How many treatments does a Lawn Artist client lawn receive each year and what chemicals do you apply?

We apply seven treatments a year to your lawn. The first is in February and follow at approximately six-week intervals, concluding in late October or November. All post-emergent weed control treatments can be re-applied 7-14 days after regular treatment if you have problem areas. We use only the highest quality products and your satisfaction is guaranteed!

• Application 1: Pre- and post-emergent crab grass and weed control to prevent spring weeds. Unwanted grasses, onions, henbit, violets, and other weeds are the target.
• Application 2: Pre- and post-emergent grass and weed control to prevent summer weeds. Unwanted grasses, onions, henbit, violets, and other weeds are the target.
• Application 3: Post-emergent grass and weed control. Iron and micro-nutrients for the darkest green possible (granular fertilizer). Target weeds are unwanted grasses, dandelions, and dichondra.
• Application 4: Post-emergent grass and weed control. Granular fertilizers for maximum results when you water. Target weeds are unwanted grasses, nutgrass, oxalis, and spurge.
• Application 5: Post-emergent grass and weed control. Granular fertilizers for maximum results when you water. Target weeds are unwanted grasses, nutgrass, oxalis, and spurge.
• Application 6: Pre- and post-emergent grass and weed control to prevent fall weeds, including fescues, onions, and violets.
• Application 7: Pre- and post-emergent weed control to stop the development of winter weeds, including fescues, onions, and violets.

 Besides lawn maintenance, what other services do you provide?

Basically, we provide any service that will keep the exterior of your home beautiful. For a list of services, click "Services" above.

 How much do you charge for lawn care services?

Fees vary and are based on the size and complexity of the lawn. The best way to find out what we charge is to request a free estimate!

 Why should I choose The Lawn Artist for my lawn care needs?

We treat every lawn like it is our own. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.

 What are your recommendations for mowing?

From May through September, mowing on a regular basis will give you the best results. Your goal is to never cut off more than 1/3 of the height of the grass. This can be accomplished with weekly cutting, and for the greenest lawn possible, you should mow high in the hot summer months. The lawn should be mowed low with a grass catcher or powerful mulching mower once in mid-March to early April. I do not recommend using a grass catcher throughout the mowing season as you will be removing nutrients that will feed the lawn. Please be aware if you are using a mowing service, and they are cutting lawns that are not treated, there is a possibility that they will spread those weeds into your lawn. Yes, I will kill them when I do your application, but please understand where they originated.

 What about watering?  Can I water too much?

During the growing season, your lawn needs one inch (1") of water per week and two inches (2") during drought periods. If nature is not providing this, then irrigation will give you the best possible results. Please keep in mind that what comes out of your faucet is treated for humans and many of the nutrients your grass likes have been removed. No, it's not as good as rain, but absolutely better than nothing. Also, overwatering can cause a variety of problems, from drowning to disease to weeds.

 Why do you recommend insect control?

I've heard many services say this is not necessary. I disagree and recommend a broad-spectrum insecticide with your third application. It is an additional charge at the same price as your regular application. This will kill bugs that dwell below and chew the grass' root system. It will also kill the bugs living above ground that chew on grass blades (and you) as you are mowing. In addition, it kills fleas, ticks, and chiggers. I apply this to my own lawn every year. It lessens the amount of bites I get while mowing, and with only one Frontline treatment at the beginning of the season, keeps our indoor/outdoor dogs flea and tick-free throughout the summer. Lawns that receive this extra attention do better throughout the year. For even better protection, this should also be applied in September.

 What is aerating and does my lawn need it?

I recommend aeration every two years. Ideally, this is done during the rainy season so watering to "prep" the lawn isn't necessary. Also, when you open up a lawn, there is the potential for weed seeds to pop out that have been dormant for up to seven years. Aerating will help a thin lawn by opening up the soil so root development is easier. It also helps a thick lawn open up and breathe. In either case, it allows products to get to the root system and work better.

 How should I care for my shrubs and what services do you offer for shrubs?

This is a huge subject and one I can't fully address here. The basics are: some shrub varieties are more susceptible to problems from disease and insects than others. Yes, I offer a treatment program, consisting of three applications per year with a minimum charge of $30 per treatment. It is often close in price to your lawn application price. I use broad-spectrum disease and insect controls which will be absorbed by the plants and offer lasting protection. This cannot be done when it is very hot as it will do more damage to the plants than benefit. If you have any questions about this service, please call me or fill out the contact form by clicking the link above. We usually apply this treatment with your second, third, and sixth lawn applications.

Please also remember that proper trimming is necessary throughout the year. The goal is not to remove too much at once, but enough to allow free air flow throughout the plants. Overcrowding is bad and always follow the planting instructions provided by the nursery. Also, remember that plants die for a variety of reasons including age, lack of water, too much water, unforeseen diseases, blights, and bug outbreaks.

 What about fertilizers?

This is also a huge subject and possibly the most mis-understood aspect of what we as lawn care professionals do. First, your lawn can only absorb a certain amount of nitrogen in a period of time. Also, in order for the lawn to absorb the nitrogen (which is what gives it the green color), it must also have available water and other nutrients, which are potassium, magnesium, and other micro-nutrients. Please be aware that too much nitrogen and not enough nutrients can also contribute to disease problems.

So what happens when nitrogen doesn't have water and nutrients to help it activate? It leaches and/or evaporates and can even end up as pollutants in our water supply.

I have tried every possible combination of fertilizer mixtures and methods. So, what is the best approach? You simply use the best products that contain everything needed AND are designed to release on a consistent basis throughout the growing period.

 Do you have a referral program?

Not at this time, though I do offer a 10% discount for customers willing to impose a contract on me and pre-pay their yearly services in February.