Enviro Masters Lawn Care

Mid-August Update: No heat wave can stop this team! We have managed to complete our late summer fertilizers during these hot few weeks. With the fertilizer treatments completed, and the weather cooperating with cooler temperatures, we will be focusing the next two weeks on completing our weed management and exterior pest control treatments. These treatments have been on hold due to the weather. Aerations and slit seeding work will begin in early September.

July Application Schedule: We are currently in the process of applying our chinch bug management treatments as well as doing our summer inspections. The second perimeter pest control treatments will begin on the 13th and the late summer fertilizer applications will begin in August. July and August are the two months that put lawns under a lot of stress. High humidity, heat and drought can take its toll on cool season grasses, but with proper maintenance, lawns are able to sta...y green and healthy. Here are a few simple tips for a healthy summer lawn: Watering: Lawns should be watered in the morning to avoid evaporation from the intense afternoon sun. Evening watering should also be avoided as the wet turf overnight is a perfect breeding ground for fungi and it will attract unwanted pests. Encourage roots to grow deeper by watering for longer durations less often and for at least 1 per week. Mowing: Raise your mowing height to a minimum of 3 and mulch the clippings. Never cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade in any single mowing. Make sure your mower blade is sharpened at least once per season. (I sharpen my blade at the beginning of each month) A dull mower blade will tear the grass instead of cutting it. The torn grass tips will dry out quicker and make it more susceptible to diseases.

June Application Schedule: Our weed management treatments are currently underway and are on schedule to be completed the week of June 15th. We will then be applying a second round of fertilizer as well as looking out for any chinch bug activity. One reoccurring question that we are asked during the spring is My neighbours don’t take care of their lawn, is it worth me even treating my side? Below is a picture of a lawn that we have been maintaining for a few seasons now. I would say it’s worth receiving the treatments.

Watering tips: Watering is recommended as soon as the first signs of drought appear or once a week for 1-2 hours per zone. Be sure to give your lawn a good soaking rather than a little bit several times per week. It is best to water early in the day, before the sun is too intense to avoid evaporation. If you can, avoid watering in the evening. This leaves the grass wet overnight, providing a potential breeding ground for Fungi, insects and diseases. Once a week encourages goo...d root growth and a healthier looking lawn. It has been a few seasons since we handed out rain gauges. Anyone looking for a new one, let us know and we’ll drop one off on our next visit. Ours was on the lawn to measure Mondays rainfall. Just over 2.5cm! We needed it. Below is a picture of a lawn we saw this past weekend. The lawn has the exact same sod, mowing company, and lawn treatments. The only difference is that the lawn to the right was watered this spring versus the one to the left that was not. What a difference one watering can do.

Turf Heat Stress, Already? We are starting to see more and more lawns showing us signs that this may be a hot and dry season. With not much rain so far and with temperatures already getting close to the 30’s, homeowners should consider getting those sprinklers out and raising their mowing height to 3. I’ve attached two pictures that were taken this week of common sights this spring. One picture is of a pool cover left on the ground during a hot day. The other picture is of a lawn being mowed too short, and too early during those hot days. The discoloured turf in these pictures may not be permanent, but still an eyesore.