Landscaping Services

We take great pride in our cultural practices. More than anything else we feel they are what separate us from our competition. We look at the latest innovations, sample them to evaluate the results, and then implement them on a full scale. It is worth mentioning some of the more significant aspects of our maintenance regimen.

Seeding

Certain grasses grow well in the shade but can not handle full sun. Others need full sun to flourish. We use the right blends for the appropriate areas. Only the most highly rated, certified, endophyic seed varieties are used in our blends. An endophyte is a fungus that is harmless to the host plant but acts as a natural deterrent to surface feeding insects. Most landscapers feel that spending more money for top quality seed is not worth it. We know it is. With the better quality seed, there is less replacement cost with die back and further savings with reduced pesticide use. Most importantly, the better seed enhances the overall appearance and color of your lawn.

Fertilization

Nitrogen requirements for cool season grasses range from two to four pounds per thousand square feet per year. Our program calls for six applications per year. The first application is made in early spring to help the grass as it comes out of dormancy. Subsequent applications are made approximately every six weeks. We schedule the heaviest applications for the fall. The Phosphorous in the fertilizer strengthens the roots while the added Nitrogen gets stored for an early spring green-up.

The Combination of N, P, K, and micronutrients vary depending on the time of year the fertilizer is being applied. Also, we use slow release fertilizers to control the exposure of nutrients to the grass. Making too much available at one time can cause too much lush growth in the spring or phytotoxicity (burn out) in the summer.

Aeration

Compacted soil leads to poor root development and leaves your turf susceptible to disease. Core aeration pulls plugs of soil from below the grass. This alleviates the compaction problem and reduces thatch. The added space provides room for the roots to grow. It also allows oxygen to get into the soil and water and fertilizer to get to the roots. Aeration has also been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of diseases.

Dethatching

Thatch is the layer of tightly intermingled plant tissue that forms at the base of the grass plant. It can be beneficial because it improves turf resiliency and wear tolerance. However, problems arise if the layer becomes ¾ of an inch or more. Too much thatch can cause drought stress and an increased susceptibility to insects and disease. While aeration aids in thatch reduction, certain grasses produce enough thatch to demand further attention.

For the cool season grass varieties prevalent in this area, dethaching can be done in the spring or the fall. Although many landscapers do it in the spring, most studies and our experience suggest that the fall is actually a better time for this practice. Consequently, we do most of our dethaching in October. Additionally, this coincides with our fertilization and seeding regimens.

To find out more about service and to get a FREE no-obligation estimate, click here to contact us or call us at (201) 541-0100