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This section contains answers to the most frequently asked questions about lawns and lawn services performed by our Nutrite Experts. If you do not find the information you are looking for, do not hesitate to contact us.
Yes, if the technician has only done a fertilizer application. Fertilizers are safe for humans and animals.
If your lawn received a control of undesirable weeds or insects, a delay of 24 or 48 hours is required before allowing re-entry on the lawn. After the visit, you will find the information on the service performed on your invoice, a notice given by the technician or the sign placed on your lawn.
The effect of herbicides is not instantaneous; it takes several days for the product to do its work. Several factors also influence the performance of the herbicide: type of weeds, weather conditions, growth stage of the plant, etc.
Not all broadleaf weeds react the same way. Patience is required. Some are tougher and need more than one application to disappear completely.
Grass clippings are a natural source of nitrogen for your lawn. By leaving them in place, your lawn is fertilized throughout the season. This practice is called grasscycling.
However, grass clippings should always be removed when weeds are in the seed stage or when the lawn is diseased. This prevents the spreading of broadleaf weeds and diseases.
In early spring and fall, the lawn can be mowed shorter, about 5 cm. Then, raise the mower blades to 8 cm for the entire summer season. Short mowing leaves your lawn vulnerable to drought, disease, insects, weed germination and trampling damage. This is one of the main causes of poor lawn condition.
Never cut more than one-third of the grass stem at a time and keep the mower blades sharp to avoid injuries: they are open doors for disease. In hot weather, avoid mowing; the lawn is not growing anyway. For a healthy, long-lasting lawn, raise the blades of your mower and maintain it carefully.
To be healthy, a lawn needs 2 to 3 cm of water per week. If the weather is very dry and it doesn’t rain, watering is necessary.
Prefer less frequent, deep watering rather than short, frequent surface watering. Deep watering promotes the development of a deep, weather-resistant root system. The stronger the roots of your lawn, the more resistant it will be to extreme weather conditions.
The best time to water is early in the morning or early in the evening, if municipal regulations permit. Avoid watering in direct sunlight and, if possible, allow time for the lawn to dry before the night to prevent the development of fungal diseases. Always follow your municipality’s watering regulations.
To be dense and healthy, your lawn needs a certain amount of sunlight daily. Some grasses are more shade tolerant than others. Be sure to choose a seed mix that is suitable for your sunny conditions. If you don’t get any sun at all, it’s better to choose a different plant.
For shaded areas, choose seeding rather than sod, which is mainly composed of Kentucky bluegrass, a grass that requires sun. Choose mixes of more tolerant varieties such as fescue or ryegrass. Annual overseeding can help you increase the density of your lawn, even in areas where it is difficult for lawns to grow.
The best periods for sowing lawns are in the spring and fall.
In the spring, as soon as the risk of frost is over and the yard has been cleaned up, you can sow. Ideally, lawns should be seeded between mid-May and mid-June, after the frost and before the heat. Fall is also a good time to seed lawns since the soil is still warm and water is available for good germination and the development of a strong and deep root system before the snow. Sow from mid-August to mid-September.
Your soil should remain moist for two weeks after seeding. Be sure to water daily until the seeds germinate.
When preparing the soil for sod installation, compost and fertilizer can be added to promote rooting. We recommend 15 cm of topsoil for optimal rooting and good health of the lawn.
One month after installation, once you have ensured that the turf rolls are well established, you can fertilize your lawn to provide it with the nutrients necessary for its health. Mow at least twice before fertilizing.
When aerating your lawn, cores of soil – hence the name coring – will be taken out of the soil to loosen it and allow water, air and nutrients to better penetrate the soil. It is recommended to leave these removals on the surface of the lawn. They will naturally decompose and feed your lawn. If you want to speed up the process, you can break up the clumps with a rake. To learn more about aeration, read our article on the subject.
To grow, a lawn needs a certain amount of nutrients that it absorbs from the soil. Fertilization is the way to replenish the soil’s supply of nutrients. Over time, if fertilizer is not added to the soil, the reserve will be depleted and the lawn will decline.
Three elements are essential for the growth of a healthy, long-lasting lawn: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Since most Quebec soils are rich in phosphorus, the professional fertilizers used by the Nutrite Experts Network do not contain any. Balanced fertilization will result in a dense, vigorous and healthy lawn. It will also help the lawn better resist harmful organisms (diseases, insects and weeds).
If you fertilize your lawn by yourself, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s dosage and instructions. Applying more fertilizer will not make your lawn look better or greener. In fact, it may cause more harm than good to the lawn and its environment.
Depending on the work that has been done on your lawn, your Nutrite Expert will inform you of the proper care to give to your lawn. For certain treatments, it is necessary to water to help the product penetrate the soil and maximize its effectiveness. Be an ally of the Network by following the recommendations of your expert.
During his visit, if the technician notices a problem on your lawn, he will mention it to you. By following his advice, you will maximize your investment and get the expected results for your durable lawn.
Every lawn is different and in order to give it the appropriate care it needs, a technician must come to your home to make a proper diagnosis. That’s why no price is given online or by phone for your lawn care. Ask for a free estimate, a technician will come to your home as soon as possible to evaluate your lawn and propose the package that suits you best. You do not need to be present at the time of the evaluation and no service will be performed without your consent.