Core Aeration

In most home lawns, fertile topsoil is removed or buried during excavation. This forces grass to grow in compacted soil less likely to sustain a healthy lawn. Walking, playing and mowing compact soil and stress lawns. Raindrops and irrigation further compact soil, reducing the large air spaces where roots readily grow. Core aeration helps relieve soil compaction and allows air, water and fertilizer to better reach the root zone. This stimulates larger & deeper root growth; allows better use of water and fertilizer; creating healthier, stronger turf grass plants. Most home lawns are subject to thatch accumulation. Left unmanaged, thatch will impede water, fertilizer and pesticide effectiveness. Core aeration combines soil with thatch debris, so soil organisms can better break down thatch and reduce accumulation. Immediately after aeration, your lawn will be dotted with small plugs pulled from the soil. Within a week or two, they will break apart and disappear into the lawn. About 7 to 10 days after aeration, the aeration holes will be filled with white, actively growing roots, a sign that the turf grass is receiving additional oxygen, moisture and nutrients from the soil. Lawns benefit from annual aeration, usally performed in fall when roots are most actively growing.

Overseeding

Overseeding is the planting of grass seed directly into existing turf, without tearing up the turf or the soil. It's an easy way to fill in bare spots, improve the density of turf, establish improved grass varieties and enhance your lawn's color. If a lawn looks old, or just "worn out," if it needs growing amounts of water and fertilizer to thrive, or is disease or insect prone, it's a perfect candidate for overseeding. Many older lawns were established with common type turf grasses not suited for the needs of today's homeowner. They're often more disease and insect prone, requiring more fertilizer and water. Overseeding newer turf grass varieties into an older lawn can help it better withstand insects, disease, drought, shady conditions and heavy traffic. The investment in overseeding pays off by reducing the amount of fertilizer, water and pesticides required. Most importantly, an overseeded lawn stays greener and looks thicker and healthier! We utilize mechanical slit seeders, these have vertical cutting blades that cut through the thatch layer and open up a slit ¼ inch in the soil and drop seed varieties chosen for each lawns needs directly into the soil for fast, efficient germination. For the best lawn we highly recommend adding this into your lawn care program.

Compost Topdressing

Mole Control

Mole activity can cause considerable damage to lawns. This damage is usually in the form of tunnels and mounds in lawn that can be unsightly, destroy root systems, and provides a tripping hazard. Most believe in remedies such as razor blades, mothballs, vibrators, ultrasonic devices, castor oil, and grain baits, but these have no value in controlling moles. Another example is trying to control lawn grubs to reduce mole activity. Our predominate mole species (Star-nosed mole’s), primary food source is earthworms, making this fail as well. Only two methods have been proven effective; Baiting and Trapping.  We use a bait system with a mole bait designed, developed and proven to kill moles.  Trapping is highly effective with careful placement and proper monitoring.  We will find the best method to control your mole problem.

Vole Control

Voles are active day and night, year-round. Meadow Voles are common in grassy areas including lawns. The voles girdle plants, chew-off vegetation and bark, and eat flower bulbs. The Pine Vole has extensive underground tunnel systems and damages roots of woody plants. High populations of these rodents can wreak havoc on a landscape. By properly locating baited stations out of view, and pinning them to the soil, voles can be effectively managed. We are often asked about using repellants for Voles, which have shown poor results at best. Vibrating, electromagnetic and ultrasonic devices have shown to be ineffective for Voles, Moles and Deer in many different University studies. The bait technique is the most effective way to manage vole infestations.

Soil Sampling

Before initiation of a Plant Health Care or Lawn Care program, and at least every third year, we highly encourage that soil samples be taken in each turf and planting area. This gives us a basis upon which to build upon. Soil analysis from acidity to nutrient content to microrganism activity are available. When plants and trees do not exhibit normal growth analysis can often be used to accurately diagnose the underlying condition.

Hydroseeding

Hydroseeding is a grass planting process that has been used on everything from highways to residential lawns; the process is fast, simple, economical, and efficient. Our Hydroseeding process starts by mixing fiber mulch, grass seed mixture customized for your site, soluble starter fertilizer, organic bio-stimulants and water in a tank to be pumped and mixed by a specialized machine. Once the mixture is fully blended, it is then sprayed on the ground. The sprayed mixture on the ground is referred to as a blanket or a mat, the material in the mat enhances the seed geminating process and will stimulate the seeds to grow a healthy and deep root system and an even pattern of growth. Hydroseeding can provide a sod quality lawn for a lower price.

Sod Establishment

Keys to successful sod installation are more complicated than meets the eye. Proper soil preparation, selection of quality sod and correct installation methods and techniques are the keys.  We offer experienced crews and superior supervision to assure the most successful establishment. 

Lawn Fertilization & Nutrition Programs

We offer a comprehensive lawn care program designed to provide the right nutrients, in the right quantities at the right time. Great lawns have great soils underneath them. That's why it's so important to do a soil test. A soil test gives an accurate analysis of the basic building blocks found in the soil on your property. By conducting a soil analysis before beginning a lawncare program, we will know exactly what your soil needs to grow a quality lawn. Our programs include preventative weed control; comprehensive broadleaf weed control and balanced fertilizer applications designed to keep your lawn healthy & thick. We use fertilizers that provide essential nutrients for a healthy lawn. These fertilizer applications provide just the right balance of nutrients for strong root development and lush green top-growth.

Weed Control

Some common lawn weeds are annuals. Sprouting from seeds, they develop, blossom and form new seeds, then die in the fall, repeating the process each year. Crabgrass is one such weed. Once these types of weeds take root, they are difficult to remove without harming the lawn. The ideal control prevents them from developing in the first place. Applying a Pre-emergent Control in the spring does this. The soil's surface is covered with a microscopic protective layer that prevents any germinating seeds from taking hold, including crabgrass. If left undisturbed, this protective layer will maintain its defensive qualities throughout the prime germinating period. This is when most weed seeds will normally start developing. Of course, there is no 100% guarantee that additional seeds won't be carried in by winds, birds, or any number of other methods.

Broadleaf weeds, found throughout the season, have leaves that are broad, and are generally produced in pairs or multiples, have wide, flat leaves situated on a stem. Broadleaf weeds are distinctive from and are botanically not closely related to grasses. Dandelions are a good example of a broadleaf weed.  We have special applications that can spot treat for broadleaf weeds that appear throughout the growing season. An especially problematic weed invading many lawns is commonly referred to as nutgrass. Although they resemble grasses, they are not grasses but sedges and should be referred to as Nutsedge. This weed is especially tough to gain contrl over as it reproduces by a underground tuber (just like a potato). It requires a specialized treatment program.

Lawn Disease Control

Red thread. Brown patch. Dollar spot (pictured). Believe it or not, these are all names for several different types of common lawn diseases. Proactive maintenance is the best way to prevent many lawn diseases from infiltrating your yard. Proper fertilization is one of the most important ways to keep your grass healthy, robust, and resistant to lawn diseases. Keep Thatch Under Control. Thatch is that layer of partially decomposing organic matter (sticks, twigs, stems, etc) that sits between your grass and the soil. If your layer of thatch becomes thicker than 1/2", it becomes a breeding ground for insects and diseases. Thick thatch and compacted soil are two of grass and lawn disease's favorite things. But regular lawn aeration (we recommend at least annually in the fall) can prevent all of these from taking over your yard. Proper Watering and Mowing Also Helps Combat Lawn Diseases. When it comes to lawn diseases, you can trust our professional team to help get your yard back on the road to health. If you are benefiting from any one of our lawn fertilization and weed control programs, you should know that we regularly monitor your turf for signs of lawn and grass disease. Treatment for grass diseases varies for each specific type. Red thread lawn disease, for example, may be treated with fungicide and checking for nutritional deficiencies in your lawn. Brown patch lawn disease, on the other hand may require more extensive treatments and lawn repair.

Organic Lawn Care Programs

Natural organic lawn care methods start with understanding the importance of healthy soil conditions as the primary factor in growing healthy turfgrass. Good soil contains adequate organic matter, which improves soil structure and pore space providing optimal conditions for root growth, aids in making vital nutrients available, helps reduce soil borne plant diseases, and help hold nutrients from leaching. Healthy soil also contains beneficial microorganisms. One of the most important of these is mycorrhizae fungi; they attach to the turfgrass roots. These fungi help find and harvest water and mineral nutrients from the soil. In poor neglected soils a healthy population of these beneficial fungi is usually lacking. Our program can add these mycorrhizae into the soil, and encourage their development. There are two key points to keep in mind when going organic. The first is that compared to conventional lawn care, organic methods take longer to produce visible results in most cases. Since the organic approach stresses the ongoing building of soil, there are no quick fixes. Secondly, perfection is an unreasonable expectation. Tolerating a few weeds or insects here and there is part of the natural organic approach. When natural organic methods are used consistently over time, a uniform green lawn that is resistant to adverse environmental conditions and/or pests can be expected.