Lawn and Tree Care Services
All fertilizers used in our Lawn Care Program are custom made for healthy turf and soil. They are designed to deliver valuable organic matter to your soil in addition to the nutrients required to keep your lawn healthy. The organic matter is as important as the nutrients because it is the food source for the microorganisms in your soil. It is the microorganisms that naturally aerate your soil, decompose thatch, hold nutrients from leaching into the water table, and allow nutrients to be used more efficiently by plants.
The general timings are: Early Spring: March through May, Late Spring: May through June, Early Fall: August through October, Late Fall: October through December.
By having your soil tested by an independent Dr. Albright soil laboratory, we can precisely determine which nutrients, minerals and organic matterials should be amended to your soil. Properly balanced soil promotes healthier plants and reduces the amount of unwanted weeds. Seriously! A detailed proposal with recommendations for your lawn will be provided with the soil test results.
Core samples from throughout the lawn will be taken and sent to a professional soil testing laboratory. The organic matter content, the soil pH and the overall nutrient levels will be analyzed and a report will be generated. We will interpret this report for you and send you a copy along with any recommended actions based on the results. Having an occasional soil sample taken is a valuable part of an organic program because it helps us determine the best measures to build a healthy soil, not just treat the grass. A soil sample is recommended if one has not been taken in the past 3-5 years or if you have experienced repeated issues with all or parts of the lawn in the past.
Crabgrass Control (organic or chemical): Crabgrass is a common annual weed-grass that germinates in the spring and can eventually suffocate sections of the lawn as it grows larger throughout the summer. Crabgrass can show up anywhere, but it is most commonly found in lawns that are mowed too low, growing in poor soil, or are fully exposed to direct sunlight. The most common places to see crabgrass are along paved edges and on hills and bumps that tend to be scalped when mowing. If selected, crabgrass control will be applied as part of your early spring fertilizer visit. The organic crabgrass control material is a high protein version of corn gluten, which is actually a common feed ingredient. It's unique properties in the soil provide approximately 60% control of crabgrass. However, its rate of control tends to increases each year that it is used. The chemical crabgrass control provides approximately 70% crabgrass control. If the lawn is mowed less than 3" high or if areas are occasionally scalped too low, the rate of crabgrass control will be reduced, especially around driveway edges and on hills and banks. Mowing the lawn high (4"-4½") helps to minimize crabgrass invasion. Timing: March through May.
Broadleaf Weed Control: This weed control service is a mix of organic materials that selectively control dandelion, clover, chickweed, plantain, thistle, and many other weeds. All weed controls will be scheduled for the fall by default as this is the time of year when weed control provide the best results. In most cases, it is unnecessary to have more than one chemical weed control application per year (if you choose any at all). However, some difficult to control weeds, such as ground ivy, wild strawberry, speedwell, oxalis, spurge, and wild violet, usually require two applications in the fall to attain complete control. Wild violets generally require several years of repeated fall applications for permanent control. We will always maintain that balanced living soil, and thick turf mowed tall is the best long term weed control. Far better than inorganic materials that are a short term fix. Once biology in the soil is achieved you will have few if any weeds.
The best way to minimize spring weeds (especially dandelions) is with a fall weed control, however, if you strongly feel you need a weed control in the springtime, please contact our office so we can discuss the options as they relate to your specific property. Also, keeping the lawn thick and mowing at 4 to 4½" will greatly reduce the need for future applications. Calcium is king, a super mineral that has a direct relationship with plant health. Unfortunately, it is commonly lacking in neighborhood soil. Calcium helps lawns have fewer weeds especially dandelions. Dandelions by design are miners of calcium, their long tap root pulls calcium from our limestone base and gives it to other plants to use. A tell-tale sign of low calcium and boron are fields or lawns full of dandelions. Timing: May through June and October through December
Coreless Bio-Aeration: Compost topdressing is without question the best thing you can do for your lawn. A powerful combination of biological foods, plant stimulants, and soil amending ingredients used to re-charge the biological life in your soil. After this application it is not uncommon to have a sudden burst of soil activity appear. The foods in the material are a strong attraction for earthworms and they come in full force, naturally opening up and aerating your soil.
This service is valuable for all lawns, but it is extremely helpful for regenerating the soils of newer lawns where home building construction often leave lifeless subsoil. It takes years to regenerate a poor soil using fertilizers alone, but with topdressing material we can greatly accelerate the re-building process and bring the tangible benefits of healthy soil into reality much sooner.
Unlike mechanical aeration, which is short term, Band-Aid approach, the coreless bio-aeration material is unobtrusive, long-lasting, and in-tune with Natures naturally biological processes. Combined with a regular organic fertilizer program the soil results continually improve and the need for repeat applications of this material is eliminated. Timing: May through December.
Seeding is the most important service for having a great lawn. Seeding helps to thicken your turf and introduce more disease and drought resistant varieties of grass. It is usually best to overseed in the late summer or early fall, but we can arrange spring seeding for special circumstances. A thick lawn, mowed tall is your best natural weed control.
This is an all-natural plant growth stimulant and soil activator application. A “gourmet meal for your soil” containing highly beneficial micro-organisms, kelp extracts, trace minerals, and twenty-one different amino acids. All soils need a higher percentage of organic matter to grow healthier plants.
WEED AND PEST CONTROL
Weeds are, by definition, plants out of place. Weeds have a natural tendency to fill in if sun, water and nutrients are available without competition. Thick turf mowed tall is key. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that a weed is “a plant whose virtues have not been discovered.” Weeds grow for a purpose. If you correct underlying issue of why they grow you have less weeds without poison. Dandelions reduce compaction with long taproots. They are producers of organic matter. Clover is a legume that can fix free nitrogen from the atmosphere and share it with turfgrasses. Clover root systems are extensive and contribute significant amounts of resources to soil organisms. Perhaps our preconception of that perfect lawn needs to change and our zero tolerance for weeds should be reconsidered. Consider that most synthetic herbicides do not provide 100 percent control and that many lawns will receive multiple applications without that goal being reached.
Common conditions that promote certain weeds.
- Thinned turf
All weeds, especially annuals - Mowing too low
All weeds - Compacted soils
Annual bluegrass, crabgrass, dandelion, goosegrass, plantain, prostrate knotweed, prostrate spurge, speedwell - Poor drainage
Barnyardgrass, nutsedge, plantains - High nitrogen
Annual bluegrass - Low nitrogen
Black medic, clover (legumes) - High soil pH
Plantains - Low soil pH
Red sorrel, moss - Excessive surface moisture
Algae, annual bluegrass, moss - Drought conditions
Black medic, crabgrass, goosegrass, prostrate spurge, speedwell, yellow woodsorrel, clover - Shade
Chickweeds, moss, violets - Low calcium
Dandelion and many weeds favor lower C
Chiggers, skeeters, and ticks oh my. You don’t want to be bitten by ticks, eaten for dinner by mosquitoes, or have ants enjoying your food! This is where The Lawn Co. can help. We use Natural Plant Extracts to keep pesky bugs from ruining your day. These plant oils will reduce, kill, and repel not only the mosquitoes in the area but also other nuisance insects such as gnats and flies. BITE BACK with these safe and effective options.
Applied in the spring, Natural Essential Plant Oils are an effective natural control of grubs that feed on grass roots. Plant oils like Eastern Red Cedar helps to break the insect cycle by killing the eggs too. Say goodbye to grubs and hello to healthy turf and environment.
LANDSCAPING AND RESTORATION
Sudden storm surges pose a major risk to municipal water supplies, but there are ways to slow, sink, and store this water for later use. Holding water for less than 24 hours eases the strain on the City of Columbia storm water utilities.
Hold and capture rainfall to grow beautiful native plants and cover for birds. We can divert roof and storm water runoff to an elegant wetland pollinator garden.
We will identify the causes of erosion and use natural techniques to slow or stop further damage. Cost and methods vary on extent of erosion.
Create a new landscape with fruit and nut trees, berry bushes and edible ground-cover. Looks great around homes and provides a great teaching tool and food source. True food independence is possible by simply replacing ornamental with edible. Food so fresh, it doesn’t even know its dead yet.
Degraded pasture is the norm these days, but it does not have to be the case on your “back 40.” The Lawn Company knows grass and how to restore degraded land to new radiance. Land can be repurposed for pollinator habitat, forage for livestock, or a native prairie.
Not yet ready to convert your whole yard? Try planting a pollinator strip in your side yard or along the perimeter for added pollinator interest to your landscape.
When species begin to mono-culture, it is time to plan for something new. We have the equipment to tackle big clean-up projects and our natural ethic will help the land in its recovery.
Often used in agriculture, cover crops crowd out unwanted species from coming in while providing massive biological benefits to the soil. We have equipment able to tackle jobs large and small.
Plants provide a noticeable cooling effect when used near the home. Trees of all sizes, when planted strategically help cool off your home or patio from summer sun.
We will come up with a specific management plan depending on your goals and wishes. We can construct and provide shelter with Timber Stand Improvement. Work to improve quality of soil and increase nutrient content of browse and nut trees. The better the soil health the better the wildlife health.
If you can dream it, we can do it. Enough said. Give us a call to discuss your next project.
Stay ON the Lawn.
CALL or TEXT us at 442-LAWN (5296) to get in touch with us and request an estimate.
What type of lawn are you?
The most intensive to maintain. Missouri is a transition zone state, meaning it is not ideally suited for cool season fescue/ bluegrass or warm season zoysia due to our extreme seasonal weather shift. Cool season grass has a hard time thriving in our hot humid summers. This means it requires a great amount of resources, ie water, chemicals(gross) money, time, effort to keep it weed and disease free. Luckily when you build real soil by sequestering carbon from the atmosphere, you can greatly improving soil water holding capacity. By every 1% increase in soil organic matter, the soil can capture and hold onto 75,000 liters more water.
Our Process:
Site Consult. Test don't guess with a professional independent Dr. Albright method soil lab test. Create management plan based on the test results and customers lawn type. Apply compost to raise organic matter level and activate soil food web. Seed, Seed, Seed with Turf Type Tall Fescue. Ideally mix micro-clover in the mix. Stay ON the lawn and enjoy it. Heck roll around in it. That's what a lawn is for.
Our most drought-tolerant alternative lawn. We hand-mix two tall fescues, including a Rhizomatous Tall Fescue type, that are deeply rooted to go further into the soil for water. We add nitrogen-fixing white clover and a sturdy herb, both of which stay green in long periods of drought. Crowds out weeds. Improved tall fescue varieties with high turf quality now make this a greener alternative for lawns.
Mow about twice a month to maintain this lawn at a height between 4 and 5 inches.
Nitrogen-fixing microclover is the backbone to many of our eco-lawn mixes. Premium grass varieties and clovers work together to form a thick, dense turf that prevents weeds from establishing. These lawns are self-fertilizing and require fewer inputs like water and your time.
Years of natural selection have resulted in a clover small in stature with an even growth habit that makes an ideal addition to grass lawns. This perennial clover remains greener much longer than grasses in both drought and cold conditions. It has good summer color and is particularly resistant to drought because of its deep rooting system.
For the past 50 years, clover has been considered a lawn weed, but before that it was an important component in fine lawns—and for good reason. Clover is drought-tolerant, virtually immune to diseases and distasteful to common turf insects. Clovers generate their own food by fixing nitrogen in the soil and they are a favorite of bees and other beneficial pollinators when they are allowed to bloom.
Not to be confused with miniclover or micro clover, Microclover®, Trifolium repens var Pipolina ssp Microclover, is adapted to a wide range of climatic and soil conditions; it is already growing successfully all around the world.
Although this is the lawn alternative for dog owners and Parks & Rec departments, a dog is not required. Premium Turf-type Tall Fescue varieties and Microclover® provide wear and drought tolerance. The tall fescue's rhizomatous ‘self-repairing’ growth pattern and Microclover's salt tolerance counter effects of pet urine. A bit of vigorous perennial ryegrass rounds out the mix. Full sun to dappled shade. A great choice for any high traffic area where drought tolerance and Rhizomatous Tall Fescue attributes are desired. To obtain some eco-lawn benefits, overseed with Dog Park onto existing tall fescue lawns.
With its mix of flowers, clovers and grasses, Fleur creates a symbiotic pollinator habitat between your lawn and your garden. It looks lovely in lawns, transitional areas or anywhere you need a low-input green cover. The clovers naturally self-feed the lawn with nitrogen, and the low growing flowers give it beautiful blooming color. Plant on bare soil for best results. Mow about once a month to keep plants in balance. Maintain as high as 5 inches for a mini-meadow look or 3 inches for a more manicured lawn.
Let It Grow Grasses an ecology lawn when left unmown. We blend five fine fescue grasses, selecting the best performing varieties. Simple to maintain with dramatic results. Unmown grasses grow 6-12 inches and flop over to create a wind-tossed effect. Drought tolerant. Grows in sun and shade. Mow or line trim once or twice a year to maintain the "flopped look" and remove seed head stalks.
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CALL or TEXT us at 442-LAWN (5296) to get in touch with us and request an estimate.