AV Energy

chemical being flushed through the soil due to the amount of rain we experienced. Also with the wet spring came shallower roots in the heat of the summer, causing grass to struggle. Our Pride Turf Summerizer would have been an ideal product to put down to help build a stronger root system.

As we will be moving from winter into spring, the time to apply a pre-emergent will be here before we know it. We have a couple different preemergent options that we can provide to our customers. Our “Preventer P” is an early application product with a lasting residual. A good time to apply this product is around the middle of March before any crabgrass starts to germinate. Another option we have is our “Preventer D.” It is the ultimate crabgrass preventer; it has a later application window than Preventer P, as it should be applied around the middle of April. This product will actually kill any immature crabgrass plants that may have germinate a little early.

I would also like to remind everyone about our ice melt products that we carry. The “Royal Blue Melter” is perfect for fast effective melting. It can be used for high traffic surfaces, driveways, sidewalks and steps. It has melting capabilities from 20 degrees to -20 degrees. The “Green Melter” is great for large applications and has an anti-slip material added in. This product has melting capabilities from 20 degrees to -15 degrees. Make sure you get into one of our Ace Hardware stores and stock up so you are prepared when winter weather hits.

If you ever have a question about your turf grass, weather it is about fertilizing or you are having issues with pests or diseases, do not hesitate to ask. I am always glad to help anyone with a turf grass problem.

Nathan Ratzlaff nratzlaff@prideag.com

AV Energy

Chris Klein AV Energy Manager

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and their New Year’s has started off great! Refined Fuels Contracting

Fuel contracting has started off slow this year compared to years past and I believe it is for a good reason. The market has been much over stated the last couple of months. Customers have been very hesitant to lock in fuel for the summer, which has been a good decision so far. The crude market has come down almost $10.00 since the beginning of November and as I write this article it is down another $1.00 on the board. So, now would be a great time to start looking at summer contracts and to take advantage of a softer market.

Propane Suppliers on the propane system to verify there are no leaks. To be truthful I do not know how they can sleep at night knowing that their customers could be at risk. A propane safety check is required to be performed by the propane supplier when:  A customer runs out of propane.  If the system has been shut down.  If there has been a change of tenant.  If the customer is new.  If a propane appliance is installed, replaced or removed.

AV Energy also does follow up inspections every five years after the initial inspection. To insure the safety of you and your family call your propane supplier and ask them to perform a safety check. If your propane supplier has never done a safety check on your propane system, ask them why! If they tell you that they are not required to do safety checks they are mistaken and should be reported to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

After being in the propane business for more than 20 years I have seen what a propane explosion can do, so don’t let your propane supplier sacrifice you and your family’s safety. Make sure your propane supplier is doing the job they are licensed to do.

Thanks, and have a great rest of your winter.

It is very disturbing to me that there continues to be Propane Suppliers in our area that deliver to customers without performing safety checks. A safety check is a test