Question
Hi,

I've inherited several unopened bags of Scotts Turf Builder Plus 4. When I called Scotts and asked about the shelf life, I was told they have no record of a "Plus 4" and that it was likely a Professional grade item (?). I can find no dates on the bags.

Have you heard of "Plus 4" and in your opinion, is there any harm in applying this to my lawn next spring if it were beyond the shelf life? The fertilizer still smells strong, even thru the bags.

Thanks,
Dave

Answer
PROFESSIONAL Grade?

YIKES!!!!!

Where do I begin?

Let's start with Identification.  Tell me if you really do have a cache of fragrant bags of a product labelled EXACTLY as you typed above: Scotts Turf Builder Plus 4.

I need to know that.

Now, it IS entirely possible that there was a product being sold to the general public called Scotts Turf Builder Plus 4.

Products for the Canadian Market are adjusted for legal ingredients and it is possible you have a product that the previous owner picked up in Canada and brought back here.

It is possible, and even probably, that it is/was discontinued and even withdrawn from the market.  In Canada.  Because in the U.S., there is no EPA registration that I can find for any Turfbulder "Plus 4".  Perhaps you have gotten Turfbuilder confused with the "4-step program" Scotts execs are pushing.  Since I do not have the bag, I cannot speak intelligently on the product you have w/o conferring w/ you to make absolutely sure what we are talking about.

Now, if there was a product like that, you can be sure that thousands, perhaps millions of lawn-lovers bought Scotts's State-Of-The-Art Weapon of Mass Destruction and were applying it diligently, as directed.   And then it is possible that the U.S. Government stepped in and made its major chemicals illegal.  At which point Scotts would have had Turf Builder Plus 4 withdrawn.

Or it is possible that you saw the word "TurfBuilder" and the word "Plus" and somewhere else it said "Step 4" which eventually was recalled as "TurfBuilder Plus 4".

And if it is indeed Scotts Turf Builder Plus 4, David, please look at this page (http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/waterres/smlakes/spring_04.pdf) and tell me if any of those chemicals are listed on the bag.  I know you don't want to re-type the label of ingredients.  That is probably almost impossible.  But if it is a bag of "Plus 4", I'll bet these bags are packed with all sorts of potent, illegal substances.  You'll need Adobe Acrobat to open it up - I hope you can read it because it is fair warning to anyone who gets up close and personal with chemicals, and this includes YOU!

I know, you just want to use the free stuff you "inherited".

You sound like a nice man.  You probably have a TV.  You want a nice lawn, you watch sports on weekends on your HDTV.  Now you're cleaning out the garage and you found some free bags of Turfbuilder Plus 4.  And you want to sprinkle it on your own decent lawn, which you adore.  Putting down Turfbuilder feels like giving vitamins to a small child.

It occurs to me, David...

What happened to the original owner of this Turf Builder Plus 4?

Is that person sick?

Any cancer on your block?

Check.  Get back to me.  Cancer is environmental.  The biggest cause of death in the US right now.

See the Audobon-based Bluebird trail on this subject (www.bestofbbml.audubon-omaha.org/herbicides.htm) and make sure you scroll down to the Agent Orange postings.  

Alternatives to Pesticides and Herbicides are all over the place, starting with the kitchen.

My favorite pesticide weapon is the local bird population.  Followed by beneficial insects.  Got those at your house?  WHY NOT?

But back to the Turfbuilder Plus collection.

Ever read those boxes of "Turfbuilder Plus"?  There are legally mandated Warning signs.  But people like you treat this stuff like it was fertilizer.

Not a dangerous herbicide.

I am not going to stop looking around for the smoking Tufbuilder Plus 4 gun, David, so even if you don't get back to me about your bag label, you will probably hear from me again in a week or so.  Don't be surprised.  I want to know all about Turf Builder Plus 4.  Which I guess we can assume would have followed Plus 2 and 3.

Until then, take my advice: Stay away from any bag you inherit with a Skull and Bones on it.

I'll be in touch.

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Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.
?Henry James