One of the many ways we serve our clients is as a trusted resource when they have questions. Here are just a few of the questions we often hear. Please contact us if your question isn't answered here or if you’d like more information about any of these topics.
CHEMICALS
Q: Do I need to be home when your team applies the chemicals??
No. We will do the application, leave an invoice with watering instructions, and a flag in the yard indicating we have been there. We can call if you have a locked gate, dog, or just want to be notified by phone the day before your treatment.
Q: What is a pre-emergent application?
Pre-emergent applications are put down to help prevent many weeds from sprouting, including crabgrass. It remains active throughout the spring and most of the summer months when the weeds begin to germinate.
Q: Do we have to stay off the lawn?
If granular fertilizer is used, it is almost always safe to go onto the lawn, though we recommend that you wear shoes until you’ve had a chance to water or until it rains. If liquid weed control is used, you should allow the chemical to dry on the grass before children and pets are allowed on it. Drying time will vary with weather conditions. To be completely safe, wait 24 hours, then water.
Q: If I want to plant new grass seed this spring, can I plant seeds after a Pre-Emergent treatment?
No. Just as the pre-emergent stops weeds from growing, it will also halt the growth of grass seed. An alternative may be to plant seed very early and then, as the grass grows to a regular mowing height, mow the grass three times, after which, a pre-emergent can be applied.
Q: What if it rains after an application?
Rain is beneficial following a fertilizer, crabgrass, or insect control application. If it rains following a broad leaf weed application (for dandelions, etc.), give the product one to two weeks. If at this time the weeds do not die, give us a call and we’ll come back to re-apply the weed control.
WATERING
Q: How much water does a lawn need?
Nebraskans primarily use Kentucky Bluegrass, so in general, most cool season grasses need about .5 to 1 inch in the cooler months. In the hotter months, you should increase to watering 1 to 2 inches per session. We recommend that you water your lawn 2-3 times per week in the summer, for about an hour each section. Many factors such as the soil and weather play role in the lawn's water needs.
Q: How often should I water?
Water infrequently, but when you do water, make sure the water goes deep into the ground so that water penetrates to the roots. Exceptions to this general rule would be for lawns that have new seed or sod. Otherwise, please avoid frequent, light watering.
Q: What is the best time of the day to water?
If you have a choice, watering in the morning is best. Midday is tough because evaporation, and watering at night increases the chances of some diseases.
Q: How can I conserve water?
To help conserve water, mow your lawn at a higher setting, water in the morning, limit traffic over the lawn, improve turf rooting (by aerating) and avoid watering concrete areas.
Q: Will watering the lawn wash away pre-emergent or fertilization applications?
No. Watering enhances and spreads out the application. However, if a liquid application is applied, please wait until the application is fully dry before watering.
MOWING
Q: How high should I mow my grass?
Please do not mow your lawn too short, particularly for cool season grasses such as Kentucky Blue Grass. If you mow the grass higher, it usually provides for a deeper root system, looks better, and is less likely to be invaded by weeds. The recommended mowing height for Kentucky Bluegrass is 2.5 - 3.5 inches.
Q: How much of the leaf blade should I cut each time?
Don’t cut any more than one third of the blade at any time. Any more than that can cause major problems and encourage more weeds, diseases, etc.
Q: Should I mulch or bag my grass clippings?/p>
When mowing only a third or less with each cutting, you can safely mulch. The mulched grass will quickly decompose. As a result, nutrients and water from the leaf blade will go back into the soil. Bagging is helpful when the grass is really tall or when there are a lot of leaves on the lawn.
Q: How important is it to keep my mower blades sharp?
A dull blade can encourage diseases. A sharpened blade makes a clean-cut and keeps the yard healthy and always looking its best.
GENERAL
Q: How does aeration help my lawn?
Aeration has numerous benefits, including
- Less water run-off or standing water
- Loosened compacted soil, such as Nebraska clay, and increased availability of water and nutrients
- Enhanced oxygen levels in the soil, encouraging root growth and enhancing the activity of thatch-decomposing organisms
- Increased drought tolerance and improved overall health of your lawn
- Advantage before seeding because the seeds get into the holes
Q: What are grubs and why should I worry about them?
Grubs are actually the larval stage of a variety of different kinds of beetles, including May and June bugs and voracious Japanese beetles. Adult beetles lay their eggs in the soil in mid- to late summer. As the eggs hatch, they develop into the white-wormish looking larvae. As the larvae grow, they work their way down to the root zone of your lawn where they eat the roots. Grub control is largely a matter of timing so that they can be controlled in their early stages of development and before they go deep into the soil and go dormant for the winter.
Q: I have moles in my lawn. Does this mean I have grubs?
No. Moles mainly feed on earthworms. However, they do also feed on grubs and may interact together. Unfortunately, getting rid of grubs does not necessarily mean you will get rid of moles.
Q: How can I get rid of Moles?
There are many options. Call today, and we will go over how we can help you get rid of the moles.
Our Philosophy
At Forest Green Lawn and Landscaping, we believe in making sure our customers are completely satisfied with our services. We pay attention to the details that make a difference, like making sure that all sidewalks and driveways are blown-off, a receipt is left in the door, and an indicator flag is placed in the yard. Our reputation depends on your satisfaction!
