Treatments – Fertilization

Dollar for dollar, fertilization does more to improve poor-quality turf or maintain good-quality turf than any other management practice. Proper fertilization practices produce a dense, medium- to dark-green turf that resists pests and environmental stresses.

Careless application techniques or excessive amounts of fertilizer applied at the wrong time of year can result in serious turf damage and contamination of water resources. Generally, fertilize at least twice per year with a slow release fertilizer for typical results. If you require a greener lawn then fertilize at least three times per year. Granular fertilizers are better that liquid. Most lawns will respond well to a fertilizer in the area of 24 – 5 – 8 (NPK).

Nutrient Requirements of Turf

Grasses require at least 16 nutrients for normal growth and development. Some nutrients are needed in large amounts, other nutrients only in minute quantities. Regardless of the amount required, a deficiency of any of these nutrients will limit the growth and development of your turf. Thus, a calcium deficiency can be just as detrimental to the plant as a lack of nitrogen, even though turf uses more nitrogen than calcium.

Nine of the 16 required nutrients are needed in much larger quantities than the other seven. These nine nutrients—carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur—are called macronutrients. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen make up about 90 to 95 percent of the plant’s dry weight. They are never deficient in turf because they are derived from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) are referred to as primary nutrients and are supplied periodically to turf through fertilizer applications. Calcium, magnesium, and sulfur, the secondary nutrients, are needed only occasionally in the form of fertilizer or lime.

The micronutrients iron, manganese, zinc, boron, copper, molybdenum, and chlorine are required only in minute amounts and are rarely supplied to turfgrasses through fertilization. Exceptions are if turf are planted in soils high in sand content, such as golf course putting greens, or if iron applications are used to provide a darker green turf without stimulating excessive foliar growth.

Treatments – Weed Control 

We use Fiesta for weed control. Fiesta is the only product approved for weed control in Ontario. Fiesta works by causing iron toxicity in broadleaf weeds; because broadleaf weeds absorb and assimilate iron differently than turf grass, the weeds are controlled while the grass is not. We do not apply Fiesta if rain is imminent or on heat stressed lawns. Fiesta works best on slightly overcast cooler days. A misting of rain has no effect but a heavy rain immediately after an application is to be avoided. However, we’ve noticed over the last decade that a heavy watering a few hours after an application seems to deliver better results.

Vegetation Control

Ontario Regulation 63/09 made under the Pesticides Act is the general regulation governing pesticides in Ontario. It forbids the use of certain products for cosmetic purposes. There are a few exceptions to the The Act. Two of them are safety and noxious weeds. We provide vegetation control only on these two exemptions.

For instance, weeds and other vegetation grow along roadsides. There are several reasons to control roadside vegetation: motorist safety, to maintain sight lines, proper drainage, prevention of road surface erosion, as well as preventing the spread of invasive species onto adjacent properties. Some toxic weeds can grow in areas where humans are working or enjoying recreational activities. Serious burns and rashes due to human skin encountering these weeds, as well as vision loss, are just a couple of health risks associated with toxic weeks.

It is essential that vegetation does not block traffic signs and hazard markers. Vegetation can obstruct driver vision at intersections and block the line of sight around curves and obstruct the view of oncoming wildlife crossing the road, therefore vegetation must be treated and controlled. Roadside delineators and traffic signs being visible are crucial to ensure motorist safety.

All services can be scheduled at your convenience. As long as your property is accessible, you can trust your technician to let you know your property has been treated.

Not sure what you need? Contact our team and we can recommend the best course of action Give us a call at 905-359-5696 for more information or to request a free quote.