Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the frequently asked questions that we have received. If you don’t see the answer to your particular question, drop us a line. We’ll try and get you an answer as soon as possible. Please note: answers may or may not apply to your particular situation. Only an on-site inspection by one of our trained and certified technicians can we give you an accurate diagnosis of your specific lawn problems.

1. Eight applications were performed on my lawn, but I still have weeds, why?

Although some weeds may be controlled with just one treatment, most weeds require several applications to control them. This is one of the many reasons that GrassRoots performs seven applications each year to your lawn. Please keep in mind that when you first begin service with us, we ask that you be patient and give us time so that we can address the concerns with your lawn and meet your expectations. Remember, after you have received two applications, you may request a service call to be performed if you are not satisfied.

2. Why are some of my weeds dying, but some are not?

Although some weeds only require one application, most will need follow-up treatments for best results. When controlling one grass type growing within another, the process may take several applications before results are visible. Also keep in mind that some weeds may only be controlled during specific times of the year with pre-emergent applications.

3. I have had service for awhile and I’m still seeing weeds growing in my lawn, why?

We would love to be able to promise our customers a weed free lawn after one year of service but unfortunately there are some weeds that have a two or three year life cycle. There are also weeds that pre-emergent applications will not prevent therefore they will emerge once the growing season is right. Rest assured that GrassRoots will be able to get rid of these weeds as they emerge in your lawn. Remember, if you experience new weeds emerging in between our scheduled applications, just call us and we will re-treat the lawn free of charge.

4. A pre-emergent was applied to my lawn but there are weeds still growing, why?

Most weeds are prevented with pre-emergent treatments; however there are some weeds that this application will not stop from emerging. If you experience weeds emerging in your lawn between applications, just let us know and we will be happy to address them. Keep in mind also that a pre-emergent treatment needs a couple of days to set up in the soil (after watered in) and some weeds may germinate and begin to grow before this occurs. Mother Nature is another factor that may result in a pre-emergent application not working correctly. For example: too much rain (or no rain for several days after a treatment is applied) will cause the pre-emergent to not last as long in the soil.

5. Why is my Bermuda lawn thinning in the shade?

Bermuda lawns are one of the most common turf types in our region. This grass type requires six hours of direct sunlight for best results. If you have Bermuda grass growing in shady conditions, we suggest either trimming canopy to allow more sunlight or extending bed lines and adding mulch. Even with fertilization treatments and aerating yearly, Bermuda will continue to be thin if growing in a shady environment.

6. When should I scalp my warm season grass?

Scalping your lawn is one of the best practices in the spring time for your Bermuda or Zoysia lawn. Make sure that you remove the clippings when performing the first cut of the year so that thatch does not begin to build up. Also be sure that when you scalp, you scalp! Many homeowners do not realize that the shorter you scalp the lawn, the better. Scalping should be performed around the middle of April depending on the weather.

7. What can be done for the moss growing in my lawn?

Moss is caused mostly by moisture retention in the soil and moss is tough to prevent. Most of the time moss will grow in shady areas of a lawn where the turf is thin. The best practice to control moss is to trim tree canopy and drainage problems so that the environment is not in favor for moss to survive. GrassRoots can also help with moss control by applying a product that will cause the moss to stop growing and die back. Aerating the turf will also help to control moss in some situations. Feel free to contact us if you need further assistance with controlling moss in your lawn.

8. I have bare and/or thin spots in my lawn, what can be done?

Fescue lawns typically experience drought stress each summer resulting in thin and bare spots by Fall. This is why Fescue lawns require aeration and over-seeding in the Fall time to replenish the turf and its density. Bermuda and Zoysia lawns can sometimes also experience drought stress and become thin or bare in areas. The best way to correct this concern is to aerate the turf during the spring or early summer to allow the grass to spread easier and become denser quicker. Please contact us for an estimate on aeration or over-seeding for your turf.

9. When applying an application to my lawn, how long should it take?

With the equipment that we use and the rate that our products must be applied for optimal results, an application is applied at a ratio of one thousand square feet per minute. This ratio will vary slightly depending on the type of application and layout of the landscape. The average property only takes about five to ten minutes to complete an application.

10. How long should I wait before my children or pets can be on the lawn after a treatment is applied?

This is a very good question and most of our customers have children or pets. With each application that we apply, we ask that you allow enough time for the products to dry before walking on the lawn. On a hot day in the summer, this may only take fifteen minutes. Granular applications are dry when they are applied to your lawn.

11. Do I need to be home when an application is applied?

You are not required to be home when an application is applied. Most of our treatments are applied during the day while our customers are at work. However, at any time if you wish to meet with your technician we will be happy to schedule an appointment.

12. How long should I wait to mow or water my lawn after an application is applied?

With each application we perform, we ask that you wait at least two hours before watering and twenty four hours before mowing the turf. This way the weed control has time to begin working and the fertilizers have time to settle in the soil.

13. Will the fertilizer burn my turf if there is no water applied?

With our liquid applications, water is not needed for the fertilizer to become active and since these treatments are performed during the cooler season there is little concern of the turf burning. During the heat of the summer we apply a granular fertilizer which is coated with sulfur to keep the fertilizer from becoming active until water is applied. This ensures that if the fertilizer remains on the turf for several days with no water, there is little chance of any burning effects.

14. Will the treatments benefit my turf if I don’t or can’t water?

We have many customers that are unable to water due to water restrictions or they just depend on Mother Nature to take care of it. This is one of the reasons that most of our applications are liquid so that watering them in is not required, only suggested. When it comes to our granular applications, the treatment will not become active until rainfall or irrigation occurs. Keep in mind also that all seven applications consist of liquid weed control so again water is not a requirement for good weed control results.

15. Will the same GrassRoots technician treat my lawn every week?

One of our goals is to always have the same technician performing each one of your applications. Please keep in mind that this may not always be possible if your technician is out sick or on vacation. However, we are very proud of our training program and extremely confident that no matter which technician treats your lawn, you will always receive the same level of service you have come to expect from GrassRoots.

16. Why do I need a treatment this time of year? Isn’t it too cold?

During the cold weather, warm season turf grasses such as Bermuda and Zoysia are dormant. However, a lot is still going on “behind the scenes.” Their root systems are still active and require nutrients and water to remain healthy for the spring. Also, weeds can (and usually do) begin to emerge due to the fact , just like other plants, different weeds have different times that they germinate and thrive; weeds that appear in January through March are different than weeds that thrive in the hotter months. These weeds use the nutrients and moisture in the soil that should be for your turf grass. During these periods, weed control is applied to eradicate these weeds to help the turf get ready for the spring.

17. My fescue is very thin and has bare areas. I put down seed in the fall, but not all of it came up. Can I put down more seed?

Seeding fescue can be tricky at times, depending on where you live and the conditions present when you apply the seed. Watering is paramount, but too much water (torrential rains) can cause seed to rot or simply wash away. Too little watering can inhibit the growth of rhizomes (roots) from the seed. Plus, birds tend to love fescue seed. Also if a pre-emergent was applied it can become a major factor in the seed not germinating. If a pre-emergent was applied then it is crucial that the areas where you plan to apply seed the dirt gets disturbed very well to break the barrier of the pre-emergent so that the seed will germinate in those areas.  However, it is possible to seed in the early spring and have a thicker turf. The suggested time-frame is around Easter, once we are clear of frost conditions. It is only recommended to apply fescue seed in the spring if you have total bare spots. Generally only 20-30% of the seed you apply will make it through the summer.

Remember: Fescue tends to get pale in high temperatures (75 degrees or above) and requires watering to keep it looking healthy. Fescue is also susceptible to fungus such as Brown Patch and this occurs in high humidity. Check out our information here on proper watering and mowing procedures for fescue and look for details and savings on preventative fungicide treatments to keep your fescue looking great all year long!

Fescue is a cool season turf grass, which means it thrives and grows in the cool weather. As such, it requires nutrients as well. Plus, there is the weed situation that must be dealt with for optimum health of your turf.

With your Round 1 and 2 applications, we are also applying pre-emergent’s to help prevent seed-bearing annual weeds (such as crabgrass) from germinating and taking over your lawn during the early spring-summer months. Pre-emergent’s are your best defense against such weeds, and make for a healthier lawn to enjoy all Spring and Summer!

Thank you

To all of our customers for the many letters and comments you have sent us over the past year. We would love to list all of your comments on our website however we have a limited amount of space. All of your comments mean so much to our staff. We are constantly making changes to better our service and are always open for your suggestions and comments.