LAWN
Q. Does weed control work if it rains after the application?
A. Yes, we use a spreader/sticker together with the weed control. After a half hour or so when the product is dry, it cannot be washed off by rain or sprinklers.
Q. How can I avoid drought stress to occur on my lawn?
A. We recommend that your lawn gets 2" - 3" of water per week. You will usually need, at least, 20 minutes per zone per day. This will insure continuous growth.
Q. What is mower stress on the lawn?
A. There are a several things that can cause mower stress on lawns. One of the most common is dull mower blades. Make sure you sharpen your mower blades professionally twice a year. Never cut your grass too low, We recommend a minimum height of 3". And finally, when the outside temperature is very hot (usually over 90) the wheels of your lawn mower can break the blades of your grass leaving brown tire tracks. Your lawn generally will recover in two to three weeks if you are watering properly.
Q. I have brown spots on my lawn. What are they?
A. There are many reasons for brown spots. A proper diagnosis by a professional is very important. It could be anything from a dog urine burn to a disease. Just call us for a free diagnosis.
Q. Why is it important to put a pre-emergent crabgrass control down in the spring?
A. In order to control crabgrass, the product must go down early in the season to create a barrier which stops germination. We usually recommend applying a pre-emergent before May 15 for best results.
Q. It has been three days since my application was done and I still have weeds?
A. Some broad-leaf weeds will curl up and die almost immediately and some will take as much as two weeks to die. In any case, if there are still weeds present after two weeks, simply call us and we will come right out and reapply the weed control at no extra charge.
Q. How long after an application is done on my lawn can I start watering?
A. You can begin to water your lawn after the sprays have dried which is usually in about an hour on a sunny day.
Q. When can I let my dog out after an application?
A. As soon as the grass is dry which is usually in about an hour on a sunny day.
Q. How often should I water?
A. We recommend watering every day between 5 am and 9 am for 20 - 30 minutes per zone. On extremely hot days, add an afternoon watering around 7 pm.
Q. When is the best time to seed?
A. In the spring and the fall.
Q. How many applications of fertilizer do I need each year?
A. We recommend that you fertilize every 4-5 weeks to keep your lawn healthy and green, about 6-7 applications a year.
Q. Why does my lawn have all these long raised tunnels?
A. Sounds like moles, these little critters love to eat the worms and grubs in the soil just below the grass. We have a very effective way of getting rid of them, just give us a call.
Q. I heard a core aeration could be very beneficial for my lawn. How?
A. An aeration has many benefits.
A. Just call or go online and order a service call. We are always glad to come out and meet with you to discuss and resolve any problem with your lawn.
Q. Last year I had a pre-emergent crabgrass application. But in August I had some crabgrass.
A). Some times the barrier that is created by pre-emergent crabgrass control becomes broken because of different factors like edging the grass along the sidewalk or even cutting the grass will sometimes affect the barrier. At Natural Way all you have to do when this happens, is give a call, we will come and apply a post emergent product that works well for this problem.
Q. Is there a charge if we need you to come back and look at our lawn?
A). No. We have a free service call policy to resolve all problems as they occur, this is why we can guarantee our service.
Q. I have been waiting all winter for you to get started on my lawn. When do you normally start service?
A). As soon as the weather permits. We want to start when the snow clears, so you will have the first green lawn on the block. In S.E. Michigan this is usually between March 15th and April 1st.
Q. Does a lawn fertilization Company need to be licensed?
A. Yes. Any Company that applies pesticides must be licensed by the state of Michigan. That is the law.
TREES AND SHRUBS
Q. My crab trees were beautiful in the spring, now the leaves are turning yellow and are falling off. Why?
A. You have a typical case of apple scab. This is a common disease on crabs. There are several different treatments to help control the disease. In the mean time rake up all those fallen leaves and dispose of them, otherwise the disease will be transposed thru the soil and back into the tree. call us we can help.
Q. My beautiful white Birch, has branches and leaves falling off. Please help!
A. European white birch's have a serious insect problem that is life threatening, they are Bronze birch borer and leaf miner. The good news is that they are both treatable. Contact us for a program to stop the damage.
Q. My new landscaping is only two years old, and many of the yews and boxwoods are turning brown and are dieing. Why?
A. Sounds like over-watering. The first five years of a new planting are critical for proper watering. Trees and shrubs can drown very easily before they become established, if the fine feeding roots sit in water too long without getting oxygen they will collapse and stop taking up water. Most people think because the plant is turning brown it needs more water, so they water and the plant dies quicker. Clay soil is also a large contributer to this problem.
Q. I have a large Magnolia tree that has all these brown and black umps on the bark. What is it ?
A. This is called Magnolia scale which is an insect. If these insects are not controlled it could be life threatening to the tree. This scale will only attack magnolia's, you need not be concerned with this insect affecting other plants. There are trunk injections, and sprays that will help control this problem.
Q. It is August, and I am seeing these web nest in my trees. Is this a serious problem?
A. Not very often, these are caterpillar tents and web worm. They usually defoliate some leaves on the tree, but are not life threatening. The following year the tree will usually leaf out just fine and you may not even see the nests again. Foliar sprays will help control damage.
Q. My alberta spruces get brown spots late in the season. What is causing this?
A. More than likely it is spider mites. One way to find out, is to do the white paper test. Take a sheet of paper put it in the bush near the brown spot, shake the branch and little red spiders should fall on the paper and start running around. Foliar sprays can control this problem.
Q. My Oak tree has very yellow leaves this year. Why?
A. This is typical especially in Pin Oaks. This is a lack of iron in the plant, the the tree needs this nutrient to produce chlorophyll which give leaves there green color. A trunk injection in the spring each year will help your tree recover.
Q. I have heard different info regarding how much I should water my trees and shrubs. Can you help?
A well established landscape only needs about 1/3 the water your lawn needs. The reason for this is because the roots of trees and shrubs are generally much deeper in the ground. So there is less evaporation and better retention of water. Watering your trees and shrubs twice a week for about 10 minutes is usually enough. This does not apply to annuals and some perrenials. A good example to back this up is, consider trees in parks that are only watered naturally.
Q. My purple plum was all chewed up, there's hardly any leaves left. What happened?
A. More than likely Japanese beetles, for about 3-4 weeks in June thru July these beetles are menacing but usually not life threatening, they can cause much damage. Insect spray's can be effective if you respond quickly.
