All's well that ends.

 I've been in the lawn care business for 22 years, and when I started my own company 18 years ago, I wanted to create something different. So, I set out on a course 180 degrees from other companies. I wanted to have a company that didn't up-sell the customer, that provided services the lawn needed, no cold calls, no negative billing, no ghosted applications, to take responsibility and fix mistakes when they were made---I wanted to restore trust in an industry so destitute of those values.

All these years later, I and my wife now step down and head into a new venture of retirement, and pass the torch to another company to carry on our legacy.

Yet the question remains. Were we right in what we created?

Yes.  

We never dropped below 90% retention. We never constantly increased prices, and when new innovations in lawn care were adopted, our customers never questioned changes due to the trust and goodwill they had in us.

The out pouring of well-wishes and sadness at our decision to move on left us overwhelmed.  

Not only will our customers miss us, but we will miss them too---many have been with us for years and are viewed as friends/ family.  

A heart-felt thank you to all.                              ,

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

.
 

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.

Kentucky Blue, blows

Sodding is a multi-million dollar business in Ontario. Consider new housing developments,  a useful tool for landscaping projects, and the homeowner who wants to swop a failing lawn with instant gratification. 

Pallets of the green roles are ubiquitous. Yet, many don't know much about sod, other than it looks fantastic when it's first installed.

What you need to know about this pre-grown grass and soil is, it  mostly consists of Kentucky Blue grass. Although you will be told KBG is a cool season grass, I beg to differ. 

KBG is notoriously slow to green-up in the spring. Every year I see lawns that were sodded within the last year that do not respond well to fertilizer until approximately mid-May. By this time, your weeks behind the emerald green of your neighbours.

KBG does not have a deep root system, making it a poor choice for the health of your lawn unless you plan on over-seeding with diverse species of grass (fescue/ perennial rye) to outcompete the Kentucky Blue.

Be prepared to dump biblical amounts of water on your new sod to get it established, or watch it die a slow drought death. I see this mostly in new subdivisions where the sod is dead and dying within a year of establishment.

KBG rings the dinner bell for chinch bugs and grubs. These insects love the stuff and will blow through it in short order. Raccoons also appreciate a newly sodded lawn. It's easy for them to roll it up and have quick access to food.

Also you should be aware that new sod will keep the weeds out of your lawn for a couple of months, but once the chemicals wear off, it's back to the weed farm for most, and you are right back where you started.

With the cost of sod, it doesn't make sense to me to go this route in the first place.

If I said you needed to put a new roof on your house every three years, would you do it?

All this said, there are options when it comes to sod. RTF is a much better choice, and will give you a fighting chance against the elements. However, be prepared to pay at least $5 more a roll (you get what you pay for.) Even then, I would suggest annual fall over-seeding to strengthen the health of your lawn.

If you are still determined to go the sodding route after all I've said, hopefully it's because your moving and want the instant curb appeal. By the time your sale closes and you move on, that sod will be someone else's problem.  

Everything everywhere all at once

 

Remember when it snowed for the first time? Remember how everyone forgot how to drive? Remember how everywhere you looked, people were losing their minds on the roads and highways?

Well this spring it's the same thing, except snow is replaced by dandelions.

Dandelions on boulevards. Dandelions in parks. Dandelions on your damn neighbours lawn encroaching on your grass.

It's wonderful to think, as a small lawn care provider, I can be everywhere at once to spray those pesky weeds but that's not the case. People need to exercise patience. The weeds popped early this year, and with all the wet weather, even the big companies are struggling to keep up.

I've been doing this long enough to realize, customer's memories are very short, and everyone will be singing praise by the end of May when we are well into our second round of weed control. Also the germination of the dandelion will be complete for a while, and things can return to status quo...until the snow flies.

After 4/20 is when we should think about weeds

 Soaking rains, wet snow, thunderstorms, strong winds, and cold miserable drizzle, are conditions that have plagued us since the beginning of April. It's nothing new, yet it seems, this April is packing more precipitation than normal.

While the lawns are soggy and oversaturated, the grass still loves all the liquid attention, and most lawns are on, or at, the cusp of emerald and deep forest green already.

The grass is growing, and although lawn companies are finishing clean-up, they are not yet cutting lawns.

With warmer weather and sunshine sure to appear as early as next week, there is another concern soon to be on the homeowner's mind---weeds, and plenty of them. Those invasive species everyone loves so much are set to pop in ubiquitous numbers virtually overnight, triggering panic in all who can't stand the slightest emergence of yellow damaging their curb appeal. Again, this is nothing new, but memories are short.

With Ontario bylaws in effect, it is a never-ending battle between the homeowner and  weed eradication.

So, the next time you hear 4/20, don't just think of getting high---get prepared. The war for your lawn is about to begin...again.

The war between spring and winter

 

If there's one thing we have come to expect, it's April will always carry elements of winter. Case and point: The cold, snow and rain in first week of a traditionally spring-like month, has displayed no signs of warmth or growth. However, next week promises the opposite, with higher temperatures on the way.

Every year, it is a mixed bag of precipitation that can be down-right miserable and unappealing to out-door-types, longing to get into gardens or general lawn clean up. Yet, if you'd consulted the Farmer's Almanac long before any weather models were made public, you would have seen the same information---cold, rain, snow---in the forecast.

Patience is the key as the days tick by and the sun finally appears (or doesn't with the upcoming eclipse.) You'll be gardening in no time, and cursing your lawn mower, but you need to wait for the war to end and spring to reign victorious as it always does.

August comes to October

 Usually, by the time the calendar flips to October the nights are cool and the days carry a hint of Fall. The trees are bursting with colour, the buzzing of lawn mowers is less frequent, and the splashing in a neighbours' pool is a distant memory of Summer---but not this year.

At a time when most lawns have recovered from July/August stress (drought/dormancy/ chinch bug, etc.), the damage is still visible, and the reclamation far from evident.

As I write this, we have gone 21 days without rain, have daily temperatures pushing 30 C including new record highs for this time of the year. If you haven't been watering your lawn religiously (2x a week for an hour each.) chances are, you have nothing but concrete for soil and any attempts to get water to your parched grass is useless.

The few mechanical core aerations we have done, have pulled up only cores of dust, and we are still waiting for the fall fertilizer to kick-in, in most cases.

You don't have to have inground sprinklers to combat the dryness, just a few minutes to turn on a manual sprinkler and then turn it off an hour later. Don't get lulled into a false sense of security when the rains come. The robust 100 plus millimetres of June and July can easily turn into less than 70 mil over the last TWO months like it has. 

Now you're left with a tale of two lawns---one watered, and one not.

Aeration: Choosing between mechanical and liquid

 Aeration is one of the most beneficial applications you can do for your lawn, however, with new technologies there is a choice between liquid aeration and traditional core aeration.

Which one should you choose?

Let's look at the pros and cons of each.

Both mechanical and liquid break down thatch layers in your lawn, thatch that hampers lawn health and where chinch bugs usually hide. Mechanical does this by punching holes and removing cores of soil to allow nutrients, air and moisture to reach the root zone. Liquid aeration uses a organic mix of Humic and Fulvic acids to create micro channels in the soil and accomplishes the same end. Esthetically, liquid does not leave behind unsightly cores of dirt reminiscent of a flock of geese.

Both applications can be done with seeding, fertilizing, or weed control (if you choose not to seed.)

Now here is where Liquid Aeration leaves Mechanical Cores in the dust in my opinion.

Liquid takes less time and is less labour intensive.

With liquid aeration, there is no need to mark shallow lines, or sprinkler heads.

There is no worry when it comes to hitting Bell or Rogers cables.

Liquid aeration can cover 100% of your lawn's area, unlike core aeration at approx. 85%. 

Liquid will not rip up your lawn and can be done shortly after new sod unlike core's one-year wait for the grass to establish.

Liquid leaves no mess behind i.e. muddy wheel tracks.

Sure, once you own a machine, it pays for itself, but unless you are a lawncare provider why would you buy an aerator?

Although liquid aeration means a constant replenishment of the product, therefore increasing you bottom line, I can't deny the time saved.

In other words, you had me at "less labour intensive."

A few words

 Madness! Insane! Sheer stupidity! Fucked! And on it goes. 

These are not my words, but the words of some of my customers, who endure season after season, issues on their lawns that I am powerless to prevent. Issues like chinch bug damage, crabgrass germination, and a variety of weeds that Fiesta is not able to control.

With all the rain this year the lawns have not gone dormant, so the problems have been easier to see, and the frustration is high.

Homeowners are mad, and I get it. Yet, the fact remains, with limited tools at our disposal to deal with these infestations, it all comes back to lawn heath and proper cultural practices.

Sometimes the wounds are self inflicted---cutting the grass too low, not watering enough, lack of shade, adding extra fertilizer on top of what we have already applied---and sometimes it's the luck of the draw. Durham Region has been hard hit by chinch this year, yet in other areas like Markham, Scarborough and Bowmanville, I've seen only minimal damage. 

So what was lush and green heading into July, is now---in some cases---littered with brown patches and weeds. The best course of action is now reclamation with fertilizer, seed and aeration. 

With patience, affected lawns will return to form, and the "lush healthy look will return for the fall.

The problem? 

Most people looking at a damaged lawn right now, have no patience left. 

Who can blame them?

The chinch bug calling card is here.

Birds Foot Trefoil has been noticeable for the past few weeks. It hangs off curbs and invades boulevards. It is also the business card for the emergence of the Chinch Bug from your garden areas and on to your lawn.

This destructive insect can quickly destroy your grass with its voracious appetite, so be aware.

Most of the damage in the early days of July is done by the nymphs (these happy little fellows) and can be found around gardens, sunny areas and sources of greater heat (on edges near pavement etc.)

 This grass mosquito will suck the life out of a blade of grass. leaving it with a dry, unhealthy appearance. If you get them in the thousands...well, you can imagine the devastation to your curb appeal.

Now, since the good people of  the Federal Government took away all means to kill the little bastards, we have to resort to other methods of control.

First determine if Chinch Bugs are the cause  by checking around damaged areas. Agitate the grass vigorously with your fingers, peel back the blades. You should be able to see them scurrying for cover into the thatch layer of your lawn.

Another method is to insert an hollow coffee can into the ground, fill it with water, and wait for them to float to the surface.

What can be done?

Hopefully, you have been keeping your grass at 3 inches and above (or ankle high). This will slow the feeding. Think of it as an all you can eat buffet with too much food.

Also, this insect loves over-fertilized lawns, so we caution people  to keep the nitrogen enriched products to a minimum.

Chinch Bugs hate water. A deeply watered lawn is no friend to them. Soapy water is kryptonite as it dehydrates them. A daily dose of soapy water (dish soap works best) to the affected area and perimeter will help your cause greatly.

I have seen some who try to Shop-Vac them out of a lawn, but a better method is to wet the affected area in the evening, then lay a plastic tarp down. In the morning they should be clinging to the tarp, and you can simply remove them from the grass.

Even if you let nature run its course and do nothing, there is still hope. Chinch Bugs are top feeders. Your root system is still intact and will recover in the fall with some TLC...unless you are also blessed with a grub infestation.

Either way, Chinch Bugs are here, right on schedule, and it would be wise to schedule a plan of attack for them.

The leopard lawns are back

 

It's a common sight as spring melts into summer---the leopard lawns are here and there. Some of the damage caused by Round-up and unsuspecting homeowners, who never took the time to read the label, wanting to kill weeds at any cost, and others, for a different reason.

More often and than not, I now see lawns like this caused by another culprit---Scott's Turf Builder. 

It's not the fault of the Turf Builder or the good people at Scott's. Again the blame falls squarely on the shoulders of the homeowners who don't realize the consequences of applying seed, soil, or other products enriched with nitrogen to an already fertilized lawn. 

Overloading grass with nitrogen, especially at this time of the year, will lead to the lawn burning at the point of application. In most cases, straw-like markings throughout the lawn, or worse, EVERYWHERE, if enough was applied. Who wants that?

 

It is this mindset which caused the banning of products like Killex and Par III long ago.

Using more doesn't solve problems. It creates them. And please read the bag's instructions prior to applying the product.

Remember that the next time you want to put more on....hmm....moron?

Part time partners need not apply.

 Last week I pulled up to a longtime customer's property to do her first weed control of the season. The lawn looked terrible. It was covered in weeds, top-dressed and seeded, and was cut to 1 inch in height.

The customer was not happy and came out to tell me so.

"Look at all the weeds," she said.

"The lawn is cut too low," I told her. "And we have had this conversation before, 'when you cut that low, you will have more issues with weeds and insects'. You need to raise the mower."

"I didn't cut it, my neighbour did," she informed me.

"You are paying for a service. You need to tell your neighbour not to cut your grass or you will continue to have the same results, and there is nothing we can do."

"What about the weeds today?" she asked.

"I'll do my best," I said. "But I can only spot spray ones that are not surrounded by seed, otherwise the grass won't germinate." 

We sent her, as we did everyone of our customers, a spring newsletter in April advising 'waiting to the fall for seeding because spring seeding interferes with proper weed control,' but I guess she didn't read it. 

I can understand her disappointment. I would be angry if my lawn looked like hers. I would also follow the advice of the company I paid to do my lawn. I would water it deeply once a week at least. I would raise my mower to the highest setting. I would do my seeding in the fall as recommended, and if it still looked bad, I would question why I had a lawn service in the first place.

BTW. The picture above is not of the customer's lawn in question. But it is on the same route, and like many others, was done on the same day, with the same products.

Look, I don't want to put our sign on a lawn that looks awful. It doesn't do my company any favours.  So, we do our best to make sure the lawn responds to our treatment, like the one pictured above. It's just that, some people are better partners in their lawn care than others unfortunately.

...and the survey says!

It's climate ties.

While I agree with many of the positions stated in this article, I am disappointed by the omission of how this problem started and how easily we could solve it by amending the pesticide bylaw. 

Same as it ever was

 

To borrow a phrase from the band Talking Heads, "This ain't no party. This ain't no disco. This ain't no fooling around."

Which is exactly how I and many other lawn care operators feel when the weeds emerge, turning green to yellow and eventually a sea of white spores.

Every year since the bylaw was unfairly dumped on Lawn Care and homeowners we have dealt with this scenario. But some things never changed.

Same as it ever was? The number of people who hold their noses when they walk by as I'm spraying a lawn (although Fiesta is odourless), and those who believe by stepping on the wet grass means they better call their next of kin.

Same as it ever was? The customer who complains when the first dandelion pops on their lawn and wonders what "they're paying us for," even when we have yet to do one application of weed control.

Same as it ever was? The vast amount of cheating. Since it is a Provincial bylaw and a Federal border, all a homeowner has to do is purchase Killex state-side and bring it back. From the ubiquitous curling of weeds noticed on many a lawn, American business is brisk. 

Same as it ever was? The feckless political climate. Every year there are whispers of an amendment to the bylaw. After all there are effective alternatives (like Civitas) used right now in other Canadian provinces. However with the backlash to Green Belt development, the Ford government did a scrotal tuck and ran for the shadows.

Same as it ever was? The number of exemptions under the bylaw including, golf courses, farmers, sod growers, government owned lands, and cemeteries, accounting for over 90% of pesticide usage.

Same as it ever was? Fiesta (pictured above), the so-called "TURF WEED KILLER" is anything but that. It injures top growth only and does not kill the root. Neudorf, the makers of Fiesta, need to be called out on this shameless false advertising. Fiesta is a control, not a killer. People need to know.

Same as it ever was? Me bitching about all of the above.

But it doesn't have to be this way, and everyone in the lawn industry knows it.

Fiesta? "This ain't no party. This ain't no disco. This ain't no fooling around."