Frequently Asked Questions

I want a nice green lawn but I am very concerned about the environment. Are there ways to both? Are there products and services that you offer that are "environmentally friendly"

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We believe a thick, healthy lawn is the best defense against weeds, disease and insects. By promoting proper seeding, watering, preventative maintenance and weekly maintenance practices, we believe that there is a lessened need for lawn chemicals. We practice a pest control strategy called “IPM” (Integrated Pest Management) which calls for intelligent, judicious use of pesticides.

Why does my lawn need 5 applications of fertilizer per year? Are they all necessary?

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Regular applications to your lawn’s needs are an important part of any lawn care program. Our program is designed to provide your lawn with carefully balanced feedings at specific times during the year to avoid a feast or famine situation. Proper timing of fertilizers and weed control applications is crucial for a healthy lawn.

What do nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium do for the lawn?

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Nitrogen is the element most responsible for deep green foliage and lush grass growth. Phosphorus encourages a strong root system. Potassium contributes to sturdy plant growth and disease resistance.

What kind of grass do I have in my lawn?

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Three common types of grasses in Connecticut are:

1) Kentucky Blue Grass, which is 1/8 of an inch wide, has a V shaped blade, darker green than any other grass and the growth is aggressive through rhizomes (roots underground). Kentucky Blue Grass goes dormant during a drought.

2) Perennial Rye Grass, which is 1/8 inch wide with a pointed tip, dark green but lighter than Kentucky Blue Grass and it is shiny on one side, this will not fill in naturally like Kentucky Blue Grass.

3) Fine Fescue, which is 1/16 of an inch or less (hair-like) and very soft to touch. The color is dull grey green, it grows fast and is not very drought tolerant.

I hired a lawn care company so why is my grass still browning out in the Summer time drought?

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In the Summer time we apply a slow release fertilizer, however, the grass may still go dormant due to lack of water in an extreme drought. The slow release fertilizer will help maintain the plant health and allow a quicker green up during optimum growing conditions or when adequate moisture levels return. We recommend watering faithfully with a sprinkler or installing a sprinkler system to maintain a year round green lawn. If you decide to water, you need to water deeply and infrequently.

Do you have a solution for dog damage on my lawn?

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Yes. Dog urine contains high levels of nitrogen, which causes grass to become greener. Under certain conditions (i.e. heat or drought stress) the nitrogen may actually burn the grass, causing it to die and leave a bare spot in the lawn with a dark green circle around the grass. This damage can usually be avoided by watering these areas thoroughly to dilute the concentration of nitrogen in the area. If the areas are already dead, then reseeding will be necessary. There is no home remedy available nor will changing your dog’s diet help.

I have a shady, mossy area in my lawn where grass does not seem to grow. I seed the area every fall, the grass comes up fine, then dies the next summer and the moss comes back. What am I doing wrong?

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Several aerations over the next few growing seasons may help along with reseeding with a grass seed that is better suited to shade. Moss loves cool shady conditions and is not the cause of the grass dying. Try to reduce the amount of shaded areas by thinning the tree canopy to allow sunlight and air flow into these areas.

Do I really need lime for my lawn?

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Yes, we highly recommend this. Adding lime to a lawn helps adjust the soils ph levels, which affects the grasses ability to absorb the nutrients necessary to grow properly. Liming is an important part of a turf management program. Lime is safe to use, non-toxic to humans or grass, and will not cause pollution problems. We use pelletized lime which has been in use for several years and while it is more expensive this material is easier to spread and more controllable than regular liming materials and eliminates dust problems.

I have thatch build up in my lawn, do I need to core aerate?

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Yes, we recommend this service. Thatch is a build up of undecomposed leaves, roots and grass stems. If thatch builds up too much it can restrict water, fertilizer and air from penetrating the soil. This can allow the turf to be more susceptible to insects and disease. Core aeration is a lower impact to existing turf than de-thatching and will help to minimize the amount of thatch and also lessen soil compaction.

If I have moles in my yard does this mean I have a grub problem?

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No, it does not mean you have a grub problem. A worm consists of 90% of a moles food source, leaving 5% to insects and the other 5% to grubs. The mole will consume 80% to 100% of its body weight in worms on a daily basis.

How do I get rid of grubs in my lawn?

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To eliminate grubs in your lawn an application of an insecticide is recommended from mid-June through July. Treating the grubs at this time is very effective because the grubs are at the highest point in the soil mid-June through July.

When experiencing a drought, what should I do?

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Watch the weather and try to monitor for a drought before it happens. Droughts usually happen in the summer months. Prepare for this before it happens. Mow your lawn at 2 ½ to 3 inches, this will help the grass blades retain extra moisture and promote deep healthy roots and will also aide in the retention of moisture in the soil. Fertilize your lawn throughout the year on a regular basis to establish the turf so that when this happens it will be thick and keep the weeds in control. A general rule of thumb is to water the lawn 1 inch of water per week, whether this being rain combined with a sprinkler or a sprinkler itself. Using a rain gauge will allow you to accurately measure the amount of water. Water your lawn according to local water restrictions. It is best to water early in the day so you don’t have to worry about waste water through evaporation. By watering in the morning this allows the grass to dry thoroughly throughout the day and lowers the risk for a possible fungus. Lightly sprinkling the grass will only develop shallow root systems. Therefore, watering heavy and infrequent will drive the root system down.

Throughout the year how often and how high should I mow my lawn?

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The three common grasses in Connecticut are bluegrass, perennial rye grass and fescue. These grasses may be mowed as low as 1 ½ inches (but not recommended) in Spring/Fall and up to 3 inches (strongly recommended) in the summer months. Please remember to make sure no more than 1/3 of the grass blade is cut off each time you mow your lawn. Mowing your lawn at a lower setting in the spring will help to stimulate new growth and mowing your lawn short in the fall will help to prevent disease from setting in over the winter. Please remember to keep the blades sharpened on your mower at all times as this will cut the grass instead of tearing it. Mow in different directions each time you mow to prevent "leaning" of the grass. Avoid scalping at all costs.