Fertilizer 101: Expert Advice for Landscape and Lawn Care Professionals
Agrium Advanced Technologies Offers Free Agronomy Guide of Fertilizer Best Practices

Release Date: 7/27/2009

SYLACAUGA, Ala. (July 27, 2009) – Agrium Advanced Technologies, a leading manufacturer of slow- and controlled-release fertilizers and micronutrient products, educates landscape and lawn care professionals about choosing fertilizer products and best practices in its free “Fertilizer 101 Agronomy Guide.” Landscape and lawn care professionals can request printed copies and download the guide in English and Spanish at http://www.agriumat.com/AgronomyGuide.

Fertilizer 101 provides helpful information and advice about smarter ways to grow great turf for less money. The reference piece features valuable guidance on how fertilizer works, why Nitrogen is important, and how to choose and apply the right kind of fertilizer. The guide also offers insight into the differences between organic fertilizers and slow- and controlled-release fertilizers.

“It’s important that lawn care operators and their staff understand the best management practices for their fertilizer programs,” said Bryan Gooch, marketing manager with Agrium Advanced Technologies. “By using the right product at the right rate, time and place, lawn care professionals can effectively deliver proper nutrition to their turf and plants, and oftentimes use less total fertilizer per year. This translates to savings in their fertilizer budget, increased profits and satisfied customers.”

Fertilizer 101 also discusses the environmental benefits of slow- and controlled-release fertilizers. In addition, the guide outlines tips for landscape and lawn care professionals to help them sell the unique advantages of gradual, sustained nutrient delivery from slow- and controlled-release fertilizers to their customers.

The Fertilizer 101 Agronomy Guide is available for download in English and Spanish and printed copies can be requested from Agrium Advanced Technologies’ Web site at http://www.agriumat.com/AgronomyGuide or by calling 888.757.0072.

Agrium Advanced Technologies’ earth-friendly turf product line includes slow- and controlled-release products—POLYON®, XCU™, NITROFORM®, NUTRALENE®, DURATION CR® and PRECISE®. All of these products rely on unique technology that increases nutrient uptake by plants and reduces losses to the environment.

For more information about Agrium Advanced Technologies’ nutrient-stewardship programs, please visit http://www.agriumat.com or call 888.757.0072.

About Agrium Advanced Technologies
Agrium Advanced Technologies is a strategic business unit of Agrium Inc., a major retail supplier of agricultural products and services in both North and South America and a leading global producer and marketer of agricultural nutrients and industrial products. Agrium Advanced Technologies is the leading manufacturer and marketer of slow- and controlled-release fertilizers and micronutrients in the Agriculture, professional Turf and Ornamental, consumer lawn and garden, and specialty agriculture markets.   Agrium Advanced Technologies' brands include: ESN®, POLYON®, XCU™, NITROFORM®, NUTRALENE®, and DURATION CR® slow- and controlled-release fertilizers, UltraYield Micronutrients, AMP™ and PRECISE® controlled-release plant protection. These products utilize proprietary advanced generation technologies to control nutrient release for improved plant growth and environmental performance.