The Doctor is in

 The diagnosis at this time of the year is usually the following: Red Thread, Dollar Spot, Leaf Spot, Brown Patch and other Blights.

The cause can range from a variety of reasons or a combination of these: humidity & heat, dull mower blades, improper cutting, or watering any other time than early morning.

The treatment, since fungicides are off the table, and have been for a number of years, we must turn to cultural practices. 

As mentioned, water in the mornings only, twice a week for an hour each time. This will allow the grass to dry evenly and stop the rise of turf diseases where the grass blades begin to melt-out. 

Keep your grass at 3 1/2 inches in height and when you cut make sure the blades are sharp. Never remove more than a third of the blade from the  grass. In some cases it may be advised to bag the clipping to avoid the spread of the disease.

Use a fertilizer that won't burn your lawn in current high temperatures. This will allow the the problem to grow out and the turf to correct under-nourished areas.

Whatever the affliction, be assure, grass is resilient and will  bounce back when temperatures normalize. You need to have faith and a little patience to get you through. This is your script, now go fill it.

Avoid the Chinch Club

 

The Chinch Bug Club is now open for business on YOUR lawn, causing damage from June 28th to mid July depending on what area you live in.

Those living closer to the lake will experience signs of activity first as your turf buffet gets attacked by this invasive pest.

So, what to do?

Since we are under bylaws that prohibit the ability to kill them outright, we must turn to other methods to make life difficult for this insect.

They don't like deeply hydrated lawns, so keeping it wet is a good idea. Adding a soapy mixture (dish soap will do) to affected areas creates a inhospitable environment also.

Cutting your grass on an angle is another tool you can use. Laying plastic over the infested area at night and then removing it in the morning when they are all clinging to the underside is another method. Some people will tell you to simply Shop-Vac the little buggers up when they are present. 

Which ever way you choose, or what ever combo plan you utilize, this is one club you don't want to join. The dues are too high.

Mother Nature, the raining champion

 

We've had quite a lot of rain this spring and it has been difficult to work around when applying weed control to lawns. In fact, it seemed, every time down pours were expected, we were always the furthest from base on that day.

Working around the weather is not uncommon at this time of the year. However, this season seems different---more challenging. It seems like the rain comes with malicious intent like someone is deliberately trying to sabotage the lawn industry, but as always, those in our occupation will persevere.

On the flip side, the homeowner praised the continuous slop. Rain, meant one more day they didn't have to water there lawns and gardens and Mother Nature began to come across as a gracious host and trusted friend.

Yet, as we turn from one season to another and July is viewable on the horizon, the rain is less so. The false sense of security has lulled many into believing their lawns are healthy and in no need of assistance.

All it takes is a few days without precipitation in higher temperatures, and the cracks begin to appear--- the brown areas become more evident---the insect activity more prolific. Suddenly, your nice, healthy lawn doesn't look so good.

So do yourself a favour and start watering deeply two times a week in the early morning to saturate your soil and give your grass a fighting chance this summer. Very soon, it will be too late and you'll be looking at a sea of brown until it recovers in the fall. 

Here comes the panic

 

It's the same as the first snowfall, when people forget how to drive in the slush, weed season is here and the voices are loud and furious. "I've got weeds! Do something about it! Now!!!!"

As much as we'd (no pun intended) like to do an entire customer base in one day, the prospect of doing so is not realistic.

Plus there is also Mother Nature to contend with, and this year, she has been a cruel mattress. A roller coaster of temperature changes, rain, wind and nastiness have left lawns slow to green and getting weed control applied, challenging.

Yet, we do as we always do: head down, march forward and persevere. Eventually, every lawn will have their first application of weed control and the mumbles of discontent will quiet.

At the end of May, the weeds will, for the most part, be gone, and your lawn provider will be a hero once again...just like every other year before.

So, deep breath everyone...unless you have allergies.

Tariff-ied

 

It's been a minute since the last post, but I felt with current economic concern, I should address the issue.

Lawn care, is by no means essential. However, to believe prices for this service are going to skyrocket over night, is simply not true.

With a few exceptions, most products are manufactured in Canada and therefore, exempt from U.S. tariffs.

The potash in fertilizer comes from Canada, as do many other lawn care products.

The Fiesta used in current weed control does ship from south of the boarder, but with the realization tariffs were a real possibility, we locked in our order prior to the deadline for the 2025 season. Likewise, products manufactured by companies like Bayer and Cargill would also be subject to tariffs if active ingredients are needed from the States, despite having manufacturing plants in the Great White North. 

Subsequently, if you are being forced to pay extra due to tariffs, I would suggest researching the products in question to understand the legitimacy of the bottom line. No one likes a lame excuse for a money grab.

Like many, I have awakened to patriotism, and choose to skip anything with an American label---putting my money where my mouth is.

I would advise; stay strong, shop local, and remain patient...

...and remember, although locally owned and operated, companies like Weedman and TruGreen are U.S. conglomerates--- just sayin'.

Less is more, more or less...

Some people get upset when the lawncare company they hire doesn't make regular visits through the summer months. 

Here's why: Given the volatile nature of the weather through the summer  (July/ August) it is better to do less than more when it comes to your grass.

Spraying weed controls like Fiesta can burn the grass when temperatures tip 30 C (including humidity.)

Unchecked fertilization may cause more harm than good and potentially burn the grass. 

Cutting weekly is not advised, especially if the lawn has not been regularly watered. If the turf is dry,  foot traffic will only make it worse. It is wise to keep the mower on the highest setting anyway, to protect the soil from burning. Subsequently, heavy equipment on grass and excessive lawn activity should be minimized. 

A short cropped lawn during the summer will lead to excess crabgrass and insect problems. Insects can be addressed, but the damage caused will have to wait until fall to recover, since seeding or sodding in the heat is a waste of money and resources.. 

Crabgrass is an annual weed and will also die when the weather cools off. But bare patches will have to be addressed by fall seeding (after Labour Day.)

Generally, lawns with major issues in July and August are the ones that have seen neglect, or have been improperly treated at some point in the spring.

Having a healthy lawn takes patience and persistence, and you don't get there by applying everything in your arsenal all at once

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Cutting crew courtesy

Common courtesy among lawn care providers is alive in well for most in the industry. When we show up to a lawn in the middle of it getting cut, we move on to our next job and circle back once the cutters are done. Some of our alliances even receive our schedules ahead of time so we can co-ordinate our routing and everyone is happy.

Yet, as in any industry, you have a few bad apples who ignore Notice signs on lawns, and cut anyway, although they know a 24 hr. grace period is needed for the weed controls to work.

These are the companies who usually cut too low hoping to get a few more days before returning for the next mowing. They are the greedy operations, who value customer count over quality, and who don't give a damn about any entity unless it's within their own crew.

I understand, we've all had to race against Mother Nature, work around the wet weather, and try to keep the customer happy in the process. It's a balancing act we've endured for years and will continue to walk the high-wire for years to come. 

So we need a little common courtesy, if not common sense.

Fighting against the conditions is one thing. Fighting each other doesn't need to be.