Tips & Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Should we continue the lawn/tree service when it's so dry out and it could burn?
Yes, because we use a specially blended slow-released fertilizer that will release only minute amounts of fertilizer over a given time period, they will not burn. The materials we applied won't release until it gets irrigation, and then only very slowly. It's better to have the product down so when the moisture starts again, the products are already in place.

Something is digging my lawn. I think it's a skunk, what should I do?
When the grass is ripped up and turned over in spots, it's a good possibility your lawn has grubs. Skunks love grubs! We can take care of the grubs with a sub-surface insect control. If we find grubs in the early spring, we usually recommend a grub control that works within 24 hours. This will reduce the number of grubs, but the control only lasts for 7-10 days. Later in the year a second grub control is recommended. This control will last until the end of the season. Both types of grub control must be watered in to be effective!

Which is better for my lawn: synthetic or organic fertilizer?
While both have their own place in lawn care, commercial fertilizers allow us to adjust your lawn care program to fit the needs of your lawn. The nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels are adjusted for the amounts that your lawn needs

Commercial fertilizers offer several advantages over organics: They contain a higher nutrient analysis which means less product needs to be applied. This saves shipping costs which will in turn save you money. They offer more flexibility so we can adjust the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels. Because of this flexibility, we all end up with a better environment because we can target certain problems better.

What it all boils down to is the plant cannot tell the difference between an organic or a commercial fertilizer. Slow released fertilizers, such as what Grasshopper Lawns uses, are essential for better turf management.

When can I cut my lawn after you serviced it?
We usually recommend a time frame of 1 hour after the service has been applied. This allows time for the granular or liquid fertilizer to settle to the soil, and the liquid weed control to dry and absorb into the weeds. Sometimes a mowing service cuts the lawn right after we applied an application. Studies have shown that only a minimal amount of the application may have been picked up with the mower. You will know if it didn't work because the weeds will not wilt.

Proper mowing is critical for keeping your lawn healthy and looking its best. The three things you can do are:

On a newly seeded lawn, the watering program is different. The idea here is to keep the top two inches of soil wet so the new seed will germinate. This can be done by watering four times a day, for a period of 10 - 15 minutes in each section that was seeded. As the new grass germinates, decrease the number of times you water, but increase the amount of time that water is applied.

How do I pay for my service?
They're are several ways to make a payment for your service. You can pay after each application by sending a check, or pay the technician when he is done. You can call the office and charge it on Mastercard or Visa, or do it yourself on-line. We also offer pre-pay discounts that can be taken advantage of before and during the season. Call us for details.

Do I need to be home when my lawn is treated?
Most customers are not at home during an application. There is not really any reason for you to be home, unless you have made prior arrangements with us. Grasshopper Lawns technicians have all the information they need to properly service your lawn.

I have a weed problem. My last application was 3 weeks ago, and I won't get a service for several more weeks, what should I do.
Call our office and tell us the problem. We can schedule a service call to correct the problem or we will advise you the correct action to take. Free service calls are part of our commitment to you, provided you are on a full program schedule.

How do I get your service to continue every year?
Grasshopper Lawns Inc. is a renewable service from year to year. This means we continue service each year until you tell us to stop. Once you sign up with us, we automatically continue the service. There is no need to sign anything on a yearly basis. During the winter months we will send you a pre-pay letter that explains what program and special services we have your property scheduled for, plus we offer an early season pre-pay discount. This is your opportunity to modify your program. Remember, you do not need to sign or send anything back for renewal.

Does my lawn need lime?
Every lawn is different. Most need lime on an annual basis. We check the soil pH on your lawn when we design a program for it so we can see how much lime is needed. Then throughout the year we do another pH test to check it. Acid rain causes our soil to be more acidic, therefore annual liming is recommended.

Shouldn't those plugs be removed off the lawn after core aeration?
NO. Those little plugs need to be left on so they can be recycled back into the soil. They contain micronutrients that will help control thatch and actually help feed the lawn.They should fall apart after about a week.

Won't my lawn treatments run off my lawn into the street after a rain?
No they won't. Simply because your lawn acts just like a gigantic filter! By properly treating your landscape, we are thickening it up so any irrigation that passes through it is cleansed. Many years of studies at leading turf universities have been done to document this. The thicker your lawn is, the better it filters out contaminants.

Do I really need all those "chemicals" on my lawn?
No you don't. And we don't automatically apply pesticides with every application. We only apply what is needed to get control. By doing this, you get the best of both worlds by using these products when and where needed. For instance, if your lawn had several weeds in the back yard, we would only apply a weed control to those weeds, and not the entire lawn. Our programs are designed to help your lawn fight it's own battles with weeds, insects and diseases by making it healthy. A good lawn care program like we offer at Grasshopper Lawns will build upon each application so you get a healthy good looking lawn without all the pesticides.

Why Use Grasshopper Lawns Inc?
We are a local company who is family owned and managed since 1964. Everything is decided right here in our home town, not by some big company in another state. We are NOT a franchise. We have over 75 years combined experience and technology to manage all your lawn care problems. Our turf technicians are trained and state certified to answer questions concerning your lawn. We apply all materials on a timely basis and results are guaranteed. Call Grasshopper Lawns today!

How much would it cost to have my lawn serviced?
This is a hard question to answer because every lawn is different in size, and and problems it may have. We employ a highly trained staff that would check over your lawn and recommend the best treatment in YOUR particular situation. So go ahead and give us a call! You will be happy that you did!

Select the Correct Mowing Height for Your Grass
Most grass has a range of recommended mowing heights. Stay at that upper end of the mowing range when the lawn is under stressful conditions, such as long term hot weather or drought, or if you have a shaded lawn. In cooler weather, you can cut the grass at lower level. Most lawns in our area are a mixture of Kentucky Bluegrass and Rye grass and should be mowed at 3".