Now that spring is here, lawn care operators need to focus on many things to effectively care for their customers’ turf and landscapes. You can turn challenges into opportunities if they’re approached correctly, and our reps have some great advice and products that can help you get the job done right.
Caring for Lawns
Salt Damage
For salt damage, applying a gypsum product like Supercal SO4 at the recommended rate can help new stands establish in areas with elevated salt content. Applying Hi Cal Lime in the spring will also provide the turf with the necessary nutrients (calcium and magnesium) and elevate your pH for a better response.
Seeding and Overseeding
When it comes to spring seeding, you should do it early—preferably during March. For the best results, I recommend putting down 21-22-4 starter fertilizer with mesotrione, a combination of pre-emergent herbicide and starter fertilizer. This is a newer product that can protect young grass from being overrun by crabgrass and other weeds. While mesotrione is very popular with LCOs who hydroseed, there are fewer options for traditional seeding. 21-22-4 effectively fills that void.
Another option is to apply a professional starter fertilizer like 16-28-12 with Armament, which will help the new grass establish more quickly and grow healthier. Don’t forget to make a pre-emergent application to protect against summer annuals and crabgrass later in the season. When it comes to products, Dimension 2EW is a tried and true herbicide that my customers have trusted for years.
Spring Fertilization
Fertilizing in the spring will provide your customers with the green color they crave and the nutrients the lawn desperately needs. It also helps the turf rebound from the stress of winter and disease. Snow mold-affected areas should be raked to allow air circulation and promote recovery. Seeding may be needed for some of the thin and bare areas.
Using an extended feed fertilizer will ensure even feeding and promote healthier turf. If you are blanket spraying for weeds during this time, you should include Armament Concentrate. Armament will help the plant pick up 20-30% of the nutrients in the soil that aren’t normally plant-available and improve the efficiency of your products.
Caring for Landscape Plants and Beds
Fertilizer Applications
Applying a granular or liquid fertilizer to your customers’ plants and landscape beds will help them recover from winter stress and give them the nutrients they need.
On the granular side, 14-14-10 with Armament will be a great option thanks to its steady-release technology and biosolids. An incredible liquid program is our Ultimate Ornamental Program, which consists of Foliar-Pak Bio 12-6-6, Chloroburst L, and Colonise Bio LTO. When it comes to other liquid options, Grow-In acts as a complete establishment program. Adding IMD 2SC (imidacloprid) or TriTek as a drench will also help manage pests.
Herbicide Applications
Don’t forget to apply pre-emergent herbicides to beds. This is not only a necessary step, but it’s very profitable as well. Your ATS rep can help guide you through our options, and you can take a look at some of our most popular products here. This is a tremendous add-on service, since you can do it while you’re already at customers’ properties.
If weeds do emerge, I recommend applying a combination of Ranger Pro and Flumishield SC to manage the weeds and leave a pre-emergent behind to prevent additional weeds from germinating.
For more tips and product recommendations, reach out to your ATS rep today.
