Lawn Care FAQ
Here you’ll find answers to the most commonly asked lawn care questions. Can’t find what you need? Our lawn care experts are standing by to help you. Give us a call at 888-438-4733
I have been waiting all winter for you to get started on my lawn. When do you normally start service?
We get started when the snow clears and the weather permits. Typically, this is around March 15th. It usually takes about 4 – 5 weeks to get all of our round 1 customers done, so you can expect to see us sometime between Mar 15 and April 25 as long as the weather cooperates.
I had my first application already applied. Why do I have weeds? The first application normally contains a granular fertilizer and a pre-emergent for crabgrass. Since broadleaf weed control is not a preventative, it is only effective when weeds have already germinated and are actively growing. Weed control is normally applied with your second and subsequent applications when the weather has warmed up enough to allow the broadleaf weed control to be effective.
How many applications of fertilizer do I need each year? We recommend that you fertilize every 4 – 5 weeks to keep your lawn healthy and green. This generally works out to be about 7 applications per year.
Why is it important to put a pre-emergent crabgrass control down in the spring? In order to control crabgrass, the product must go down early in the season to create a barrier which stops crabgrass germination. We recommend applying a pre-emergent before May 15 for best results.
It has been three days since my application was done. Why do I still have weeds? Some broad-leaf weeds will curl up and die almost immediately and some will take as much as two weeks to die. In any case, if there are still weeds present after two weeks, simply call us and we will come right out and reapply the weed control at no extra charge.
When can I let my dog out after an application? As soon as the grass is dry. Usually, this is within an hour on a sunny day.
Does weed control work if it rains after the application? Yes, we use a spreader/sticker together with the weed control. After a half hour or so when the product is dry, it cannot be washed off by rain or sprinklers.
How long after an application is done on my lawn can I start watering? You can begin to water your lawn after the sprays have dried which is usually in about an hour on a sunny day.
How often should I water? We recommend watering every day between 5 am and 9 am for 20 – 30 minutes per zone. On extremely hot days, add a late afternoon watering around 7 pm.
How can I avoid drought stress on my lawn? We recommend that your lawn gets 2″ – 3″ of water per week. You will usually need, at least, 20 minutes per zone per day. This will ensure continuous growth.
My lawn does not look the way I want it to. What should I do? Just call or go online and order a service call. We are always glad to come out and resolve any problem with your lawn.
Last year I had a pre-emergent crabgrass application. But in August I had some crabgrass. Sometimes the barrier that is created by pre-emergent crabgrass control becomes broken because of different factors like edging the grass along the sidewalk or even cutting the grass will sometimes affect the barrier. When this happens, just give us a call and we will gladly come and apply a post emergent product that works well for this problem.
I have brown spots on my lawn. What are they? There are many reasons for brown spots. A proper diagnosis by a professional is very important. It could be anything from a dog urine burn to a disease or insect problem. Just call us for a free diagnosis.
What is mower stress on the lawn? There are several things that can cause mower stress on lawns. One of the most common is dull mower blades. Make sure you sharpen your mower blades professionally twice a year. Never cut your grass too low, We recommend a minimum height of 3″. And finally, when the outside temperature is very hot (usually over 90) the wheels of your lawn mower can break the blades of your grass leaving brown tire tracks. Your lawn generally will recover in two to three weeks if you are properly watering. Take a look at our Mowing Tips page for more info.
How is core aeration beneficial for my lawn? An aeration has many benefits.
When is the best time to seed?- It allows water, air, water and nutrients to get directly to the roots.
- It helps to break down thatch.
- It is one of the best ways to fight disease.
- It helps allow roots to become larger and healthier, which intern makes your lawn thicker and greener.
- It also lowers your watering bill because less water is wasted through evaporation.
Early fall is the very best time to seed your lawn. Spring can also be a good time to seed if you are able to make sure the tender, newly germinated seed is adequately watered during the extremely harsh conditions that exist during the summer.
Why does my lawn have all these long raised tunnels? Sounds like moles, these little critters love to eat the worms and insects in the soil just below the grass. We have a very effective way of getting rid of them.
Is there a charge if we need you to come back and look at our lawn? No. We have a free service call policy to resolve all problems as they occur. This is why we can guarantee our service.
Does a lawn fertilization company need to be licensed? Yes. Any company that applies pesticides must be licensed by the state in which they apply the pesticides. That is the law.
Tree & Shrub FAQ
Here you’ll find answers to the most commonly asked tree care questions. Can’t find what you need? Our tree care experts are standing by to help you. Give us a call at 888-438-4733
My crabapple trees were beautiful in the spring, but now the leaves are turning yellow and are falling off. Why?
You have a typical case of apple scab. This is a common disease on crabapple trees. There are several different treatments that we offer to help control the disease. In the mean time, rake up all those fallen leaves and dispose of them, otherwise the disease will be transposed through the soil and back into the tree. Call us and we can help.
My beautiful white birch tree has branches and leaves falling off. Please help! European white birches have two serious insect problems that are life threatening. They are the bronze birch borer and leaf miner. The good news is that they are both treatable. Contact us for a program to stop the damage.
My new landscape is only two years old and many of the yews and boxwoods are turning brown and are dying. Why? They are most likely being over-watered. The first five years of a new planting are critical for proper watering. Trees and shrubs can drown very easily before they become established. If the fine feeding roots sit in water too long without getting oxygen, they will begin to decompose and stop taking up water. Most people think that because the plant is turning brown it needs more water, so they water more and the plant dies more quickly. Clay soil is also a large contributor to this problem.
I have a large magnolia tree that has all these white bumps on the bark. What is it? This is called magnolia scale which is an insect. If these insects are not controlled, it could be life threatening to the tree. This scale will only attack magnolias. You need not be concerned with this insect affecting other plants. There are trunk injections and sprays that will help control this problem.
It’s August and I am seeing webs in my trees. Is this a serious problem? These webs are caused by tent caterpillars and fall web worm. They usually defoliate some leaves on the tree, but are generally not life threatening. The following year the tree will usually leaf out just fine and you may not even see the webs again. Foliar sprays will help control any damage.
My Alberta spruces get brown spots late in the season. What is causing this? Most likely it is spider mites. One way to find out is to do the white paper test. Take a sheet of paper and put it in the bush near the brown spot, shake the branch and little red spiders should fall on the paper and start running around. Foliar sprays will control this problem.
My oak tree has very yellow leaves this year. Why? This is common in pin oaks and is typically due to a lack of iron in the tree. The tree needs iron to produce chlorophyll which gives leaves their green color. A trunk injection in the spring each year will help your tree recover.
I have heard different information regarding how much I should water my trees and shrubs. Can you help? A well established landscape only needs about 1/3 the water your lawn needs. The reason for this is because the roots of trees and shrubs are generally much deeper in the ground, so there is less evaporation and better retention of water. Watering your trees and shrubs twice a week for about 10 minutes is usually enough. This does not apply to annual flowers and some perennials.
My purple plum was all chewed up and there are hardly any leaves left. What happened? More than likely, the damage is from Japanese Beetles. For 3 – 4 weeks in June through July, these beetles are menacing, but usually not life threatening. They can cause a lot of damage. Insect sprays are effective if you respond quickly.
Since 1990 we have helped thousands of customers Get Green and Stay Green. Why not join them?