In previous articles, I have been dealing with the homeowner’s activities with their lawns. Demographically about 75 percent of the homeowners take care of their lawns. However, this percent begins to drop with increase in family income and age of the homeowner. That leaves 25 percent of homeowners contracting with a lawn care service.
Over the many years I have been involved in dealing with homeowners and their yards, there is a game of musical chairs, played by the homeowner with their lawn care service. The homeowner will sign up with lawn service “A” for 1 or 2 years, discontinue that service and sign up with lawn service “B”. Why? The lawn begins to decline. The blame is to be shared by both parties.
The reasons for lawn decline are several. These are some of them.
(1) Unbalanced soil nutrient levels such as high phosphorus and low potassium.
(2) Above or below the recommended soil pH range.
(3) Applying nitrogen fertilizer before April and/or after August 15. A combination of nitrogen and variations of winter temperatures is a major cause of winter injury.
(4) Applying above the recommended rates of herbicide.
(5) Applying pre-emergent herbicides at the wrong time of year.
(6) Applying a pre-emergent herbicide not recommended for a particular turf.
(7) Applying a pre-emergent herbicide on sod that is not established, less than 1 year.
(8) Moisture control, too much or not enough water.
(9) Thatch build-up.
(10) Improper mowing heights
(11) Insect pressure
(12) Nematode pressure
Make sure to read next month’s article on how we can solve the problem of who’s to blame.
