Showing posts with label lawn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lawn. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Which program should I choose?

Hello Gerry:

I am interested in going with your company.

I like the fact it appears if you have a problem or a question is there usually someone that can answer within a day or two.

This was my main beef with the current company I have. No one was ever there or for that matter cared  and since I am fairly new to all of this believe me, I was not impressed
I am trying to compare your program with what I have now, 

What would be the best thing to do from here.  I was hoping I could get a discount for prepaying or any others I may qualify for.

Thank you, looking forward to hearing from you 
Judy

Hi Judy
Sometimes doing the same program as before is okay if that program is what you need.

Sometimes it may be helpful to start from square one to figure out what your needs in fact are.

Most people want a healthy, green lawn-> fertilization. We find it costs the same time for our guys to spread high quality fertilizer as it does to spread mediocre quality fertilizer. Our 3 fertilizer program is equivalent to many other 4 fertilizer programs. 

Most people prefer to not have too many weeds- so at least a couple of spot weed treatments if the lawn is in reasonable shape. Blanket treatments may be necessary if the lawn has been neglected and is very weedy.

You mentioned grub treatment. You may have had a problem in the past. No one can predict if the adult beetles will lay eggs on your lawn this year or not. Certain areas of the city are often more likely to get grubs than other areas. Areas with high grub populations are likely to have more adults that will lay eggs in the summer. 

Some people feel more comfortable, knowing that they have done something to reduce the risk of grub damage. Organic nematodes are not as effective as Merit (the product now banned that was less poisonous than table salt.)

Your neighbour, Bob says he has a problem with crabgrass. This is usually a problem in sunny areas, especially along the edges. An organic crabgrass preventer can be applied. It is about 50% effective. That sounds not bad, but in August the 50% that may come up can look 100% terrible. Because of this it is important to look at other cultural methods to reduce the risk of crabgrass. Mowing higher, re-adjusting the lawn levels along the edges, and seeding to increase lawn density in crabgrass-risky areas may be needed as well.

A prepayment discount is always available to new customers, the paying of which we appreciate but target is not fixed until we figure out what you need.

Gerry

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Mushrooms in the lawn

This is an enquiry email via http://www.hamiltonturfking.ca/ from: Lana 
 

Hello we bought a home four years ago and had a stump removed. Last summer mushrooms started to appear. Do you treat lawns for this?

Thank you
Hi Lana
Thanks for your enquiry.
 
The mushrooms in your lawn are most likely due to various wood decaying fungi that are decomposing the wood fibres in the roots of the tree/stump that was removed. It is likely that even if you removed the stump, that there are still a lot of roots beneath the surface.
 
The mushrooms are not damaging to the lawn. They will not harm it. In fact, as they break down the roots they will add valuable humus and organic matter to the soil. 

The mushrooms will often appear during rainy weather and damp conditions as this is when the reproductive spores are formed and sent off to find new homes. 
 
If the appearance of the mushrooms bothers you, I normally recommend (to golfers, at least) that a  5 Iron does a good job of removing them. They do normally disappear after a few days.
 
There is no way to prevent their appearance without removal of the roots that they are decomposing. Any treatments otherwise are not available. I do remember that there used  to be a product for mushrooms 40 years ago, but it seems to me it contained mercury and this would not be a very environmentally friendly product.
 
Gerry
 

Friday, December 23, 2011

Shepherd's Guide- Just Out


Great Lawns Start Here- Lawn Care at its Best

Healthier, Greener Lawn
Earn AIR MILES (R) reward miles
New Organic Weed Treatment
Serving Hamilton, Haldiman, Burlington, Oakville, Grimsby
905.318.6677 1.888.TURFKING (1.888.887.3546)
www.hamiltonturfking.ca
95 Hempstead Dr, Unit 14, Hamilton, ON L8W 2Y6
Fully Guaranteed
G Okimi B.Sc.(Agr.)
LAWN CARE EXPERTS
The Shepherd's Guide

Friday, April 1, 2011

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Kijiji Lawn Care Special March 28-29/2011

CLICK THIS PHOTO  to go to the Kijiji Daily Deal

This is a limited time special- can't guarantee the link will work after the sale ends.
http://bit.ly/fbKN05


Features

  • Turf King promotes the use high, quality, long lasting fertilizers to provide needed nutrition, fertilizer also contains organic components that will continue to feed your lawn for up to a year or more
  • Supplement-Root Proliferator accelerates and increase of root mass and volume, improved nutrient absorption, greater tolerance to drought, greater resistance to disease and more!
  • With Turf King you can be proud of your lawn with little maintenance and minimal impact on the environment


Keep in mind

Expires 6 months from date of issue.
Limit 1 per person (may buy unlimited as gifts); Taxes are included; Must book in advance; One voucher per household address; Not valid with any other offers; New clients only; Valid for lawns up to 5,000 sq ft. but voucher can be used as credit toward a bigger property; Valid for Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Grimsby, Beamsville, and Haldimand areas.

Read the general deal FAQ for more details


About this deal

You can forget about the old adage: The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. This year ensure the grass stays green on your side. Let Turf King help get your lawn in pristine condition, for $59 you'll get a lawn care package that includes slow release Fertilizer and a Root Proliferator application ($204 Value). 


Turf King strives to give you a healthy, green lawn. To this end, Turf King, the lawn experts promote the use of high quality, long lasting fertilizers to provide needed nutrition. With Turf King you can be proud of your lawn with little maintenance and minimal impact on the environment. Turf King Hamilton gives your lawn the best possible lawn fertilizer. Their fertilizer also contains organic components that will continue to feed your lawn for up to a year or more. And, it contains their organic Kelp Supplement, which supplies essential plant hormones and micronutrients. 


In addition to their customized fertilizer, Turf King gives your lawn a boost with a Supplement-Root Proliferator. This nutrient supplement accelerates and increase of root mass and volume, improves overall lawn health, improved nutrient absorption, greater tolerance to drought, greater resistance to disease, stimulates soil microbial activity, reduces thatch accumulation, reduces toxicity in the soil, helps lawns to crowd out weed and more. 


Green will be your lawn's winning colour with Turf King's Fertilizer and Root Proliferator application. And green with envy will be your neighbour over your lush emerald lawn.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Over the Phone Diagnosis

Lou sign up as a new Turf King customer for 2010. Chris lives down the street. Lou's lawn was greatly improved by the lawn care program.
Chris moved in a year and a half ago, but the lawn just didn't want to measure up, in spite of tender loving care, seeding and watering. Lou recommend a call to Turf King.
Chris called and described the situation on the lawn. "It's patchy, and bare, the seed didn't grow." A few questions to pinpoint the time of year that the problems started. Doesn't sound like an insect problem. They tend to occur within certain time periods that correspond with their life cycles.

Sounds like you have Necrotic Ring Spot- a lawn disease. Sure enough, once at the site, the spots and patchiness were very typical of this particular disease.

Call Turf King for your problem lawns. We have the experience and we can help.
905-318-6677
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Monday, March 21, 2011

Robin on My Lawn Care Mind

Active Image

Call Now To Enroll- Special -GET a SWEET DEAL Pricing.

Enroll in our Superior (#402A)  Lawn Care Program- receive a free Fall Deep Root Feeding of your front yard landscape when you book a new 2011 Superior #402A lawn program by April 24, 2011.
#402A Program includes Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter applications of our custom blended Turf King Fertilizer + spring and fall weed treatments.
(For new clientsl/orders. Deep Root Feeding up to 3,000 sq ft front yard. Small down payment required)

You can Request a Quote online.

Earn AIR MILES reward miles, too

Or call 905-318-6677

Sunday, March 20, 2011

First Robin Haldimand County




Saw a pair of robins today, don't know if I was able to catch him in this photo. The Blackberry camera is not a very quick point and click device. But there were 2 robins hopping around on the lawn


www.hamiltonturfking.ca

Friday, March 18, 2011

Click to Win- Enter Now

Turf King Hamilton's Click to Win Lawn Care Contest is heating up.


CLICK TO WIN...with Turf King!!

Win $300 worth of professional lawn care services
or 1000 FREE AIR MILES reward miles.

While you're at it Request a Quote so you will be all prepared.
Don't Settle for a Hamburger and Fries Lawn program when what you really want and what your lawn will prefer is a Steak and Potatoes Dinner.
Often people will say to me "Why does your lawn program cost more than XYZ company? They are giving me meat, potatoes, fresh vegetables and a drink for $xx."
I try to explain that it like comparing the hamburger and fries from the fast food lawn company to our much more robust lawn meal. No one would ask Kelseys why their meat, potatoes, fresh vegetables and a drink cost more than the meat, potatoes, fresh vegetables and a drink  from the golden arches.
Unfortunately, it takes some time for people to learn that 3 fertilizers and a couple of weed treatments do not necessarily make for a good lawn meal.
What kind of nutrients are being applied? Is it "fast food" nutrition or is it a long-lasting, high quality fertilizer that is custom blended to the soil conditions in this area.
Is your meal being served by teenagers who work part-time or is your lawn being cared for by lawn technicians who have a career in this business?
If you're looking for more than a fast food lawn program, give us a call. 
905-318-6677
1-888-887-3546 888-TURFKING


Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Chinch Bug Photo

most chinch bug photos are small and of poor quality

A high resolution photo is available here http://www.nbhta.ca/english/images/Figure_7-4.jpg

See our library for more info on Chinch bugs.

www.lawncarehamilton.com


If you have a lawn/tree/shrub that needs some Tender Loving Care- get The KING OF GREEN:
or call us at 905.318.6677 or 1.888.TURFKING (887.3546)
If you would like more information, please Contact us
Follow us on Twitter  http://twitter.com/turfkingofgreen

Overseeding Myths & Facts

Nutrite Lawn Care Seminar
Cathy Wall, Quality Seed

Strategy- what is our objective?
Is it thin? Renovate
To thicken turf? Rejuvenate

Site
Soil
Fertility
Moisture
Sun/shade
Competition from other plants

Species
Establishme
Growth habit
Texture
Mtce- low or high
Competitive ability

Kentucky Bluegrass
Slow initial establishment-28 days
Rhizominous growth
Fine texture
Sunny environment, winter hardy
High maintenance
2.2 million seeds per lb

Fine fescues
Rapid establishment
Germination 21 days
Rhizome (creepin red) or basal tillering
Fine texture
Adaptable to soils fertility, moisture winter hardy
Low mtce
640,000 seeds per lb

Perennial Ryegrass
Rapid establishment- esp in existing stand
Germation in 14 days, some in 3-5 days
Tillering, stolons
Fine texture
Adaptable, winter hardy
Moderate mtce
227,000 seeds per lb

Annual Ryegrass
Coarse, medium texture
New SOS variety-to use for quick repair, finer texture darker colour
http://qualityseeds.ca/turf/ryegrasses/sos-brochure.html

New perennial ryegrass
RPR
Repairing
Will fill in more like kentucky
Darker green

Tall Fescue
Rapid
Germinates 14 days
Texture medium

 tillering, rhizomes 
Adaptable, moderately winter hardy
Low mtce - deep roots


RTF-Rhizomatous Tall Fescue- a new self repairing lawn, Drought resistant
http://qualityseeds.ca/turf/tall-fescue/rtf.html

Endophyte enhances seed
Reduces leaf feeding lawn insects
Enhanced stress protection

When Overseeding
Perennial ryegrass is good to renovate or repair
Aggressive
Mixes in colour and texture

Adding multiple varieties
Better to provide the things to cover a wider variety of conditions.

Due to differences in seed size, seeds mixed by weight.
20% 20% 60% kentucky, fescue, perennial rye.

In a 100 lbs - 22 million Kentucky bluegrass seed, 7 million fescues, 7 million Perennial rye seeds

Micro clover- new
Not many flowers, so fits better in a lawn, but hard to get enough seed
Will be available in a few years
Grows below height of grass for most of season


www.hamiltonturfking.ca

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Turf King Announces New “Click to Win” Lawn Care Contest

Turf King Announces New “Click to Win” Lawn Care Contest


Ken Murray, President of Turf King announced a new contest for homeowners who value a healthy green lawn. By entering the “2011 Click to Win” contest, a lucky homeowner is eligible for a prize of $300.00 worth professional lawn care services from each participating Turf King franchise. As well there will be one winner who will receive 1,000 AIR MILES ® reward miles. This winner will be selected from all the collective entries from all franchise locations.

This exciting contest was suggested by Tanya of the Wasaga Beach franchise as a key promotional tool for the coming Spring Season. Not only do the contest participants have a chance to win a valuable prize; by visiting the Turf King website, valuable education and information is available to help lawns to be healthier and greener.

The winning entries will be chosen after the May 15th, 2011 deadline. All entrants are encourage to go online at http://www.turfking.ca after the contest closes to see if they have won either the local or national prize. Winners will be contacted directly up to 7 days after the contest closing.

Core services available at the local franchise include lawn care programs that include high quality Turf King fertilizer and seasonal weed management applications using Fiesta weed control. There are a number of other services that are available for lawns such as core aeration, chinch bug protection, grub treatments and overseeding.

Certain individual franchise may also offer certain other services such as pest control, sodding, landscaping, irrigation services and more.

About Turf King
Turf King has been in the lawn business since 1962. Each franchise is locally owned and operated, providing a variety of high quality turf and property management services. Murray says that, “Separate from our exclusive products, our main resource is our people. We are all extensively trained professionals, with up-to-date knowledge, and we all have access to the experts within Turf King, which include agronomists, arborists, graduate agriculturalists, and horticulturalists.”

Turf King is a premier lawn care provider serving the residential and commercial markets in throughout various markets in Ontario. There are locations in Alliston, Barrie, Burlington/Oakville, Hamilton, Midland/Muskoka, Orillia, Sudbury, Wasaga Beach/Collingwood.

Turf King embraces the use of high quality fertilization products to provide long lasting nutrients to the lawns of their clients. Every effort is made to use products and practices that keep lawns healthy and to also keep them safe for pets and children.

An industry pioneer since 1962, Turf King has grown into a brand that ensures that its clients and their lawns are well looked after. Our goal is to provide the best Lawn Care in this area and to continue our commitment to serving our customers with a level of service that is unmatched. For more information or to request a lawn evaluation, please visit www.turfking.ca





Thursday, February 24, 2011

Turf King Staff Stay Informed on Lawn Care Topics

Turf King Staff Stay Informed on Lawn Care Topics

Four members of Turf King - Hamilton staff recently attended the 2011 Ontario Turfgrass Symposium at the Unlversity of Guelph. Their attendance is part of the firm’s continuing commitment to excellence and education of its lawn care technicians. These seminars are structured to provide information and updates of interest to lawn care professionals as well as golf course and sports field professionals.

The Ontario Turfgrass Symposium is a premier education symposium developed exclusively for the Turfgrass Industry. This professional development program is presented by the Guelph Turfgrass Institute, Nursery Sod Growers Association of Ontario, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, Ontario Recreation Facilities Association, Professional Lawn Care Association of Ontario, Sports Turf Association, Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation and the Office of Open Learning, University of Guelph.

Some of the speakers included Dr. François Hébert, University of Guelph, Pam Charbonneau, OMAFRA, and Dr. Ken Carey, Guelph Turfgrass Institute.

The Seminar topics included such things as:
  • Using corn gluten based products for weed control in turf
  • Fiesta™ and Organosol® for broad-leaf weed control
  • Alternative Strategies to Growing Turfgrass without conventional herbicides
  • Alternative pest management
  • Turf seeds vs. weed seeds: The ultimate competition for space and nutrients

The firm's owner, Gerry Okimi, encourages the Turf King Hamilton’s lawn technicians to stay abreast of current practices and emerging technologies. By being aware of the lawn industry, "our technicians are better prepared and well informed. They can provide better service and helpful information to our valued lawn customers."

About Turf King Hamilton

Turf King Hamilton has been in the lawn business since 1991. It was started by Gerry Okimi who has a degree in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Guelph.

Turf King Hamilton is a premier lawn care provider serving the residential and commercial markets in Hamilton, Halton and Haldimand. Turf King Hamilton embraces the use of high quality fertilization products to provide long lasting nutrients to the lawns of their clients. Every effort is made to use products and practices that keep lawns healthy and to also keep them safe for pets and children.

An industry pioneer since 1962, Turf King Hamilton has grown into a brand that ensures that its clients are well looked after by the King of Green. Our goal is to provide the best Lawn Care in this area and to continue our commitment to serving our customers with a level of service that is unmatched. For more information or to request a lawn evaluation, please visit www.hamiltonturfking.ca

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Avoid Unsightly Weeds

Avoid Unsightly Weeds
New ORGANIC Weed Treatment NOW Available
Call us Today
Turf King -the King of Green
www.hamiltonturfking.ca
905.318.6677
1.888.TURFKING (1.888.887.356)
Serving Hamilton, Haldimand, Burlington, Oakville, Grimsby, Beamsville

Earn 5 AIR MILES (R) reward miles with each $113 of Lawn Program
Details at www.hamiltonturfking.ca/airmiles

Friday, January 14, 2011

8 Reasons to Choose Turf King Lawn Care

8 Reasons to Choose the King of Green


  • Healthier, Greener Lawns, Guaranteed
  • Ask about our Green Organic Programs
  • Programs Customized for You and Your Budget
  • Weed & Insect Treatments
  • Over 40 Years Experience
  • Locally Owned and Operated
  • University of Guelph Degree in Environmental Horticulture
  • "We Care" Personalized Service
  • AIR MILES(R) reward miles

Seniors' Discounts

Turf King Hamilton The Lawn Care Experts since 1962
Call Now to Start Your Lawn Program
905-318-6677
1-888-887-3546
www.hamiltonturfking.ca

Gerry Okimi B.Sc.Agr.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Lawns and mothers-in-law

GEORGE WEIGEL By GEORGE WEIGEL
Q: My mother-in-law and I have different theories about lawn care. She is of the generation where you make regular use of commercial pesticides and fertilizers to get the "golf-course" look to a lawn.
I prefer a natural, environmentally safer approach to lawn care. For the past three seasons, I have been using a mulching mower and have not bagged grass in that time. I use all-organic fertilizer. In season, I cut high at 3½ inches, and in the fall, I spread leaves from various trees on the lawn in a light layer and mulch-mow all of them in as well.
My mother-in-law, however, believes that grass and leaf clippings from the mulching mower simply "lay in clumps" on the top of the lawn, preventing water and other lawn nutrients from getting into the soil. She believes the leaves and grass don't disintegrate and create "bumps" in the lawn, from which she believes makes it difficult for her to walk.
Who is right? If I am right, she bakes me three dozen of my favorite cookies. If she's right, I will take her to dinner at a restaurant of her choice.
A: You want me to get in the middle of a mother-in-law dispute? This could be trouble...
I have to go with you on this one, though. Your regimen is solid from beginning to end, and I'll bet your results back that up.
If your grass clips and mulched leaves just sat there, you'd see them. Or at least you'd be able to rake up a clump and take a closer look to see what might be causing any "bumps."
Nature does a quick and effective job of breaking down organic matter -- especially small pieces like grass clips and leaf fragments. These two also add up to the perfect blend of nitrogen and carbon that's ideal for composting.
Come spring, these materials will be composted into excellent nutrients and organic matter that will help lawn growth. Penn State's research found that letting the clips lie like you're doing is the equivalent nutrition to one fertilizer application per year.
Numerous research also has found that grass clips and leaf fragments are not a significant cause of thatch. Thatch is that thick, spongy layer that can build up at the lawn surface and impede rain and nutrient use. The main component of thatch is dead grass roots, which usually happens from excess fertilization, cutting too low and shallow, frequent irrigation.
Healthy lawn soil is teeming with life, and it's those bio-organisms that help break down organic matter. When you kill off that life with regular applications of insecticides, herbicides and fungicides, you're slowing a lawn's ability to break down dead organic matter. In other words, those high-input commercial programs are much more likely to contribute to thatch than the system you're using.
As for bumps in the lawn, a variety of other factors are usually behind those. Soil-tunneling bugs called cicada-killers are a big one that I see, but bumps also come from various lawn fungi (especially "puffballs"), tree roots (roots can easily extend out twice as far as the branch canopy), earthworm activity and the dropping of acorns, sweetgum balls and assorted other tree fruits.
If your mother-in-law notices bumps, a good way to solve it is to dig down and see what they're made of. I don't think you're going to find any little clumps of grass and leaves.
Enjoy your cookies... but stay on mother-in-law's good side by taking her out to dinner, too.mowed.leaves.on.lawn.JPGGeorge WeigelMowed leaves like these on the lawn won't lead to bumpiness.
www.lawncarehamilton.com
www.lawncarehaldimand.com
www.lawncarewaterdown.com
www.lawncaregrimbsy.com
www.hamiltonturfking.ca
www.hamilton.turfking.ca
http://turfkinghamilton.blogspot.com/
http://kingofgreen.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/#!/turfkingofgreen
http://bit.ly/g6Irnc

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