the current truth about Scotts

americanlawn · Jun 14, 2011

http://www.turfpro.ca/proturf/about_e.php?template

Too many homeowners think Scotts is still the "cat's meow". So then they hire Scotts Lawn Service instead of you >>>> You may want to print this off so you can provide it to homeowners when you compete with Scotts Lawn Service.

Agrium seems to be the current "cat's meow" IMO. First it was Scotts, then LESCO, now Agrium. I truly believe that fertilizers & pesticides from Agrium are a cut above Scotts products in every way. No offense to Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Loews, etc. :laugh:

I believe it's time for the public to be educated regarding the quality of turf & ornamental products, as well as the LCO's they choose. I realize it's difficult to compete with all those Scotts TV commercials, but if you go online and read reviews regarding Scotts products, I think you will see what I mean. The public is being misled. my 2 cents

Shegardi · Jun 14, 2011

http://www.aatdirectsolutions.com/

greendoctor · Jun 15, 2011

I think I mentioned that Agrium carries the specialty fertilizers that make the green doctor the green doctor. What's going into my tank is not sold at HD, Lowe's or Walmart. Especially not the soluble micronutrients or 28-0-0 CRN.

grassman177 · Jun 15, 2011

i like agrium ferts. thinking of switching to them more than the helena ones.

larry, do tell more about xrt and xcu and performance/longevity(considering good rain like you seem to have while we are in a drought but our river is flooding cuz of your rain!)

quiet · Jun 15, 2011

Brand name doesn't make a damn bit of difference. A wise man on LS says correctly "It's what's IN the bag, not ON the bag"

Whether you like IBDU, MU, PPSCU or just plain urea or ammonium sulfate, it doesn't matter who the manufacturer or blender is. Each mfr. has good and cheap blends. Shop by price and components.

Andersons' MU is just as good as Lebanon's MU and just as good as Agrium's MU.

ted putnam · Jun 15, 2011

Quiet is correct. If you take 2 products and compare the labels and the components are the same. NPK is NPK and the slow release component is the same then theoretically they are the same. Quality of the processes that got it to that point will be the difference IMO.
Think of it this way...If given the choice between eating a bowl of Kelloggs Corn Flakes or a bowl of Price Saver Corn Flakes, which do you think would best meet your expectations and give you the most satisfaction as far as eating a bowl of Corn Flakes goes?? I think the same applies to fertilizer.

Quality can be sacrificed for Price and vice versa and sometimes a compromise between the two can be made that gives satisfaction to the buyer. There is a correlation between the two that is undeniable...

whoopassonthebluegrass · Jun 15, 2011

You guys are still spreading fertilizer? I switched over to a fine grain pea gravel last fall. Doesn't stain the concrete and won't volatize.

MJS · Jun 15, 2011

whoopassonthebluegrass said:
You guys are still spreading fertilizer? I switched over to a fine grain pea gravel last fall. Doesn't stain the concrete and won't volatize.

AHAHAHAHA :hammerhead:

Hogjaw · Jun 15, 2011

worry about competition - let them speak for themselves. Learned shortly after graduating from high school it is a full time job just keeping me in line and on the right tract - little only trying to run someone elses life/business.

I, myself, and me is a full time job - believe me.

shovelracer · Jun 15, 2011

I recently read about how Scotts will be removing "P" from their fert next year. I can only see the commercials now. "We care about our family, (dog and children rolling in the lawn in background), we care about our lawn, and we care about our environment. Thats why we use scotts turfbuilder step 2. We kill the dandelions dead, and dont have to worry about our fertilizer polluting our lakes and streams. Only scotts zero P fertilizers..."

How that commercial is interpreted by the commercial applicator that has been "P" free for many years.

" Hi, you ignorant knuckleheads. We know you are cheap, and we know you think you know everything about lawncare, we also know that you always want to outdo everyone around you to compensate for your insecurities. This is why we dump millions of dollars into marketing our fertilizer. We realize you have no idea what 24D is, but we know that you refuse to call a professional because you think they will charge a fortune, and blanket your lawn with an unneeded amount of dangerous products that will harm your family. This is why we dont tell you whats in our turfbuilder step 2, and have deep enough pockets to keep it that way. You are better off not knowing that you are exposing your family to higher levels of 24d than a commercial applicator would ever do. We also realize that you think a lawn that grows 12" in 7 days is a healthy lawn that is why you keep coming back. We appreciate your stupidity, and look forward to doing business in the future. "

Ric · Jun 15, 2011

As far as Scott Fertilizer, Any one with a real education of how to read a Fertilizer label is smart enough to of never purchased Scotts crapola at the price they charge. Sorry but our industry is loaded with people with out a clue. 32-0-2 with .5% Fe does about as much good as straight 46-0-0 urea. But Marketing sure can put a nice layer of BS on anything. What many people don't know is Scott being a marketing company much like TG/CL doesn't blend all of it's own fertilizer. Here in Florida Andersons blends Scott's fertilizer. Turf Solution (google them) also blends Fertilizer in Sebring Fla and bags it for lesco and several other suppliers. I once purchased a pallet from UHS that had a few Lesco labelled bags of fert.

As for Agrium, I am wondering how long they might stay in business given the track record of that company. I believe in the last 10 years they have had 10 names starting with United Horticulture Service. As they changed names or ownership they also switched back and forward on doing business with Horticulture. They have stayed strong in marketing to Agriculture. Of course Agrium is actually a spin off of the parent company who's last name I think was Crop Production Services.

Don't get me wrong. I have purchased a pallet or two of their Fertilizer at out standing prices and have been quoted very competitive prices. But our chemical are in fact comoditities and the brand name really doesn't matter. HELLO, That is why I got an education, I don't have to listen to the Marketing BS being blown at me to purchase the right products at the best price.

Will P.C. · Jun 15, 2011

I have always liked Scotts fertilizer. It does an excellent job for my lawn. I have only used the southern turf builder, and green max. Both do what they say they are supposed to do. Of course, I am not a company getting raped on their expensive prices.

I am curious as to what guys would recommend that works better than Scotts. I would like to get all three of NPK in a fert. I am not concerned about price.

LHS Lawns · Jun 15, 2011

shovelracer said:
I recently read about how Scotts will be removing "P" from their fert next year. I can only see the commercials now. "We care about our family, (dog and children rolling in the lawn in background), we care about our lawn, and we care about our environment. Thats why we use scotts turfbuilder step 2. We kill the dandelions dead, and dont have to worry about our fertilizer polluting our lakes and streams. Only scotts zero P fertilizers..."

How that commercial is interpreted by the commercial applicator that has been "P" free for many years.

" Hi, you ignorant knuckleheads. We know you are cheap, and we know you think you know everything about lawncare, we also know that you always want to outdo everyone around you to compensate for your insecurities. This is why we dump millions of dollars into marketing our fertilizer. We realize you have no idea what 24D is, but we know that you refuse to call a professional because you think they will charge a fortune, and blanket your lawn with an unneeded amount of dangerous products that will harm your family. This is why we dont tell you whats in our turfbuilder step 2, and have deep enough pockets to keep it that way. You are better off not knowing that you are exposing your family to higher levels of 24d than a commercial applicator would ever do. We also realize that you think a lawn that grows 12" in 7 days is a healthy lawn that is why you keep coming back. We appreciate your stupidity, and look forward to doing business in the future. "

Maryland just passed a law this year effective 7/1/11 that there will be no "P" in any lawn fert except for starter sold in the state. Also a new fert app license will be required to spread commercially. As it stands now if you are a company with 10 or more total acres serviced a soil test is required for each homeowner that makes up the 10+ acres. Gotta' clean up the Cheasapeake Bay.

Ric · Jun 15, 2011

Will P.C. said:
I have always liked Scotts fertilizer. It does an excellent job for my lawn. I have only used the southern turf builder, and green max. Both do what they say they are supposed to do. Of course, I am not a company getting raped on their expensive prices.

I am curious as to what guys would recommend that works better than Scotts. I would like to get all three of NPK in a fert. I am not concerned about price.

Will

If you know as much about land as you do fertilizer, have I got a deal for you on some Florida investment land. Triple A property for sure. That Ants Armadillo and Alligators. Plus this is Water Front property. That water from front to back.

nik · Jun 15, 2011

What many people don't know is Scott being a marketing company much like TG/CL doesn't blend all of it's own fertilizer.

True. Many products are blended by regional companies for national outfits. Our local 800 lb gorillia is Willamette Fertilizer. Being in the Willamtte Valley where over 95% of the cool season grass seed is produced they tend to make great product for, well, cool season grasses. They also bag for a lot of retail and big box chains. the same stuff often going into bags found at competing retail stores.

P is going away form a lot of products for a couple reasons. One is a move by cities and states to get it out of detergents and ferts and whatnot. The other is that the cost of phosphate is going up as reserves are dropping. A sling as we got air we can get N and there is lots of K. Not that big a deal for a fert company to drop P from its products. Take out a spendy input, say your doping it for the planet, and charge more for it at the same time.

Ric · Jun 15, 2011

nik said:
True. Many products are blended by regional companies for national outfits. Our local 800 lb gorillia is Willamette Fertilizer. Being in the Willamtte Valley where over 95% of the cool season grass seed is produced they tend to make great product for, well, cool season grasses. They also bag for a lot of retail and big box chains. the same stuff often going into bags found at competing retail stores.

P is going away form a lot of products for a couple reasons. One is a move by cities and states to get it out of detergents and ferts and whatnot. The other is that the cost of phosphate is going up as reserves are dropping. A sling as we got air we can get N and there is lots of K. Not that big a deal for a fert company to drop P from its products. Take out a spendy input, say your doping it for the planet, and charge more for it at the same time.

WHY PAY MORE FOR THE INK ON THE BAG THAN THE PRODUCT IN THE BAG

I really want to make the Point, Fertilizer is a commodity and not a brand. Apples are Apples not Pears. Scotts and other Companies using advertising try and convince a unknowing Public that their commodities are better than the same commodities offered by their competitor. If you buy Scotts then you are paying for all that smoke Scotts Blows up your Butt. If you are in this business for the long haul then get educated instead of blindly following the fastest talking salesman who calls on you. And don't brag about how dumb you are about Fertilizer.

I can only compare Fertilizer to Gasoline. Years ago Shell gas advertised they put Platformates in their Gasoline. The fact is any gasoline you buy at a Shell Station has Plateformates because ALL GASOLINE HAS PLATFROMATES. BTW I might of misspelled Plateformates. But False or semi False Advertisement is thrown at all of us everyday. Just like Fertilizer, Gasoline you purchase at a Shell station might of been refined by Exxon or Vice a Verse a. Gasoline being a commodity is sold on a spot market by the refineries and then Purchased by the gas stations. GUESS WHAT? Fertilizer elements are manufactured by a few companies and sold Fertilizer Blending companies.

So the Bottom Line is get smart and purchase Fertilizer by WHAT IS IN THE BAG NOT THE INK ON THE BAG.

shovelracer · Jun 16, 2011

LHS Lawns said:
Maryland just passed a law this year effective 7/1/11 that there will be no "P" in any lawn fert except for starter sold in the state. Also a new fert app license will be required to spread commercially. As it stands now if you are a company with 10 or more total acres serviced a soil test is required for each homeowner that makes up the 10+ acres. Gotta' clean up the Cheasapeake Bay.

Locally we have been under no "P" regulations for most of my service areas for about 10 years now. We have been strictly no "P" for several years now for all clients unless we have a specific reason to add it. NJ passed some law about licensing commercial fertilizer apps in addition to the already running pesticides, but I dont see anyone doing anything about it. In fact these zero "p" towns around here probably get more "p" than the free towns since the no tolerance towns are small lake lots that Larry Homeowner will gladly blanket with his home cheapo products.

americanlawn · Jun 16, 2011

I currently like Agrium alot. I think they also make Polyon fert blends. IMO Polyon, XCU, etc is pretty much the same. Just depends how much "slow" you want in the bag. The more slow release, the more costly. Also adding potash will cost even more. My rep told me that a 30-0-5 50% XCU costs a buck more per bag merely for the 5% K.

Ric - last time we bought fert from LESCO, it came from Sebring, FLA. This was just before JDL aquired them. It was 3 semi-loads, and it cost $1.00 per mile to direct ship to us (1500 miles). That's $4500 when diesel prices were cheap. LESCO told me this was a brand new plant -- even had air conditioning. Now it sounds like this "fairly new fert facility" is making fert for others??

shovelracer --you ROCK :usflag:

greendoctor · Jun 16, 2011

shovelracer said:
Locally we have been under no "P" regulations for most of my service areas for about 10 years now. We have been strictly no "P" for several years now for all clients unless we have a specific reason to add it. NJ passed some law about licensing commercial fertilizer apps in addition to the already running pesticides, but I dont see anyone doing anything about it. In fact these zero "p" towns around here probably get more "p" than the free towns since the no tolerance towns are small lake lots that Larry Homeowner will gladly blanket with his home cheapo products.

Then you will have nitrate runoff and leaching. I see that Scotts and many other HD brands are zero P in my state. There is no P ban, but those fertilizers look like they are all slow release coated and have no P. Although they miss the mark as far as what highly maintained warm season turf needs.

Ric · Jun 16, 2011

greendoctor said:
Then you will have nitrate runoff and leaching. I see that Scotts and many other HD brands are zero P in my state. There is no P ban, but those fertilizers look like they are all slow release coated and have no P. Although they miss the mark as far as what highly maintained warm season turf needs.

Green

My point exactly. 32-0-2 with a 0.5% fe isn't any better than 46-0-0. Sure they do the homogenized blend in elect prill size like a Greens Grader Fertilizer, but the fact is Urea is the cheapest form of Nitrogen and Scotts charges a arm and a leg for it. But with a NAME like SCOTTS it has got to be good.

the current truth about Scotts

americanlawn

Shegardi

greendoctor

grassman177

quiet

ted putnam

whoopassonthebluegrass

MJS

Hogjaw

shovelracer

Ric

Will P.C.

LHS Lawns

Ric

nik

Ric

shovelracer

americanlawn

greendoctor

Ric

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