Learn why March is the perfect time to start protecting your lawn from crabgrass and foxtail. ULTRALawn’s early spring pre-emergent treatments ensure full-season weed control and healthier lawns.
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As 2022 was coming to a close, we did a quick synopsis of what we had encountered that growing season. The general feeling was that it was a very unique year and we were hopeful that some of the problems we found wouldn’t become new traditions. The good news is that insect issues were not nearly as bad in 2023, and that was a major concern of ours heading into this season! The bad news is that the periodic stretches of dry weather from 2022 turned into a near season-long drought in 2023.
A relatively mild, dry winter started our year off with a moisture deficit. That deficit never went away, as every month of the growing season failed to provide the amount of moisture we needed to return our lawns and landscapes to a state of proper hydration. Without additional irrigation, plants lacked color and vigor. Flowers were sparse and small, and scenic landscapes lacked their usual “wow!” factor. Depending on species, some mature shade trees showed various signs of drought stress all season.
On lawns, the prolonged drought showed itself in a number of ways. The vibrant green color of spring was faded and lawns came out of winter more slowly. It is usually a battle to keep the lawn mowed in the months of May and June, because the grass is growing very fast. We did not have that problem this year, and the lack of growth meant thin or bare areas never fully healed. Lawns were battling dormancy all summer, resulting in a thinning of the turf and increased susceptibility to compaction, traffic, and insect damage. A reduced turf canopy opened the soil to warmth and sunlight, which gave weeds an avenue to break through. Luckily, some timely rains in the later part of fall helped hydrate the soil and give our plant life much needed water to help restore some of its lost luster. The late rains also gave us a clear picture on areas that may require seeding in the spring.
Another issue that was frustrating to us and our customers involved the increased amount of raccoon damage that was seen for a few weeks in October. Whenever we see animals digging through turf, our immediate reaction is to assume that there is a problem with insects. Even after using a product that kills grubs and other surface insects, the raccoons were still digging! Why? Well, we learned a few things! First, raccoon populations have exploded across the state of Iowa over the last 15 years. The price for fur has gone down considerably, and fewer people are trapping them as a source of income. Due to several dry years in a row, it is becoming more difficult for them to find food in their natural habitat. As a result, they are searching around homes and in urban areas for something to eat. Second, they don’t care if their food is alive or dead. We found a few grubs on properties that were dealing with raccoons, but they were not white or lively. Those grubs weren’t damaging the turf, but a hungry raccoon doesn’t care. Third, raccoons are great at finding anything to eat. It turns out their presence doesn’t indicate an insect issue at all. The problem was the raccoons themselves. There are simply too many of them and the only solution that was found that had a positive impact was to trap or eliminate them. The state of Iowa has changed its laws around dealing with raccoons, and our hope is that their populations come under control and they stop being such a nuisance for our customers.
We’ve competed with companies big and small over nearly four decades in business. What makes us a trusted name in eastern Iowa lawn care?
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At UltraLawn, we continually work to provide the best service possible. This includes researching various fertilizer and pest control products and selecting the right tools to provide optimal value and results. For years, “conventional” lawn application programs relied heavily on synthetic fertilizers. However, we are excited to be modifying our program to include an organically blended fertilizer for all our applications! What is the difference between these products? What benefits can you expect? Let’s take a look….
Synthetic fertilizers are best known for being fast-acting and for coming in a variety of forms such as liquid, pellet, granule, and spike. Synthetic fertilizers are water-soluble and can be taken up by plants almost immediately. All lawn fertilizers are formulated to provide three main nutrients; nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In the turf world, these are referred to as N, P and K. These nutrients come from a lab; certain chemical compounds are mixed and broken down, and eventually blended together to give us a final product. While these products provide a quick-hit of nutrients and rapid greening, the color won’t last as long as when organically derived fertilizers are used. Consumers must reapply synthetic fertilizers regularly to keep the results from fading. UltraLawn has always used synthetic fertilizers that are treated and coated to release nutrients in a more controlled fashion, in an attempt to keep your lawn a nice, green color for as long as possible.
Synthetic fertilizers give plants a quick boost but do little to stimulate soil life, improve soil texture, or improve your soil’s long-term fertility. They’re highly water soluble and can leach into waterways. The quick results of synthetic fertilizers can come at a cost; apply too much and it may burn your lawn and plants. In order to deliver nutrients to the turf, limestone pellets are coated with nutrient blends. This method is extremely effective at ensuring a consistent layer of fertilizer is being applied, and the entire lawn is covered thoroughly. However, what’s left behind when the nutrients are fully released? Limestone, while not being bad for the soil, doesn’t truly provide benefits to the soil either. These conventional products do more for the turf, than for the soil. Synthetic fertilizers can do a lot of great things when used properly, but here at UltraLawn, “mostly great” isn’t good enough. With that in mind, let’s find out some more about organic fertilizers.
Instead of being mixed in a lab, the nutrients that the turf needs come from animal or plant waste products. Organic products are more sustainable, thereby leaving a smaller carbon footprint. Fertilizers derived from organic sources provide benefits to both plants and soil and when used properly, won’t burn or damage plants. Organically derived fertilizers improve the structure of the soil, and stimulate micro-organisms in the soil. Soil microbes play a key role in converting organic fertilizers into soluble nutrients that can be absorbed by plants at a rate they can use. Organically derived fertilizers often provide the secondary and micronutrients plants need, usually absent in synthetic fertilizers.
Organically derived fertilizers typically have a lower NPK analysis (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) than synthetics fertilizers, but they feed plants for a much longer period of time. As a result, the impact of organic fertilizers on lawn and plants is usually more subtle. It may take a little longer to see results, but the reward is a lawn that stays greener longer. There are no waste products in an organic fertilizer, everything in the bag is beneficial and used by the soil and turf!
There are a few downsides to a fully organic program; the cost is higher, and warmth and moisture is needed for those nutrients to be broken down and made available to the plant. Also, options for weed control and grub control are severely limited following a strict organic program.
At UltraLawn, we offer several options for those who wish to follow a program that is more environmentally conscious:
This program features five applications with a 100% organically-derived fertilizer product. These products are loaded with beneficial nutrients and microbes, and will be excellent for building soil and turf health. However, this program does not include any forms of weed or insect control.
This program also includes 5 applications, with the first being a fertilizer with pre-emergent weed control. All other applications use organic-based fertilizers, and weed control is accomplished through spot-treatments. This program offers all the benefits that come with organic fertilizer, while accomplishing weed control as needed!
Our 6-application program offers the best combination of fertility and weed control in the area! Our sixth application includes a grub preventer, which will protect your lawn from devastating pests. We will be combining the best of the synthetic/organic worlds and providing an organic blend fertilizer as part of this program. This program utilizes granular fertilizers and liquid products at the right time, to ensure your lawn is getting what it needs when it needs it! The best lawn care program around is now even better!
Give UltraLawn a call today for a free estimate, and to talk with our staff about making your lawn an UltraLawn!
We apply 4 granular applications and 2 liquid. We choose the application method based on what is most effective for the time of year.
Weed control is always best applied in liquid form as we can control exactly where the product goes. Our fertilizer has slow release properties whether it’s in liquid or granular form.
We use a different fertilizer each time we’re there. We apply the proper amount of the proper nutrients throughout the season.
During the same visit as our summer application.
No, we do not sell our fertilizer. We provide the service of applying it for you.
No, the 1st application contains pre-emergent crabgrass control, which prevents seed to germinate. If you do wish to seed it is best to bring a layer of soil in to cover the area then do your seeding. FYI, the best time of year to seed is August or September.
Yes, if you would like the product to become active. Otherwise, it will become active once it has come in contact with moisture.
No. Typically, the 1st application is applied before dandelions are actively growing and therefore weed control at that time is ineffective.
Light raking is good before or after this treatment. If there is matted down grass it is always best to rake lightly to help the surface breathe and allow for a faster green up.
We do power rake, however, we recommend you aerate once a year as aeration does not cause stress on your lawn like power raking does. Aeration helps reduce thatch and compaction at the same time, and it’s usually cheaper!
It is natural for lawns to develop a thatch issue if aeration is not performed on a regular basis.
Our applications are thoroughly tested and are approved for use where children and pets will be playing. The EPA performs roughly 120 tests on the products we’re using before they get approved for use.
We recommend you have pets/children stay off the lawn until the liquid applications that we apply have time to dry, which can vary from 1 to 3 hours depending on the humidity and so on. With granular applications you can re-enter the lawn immediately following our treatment.
Our aerators can only fit into a 36” gate.
No, you will need to trap or try a bait for the moles in order to eradicate them from your lawn. A grub preventer is not a mole preventer. The main food source for moles is earth worms and you wouldn’t want to hurt them as they help your lawn.
No, rolling of lawns counteracts the effects of an aeration. It makes your lawn compacted.
We would recommend a minimum of 3 applications so you will not have crabgrass, however, if this is not feasible then late spring and early fall would be the best options if dandelions are your biggest concern. We can get limited control of crabgrass and dandelion control with the early spring and early fall treatments.
Yes, it does.
3 apps = an extra $5 per, 2 apps = an extra $10 per, and 1 app = an extra $20 per.
If it was a granular applications, great! The rain will help the product become active. If it was a liquid application, a light rain will only help the nutrients get deeper into the soil. If it was a heavy rain it is possible for the weed control to be affected; in this case remember we provide free service calls, if you have weeds that don’t die after a couple weeks please let us know and we’ll re-treat free of charge.
Let us get that price for you. We will always measure your lawn for our own records.
Yes, you may. We can get you a total discount for prepaying.
Unfortunately, not today. Give us a call and we’ll see what we can do as quickly as possible.
No, we do not have the proper equipment to do this type of work.
Yes, we do accept credit cards for payment. We just do not accept credit/debit cards for prepayments due to third party fees. If you wish to prepay with a credit card, that’s fine however the discount will not apply. Did you know you can set up auto pay?
Now that spring is in full swing, we can start enjoying the flowers – haven’t the flowering trees been spectacular? There is a down side, though. The warmer weather is bring the pests back in full force, too.
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