to do more with the resources they are charged with stewarding. This year, more than ever, fertilizer and labor costs are in the crosshairs. No one knows the future, but it does seem like there is some moderation and stability easing back into the fertilizer market. We are fortunate at Harrell’s, to work with teammates that keep us updated on market trends and analysis. That said, I thought this would be a good opportunity to make a case for a couple of our products that might be helpful considerations, given the current trends. 

EarthMAX® Organic

We’ll start with EarthMAX® Organic. For those unfamiliar with this product here are a few points that make this product unique. 
EarthMAX® Organic contains humic and fulvic acid, Mycorrhizae, and beneficial bacteria. Most humic acid products are derived from leonardite shale which aids in building the humic content but not in adding beneficial microbes immediately, as EarthMAX® Organic provides. 
EarthMAX® Organic is derived from one the highest fixed carbon deposits in the world. This is important because adding beneficial biology to the soil is not sustainable without a long-term food source, such as carbon, as EarthMAX® Organic. The addition of this product to programs should be considered to help in aiding turf health, survivability, and recoverability. 
Last plug for EarthMAX® Organic, in 2019 Dr. Mike Richardson at the University of Arkansas conducted a trial looking at the effects of EarthMAX® Organic on Localized Dry Spots (LDS). He concluded that 4 fl oz/1000 ft2 every 14 days during the growing season significantly improved the LDS symptoms. If you’d like to see the results of that trial, you can read the article here.

POLYON® Controlled-Release Fertilizer

Admittedly, I was a skeptic when I was in the chair on the other side of the desk, but the product made a believer out of me. That’s ultimately what it takes. You must try it to have faith in it. POLYON® is a patented controlled-release, polymer coated urea fertilizer that is quality guaranteed by Harrell’s. We have been fitted with the tools to design a specific fertilizer and predict its release to fit the desired needs. POLYON® is and has been an extremely effective tool in regulating turf growth and improving plant health. Ask your local Harrell's Rep for a Polygraph demo and see where this might fit in your program.

Personal Health

Lastly, personal health has been a topic in front of all of us for quite a while. A good friend of mine in a men’s group I was in recently made the comment, “who have you encouraged today?” He said the comment came up at the dinner table with his family one evening. What a great thought…let me encourage you to encourage more. Society seems to be dead set on doing the opposite most of the time, so why not be that encouragement to someone else throughout the day? You never know the impact one kind word can make on someone's life. And finally, another good friend recently said, “if you're lucky enough to still have your mother give her a call.” There's nothing like having a good conversation with a loved one!