Green Up

The Green Up Fertilizer Story

The Green Up fertilizer brand traces its roots to the vision and determination of M. S. Wright, a man who knew the fertilizer business inside and out. After two decades in the industry, Wright recognized an opportunity: Texas farmers and ranchers were applying more than 235,000 tons of commercial fertilizer each year, yet much of East Texas lacked a local source. 

Starting a New Enterprise

In 1930, he chose Nacogdoches County, an area that consumed over 12,000 tons annually but had no manufacturing base, as the place to build a new enterprise, one that could meet the needs of local agriculture while helping the region grow. 

Lone Star Phosphate Company

When a shortage of super phosphate, a key ingredient in fertilizer production, threatened supply, Wright and his partners didn’t wait for someone else to solve the problem. They established a new company, the Lone Star Phosphate Company to secure the materials needed for their blends. A dedicated fertilizer plant was built, and all fertilizer operations moved to the new facility, ensuring the company’s independence and stability for years to come. 

The Birth of the Green Up Brand

As Texas agriculture evolved through the mid-century, the Wright family looked for ways to keep fertilizer central to their story. To both preserve that heritage and reach new customers, the company began packaging fertilizer in smaller bags for homeowners, while adding complementary farm and garden supplies under a fresh new name: Green Up. The Green Up label represented innovation and reliability, a trusted promise to customers that they could “green up” their lawns and fields with confidence. 

The Green Up Difference

Unlike many fertilizers, Green Up was uniquely formulated. It was never sticky, never “wet-looking,” and always free-flowing, without the lumps or caking that frustrated users of ordinary products. These qualities quickly earned Green Up a loyal following among farmers, gardeners, and retailers alike. 

Continuing a Tradition of Growth

For many years, the Green Up Plant Food Company operated as the lawn-and-garden and specialty fertilizer division of Texas Farm Products Company. Initially, its products were available only through Lone Star Feed and Fertilizer dealerships, but as interest in lawn and garden care expanded, Green Up products began appearing in independent garden centers and retailers across the region. Even today, you can still find Green Up products proudly offered through local Lone Star dealers, carrying forward a legacy that began nearly a century ago. 

The Wright family has often said, they plan to “always sell fertilizer… out of nostalgia for what brought their family to Nacogdoches in 1930.” That sentiment captures what Green Up stands for, more than just a product line, it’s a living tribute to family heritage, Texas agriculture, and the enduring belief that good things grow from strong roots.