The Prestige Lawn Care Program
Prestige does not provide mowing, clean-up or other maintenance services.
We do not offer programs for St. Augustine or centipede or ant control programs.
Prestige offers a chemical application program consisting of 7
visits for zoysia, hybrid bermuda and fescue. The visits consist of fertilizer,
weed control and disease control applications properly timed to maintain a healthy
lawn. pH is also taken to determine the amount of lime needed for proper pH
management. Problem lawns may require more than the 7 application program.
Minimum cost per treatment is $55.00 ($385.00 per year for the seven treatment program). But an analysis of your lawn
will be done to determine the square footage and actual cost.
CORE AERATION for Fescue Lawns for existing customers:
Though the fescue turf always moves into the summer lush and thick,
it is a given that by the end of summer the heat and disease will
have thinned the turf to the point that reseeding is required.
Because of the normal compaction of the soil by foot and lawn mower
traffic aeration is also required. Though the seeds do germinate more
quickly in the aeration holes, aeration’s main purpose is to reduce
soil compaction and increase nutrient, water and air movement into
the ground. Because of our heavy clay soil, root systems rarely
penetrate more than 3" - 4" deep, thus core aerators with these
tine lengths are adequate for the aeration process. You won’t
always see the entire length of the plug left on the soil surface
after aeration since, in most cases, the plug partially crumbles
as it hits the ground.
If you wish Prestige to provide your aerating and seeding then you must
call and request the service. We will not assume you want the service unless you
call. You should have received your reminder letter shortly after mid August.
Requests made after September 8th will carry a $25.00
surcharge. No requests will be accepted after October 1st.
Prestige generally does not start aeration and seeding operations until mid September
in an effort to not have the new seedlings competing with high temperatures. We also
expect to end our aeration and seeding by mid to late October. The cooler the weather,
the slower the germination and increased likelihood the seed will simply rot. We suggest
that you target your own seeding operation for the same optimal period.
If you are doing your own aerating and seeding:
- Be sure
to use a quality, hybrid turf type tall fescue. Blends of these hybrid, turf
type fescues are fine (and in some cases superior to single variety types) but DO
NOT use mixes with grasses such as Chewings fescue, red fescue or blue grass. We
also do not recommend "Heat Tolerant Blue" blue grass for our area.
-
On the seed tag, germination should be at least 90%, purity in excess of 90% and
the "Other" (noxious weeds) should be less than 1%. These are ideal numbers and
you may have to settle for something slightly less. Also check the date to be sure
the seed is not over a year old.
- Prior to overseeding mow the fescue to 2½".
- Always use a core aerator not a spike type or slit type.
-
High quality seed is expensive. If you find a exceptionally
low price way out of line with other prices then look closely to determine the reason.
A deal is not always a deal.
-
The seeding rate for overseeding
existing fescue lawns is 5-8 #s per thousand square feet. Thicker turf uses the
lower rate, thinner turf requires the higher rate. Bare areas require 10#s. DO NOT
increase these seeding rates or you greatly increase the chances for disease incidence
because of excessive turf density. It may look great now but there will be pay back!
-
Keep the seed bed moist until germination. After germination water
1-1½" per week but not until the turf is sloppy wet.
-
Do not mow the new grass until it is 3" tall. Then maintain at a height of 3". If
the turf is not growing then DON’T mow. Don’t mow just to pick up fall leaves;
blow instead!