11/29/2022 - By Scott Parker

We have talked about Harrell’s Balanced Approach Annual Programs for years.  With our team of PhDs, we have done work in-house and with countless universities and their respective cooperators on these programs. As we all know, there is no “silver bullet” to growing grass, and there is certainly not one specific product to recover from injury and weakness.

However, the Balanced Approach is a programmatic plan that allows you to come at turfgrass management from a strategic perspective.

The Balanced Approach is a Programmatic or Holistic Approach to Managing Your Turf

A holistic approach to turfgrass management starts with sound cultural practices such as aerification, topdressing, sharp cutting units, the height of the cut, etc. After that is set, water management is another key factor. Then, a solid fertility plan is essential. Your Harrell’s rep can help build this with you.

After taking soil samples, your Harrell’s rep can use our POLYGRAPH® technology to custom-build a granular fertility plan that best fits your needs using industry-leading POLYON® controlled-release fertilizer.  After that, we can help you work in wetting agents, liquid nutritional products, soil conditioners, Biostimulants, and more.

A Balanced Approach Chemistry Plan

However, creating a balanced approach “chemistry” plan can be a little confusing. 

Now that the season is over, many turf managers are looking back on the season, reviewing what worked well and what they may want to change going into 2023. Several new products have entered the market over the past couple of years. While they are technically new products, most aren’t new chemistries. Many are combinations of existing products with two to four different active ingredients in the container.

We can help with that as well. Our team of Directors of Agronomy is available to Harrell’s reps and customers to help assemble a chemistry plan that will suit your turf’s unique needs.

Harrell’s Balanced Approach Anthracnose Program

Here’s an example of a Harrell’s Balanced Approach Anthracnose program that we’ve researched in conjunction with Rutgers University for nearly a decade. In the research, Harrell’s Program #1 included TitlePhyte® Systemic Fungicide, Daconil Ultrex®, PAR® SG, Bio-MAX® 4-0-0, Harrell'sMAX® N30 Plus, and Harrell'sMAX® 12-0-0. As you can see in the slides, this program resulted in balanced nutrition, improved stress tolerance and pigment, and more.

Another Balanced Approach program on Pythium blight can be found in Dr. Paul Giordano’s blog on TitlePhyte® Systemic Fungicide.   

Harrell’s Balanced Approach Resources

We make it our mission to provide the resources you need to be successful, including research with leading universities and personalized service from our Harrell’s reps and PhDs. However, we also create helpful guides to equip you for success, like our Harrell’s Fungicide Guide Poster. If you’re a Harrell’s customer, reach out to your rep for a printed copy of this poster.

Chemical Control of Turfgrass Diseases (UK, Rutgers, UW Madison) is another resource you could reference to easily find FRAC codes of the many new products as well as old standbys in our industry. These resources are beneficial when building annual programs for your facility, ensuring you rotate chemistries properly and don’t overuse one or more of these chemistries.

In closing, managing turf can be very challenging, and every facility has a different set of circumstances to overcome. The good news is that we have a plethora of resources at our disposal. 

Contact Your Harrell’s Rep 

Please consider your local Harrell’s sales representative as one of your trusted resources. We are always here to help and work with you to find the best way to manage your property effectively. As always, thanks for all of your support, and we wish you and your families a great Holiday Season!