The DREAM LAWN GOLD SERVICE PROGRAM
Visit 1 Early Spring
We will apply a granular fertilizer with pre-emergent crabgrass control; also broadleaf weed control will be applied as necessary to control the weed’s seeds as they begin to germinate.
Visit 2 Late Spring
Granular fertilizers with 30% slow release. Spot spraying for broadleaf weeds if light, hose or tank spray if coverage is heavy. Inspect for insect or disease on turf and plantings.
Visit 3 Mid June
We will apply a pre-emergent application to control grubs and other sub-surface feeding insects. (This application needs to be watered in within 24 hours of applications to ensure effectiveness.
Visit 4 Mid June
Granular fertilizer with 50% slow release that breaks down slowly, a benefit in heat and drought of summer. Spot spraying any broadleaf weeds, ivy or clover which appear at this time. Inspect for insect or disease.
Visit 5 Early September
Granular fertilizer with 30% slow release nutrients. This is the most critical application for cool season grasses in our area. Improves turf color through fall and promotes root growth and grass vigor. Weeds are spot sprayed at this time. Inspect for grubs.
Visit 6 Late Fall
Winter stress can wreak havoc on your lawn. We will apply fertilizer rates that promote deep root growth, color, and long-term nutrient.
The DREAM LAWN SILVER SERVICE PROGRAM
Visit 1 Early Spring
We will apply a granular fertilizer with pre-emergent crabgrass control; also broadleaf weed control will be applied as necessary to control the weed’s seeds as they begin to germinate.
Visit 2 Late Spring
Granular fertilizers with 30% slow release. Spot spraying for broadleaf weeds if light, hose or tank spray if coverage is heavy. Inspect for insect or disease on turf and plantings.
Visit 3 Mid June
Granular fertilizer with 50% slow release that breaks down slowly, a benefit in heat and drought of summer. Spot spraying any broadleaf weeds, ivy or clover which appear at this time. Inspect for insect or disease.
Visit 4 Early September
Granular fertilizer with 30% slow release nutrients. This is the most critical application for cool season grasses in our area. Improves turf color through fall and promotes root growth and grass vigor. Weeds are spot sprayed at this time. Inspect for grubs.
Visit 5 Late Fall
Winter stress can wreak havoc on your lawn. We will apply fertilizer rates that promote deep root growth, color, and long-term nutrient.
The DREAM LAWN BRONZE SERVICE PROGRAM
Visit 1 Early Spring
We will apply a granular fertilizer with pre-emergent crabgrass control; also broadleaf weed control will be applied as necessary to control the weed’s seeds as they begin to germinate.
Visit 2 Mid June
Granular fertilizer with 50% slow release that breaks down slowly, a benefit in heat and drought of summer. Spot spraying any broadleaf weeds, ivy or clover which appear at this time. Inspect for insect or disease.
Visit 3 Early September
Granular fertilizer with 30% slow release nutrients. This is the most critical application for cool season grasses in our area. Improves turf color through fall and promotes root growth and grass vigor. Weeds are spot sprayed at this time. Inspect for grubs.
Visit 4 Late Fall
Winter stress can wreak havoc on your lawn. We will apply fertilizer rates that promote deep root growth, color, and long-term nutrient.
ORGANIC ALTERNATIVES
More and more, people are seeking information about the use of organics on their lawns. Concerns for the environment and safety for children and pets are common reasons to look for alternatives to conventional “synthetic” fertilizers and pesticides.
If your lawn is in good shape with few weeds and thick coverage, it is relatively easy to convert from synthetics to organics. HOwever, if your lawn is filled with weeds and weedy grasses and has sparse coverage, it is often better to kill the entire lawn and start again with new grass varieties that perform extremely well with an organic program.
With either choice, we recommend starting with a soil test to determine the quality and ability of the soil to grow and sustain healthy grass. The soil test will measure the pH, nutrient levels and percentage of organic matter present, and will determine if any corrections need to be made.
Benefits of Organics
- Safer for the environment
- No concerns with children and pets
- Focus is on healthy soil
- Increase beneficial microbes in soil
- Are non-burning
- Can be applied in droughts
- Reduces thatch
Disadvantages vs Synthetics
- Higher cost
- More product required
- Slower to green up
- Weed control more difficult
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PROGRAM
For those customers who want to reduce the chemicals (synthetics) applied on the lawn, but have heavy stubborn weeds or who do not want to see any weeds. This program consists of:
- A pre-emergent synthetic application in spring for crabgrass
- Four organic blend fertilizer applications
- Spot sprayed synthetic herbicide weed control
- A specially formulated organic winterizer application
GRUB CONTROL
White grubs are the most common and destructive of all lawn pests in northern IL. Adult beetles (emerging in May/June) hide in thatch during the day and come out at night to feed on the leaves of crabapple, ash, oak, birch, and other trees. They lay eggs in the soil in mid-summer primarily in areas that are watered, near pavement and in full sun. These eggs hatch in June and July and grow into larvae that are white, C shaped with brown heads. These larvae feed on grass roots killing the entire plant. The damage generally appears in mid August and may continue until early October.
Japanese beetle grubs can also be found in our area with damage similar to and occurring at the same time as the white grub. In June and July, adult Japanese beetles may be present causing severe damage as they feed on the leaves of ornamental plantings and trees.
Damage from either type of grub is similar and will appear as brown patches in the lawn. You may even see activity from skunks and raccoons who tear up these areas in order to feed on the grubs.