ORGANIC LAWNCARE: Q & A
Q: What is your program, and when do you apply treatments?
A: Check out our Premium Program information on our Lawn Services page. Lawn treatment application dates depend on soil temperature.
1st (Early Spring)—Weed Management (DDG)
2nd (Early Summer)—Organic Fertilizer
3rd (Late Summer)—Weed Management (DDG)
4th (Fall)—Organic Fertilizer
Q: How much will it cost?
A: We price our program and services on the square footage of your lawn. We measure homeowners' lawns online (Google maps/planimeter), and provide FREE estimates. We have a sliding scale for prices - the cost per square footage is less expensive the more lawn area we treat. Our prices are comparable to traditional chemical companies for small to medium sized lawns (1,000-6,000 sq. feet). For the larger lawns (7,000 sq. feet and up), our prices may be a little higher than chemical treatments. Keep in mind that since organic products break-down slowly, we only need to apply four applications per year. Chemical treatments are typically applied more often; many companies' programs include 6-8 applications per year. So while our per treatment price might be a little higher, you'll may end up paying less since you don't need as many applications.
Q: How will you bill me?
A: We will send you an invoice after each treatment - either through the mail or via e-mail if you prefer (please provide us with your current e-mail address).
Q: How will we know you treated the lawn?
A: Similar to chemical companies – we leave a sign. They are required by law to inform you that chemicals were applied, so they leave a sign warning you to stay off the lawn. We leave a sign that announces “Touch Me, I’m Organic!" letting your neighborhood know that you are making a safe choice for your family, community and environment!
Serving the Central Ohio Area Since 2000
LEFT: Chemically treated lawn
RIGHT: Organically treated lawn (5 years)
Tall grass blades help to shade out weeds, as well helps to improve plant nutrition.
Q: What do you use for weed suppression?
A: Our Premium Program includes DDG (dried distillers grains) for weed management, a soil amendment which helps to suppress new weed seed growth. DDG is not an herbicide and will only act upon new seeds, not established perennial weed plants. You will find more in-depth information on DDG on the Why Organic? page.
Q: If DDG doesn't work on established weeds, what can I do about the Dandelions and other established weeds in my yard?
A: Check out our guide on our Weed Management page.
Q: What’s that yellow-ish stuff?
A: That’s DDG (dried distillers grains). DDG will not stain, and will gradually work its way into your soil. After each application we use blowers to clear the product off your drive and walkways.
Q: If the fertilizer is made of poultry manure, are there any safety issues?
A: No - composting is the key! Our organic fertilizer is made of poultry manure that has been composted to a temperature high enough to kill diseases and pathogens, but still retain the beneficial microbes. It comes from a local egg producer that responsibly recycles their waste in a safe and sustainable manner—and we are happy to support their efforts! The fertilizer is OMRI listed for use on organic farms.
Sometimes dogs do like to lick the fertilizer. Our dog is one of them, and our vet says not to worry - some dogs are just naturally drawn to the smell/taste of excrement and it won't hurt them, especially since it has been safely composted. The fertilizer does have an earthly smell to it, but nothing offensive that will disturb you.
Q: Do I really have to mow high?
A: YES! This is the single most important aspect of Organic Lawncare. When you mow your lawn too short (under 4 inches), you are reducing the surface area of the grass blade that is able to absorb sunlight, and ultimately feed the plant. In addition to providing the grass plant with more nutrition, grass blade length is directly related to root depth. Longer blades = deeper roots. Short grass also allows sunlight onto the soil, where weed seeds can begin to germinate. Tall lush grass will help shade out & out compete weeds!
Q: My lawn is not greening up as quickly as the chemical lawns – what’s up?
A: We feed the soil - they feed the plant. Chemical fertilizers release their nutrients too quickly, creating excessive plant green-up without giving time for strong root growth. Organic fertilizers are derived from natural plant and animal source, and break down slowly to provide steady plant and root growth. Organic lawns green-up beautifully over a longer period of time than chemical. Actually, clients who have used our Organic Lawncare services for several years tell us that their lawns are usually the first to green-up in their neighborhood every Spring.
Q: Do you offer any product to control Grubs?
A: To prevent and control grub infestations we offer a Beneficial Nematode treatment. These naturally occurring microscopic worms eat grub, flea and tick larvae. We spray the Nematodes in a compost tea solution that helps enrich soil life. We treat your lawn during the first application (spring), or any other time of the year if a problem arises. Beneficial Nematodes do not over-winter in our Central Ohio, and will need to be applied yearly for best results.
Q: What type of Nematodes do you use?
A: We use a combination product that includes two varieties of Beneficial Nematodes - Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. The first type stays where it is sprayed to attack passing grubs. The second type goes out and actively seeks grubs. We find that the combination of the two varieties give us the best results. We spray our Nematodes in a compost tea solution during Spring, when soil conditions are moist and the Nematodes thrive best.
Q: You just spread my last fertilizer treatment on top of leaves – will it still work?
A: Yes. Please don’t worry if there are leaves down when we apply the final treatment of the season. We try to avoid applying on leaves, but some trees lose leaves early and there is no way around it. Our fertilizer is granular, so during the raking process it will work its way down to the soil.
Q: What does your company do to Reduce, Reuse & Recycle?
A: Organic lawncare reduces your “carbon footprint” by taking CO2 from the air, and putting that organic matter into the soil. We buy our products in bulk, and then return the 1-ton bags to the distributors for reuse. We purchase our organic fertilizer and DDG from local sources in central Ohio, reducing gasoline used in cross-country shipping. We also offer our clients the option of having their invoices e-mailed to them, resulting in less paper products being us.
