Home >
Frequently Asked Questions...
Below are some common questions and answers that we often receive. They should be considered as general information and may not apply to all situations. We encourage you to ask one of our trained lawn technicians or call the office during regular business hours if you have a special problem. We'll be more than happy to discuss possible solutions specifically designed to address your situation.
Q: Will your fertilizer application pollute our streams?
A: We make every effort to control the rate of application of our fertilizer so that your lawn and soil only receives exactly what it needs to keep your lawn healthy and thick. That means there is no excess fertilizer. Our trained technicians understand the importance of only apply fertilizers at the specified rates. In the case of fertilizer, a little is much better than too much!
We also clean driveways and sidewalks so our fertilizer doesn't get washed away or tracked into the house.
A healthy lawn not only prevents soil erosion (a big polluter of our streams), but it also looks better and is less likely to develop weeds that need treating.
You can do your part in protecting our environment by making sure that when you cut the lawn, you don't allow lawn clippings to discharge into the street or the driveway. Grass clippings contain many nutrients that can enter our rivers as these clippings breakdown and release basic elements such as phosphorus into the sewer or drainage ditches which do work their way into streams and rivers.
Q: What is a pre-emergent application?
A: Pre-emergent applications put down a microscopic layer on the soil that prevents many seeds from sprouting, including crabgrass. This invisible shield is usually put down in early spring before the soil temperature reaches 60 degrees. It remains active throughout the spring and most of the summer months when the seeds begin to germinate, unless the soil is vigorously raked or dug up.
Q: Will rain wash away this protective layer?
A: No. In fact, rain enhances the application and gives it a more even coating.
Q: What precautions should we take with this pre-emergent application?
A: The treatment usually dries within 2 hours. However, we recommend that you keep children and pets off the lawn for about 12 hours if possible. Avoid mowing the lawn for 24 hours after the treatment and set your mowing height to about 3".
Q: I want to plant new grass seed this spring. Can I plant seeds after this treatment, but before the crabgrass begins to grow?
A: Yes! Just let us know and we can apply a special pre-emergent formulation that will allow you to plant grass seed. But we must know ahead of time.
Q: What is slow release fertilizer and what are the advantages of using it over other lawn fertilizers?
A: Slow release fertilizers are actually microscopic coated capsules of fertilizer that breakdown and release their important fertilizer and trace elements over a long period of time. This ensures that your lawn's root system gets those nutrients in measured doses that won't over-stimulate the plants into a sudden growing spurt requiring more mowing.
Q: What is a lime treatment and what will it do for me?
A: Lime is a naturally occurring element that can be applied to the lawn to help balance the soil's pH so that it is more conducive for turf grasses to thrive. Included in a lime treatment is also a calcium supplement. Lime naturally helps control the acidity in top soil. To get the full benefit of readily available food to your lawn, the top soil must have the optimum pH level. If the pH level is too high, the soil is not able to break down the nutrients in the soil and makes it more difficult for your turf grass to absorb those nutrients. Some soils may require more than one treatment per season. Our lawn technicians will be able to give you an accurate assessment of your soil's condition.
Q: What are grubs and why should I worry about them?
A: Grubs are actually the larval stage of a variety of different kinds of beetles, including May and June bugs and voracious Japanese beetles. Adult beetles lay their eggs in the soil in mid to late summer. As the eggs hatch, they develop into the white-wormish looking larvae. As the larvae grow, they work their way down to the root zone of your lawn where they eat the roots. In the fall, you'll suddenly notice dead patches of lawn start showing up in your lawn if you have grubs. Grub control is largely a matter of timing so that they can be controlled in their early stages of development and before they go deep into the soil and go dormant for the winter. In our area, mid-summer is the best time to treat. We use a product specifically designed to control grubs and won't harm other beneficial insects commonly found in the soil.