Fertilizing

When fertilizing, we apply a slow release granular fertilizer which will feed the lawn for 6-8 weeks. The nutrients of these fertilizers produce strong roots and turf that resists weeds, disease and insects. People and pets may play on the lawn immediately following application.

Aerating

We cannot stress the importance enough to have your lawn aerated. The majority of lawns in the GTA have clay soils which are very compact and prevent air and nutrient flow. Some of the benefits to having your lawn aerated are:

• It optimizes root development and reduces thatch and associated problems.
• It deepens root systems for greater resistance to disease, insects, drought & heat stress.
• It improves drainage, air, fertilizer & water movement and reduces water usage.

Soil Conditioner

The vast majority of soils in our area are usually acidic and lime is needed to neutralize this acidity. An acidic soil weakens the grass, which allows for more weed encroachment. Liming will condition the soil and re-balance the PH level. For quality turf grass the PH should be between 6.5 - 7. When the PH is not in this range, we lose the effective use of nutrients in the soil. When adding lime to your lawn you are also adding calcium and magnesium which are essential micronutrients for healthy turf. Lime also helps reduce moss growth which flourishes in acidic soil. Liming your lawn overall helps create better soil conditions and decrease thatch.

Top-Dressing & Over-Seeding

Most lawns, whether seeded or sodded, are planted over a fairly skimpy layer of topsoil. Over time lawn mowers, pets and traffic on your lawn, compact the soil, making it difficult for air, water and vital nutrients to penetrate to the grass roots. Our challenge is to restore healthy soil conditions that nurture your lawn.

We will begin the whole process by mowing the lawn short, we will then aerate the lawn, seed the lawn and finally top-dress the lawn with a weed-free fortified compost. This is especially useful after aerating your lawn because the top-dressing mix fills in the holes that are left in the process and supports seeding by ensuring good seed-to-soil contact while retaining moisture. Some of the benefits to having your lawn top-dressed are:

• It improves soil conditions and reduces weeds.
• It is excellent for drought conditions, and acts like a mulch to help retain moisture.
• It is ideal for poor soils lacking in essential nutrients and organic matter.
• It helps diseased lawns by promoting soil organisms that fight plant disease. It helps to control and reduce thatch by producing new soil through accelerated thatch decomposition. Composted top-dressing provides nutrients and helps soil retain and release nutrients.
• It improves the turf root system and aids in improving poor soil structure. It adds an extra layer of protection to your lawn throughout the winter.

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