Irrigation and Landscape Supply Blog

Set Yourself Up for Success Next Season

Written by Michael Maravich | Oct 16, 2025 8:20:52 PM

Some years, it feels like it takes forever for spring to arrive. But when it does, weeds emerge fast and turf requires fertilization. Crews must jump into action, applying the first round of preemergent herbicides and fertilizers.

When it’s go time, the last thing you want is to discover that a spreader or sprayer isn’t working properly or that you’re missing the products needed to get started. Time is money. When crews have the right supplies on hand, they experience less downtime, leading to happier customers and higher profits.

Take advantage of the time you have this fall to prepare for next spring. By planning your season early, you can ensure your crews are ready to hit the ground running—without the stress of delays.

Beyond simply stocking up, there are additional benefits to planning ahead. Here’s why taking advantage of an early commitment program is worth considering.

Improve Crew Safety and Compliance

Turf and ornamental control products require safe handling. Instead of rushing through safety prep under the pressure of client deadlines, you can start the season knowing your team meets compliance requirements and is properly equipped and protected.

As part of planning your turf and ornamental application season:

  • Check the quality and shelf life of your control products.
  • Replace damaged or outdated personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Obtain proper licensing and train or refresh crews on safe application techniques.

Eliminate Costly Downtime

Every minute a crew spends searching for supplies or repairing equipment eats into the margins. Stocking up on core products and servicing equipment such as spreaders and sprayers in the off-season keeps teams moving efficiently and reduces stress once the workload ramps up.

Gain a Competitive Edge

Planning and committing early gives your business a competitive advantage. You can lock in pricing on cost-sensitive products like fertilizers and leverage volume discounts and extended interest-free payment terms.

Saving on product purchases gives you two options:

  1. Build proposals around standard in-season pricing to maintain margins and protect against rising costs for products, fuel, labor or other expenses.
  2. Pass the savings on to customers for particularly price-sensitive applications to make proposals more appealing.

3 Tips for Planning an Early Order

By taking advantage of an early commitment program, you can secure special pricing and enjoy flexible purchase and delivery options, giving your business a head start on spring. Maximize the benefits of a turf and ornamental early order program (EOP) with these three planning tips:

  1. Evaluate Your Supply Needs

These programs offer great deals and incentives when used strategically. In late October and into November, take an inventory of the supplies you have on hand, including what’s in service vehicles and in the shop.

During inventory:

  • Review last year’s fertilizer, herbicide, insecticide, fungicide, growth regulator and other control of product usage.
  • Note which products performed well and where adjustments are needed.
  • Factor in projected growth, such as new accounts, expanded services, or larger sites.

Knowing what you already have and what you’ll need helps ensure you don’t overorder, which can quickly negate the benefits of discounts.

  1. Check and Service Equipment

Fall is a great time to evaluate equipment and purchase any parts needed for immediate service or common repairs that occur throughout the year.

Take time to:

  • Inspect spreaders, sprayers, and calibration equipment.
  • Replace worn hoses, nozzles, and parts.
  • Make sure you have PPE (gloves, eye protection, earplugs).
  1. Commit Early

Many programs are offered during the fall and winter months by distributors and manufacturers. These offers can be overwhelming, and some are designed primarily to benefit manufacturers or distributors rather than applicators. Many programs contain terms and conditions that solely benefit the manufacturer or distributors’ financial needs, requirements and timing.  

Work with a distributor that understands your business requirements—especially regarding warehouse space and working capital. Ewing’s T&O Pro’s Early Advantage Program is designed with the customer in mind. This single program fits all customer sizes and geographies, allowing you to make the best buying decisions based on your application programming.

The T&O Pro’s Early Advantage Program offers:

  1. Low purchase minimums, allowing for multiple orders during the order period.
  2. Options to optimize discounts, terms, or both to meet your financial preferences.
  3. Delivery scheduling aligned with application timing.
  4. Terms applied at invoice, allowing you to collect before your receivable is due to Ewing.
  5. Commitment and delivery flexibility to take advantage of manufacturer end-user rebate programs.

By participating, you can secure time-sensitive products like preemergent herbicides and fertilizer, as well as control products for spring weed and summer insect challenges.

Plan Now to Maximize Next Season

Ewing has created one of the most flexible, customer-centric programs in the industry. As with any program, it’s important to understand the details. If you have questions about which products qualify or how the program works, contact your Ewing representative for clarification—so you don’t miss the opportunity to participate.