Lawn & Garden Maintenance Services | Lawn Care Products & Programs | FAQs & Lawn Tips

Lawn Care Products & Programs
Using the latest in organic methods and natural products, the Classic Organic Program features 5-6 visits using high quality corn gluten organic based fertilizer, aeration, and natural biostimulants and nematodes with a single goal in mind: thick, green turf.

1. Spring Visit:  Corn gluten crumble fertilizer designed to suppress ungerminated weed seeds and provides even growth and colour for 7-8 weeks.
2. Late Spring:  Seaweed kelp is a liquid product that adds soil amendments which help to revitalize soil that has been nutrient depleted and turns the soil back into a healthy environment for grass to grow. 
3. Summer:  Organic based fertilizer with lasting power to rejuvenate the lawn when early fall temperatures and precipitation begin repairing summer damaged turf. 
4. Fall:  Fall/Winter Fertilizer.  Without question, fall is the most advantageous time of the season to stimulate healthy turf.  Cooler temperatures, fall rains and warm soils combine to promote thickening and root development.
5. Fall Aeration/Overseed:  Core aeration acts as both a top dressing and thatch control.  If there are thin or bare areas, grass seed can be added to help thicken and revitalize existing turf.

With the abundance of sandy loam soils in our area, grubs have taken hold and remained a problem.  We have two species (European Chafer and June Beetle) that have damaged many lawns, sports fields, sod fields and even agricultural crops in Uxbridge, Beaverton and surrounding locales. 

Classic Organic Nematodes:  All of these services (1-5) PLUS… if grubs have been a problem, we can apply nematodes.  These little organisms are very sensitive and require a strict regiment of watering both before and after to ensure their survival.  Nematodes are microscopic worms that seek out grub larvae.  They occur naturally but not in sufficient number to control grub infestation.  They are safe to use and are harmless to people, pets and the environment.  Timing is critical and we will monitor when it is appropriate to make the treatment (late summer/early fall). Nematodes survive only in moist soils and it is vital to keep your lawn well watered during this time.

If you have a larger property that is not irrigated only in prolonged rain events can you be assured of nematode survival.

ChinchBugs:  Are an even present threat to our lawns.  Treatment options are limited.  Should your lawn encounter this pest we will consult with you on the best course of action.

Should a problem on your lawn arise we encourage you to call our office as soon as possible in order to avoid extensive damage and costly repairs.

Additional services offered:

• Tree Removal

• Stump Grinding

• Deep Root Feeding

Common Lawn Care Problems
Insects
Moss Problems
Lawn Disease

Insects
Insects that infest home lawns are generally difficult to notice and their presence goes undetected until significant damage has been done. Insect damage can often be mistaken for drought damage. If the lawn remains brown or shows signs of thinning out despite watering, then closer examination for insects should be done. Regular inspection of the lawn including leaves, stems, roots, thatch and soil will help to determine if the problem is insect-related and catch the problem before extensive damage occurs. The most common lawn insect pests are:

• Hairy chinch bug
• Grubs
• Sod webworms
• European cranefly
• Bluegrass billbug
• Turfgrass Scale

 

Hairy Chinch Bug	Grubs	Bluegrass Billbug
Sod Webworm	European Crane Fly (leatherjackets)	Turfgrass Scale

Moss Problems
Mosses are primitive forms of green plants that form tangled clumps that grow in amongst a lawn. Moss plants have a tremendous capacity to spread. They produce large numbers of spores, each of which can give rise to a new moss plant. Mosses are poor competitors with a healthy lawn and are only a problem when the lawn is weakened by poor growing conditions. The following conditions that weaken a lawn and promote moss invasion:

• poor aeration
• poor drainage
• low fertility
• high acidity
• heavy shade

Cultural methods can be effective in controlling moss. They are:

• Adequate fertility, especially nitrogen (2.0 kg per 100 m2 of actual N).
• Control thatch by vigorous raking, aeration or vertical mowing.
• Reduce shade by pruning trees.
• Maintain a soil pH of between 6 to 7 — apply lime if soil is acidic.
• Improve surface drainage.
• Reduce compaction and increase aeration by spiking slicing or aerifying with a mechanical aeifier.
• Do not overwater.
• Do not remove more that 1/3 of the top growth at one time when mowing and mow at a height appropriate for the grass species.

Lawn Diseases

Name	Description	Conditions favouring disease	Damage and Control
Fairy Ring	circles or arcs of dark green grass or dead grass may be mushrooms growing in the ring	decaying organic matter in soil	repeated deep cultivation and drenching with water
Leaf Spot	begins as small oval reddish-brown spots on leaves in early spring under hot, humid conditions spots can spread to kill stems and crowns to cause lawn to thin or die out (melting out)	hot, humid conditions lawns that have been fertilized recently Kentucky bluegrass is most susceptible	raise mowing height lightly fertilize to encourage recovery Irrigate in the morning only
Mushrooms	grow after a rain		mowing will keep them under check
Necrotic Ring Spot	appears as roughly circular patches often with green tufts of grass inside resembling a donut	wet, cool conditions in spring promotes disease symptoms appear during a drought often a problem of sodded lawns	encourage deep rooting water lightly and frequently during dry periods
Powdery Mildew	greyish-white powder on leaves and stems	shaded areas that are kept moist and have poor air circulation	decrease shade and improve air circulation usually thins turf but does not completely kill it
Rust	yellow flecks on leaves reddish-brown pustules form which produce reddish yellow spores rust spores can be rubbed off easily during a heavy infection found on shoes and mower blades	stress caused by low nitrogen and drought perennial ryegrass is the most susceptible	fertilize and water infrequently mow high and frequently
Snow Moulds	circular or irregular straw-coloured patches on lawn after snow melts	long periods of snow cover, lush grass growth and long matted grass going into the winter more prevalent in areas where snow has drifted or where snow is piled up during winter	do not apply nitrogen during Oct. in the spring, rake matted areas to encourage drying and fertilize lightly to encourage recovery

Fairy Ring	Leaf Spot	Mushrooms
Necrotic Ring Spot	Powdery Mildew	Rust
Snow Moulds