Do you recommend putting mulch down?

Mulch is a great insulator. It helps to keep moisture in the ground and keep weeds growing slower. It also is a good blanket for the winter and a great look for the spring and summer. Mulch generally lasts for 6 months to a year and then quickly changes over to topsoil. To keep mulch for as long as possible we recommend not cultivating it.

I always seem to have dandelions. How can you get rid of them?

Dandelions are very invasive weeds because they are usually blown from other properties and areas from far distances on to yours. Come spring and early fall we treat to eliminate these little pests. However complete elimiation is impossible due to the aggressiveness of the weed.

What could happen if I over water?

You could cause fungus and mushrooms, mud spots or root rot. Over watering is just as bad as not enough.

There seems to be a lot of crab grass and/or broad leaf weeds in my lawn (summer). Why can’t you spray them and kill them?

When the temperature is extremely hot or humid the chemicals can cause damage to the grass. Our lawn and turf program will treat for all the problems on your lawn throughout the whole year. Within a year you will see a noticeable difference have faith and be patient. Even with treatment you will still see different types of weeds that sprout at different times, these get treated throughout the year and it is a complete program in order to establish the best lawn for you.

There seems to be a whitish/orange/bluish/etc. substance growing on and/or around my plants/shrubs? What is it and how can I get rid of it?

It is usually from moisture and decaying material such as the mulch or old roots in your beds. This is a normal situation and is not harmful to the plants or people. It is usually part of the decomposition process to turn mulch into topsoil and our maintenance crews will cultivate your beds to help the process. However the fungus can sometimes grow very quickly and can reform in hours or days. It will eventually go away.

What duration should I be watering my lawn (spring, summer and fall)?

Every property is different however a good starting point is 30 minutes per rotary zone and 15 minutes for misters every other day starting at 1AM and stopping by 6AM during the early spring and fall and 30 minutes per rotary zone and 15 minutes for misters EVERYDAY during the hottest summer months of July and August. However please remember many confidtions such as shade, and soil conditions play a large factor on the amount of water ideal for a property. Please speak to your irrigation or maintenace technician if you are unsure about watering times.

How long after a fertilizer is put down do my kids and pets have to stay off the lawn?

As per the label of most chemicals it is recommended that they stay of the lawn for 24 hours and 1 complete watering cycle.

How important is it that I heed the water instructions concerning fertilizers?

Very Important! All applications applied to the lawn have specific directions that need to be followed to achieve optimal results. Many times not following the watering instructions can cause damage to your lawn.

After the application of fertilizer, my lawn has a striped appearance to it. How come?

Usually that is the sign of fertilizer applied unevenly, however it also can be from different types of grasses reacting differently to the fertilizer. A Lawn and turf specialist would be happy to take a look.

What does damage from animal waste look like?

It is usually a spot of less than a foot wide in form of a small circle or oval of completely dead grass and then a really dark green fast growing ring around that.

Why was my lawn cut in the pouring rain?

During the spring and fall it could rain 5 or 6 times in a week. We have had years on LI where it has rained on and off for 2 weeks straight, making working conditions less than favorable but necessary, in order to keep your property in maintainable condition. When the grass gets too high it can clog, clump and fold over causing worse conditions then cutting it wet.

How come the grass is not all the same color, lighter and darker?

Different types of grass seed and mixtures make up your lawn. Some grow faster or slower than others and have darker colors than others.

Why is the grass not cut at the same height across the lawn (spring time)?

Most lawns have a mixture of different types of seed that grow at different times and rates. It is much more noticeable in the springtime because the grass is growing at the fastest rate of the season. Some lawns can grow 3” in a few days making some areas look higher than others. Rest assured that the grass is being cut at the right and even heights for the time of the year.

Why is my lawn turning brown and black in large areas?

Could be a water issue or a grub problem, have us take a look ASAP.

How come I have fungus on my lawn?

Most fungus we see on our lawns can be caused from heat, moisture, and humidity. Too much water sitting on the roots of your grass during the hottest part of the day is usually the culprit. All fungus can and will be properly treated in your pesticide applications of your maintenance contract. However time is the best cure when it comes to fungus.

How come I have mushrooms growing?

Most mushrooms are from two sources. They are usually caused from either too much moisture in that particular area, or high acidity. The high acidity is usually caused from a decomposing substance such as a root or old tree stump, if necessary cut down the water and to balance the PH we will continue to add the lime. Always adjust your water using the 5-minute rule. Ask your representative to explain the rule if you are not sure.

Why are there tracks from the mowers in my lawn?

Based on where you are in a route, how much water is applied to your lawn or your property’s ability to absorb the moisture can be some of the reasons. While our crews are as careful as possible sometimes due to equipment weight, weather conditions and time of day light tracks may exist. They will go away and rest assured we are trying to keep them to a minimum.

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