Lush lawns require lots of care. Instead of doing it themselves, many people now hire lawn care companies to apply insecticides and herbicides that eliminate pesky insects and weed growth. In spring, companies usually develop a treatment schedule with the homeowner that requires several applications over the course of the growing season.

Michigan now has new regulations that make it easier for consumers to work with lawn care companies. The new rules governing pesticide use should result in improved service, clearer communication and expanded opportunities for consumer choice.

The following reflect the new rules. Both you and the professional pesticide applicator should be aware of these:

Contracts between you and your pesticide applicator are now limited to one year, unless a specific expiration date is included in the written contract. Before applying a pesticide anywhere on your property, an applicator must have an oral or written agreement regarding the work to be done and the pesticide(s) to be used. In addition to the consent, every agreement must contain the name, address and telephone number of the company performing the service, as well as the approximate schedule and frequency of applications. At each application, the company must provide the following information to the consumer:

Company name, address and phone number General description of the pest(s) to be controlled A list of pesticide(s) to be used The time(s) and date(s) of application Any precautionary warnings about potential health hazards to humans, animals and the environment If you ask for it, the applicator must provide product labels, safety data sheets, Environmental Protection Agency fact sheets and a document that describes the rate of application of the active ingredients in the product(s). Before or at the time of the first application, the company must provide you with the following risk and benefit information in writing:

Definition of pesticide How pesticides work Why pesticides are used Toxicity of the pesticide being used A description of the environment in which the pesticide will be applied General exposure information Amount or rate of pesticide applied How the label directs the pesticide be applied Common sense tips on protecting human and animal health What happens to pesticides in the environment How to prepare a site before the pesticide is applied Instructions for physician contact in the event of an unusual reaction The new regulations also require the Michigan Department of Agriculture to maintain a voluntary registry of persons who must be notified before any pesticide is used on neighboring lawns and trees. To be placed on the list, you must provide the department with a valid physician's statement regarding the medical reason for notification.

http://www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-1566_1733_4862---,00.html

It is recommended that people should refrain from entering the treated area for a period of 24 hours. All treatments are different so please refer to your statement for specific instructions. If necessary you could walk on the lawn after an application unless a weed control is applied in which you should wait until it has dried.

Liquid weed control is more effective then granular types when treating post-emerging weeds. There are too many variables with granular treatments such as the weed needing to be wet in order for the dry granular to adhere to it to work. Liquid applications target the pest directly when applied with less of a chance for runoff into lakes and streams.

This will depend on the type of treatment that was applied at your property. Most granular applications can be watered right after. Some applications will ensure better results if they are watered in right after. When a weed control product has been applied you need to allow time for the chemical to dry and absorb in the plant.

Mowing should be avoided until the following day after a treatment. If cutting is unavoidable you should definitely mulch clippings over bagging them. Again allow ample time for weed killer s to take effect beofre mowing your lawn.

This service is thought of as an extra service but really should be performed yearly because it is very beneficial. Aeration is the process of removing 2" soil cores form the ground thus allowing air, water and nutrients to penetrate the soil. It helps break down the thatch layer naturally, improve the strength of the root system, and loosen soil compaction. A strong root system is vital for a lush healthy lawn, making it more drought resistant and able to block out those recurring stubborn weeds. The fall is a good time to perform this service when weed seed germination is at its lowest point. Technically speaking, aeration is the naturally occurring process of air exchange between the soil and its surrounding atmosphere. Practically speaking, aeration is the process of mechanically removing small plugs of thatch and soil from the lawn to improve natural soil aeration. It’s commonly called “core aeration” in the lawn service industry, and you may have heard of it as soil cultivation (coring, spiking and slicing). Most often it is simply called aeration.

Aeration Benefits: Core aeration can help make your lawn healthier and reduce its maintenance requirements through these means: •Improved air exchange between the soil and atmosphere. •Enhanced soil water uptake. •Improved fertilizer uptake and use. •Reduced water runoff and puddling. •Stronger turfgrass roots. •Reduced soil compaction. •Enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance. •Improved resiliency and cushioning. •Enhanced thatch breakdown.

LINK FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION http://www.ryanturf.com/products/lawn_aerators/lawn-aeration.pdf

Water is extremely important to the health of your grass. Results are very unlikely if you do not water reguraly. Most lawns will need around 1" of water per week. For assistance on proper watering or irrigation system help please visit www.michiganirrigation.com

We strongly discourage from the bagging of clippings. First and foremost this is harming are landfills of useless waste and is an enormous benefit to your lawn when mulched. You should really only bag two times a season in the spring and in the fall. We find it very beneficial to mulch the leaves a few times and allow then to act as an additional supply of nutrients. You might want to bag the final application to have a clean look. There are many benefits for mulching your clippings instead of bagging. other times when you might need to remove clippings are before an outdoor party or the lawn is really long and you do not want a thick bed of grass clippings just laying there to rot.

If you suspect issues with your lawn please do not hesitate to call us so we can get a technician out to advise the possible problem. You can also visit our newly designed website to view potential insect or disease related issues. I think you will find it very informative and helpful.

The proper mowing height of your lawn is 3" - 3.5". It is more beneficial for your lawn to be cut this way. It will require fewer nutrients and water because its allowing it to shade itself form the stresses summer heat can dish out. Try not to remove more than one third of the grass blade at one time. If your lawn was meant to be cut short it would on the green of a golf course. You will only cause more problems if you cut too short like the need for additional fertilizer and care with greater potential of weed invasion.

We carry full insurance required by the Michigan Department of Agriculture. All of our technicians are certified through the state and attend yearly training seminars to further enhance their knowledge level with ongoing changes in our enviromnet.