Home Pride Services provides a comprehensive array of turf management practices to
meet your needs. Our professional staff is licensed and trained to solve problems in your
turf and make your lawn beautiful. For your review, we have included specifics of the
services we offer:
Soil Sample: New clients are encouraged to have a soil sample analyzed so that we may balance
the soil chemistry through our applications. A balance of soil nutrients, such as nitrogen,
phosphorous, potassium, and various micronutrients, ensures a healthy lawn that is able to fight off
insects and diseases. Furthermore, an inspection of pH levels and subsequent adjustments, if
necessary, allows the turf to make optimum utilization of these nutrients. A soil sample typically
costs $25.00 which, in our opinion, is a critical and inexpensive first step towards a fantastic lawn.
Turf Management Calendar
Spring 1: This application consists of a pre-emergent (before germination) product to control
crabgrass, foxtail, and other annual grasses. This application also includes a balanced fertilizer to
promote turf health and provide nutrients for turf coming out of winter dormancy. The active
ingredient in the crabgrass control establishes a soil barrier so cultural practices like raking or core
aeration should be avoided for 3 months after application.
Spring 2: Dandelions don't stand a chance against this application! For best results, our weed
control is always in a liquid form. This applicaiton also includes a balanced fertilizer to propmote turf
health and drought tolerance.
Summer 1: This is the optimum timeframe for a second application of pre-emergent contol of
crabgass, foxtail and goosegrass. As soil temperatures increase, these annual grasses can germinate
and look unsightly in your lawn. Also, by raising your mower deck height during the summer, the
turf actualy shades the soil below, which improves turf health and drought tolerance.
Summer 2: A grub preventative product is applied in summer to protect your lawn against the
destructive white grub and other insects. This product must be irrigated to be activated, after which
the product will provide up to 3 months control. Relax, no grub damage this year!
Fall: As ambient temperatures decrease and, hopefully, rainfall increases, the turf has endured a
long, hot summer and must be regenerated. An application of a balanced fertilizer at this time
promotes root growth and good color. Additionally, this application includes a liquid weed control
to clean up any unsightly broadleaf weeds that may have germinated over the summer.
Winter: Most agronomists agree that turf grass health is enhanced by two nutrient feedings in fall
and early winter. The turf plant utilizes nutrients in this time frame primarily for root growth which,
after all, is extremely important. The health, appearance and resistance to pest is all relative to the
root mass beneath the soil. This is also a good opportunity to apply soil amendments called for by
the soil analysis.
Core Aeration: This is an important cultural practice with many tremendous benefits. The process
involves a machine which penetrates the soil a couple of inches then pulls out a plug of soil and
thatch as the machine moves forward. For best results, these holes and plugs should number
approximately 30 per square foot. This process loosens compacted clay soils, which allows air to
enter, thus increasing root mass. Also, as the plugs left on top disenegrate, the microbes improve
thatch decomposition.
Seeding / Composting
There have been some tremendous advances in turf grass seed varieties in the past few years. We
now have the choice of drought tolerance, deep green color, resistance to Roundup®, and the
ability of grass to fill in areas that have previously died out. Although perennial rye grasses germinate
quickly, in the long term they are undesirable because they become very susceptible to turf diseases.
We encourage the use of bluegrass and turf-type tall fescue and discourage the use of rye in home
lawns.
Overseeding: The purpose of overseeding is to thicken existing lawns by spreading grass seed. By
itself, overseeding is not very effective; however, when core aeration is added, followed by dragging
the plugs together with the grass seed, soil-to-seed contact is increased providing much better
results.
Slitseeding: Slitseeding is the approach of choice where existing grass coverage is 60% or less.
Our slitseeder cuts small grooves and drops seed in the turf. This ensures that each seed has the
opportunity to germinate. The slitseeder doubles as a dethatcher, but dethatching should be a last
result because removing organic matter ultimately robs soil fertility.
Composting: By itself, composting is one of the best cultural practices you can do for your lawn. A
yearly compost application will turn even compacted clay soils into rich topsoil in time when done in
conjunction with core aeration. We recommend that compost only be applied during the dormant
season or as a cover for new seeding. Summer application can burn and bring on turf diseases.
When composting is added to slitseeding or overseeding, the results can be spectacular. It acts as a
cover for new seed preventing young plants from drying out. Soil fertility is improved and is long
lasting (up to one year). The labor involved in spreading compost makes it expensive, but the results
are truly impressive.
Seeding Renovation: Wire grass, Bermuda grass, zoysia grass, and other warm season grasses
are considered undesirable in our area. To rid your lawn of these pests is no easy task. There is no
dependable way to kill these grasses and leave the rest of the lawn in tact. The only alternative is to
kill the infested area when the undesirable is actively growing (June to August). This takes at least
three treatments, with two weeks between applications, to insure a total kill. Each time we return,
we look for green areas that we missed or were covered by other grass. In early October, we come
back with our slitseeder to seed the lawn. This process grinds the dead grass into the top layer of
the soil as it seeds. The dead grass becomes the cover for the new grass. Even with three kills, this
procedure is not always a total success. It is imperative that the client know how to identify these
problem grasses so we can spot-treat before it spreads. We will only attempt to control areas that
are isolated by a street or driveway. If wire grass extends across property boundaries, we will not
attempt control unless the neighbor agrees to do the same.
We offer the best grass varieties on the market, give recommendations based on time-tested
techniques, and pay attention to detail. We will not, however, guarantee seeding results because we
cannot control the amount of rain or watering the lawn receives unless the client rents our temporary
watering system. Sprinklers are strategically placed and set to a timer so the homeowner doesn’t
have to think about or forget to water the lawn.
meet your needs. Our professional staff is licensed and trained to solve problems in your
turf and make your lawn beautiful. For your review, we have included specifics of the
services we offer:
Soil Sample: New clients are encouraged to have a soil sample analyzed so that we may balance
the soil chemistry through our applications. A balance of soil nutrients, such as nitrogen,
phosphorous, potassium, and various micronutrients, ensures a healthy lawn that is able to fight off
insects and diseases. Furthermore, an inspection of pH levels and subsequent adjustments, if
necessary, allows the turf to make optimum utilization of these nutrients. A soil sample typically
costs $25.00 which, in our opinion, is a critical and inexpensive first step towards a fantastic lawn.
Turf Management Calendar
Spring 1: This application consists of a pre-emergent (before germination) product to control
crabgrass, foxtail, and other annual grasses. This application also includes a balanced fertilizer to
promote turf health and provide nutrients for turf coming out of winter dormancy. The active
ingredient in the crabgrass control establishes a soil barrier so cultural practices like raking or core
aeration should be avoided for 3 months after application.
Spring 2: Dandelions don't stand a chance against this application! For best results, our weed
control is always in a liquid form. This applicaiton also includes a balanced fertilizer to propmote turf
health and drought tolerance.
Summer 1: This is the optimum timeframe for a second application of pre-emergent contol of
crabgass, foxtail and goosegrass. As soil temperatures increase, these annual grasses can germinate
and look unsightly in your lawn. Also, by raising your mower deck height during the summer, the
turf actualy shades the soil below, which improves turf health and drought tolerance.
Summer 2: A grub preventative product is applied in summer to protect your lawn against the
destructive white grub and other insects. This product must be irrigated to be activated, after which
the product will provide up to 3 months control. Relax, no grub damage this year!
Fall: As ambient temperatures decrease and, hopefully, rainfall increases, the turf has endured a
long, hot summer and must be regenerated. An application of a balanced fertilizer at this time
promotes root growth and good color. Additionally, this application includes a liquid weed control
to clean up any unsightly broadleaf weeds that may have germinated over the summer.
Winter: Most agronomists agree that turf grass health is enhanced by two nutrient feedings in fall
and early winter. The turf plant utilizes nutrients in this time frame primarily for root growth which,
after all, is extremely important. The health, appearance and resistance to pest is all relative to the
root mass beneath the soil. This is also a good opportunity to apply soil amendments called for by
the soil analysis.
Core Aeration: This is an important cultural practice with many tremendous benefits. The process
involves a machine which penetrates the soil a couple of inches then pulls out a plug of soil and
thatch as the machine moves forward. For best results, these holes and plugs should number
approximately 30 per square foot. This process loosens compacted clay soils, which allows air to
enter, thus increasing root mass. Also, as the plugs left on top disenegrate, the microbes improve
thatch decomposition.
Seeding / Composting
There have been some tremendous advances in turf grass seed varieties in the past few years. We
now have the choice of drought tolerance, deep green color, resistance to Roundup®, and the
ability of grass to fill in areas that have previously died out. Although perennial rye grasses germinate
quickly, in the long term they are undesirable because they become very susceptible to turf diseases.
We encourage the use of bluegrass and turf-type tall fescue and discourage the use of rye in home
lawns.
Overseeding: The purpose of overseeding is to thicken existing lawns by spreading grass seed. By
itself, overseeding is not very effective; however, when core aeration is added, followed by dragging
the plugs together with the grass seed, soil-to-seed contact is increased providing much better
results.
Slitseeding: Slitseeding is the approach of choice where existing grass coverage is 60% or less.
Our slitseeder cuts small grooves and drops seed in the turf. This ensures that each seed has the
opportunity to germinate. The slitseeder doubles as a dethatcher, but dethatching should be a last
result because removing organic matter ultimately robs soil fertility.
Composting: By itself, composting is one of the best cultural practices you can do for your lawn. A
yearly compost application will turn even compacted clay soils into rich topsoil in time when done in
conjunction with core aeration. We recommend that compost only be applied during the dormant
season or as a cover for new seeding. Summer application can burn and bring on turf diseases.
When composting is added to slitseeding or overseeding, the results can be spectacular. It acts as a
cover for new seed preventing young plants from drying out. Soil fertility is improved and is long
lasting (up to one year). The labor involved in spreading compost makes it expensive, but the results
are truly impressive.
Seeding Renovation: Wire grass, Bermuda grass, zoysia grass, and other warm season grasses
are considered undesirable in our area. To rid your lawn of these pests is no easy task. There is no
dependable way to kill these grasses and leave the rest of the lawn in tact. The only alternative is to
kill the infested area when the undesirable is actively growing (June to August). This takes at least
three treatments, with two weeks between applications, to insure a total kill. Each time we return,
we look for green areas that we missed or were covered by other grass. In early October, we come
back with our slitseeder to seed the lawn. This process grinds the dead grass into the top layer of
the soil as it seeds. The dead grass becomes the cover for the new grass. Even with three kills, this
procedure is not always a total success. It is imperative that the client know how to identify these
problem grasses so we can spot-treat before it spreads. We will only attempt to control areas that
are isolated by a street or driveway. If wire grass extends across property boundaries, we will not
attempt control unless the neighbor agrees to do the same.
We offer the best grass varieties on the market, give recommendations based on time-tested
techniques, and pay attention to detail. We will not, however, guarantee seeding results because we
cannot control the amount of rain or watering the lawn receives unless the client rents our temporary
watering system. Sprinklers are strategically placed and set to a timer so the homeowner doesn’t
have to think about or forget to water the lawn.
| Phone: 540-234-7979 |
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| Proudly Serving the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia Since 1988 |
| Home Pride Services...Relax. We'll take care of it! Copyright © 2007 Home Pride Services, Inc. |
| Home Pride Services, Inc. "Relax. We'll take care of it!"
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