7/19/2023 - By Mike Hess

Going above and beyond for our customers and meeting whatever need arises for them are two goals that are always on our minds at Harrell’s, just as our core value of “Taking Care of People” states. This article will focus on one of our customers, Scott Pinney, head of maintenance at EA Quinn Landscaping, and how he and his team fertilized the entire University of Connecticut campus overnight.

8 Tons of POLYON® Fertilizer in Three Nights

I had the opportunity to interview Scott about UCONN, EA Quinn, and how POLYON® controlled-release fertilizer has shaped how they do turf care. “The University of Connecticut Storrs is one of Connecticut’s premier university properties. The Storrs campus is an agricultural school as well, and the university takes pride in maintaining its green spaces to a level that requires a dedicated staff of 14 crew members daily during the growing season. UCONN Storrs is, in my opinion, one of the most prestigious state properties in CT. It’s also one of the largest properties in Connecticut serviced by a contractor, if not the largest,” Scott said regarding UCONN.

EA Quinn has been servicing UCONN as a contractor for 3 years now, providing full landscape maintenance service and enhancements. Fortunately, UCONN made the decision to award fertilization services to EA Quinn in 2023. All that to say, the square footage of turf to treat would require a lot of fertilizer, but that wasn’t the only hurdle.

“The most difficult part of fertilizing the campus was that it had to be performed at night and the total acreage (75 acres). With 30,000 people walking around the campus during the day, it is impossible to work efficiently and effectively. Lucky for us, we have a great group of people working that are willing to sacrifice their time at home and satisfy the requirements of the University.

Our Fleet Maintenance Division outfitted our Z-Sprays with LED light bars to help light the way through the night. In mid-April we applied POLYON® 32-5-5 with Dimension and Acelepryn to all turf outside of dorm areas to promote the green up prior to graduation and gain control over crabgrass and grubs, but not disturb the students sleeping. After Graduation, we returned early one morning in the middle of May to complete the few remaining areas around the dorms.”

Click the link for 5 Tips for Effective Sparged Fertilizer Preemergence Programs, from Director of Agronomy Dr. Jeff Atkinson.

More Nights and More POLYON® Fertilizer Applications

Following the initial POLYON® fertilizer application, Scott and his team went back out at the end of April to finish up the areas which they had previously applied with a broad leaf spray, ensuring that the grass was protected and set up to grow healthy and strong, but not out of control. Beyond the occasionally needed trip back to UCONN to touch up an area or do a quick weed spray, the campus only had one other special application request before the next big application in the fall.

“As graduation approaches, it is expected that the grass will be green and absent of dandelions in high profile areas. With daily checks of the turf in these high-profile areas, we timed the broadleaf weed control to spray as many dandelions as possible before they pushed to flower. Once again, this application needed to be performed at night. Our techs spent 2 more nights the last week of April and the results were fantastic!”

The fertilizer application Scott’s team applied in April provides the nutrition and controlled-release that the campus grass needs through the spring and summer months and will set them up for the best come mid-August when they will return to apply the fall fertilizer.

Applying fertilizer in the middle of the night might not be the most ideal but having the freedom with POLYON® fertilizer to apply once in the spring and not need to reapply until the fall (all while not losing revenue and saving manpower) has been a true game-changer for EA Quinn.

Two Things That Have Kept EA Quinn with Harrell’s for 15 Years

It’s more of a 50/50 thing when it comes down to it:

1.       POLYON® fertilizer works!

2.       Mike Dukette is great to work with

Scott has been in the industry for over 25 years and has seen a lot of different companies, businesses, and suppliers, but Harrell’s provides service that has kept him and EA Quinn customers for 15 years. “There is a big difference using Harrell’s fertilizer, no doubt. I also know there are other companies out there making slow/controlled-released, poly-coated products. But it’s the relationship between us and our Harrell's Representative Mike Dukette that we appreciate most. EA Quinn prides ourselves on providing the best value in the industry, and Mike Dukette is the value adder for Harrell’s.”

The Harrell’s Product That Changed the Game for Scott & His Team

The opportunity to work on the UCONN property and use 8 tons of POLYON® 32-5-5 fertilizer overnight opened Scott’s eyes to the benefit of only having to apply twice per year and still receiving great results. With the customization and sparging options that POLYON® fertilizer offers, Scott is now considering a change to their program in 2024. “Currently we apply 3 fertilizer applications. April/May, July, and Sept/Oct. With the 32-5-5 product, we are now considering running with 2 fertilizer applications for our properties, to match UCONN’s program. Reducing 1 visit to each of our properties will save hundreds of man-hours but also allow our turf to continue to look its best!”

For more on controlled-release vs slow-release fertilizer, check out this article.

“There is a perception in turf care, that visiting a property 7-8 times a year to treat the turf means that the company and technician cares more for the turf. Many other fertilizers require monthly or bi-monthly visits to maintain nutrients, which means more visits from techs.” Scott believes that this isn’t necessarily true when it comes to applications. Applying POLYON® fertilizer 2-3 times per year is far more beneficial for the turf by providing controlled, even feed, and reducing visits to the property, saving both time and resources.

In the words of Mike Dukette, which rang true to Scott when it comes to landscaping fertility, Mike said, “If you go to the doctor because you are not feeling well, would you rather go 7-8 times in 6 months or once and figure it out?” With the option to apply a reliable product a few times per year with environmental and long-term advantages, Scott and his team are sticking with POLYON® fertilizer.

If you have any questions about POLYON® controlled-release fertilizer or how we can help you find the right products for you, connect with your Harrell’s Rep.