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Just curious what other folks have done regarding lawn services. When we first got here, the prior owners had a terrific crab grass lawn and did not take care of any of the landscaping.
We started up with professional services and now everything looks great. We have always done our own work, but were told down here, Scotts does not work.
So after getting settled, I see everyone uses Scotts down here. So we are going to start doing it ourselfs since we have things were we want it and also to save money.
I put down Scotts crabgrass preventer twice (once in early spring and once in late spring). I still get some crabgrass. I don't have a very big yard, so I pull it out from the roots by hand as soon as I see it to try and keep it from spreading.
I fertilize several times a year. Biggest difference between my yard and other yards in the neighborhood that don't do as well is probably our irrigation system. The ability to water the yard 2-3 times a week very early in the morning makes a big difference. Lime pellets also make a huge difference in greening up the yard if your pH balance is off.
I've been meaning to add up the total costs of everything for doing it myself and comparing to a professional service. Buying fertilizer, lime, crabgrass certainly isn't cheap.
Location: The place where the road & the sky collide
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Originally Posted by BLUEDIAMOND64
Just curious what other folks have done regarding lawn services. When we first got here, the prior owners had a terrific crab grass lawn and did not take care of any of the landscaping.
We started up with professional services and now everything looks great. We have always done our own work, but were told down here, Scotts does not work.
So after getting settled, I see everyone uses Scotts down here. So we are going to start doing it ourselfs since we have things were we want it and also to save money.
Anyone else with similiar experience??
I've got a fairly large lot (70' x 248'). By the best estimates of the 2 most reputable neighbors, it was neglected for a good 10 years.
My father was in the Ag. chem. industry & I grew up with lawn care & agricultural chemicals as the conversation at the kitchen table. I was looking to convert the yard to short fescue & rye. Last fall I brought back some bags of lawn patch. The Scotts was red fescue & rye & the Pennington was chewing fescue & rye. Both have a bit of blue grass mixed in, but I expect nothing from that. I'm saving the bags & know where I put which. I'll post the results at the end of the summer in a grass seed thread. So far, my neighbors are extremely impressed. My experience, so far, based on the last 2 summers, is that some short fescue & some rye will not make it, but whatever makes it will do extremely well next year.
I put down Scotts crabgrass preventer twice (once in early spring and once in late spring). I still get some crabgrass. I don't have a very big yard, so I pull it out from the roots by hand as soon as I see it to try and keep it from spreading.
I fertilize several times a year. Biggest difference between my yard and other yards in the neighborhood that don't do as well is probably our irrigation system. The ability to water the yard 2-3 times a week very early in the morning makes a big difference. Lime pellets also make a huge difference in greening up the yard if your pH balance is off.
I've been meaning to add up the total costs of everything for doing it myself and comparing to a professional service. Buying fertilizer, lime, crabgrass certainly isn't cheap.
I know the products are not cheap especially Scotts. Using a professional service can be form $58 to $63 depending on the size of your property. When is it best to apply the lime?
What kind of treatment from Tru-Green do you actually get for that price?
I used both Tru Green and King Green. There are about seven applications a year. They spray the lawn, fertilize and put down crab grass preventer, also for bugs. You can also get a shrub/tree service that is extra. They use a liquid fertilizer, and no lie, the grass looks great.
I've got a fairly large lot (70' x 248'). By the best estimates of the 2 most reputable neighbors, it was neglected for a good 10 years.
My father was in the Ag. chem. industry & I grew up with lawn care & agricultural chemicals as the conversation at the kitchen table. I was looking to convert the yard to short fescue & rye. Last fall I brought back some bags of lawn patch. The Scotts was red fescue & rye & the Pennington was chewing fescue & rye. Both have a bit of blue grass mixed in, but I expect nothing from that. I'm saving the bags & know where I put which. I'll post the results at the end of the summer in a grass seed thread. So far, my neighbors are extremely impressed. My experience, so far, based on the last 2 summers, is that some short fescue & some rye will not make it, but whatever makes it will do extremely well next year.
ETA: Someone posted this website on the NJ board. This is the North Carolina page. It might be helpful. North Carolina Grass Seed
Great website!! I have a fescue lawn and it is a deep green. The professionals tell me the key is water and not to cut it short during the summer months. Do you seed besides the fall? I know you aerate and seed in the fall, but some tell me you can seed also now when it is not too hot. I just tried the Scotts EZ seed for some bare spots, so I will let you know how it works.
What kind of treatment from Tru-Green do you actually get for that price?
Pre-emergent, then several weed killers and fertilizers, and lime.
Doesn't include aeration or seeding in the Fall.
I ended up getting 30% off the price they started at.
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