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FAQ'sQ: I just had new sod and soil and seed laid on my property, how do I maintain it?
A: SOD: Soak the sod for the first watering only. Check to see if you have applied enough water: gently lift a corner of the sod and check to see if the entire thickness is wet and the underlying soil is wet as well. Water well daily for the next 2 weeks. Do not cut the new sod until the roots have taken hold in about 3 weeks. SEED: Water with a fine mist. The seed requires being fully moist for all watering. If too much water is applied, the seed will ‘pool’ in water and not germinate. Caution must be given to avoid soil erosion. Water lightly daily for the next 2 weeks until the seed has germinated. You may have to contact the Region of Waterloo at 519-575-4495 to receive permission to water your lawn.
Q: What do I need to know about grubs?
A: Grubs feed on grass roots causing your lawn to die. The key symptom of grub invasion is irregular dead patches which will lift up easily if tugged on. These patches have had the roots severed and there is nothing to anchor the sod in place. The highest concentration of grubs will be found in dead turf bordering green areas. The grub is C shaped with a brown head, white body and six legs on its upper half.
Q: How long do grubs live?
A: The grub’s life cycle is very simple. The grub feeds on grass roots from mid-march to mid may, and then develops into its pupil form. The adult beetle then emerges in mid-June, mates over a two week span and retreats back into soil to lay its eggs. The grubs hatch and begin to feed in late July to August which is the best time to control them. The grubs will burrow below that frost line in the fall and stop feeding but if there is a thaw, they will resume feeding at anytime, even during the winter. The grubs will continue to feed in the spring, constantly growing larger.
Q: What is grub control?
A: Grub control is the practice of spreading nematodes on your lawn using a commercial speader where there is an infestation of grubs. Nematodes are small natural parasites to grubs that are not harmful to people or pets. When applied to the lawn this parasite uses the grubs as a host and feeds off the grub, killing them before they can do visible damage to the lawn. When a lawn is well maintained well watered and well fertilized, there may be grub problems but because the lawn is so vigorous, it will grow more roots as they are destroyed. You may not even detect a problem and if you do, the damage will not be as severe.
Q: Do I need to prepare my lawn for a grub control application with nematodes and maintain it for days to come?
A: Yes, prior to your application of nematodes it is imperative to water your lawn. Nematodes must be applied to a moist soil and watered-in immediately, or applied during a rainy day. The lawn must be watered for at least 3 days following the treatment to maintain a moist environment for the nematodes to penetrate the soil. The moist soil creates good conditions for the nematodes to move through to hunt for grubs.
Q: What is surface insect control and which insects are affected by the treatment?
A: Surface insect control is the process of spraying insecticidal soap on the affected lawn using a commercial grade sprayer. Insecticidal soap works best on soft-bodied surface insects. The fatty acids in the insecticidal soap disrupt the structure and permeability of the insects' cell membranes. The cell contents are able to leak from the damaged cells, and the insect quickly dies. However it is strongly recommended to seed and soil the affected area before weeds move in.
Q: What is core aeration and how often should my lawn be aerated?
A: Core aeration is the practice that forces hollow metal tubes into the ground and brings up small cores (plugs) of soil. This is beneficial for air and water movement into the soil. Core Aerations is done in the spring or fall to promote a thick and healthy lawn.
Q: Why should I core aerate?
A: Core aeration is important because it helps to relieve compact soil thus allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the soil. This in turn stimulates deeper root growth. In addition core aeration helps to break down thatch layers which may have accumulated over the winter.
Q: Should I aerate and overseed in the same visit?
A: Yes as the grass seed will germinate in the holes created by the core aeration which helps thicken the lawn.
Q: How long do the cores from the aeration remain on the lawn and when will the holes fill in?
A: The cores and holes from the aeration will remain on the lawn for about 2 weeks. Rain and lawn mowing will help breakup the cores and incorporate them back into the lawn.
Q: What if I have an irrigation system on my property, can I still have core aeration done?
A: Yes, you can have core aeration done on your property. Prior to your core aeration mark the irrigation heads with small flags to prevent any damage to the heads. The irrigation pipe is buried deep enough under the ground so it doesn’t need to be flagged.
Q: Does my lawn require fertilizer each season?
A: Your lawn needs to be fertilized about 4 to 5 times per year; spring, early summer, summer, late summer, and fall. Fertilizer provides 3 important elements for your lawn to be thick and green; nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Adding these elements in the form of natural fertilizer promotes healthy growth.
Q: Do I need to water my lawn after fertilizer has been applied?
A: It is not necessary to water you lawn immediately after fertilization. The natural fertilizer is formulated not to burn your lawn and will not harm your lawn if not watered in.
Q: Can I mow my lawn after a fertilizer application?
A: Yes, you can mow your lawn after a fertilizer application; however we recommend that you have your grass clippings mulched back into your lawn.
Q: Why does it only take the fertilizer technician a few minutes to fertilize my entire lawn?
A: The technician is using a commercial spreader that carries large amounts of fertilizer and is designed to spread the fertilizer evenly over a 12 foot swath with each pass.
Q: What is pelletized topdressing and why should I have it applied to my lawn?
A: Pelletized topdressing consists of tiny pellets that are 100% natural and safe for your family and pets. Top dressing provides a food source for increased microbial activity which creates a healthier soil for your lawn. It also increases drought tolerance by trapping nutrients and moisture in the root zone. Top dressing replenishes soil conditions in your lawn which may help prevent weed growth as weeds prefer poor quality soil.
Q: What is Weed control?
A: We use a product called Blade Iron that is a classic formulation with the added benefit of organic acids for compatibility and superior uptake. This combination of nitrogen and iron provides an exceptional colour without excessive growth.
