Slow growth
1 Jun, 2008 By: Laylah VanBibber Landscape ManagementWith escalating fuel, labor and insurance costs, profits are getting squeezed tighter and tighter. If you are not already using a plant growth regulator (PGR) to reduce mowing and trimming, it might be time to consider the cost-saving potential of these products. PGRs can help you stay on track with mowing and trimming schedules, provide add-on services to clients for increased profit and still net substantial savings in your property management programs.
 1 String trimming is labor intensive, time consuming and a drain on profits. PGRs are ideal for reductions in string trimming. |
Although PGRs have been around since the 1960s, the first introduction for use on fine turf was in 1987. Since then, PGRs have proven their value in turf and ornamental management. A well-thought-out PGR program has repeatedly demonstrated reductions in the costs associated with labor-intensive tasks such as mowing, trimming, clean-up and hauling by 50% or more.
The first step in developing a plant growth regulation program is to determine your objectives.
Using PGRs
Many managers feel they get the most from their PGR programs during the peak spring growing season when the demands for mowing and trimming are high and the weather is erratic. During this season, properly timed PGR applications can slow growth to make mowing easier and faster or to hold turf growth to reduce the number of mowings.
 2 PGRs can reduce the cost of keeping ornamental hedges neat and trim. |
"We get many calls concerning PGR use," says John Spaulding, PGR Product Manager for PBI/Gordon Corp. "I like to use a PGR on my own lawn during the peak season."
Spaulding tells contractors they can get by with mowing every 10 to 14 days instead of needing the twice weekly mowing generally required during peak growing season.
With rising fuel costs and concerns about emissions, this can add up to dramatic savings – for your business and the environment.
Mowing PGR-treated turf also takes less time, resulting in labor cost savings, and there is less strain on the mower. Clipping volumes are reduced, which can be even more important to contractors who may have to double mow or bag and haul the clippings.
Additional benefits
Other contractors use PGRs primarily to reduce the labor-intensive task of trimming and edging, especially if their contracts are based on number of mowings.
 3 PGR use allows you to maintain properties with steep embankments more easily. |
String trimming is labor intensive, time consuming and, therefore, a drain on profits. PGRs are ideal for reductions in string trimming and many property managers use them exclusively to keep string-trimmed areas neat.
Spaulding offers the following application tip: "Don't scalp the turf and then apply a PGR." The grass has to have sufficient leaf tissue to absorb the product.
Using a PGR around sprinkler heads, trees, landscape beds and sidewalks allows your mowing crew to skip the time-consuming trimming of these areas for several mowings.
Some contractors only apply PGRs in less-visible areas that need to be kept trim and neat, but not necessarily have immaculate lines of freshly mowed turf.
 PGR dos and don'ts |
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