Q: What is Aeration?

A: Aeration, as recommended by your technician, is a machine process, which is driven over your lawn removing cores of soil (approximately quarter size) and approximately 2” to 3” deep to allow oxygen, water and nutrients to penetrate more efficiently into the root zone. 

This is commonly recommended in areas of compact soil (small areas or entire lawns in some cases) where new construction has occurred or high foot traffic occurs.  Heavy equipment use during home construction or areas used by dogs to move about the yard on a routine basis, and play areas for kids are common situations where aeration may be recommended.  Remember, we offer this as an aid to your lawn situation, not a cure. 

Your results will vary depending upon your particular problem, turf condition, sunlight, and soil composition.  If you have an area that needs to be aerated, it typically will need to be done annually, especially if the cause of the condition is not alleviated.  Cost is based on square footage.  Minimum charge is $40.00.

Q. How long will it take for my weeds to die after you treat them?

A. Many times, there are a wide variety of weed species in each lawn.  Each one may have varying reaction times to the weed control.  Some more succulent, faster growing weeds, like chickweed and cudweed, may show decline within a few days while more woody, slower growing species, may take up to three weeks.

Q. Is it better to over water a little or underwater?

A. Really, both can have negative reactions to your lawn.  In either case, you are not creating a habitat for growing healthy turf, but more likely one for a variety of weed species that favor either habitat.  An under-watered lawn also creates an attractive environment for chinch bug infestation and repopulation.  An under-watered lawn also minimizes the chance for property growth and development as water is the key for developing new tissue and chemical processes, similar to humans.  Excessive watering is wasteful and may lead to disease and overall root decline and yellowing problems.  It is important to find the fine line of not too much and not too little water.

Q. How soon after my lawn is fertilized will I see a green-up?

A. Your lawns’ color reaction time will vary depending upon variety, watering regime, time of year, and condition of the lawn at the time of the application.  Warm temperatures constitute regular growth.  Initial applications made in the winter may show less reaction if temperatures are cooler and remain so, or if the application follows a frost or extremely cold night temperatures.  St. Augustine is a warm season grass and its growth and metabolism slows significantly when daytime highs don’t exceed 70 degrees and night time lows are below 50 degrees.  Typically, during active growth periods (March through October), lawn color will improve within 10 days.

Q. Will I have a weed free lawn?

A. No.  A 100% weed free lawn in Florida is not possible.  Florida is a continuous growth state and weeds are always germinating.  We treat new weeds each visit and work towards getting your lawn as thick as possible, to minimize any weed pressure.

Q. Do you treat fire ants during your applications?

A. Yes.  Any visible fire ant mounts will either be drenched with insect control or baited to minimize any future populations.  We also offer a one time application, guaranteed to control file ants for one full year.  Contact our office to arrange this application.

Q. Do you also treat for fleas?

A. Yes.  We offer treatment for fleas as a monthly service.  The reason for this is due to the flea life cycle and the relatively short effectiveness of the insect controls now available (10 days or so), we need to make regular, monthly applications.