Lawn Care FAQ’s
Fertilizer, Weed Control, Grubs, and General Application Questions
Why do we have so many weeds?
Dandelions in particular, weeds in general, do not seem concerned about how long lawn has
been under good care. Airborne seed (and seed which has been in the soil for years) will seek
the opportunity to grow in any area of weakness in turf density. Weather extremes usually
create these kinds of weak areas, even in the best lawns.
Should we dig up our weeds?
No. This common activity is extremely harmful to any lawn, since the vacant space left from the
weed removal can open up opportunity for new weed seeds and undesirable vegetation to
grow.
Don't weeds choke out the good grass?
It is actually the opposite. Properly maintained lawns will prevent weeds from growing. Rare
instances of this occurring from knotweed, hawkweed and chickweed have been observed in
this area.
Will you get rid of all our weeds?
No, since nature is continually interfering. However, the majority will eventually be controlled.
Should weed control be applied on newly seeded areas?
No, not without substantial risk of damage to the seed, it is advised that the newly seeded
areas are allowed to grow for 6-8 weeks prior to any weed control is used.
Why do we get crabgrass?
Since most soils are abundant with the seeds of annual weeds, they will germinate when the
conditions are favorable. Ground temperatures of 75 to 80, thin turf areas, water runoff areas,
and disturbed pre-emergent barriers are favorable conditions.
Why does crabgrass seem to take over?
The rapid lateral growth of the leaves on each mature plant makes it appear that the plants are
multiplying. This false appearance usually occurs in August. Crabgrass thrives in hot dry
conditions, and this is why you tend to see it more in late summer.
Shouldn't crabgrass be killed or pulled out?
No. Physical removal promotes other annual grasses and even worse, perennial weeds.
Crabgrass will die with the first frost, and it provides an ideal seedbed for seeding desirable
grass, with which turf can be thickened and future crabgrass prevented. Pre-emergent
applications in the spring is the best way to control crabgrass, however post emergent
applications are available for heavy infestations.
What is the right way to control crabgrass?
Thick turf (no shorter than 3”) and proper applications of an effective granular pre-emergent
will discourage annual grasses, such as crabgrass.
I have moles in my lawn. Does this mean I have grubs?
The presence of moles does not necessarily mean there are grubs in the turfgrass. The moles
main food source is earthworms. The grubs are active only at certain times of the year and the
moles will feed on them if they are an available food source.
How do I get rid of moles?
There are numerous methods of trying to control moles. Traps, baits and repellants are
currently being used. Traps are the most effective; however there are other baits out such as
Moletox and Talprid. Both of these baits are easy to use by placing into the tunnels and the
mole will ingest the bait and die.
Another great way is by using Predascent Mole and Vole, which does not kill the Mole,
however is a natural way to deter them from your location by using a predator scent in the
tunnels.
What are grubs and is grub control needed on a yearly basis?
Grubs are the larvae stage in the life cycle of a beetle. This could be the Japanese Beetle or the
European Chafer Bug. Damage occurs when the grubs feed on the root system of the turfgrass,
causing the grass to die. A preventive grub control applied yearly will protect your investment
in your lawn from the damage these insects cause. Curative grub control applied in the spring
will kill the active beetles feeding on the root systems of the grass…Be sure to follow up your
curative application with a preventative to lessen the chances of beetle damage!
Do I need to be home when an application is applied to my yard?
No. When the application is complete, our fertilizer technician will place a flag in your yard
notifying you that we have been there. There will also be a notification placed in your door
outlining what was applied, by who, and any special instructions you may need.
What is the time frame between applications?
Generally speaking, there are typically 4-6 weeks depending on the weather conditions and
application being applied between our visits.
After you apply weed control, how long before I will notice my weeds begin to die?
Once your application of weed control has been applied, you should begin to see the weeds wilt
and die within 7-10 days. Some weed control products are absorbed by the leaf of the plant,
while others require the root system to take in the herbicide before you will notice your weeds
beginning to die.
How safe are the lawn applications?
The materials which are used for lawn applications are of a very low toxicity and are registered
and used in strict compliance to labeled instructions. They are applied by licensed technicians in
accordance with state and local regulations.
Should I mow the same day as a treatment?
It is recommended that you wait to mow 24 to 48 hours after any liquid treatment. You can
mow immediately after a granular treatment is applied.
Should I water my lawn after a lawn treatment?
In most cases when using liquid weed control, crabgrass control or insect control it is not
recommended to water immediately afterwards. This will allow the material to be absorbed
into the grass plant. When using a granular grub control it is recommended that the material be
watered in. Watering within the first few days will enhance the effectiveness of the product.
When can my children and pets go on the lawn?
If granular fertilizer is used you may go on the lawn immediately after the application. If liquid
weed control is used, allow the material to dry on the grass before children and pets are
allowed on it. Drying time will vary with weather conditions.
What does lime do for my lawn?
Lime helps modify the acidity in the soil and allows the grass to absorb and use fertilizers more
efficiently. It also supplies calcium to the grass which is an important nutrient for the
photosynthesis process.
What is a Dormant Oil and when is it applied?
Dormant oil is applied in spring or fall of the year, and it creates a coating on the branches and
trunks of the plant material which suffocates insects and eggs that live in the bark of the plant.
This leads to less insect damage the following season. Horticultural oils are available for use
during the season to smother insects that you may see actively feeding on the leaves of your
plant material.
Seeding, Mowing, Watering, and Aeration
What could prevent seed from germinating?
The following are required for seed to germinate:
1. Live seed
2. Non-dormant seed
3. Temperature
4. Oxygen
5. Light
6. Moisture
There are no other requirements. Federal inspectors ensure numbers 1 and 2 above, while
nature provides numbers 3, 4, 5 and part of 6. Only one thing could prevent our seed from
germinating, inadequate moisture. Once you have seeded an area, it is very important to keep
it moist to ensure proper germination.
Why did the seed in our shade areas germinate faster than in the sun areas?
Deep or moderate shade areas tend to react different than areas in full sun. A shaded area
retains moisture easily which is the key to germination. Also ryegrasses planted in shaded areas
germinate more quickly than the bluegrasses planted in the sun areas.
Can you establish a lawn in my shady areas?
Yes and no. The deep shaded areas are impossible to establish permanent turf due to the lack
of sunlight and air circulation. These areas will need to be constantly reseeded to rebuild the
density of the turf. The roots of the trees are competing with the grass for water and nutrients,
leaving the grass with an inadequate supply of each. Also, the grass requires a period of direct
sunlight in order to grow properly. You may consider an alternative such as the use of a
groundcover (pachysandra or ivy) in these areas, or proper pruning or thinning of tree canopies
to allow for more sunlight and air circulation.
Should we stay off newly seeded areas?
No, however heavy foot traffic could increase seedling mortality. It is advised that foot traffic
remain minimum throughout the germination process, however once the grass plant has
emerged from the soil, light foot traffic is okay.
Why didn’t the seed we planted last year grow?
It most likely began to germinate, dried out and died. Proper moisture must be maintained in
order for your seed to germinate.
How much water is enough to get seed to germinate?
Very little volume is necessary. The seeds and seedlings do need to remain moist (not
saturated) until they are tall enough to cut with a mower. If they dry out during this period,
they will die.
How should we mow?
The lawn should be mowed at least once per week. Right after this mowing is a good time to
water, giving the plants a chance to recover the stress of being cut.
It is almost always true that the greenest, healthiest, most weed-free lawns are the ones which
are regularly maintained at the longest cut lengths. You should keep your lawn at a length of 3”
or higher throughout the year. When mowing, never remove more than 1/3rd of the leaf blade
with each cut. This may require multiple cuttings to achieve the height you desire,
remembering to alter your mowing pattern with each cut to alleviate compaction from mower
and pedestrian traffic.
Mow down to a height of 2" to 2 1/2" (no shorter), for the final mowing of the year which
should be as short as possible.
ALWAYS use a sharp blade. A dull mower rips and shreds the tissues of the plants, causing them
to become brown from a rapid escape of internal moisture and from the diseases caused by the
fungal spores which easily enter the wounds.
How should we water?
Most lawns should receive between 1" and 1 1/2" water per week. This amount of moisture
should be delivered in 2 or 3 waterings or rainfalls per week (daily, infrequent, light watering
can encourage weak root systems.)
If possible, do not water after 4:00 PM or before 4:00 AM (fungal and disease activity is
encouraged in dark & wet conditions).
Is it possible to water too much?
Yes, it is possible, although very rare. Deep, established root systems could be destroyed by too
frequent or overabundance of water. Proper watering procedures prevent any danger.
Remember to adjust your irrigation system based on weather changes throughout the season.
What will aeration do for my lawn?
Aeration opens up the soil, allowing air and water penetration into the root zone of the grass.
This can be accomplished by core (removal of a plug) or spike aeration. This process loosens
compacted soil and improves root development thereby helping develop a stronger more stress
resistant plant and improved thickness in the lawn.
What is the best time of year for aeration?
Because the process of aeration actually damages the lawn by disturbing the root system, it is
recommended that it is completed in the fall, and is not necessary every year. This allows for
less stress on the lawn and also there are fewer weed seeds that can fall into the soil layer. If
timed with a winterizer application of fertilizer, this allows for the root system to expand and
grow prior to winter dormancy taking place.