PERFORMANCE FERTILIZATION

Having a beautifully landscaped and maintained lawn has so many benefits. The most obvious is that you have a property that you are proud to call yours, and a home that you enjoy returning to at the end of every day. There is a sense of pride and enjoyment in knowing that you have one of the best-looking — if not the absolute best — lawns in the neighborhood. The people at Performance Fertilization will help you to achieve just that!

At Performance Fertilization they believe that one size doesn't fit all, as every lawn is unique and has its particular challenges with regard to climate, grasses, growing seasons, and soil varieties. SVM spoke with owner Justin Bridges about the services they provide, lawn tips heading to spring, and the latest technology in his business.

Who or what inspired you to become part of the lawn-care business field? I have always had an interest in lawn care. Even as early as 8 years old, I remember how excited I was when my father let me cut the grass for the first time. My professional career took a different path after college but the enjoyment and satisfaction from maintaining a beautiful lawn never did. When I was presented with the opportunity to make lawn care a career, I jumped on it.

Your company is known for your professional services. What are some of the services your company provides? At Performance Fertilization, we offer fertilization as well as weed control. In order to care for each lawn with the best treatment possible, we provide soil tests to design a specific program for every lawn. In addition to these services our company does both liquid and mechanical aeration, and we also provide pest control management for fire ants, mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks.

How does working in the warm and humid South affect the products and treatments you use? Working in the south provides many challenges. Longer growing seasons due to warmer temperatures make year- round maintenance a necessity. Fertilizers and herbicide rates have to be adjusted accordingly when temperatures rise in the summer, or you run the risk of damaging your lawn. The warmer temperatures accelerate grass growth so mowing every 5-7 days is essential for a healthy lawn.

What separates your company from your competitors? All lawns need the basics, but in order for your grass to reach its full potential, a soil sample needs to be taken to see exactly where the mineral levels stand. We do this on our first visit and design a program specifically for your lawn and its needs. If your grass is healthy, we’ll keep it that way. If your lawn needs a little help, we have a plan to get it looking great.

SUN, WATER, AND FERTILIZERS ARE KEY FACTORS FOR A HEALTHY LAWN. Improper watering is a common mistake we often see. A few heavy soakings are much more beneficial than lightly watering every day.

Every homeowner wants to take pride in their lawn. What are some lawn care tips you would give to readers heading into the spring? Sun, water, and fertilizers are key factors for a healthy lawn. Improper watering is a common mistake we often see. A few heavy soakings are much more beneficial than lightly watering every day. This promotes root growth which allows the grass to withstand unfavorable conditions such as drought or extreme temperatures. Cutting grass at the proper height with a sharp mower blade is essential to maintaining a healthy lawn. Only one-third of a grass blade needs to be removed each time it’s mowed. The sharp mower blade will give the grass a clean cut which reduces damage to the grass allowing it to fight off disease.

There are countless turfs in parks, golf courses, athletic fields and business parks across Columbus, what lawn care maintenance matters to the environment? Carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen are readily available by air and water. Fertilizers provide macronutrients potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen which are necessary for growth and a healthy lawn. This helps prevent soil erosion, and studies have shown a healthy lawn reduces carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

How has the lawn-care industry changed and developed over the past 5-10 years? Are there any new technologies or equipment that have changed the game for your business? Ride on machines have greatly improved the application process due to the precision they offer. New software systems have reduced the amount of time spent behind a computer allowing for more time to manage the business. Communication with customers has also changed. We have some customers that prefer communicating through email only, and others that we see every time we treat their lawn. SVM