As we leave behind another round of Iowa’s unpredictable spring weather, Mother Nature has once again reminded us who’s really in charge. From several inches of snow fall and freezing temperatures one week to sunny, 80 degree days the next, moments like these are what make turf care both challenging and exciting.
This spring marks our 46th year serving our community as an industry leader. While logos and equipment may have evolved over the years, our dedication to our original slogan has never changed:
Quality Work, Done with Care.
Behind the scenes we are constantly planning, adjusting, and applying the highest attention to detail focused on one goal: delivering the best possible results for your lawn.
It’s hard work, but it’s work we take pride in, looking forward to the unique challenges each year brings. We are excited to have you all with us as customers for our 46th season and look forward to many more!
April Showers Bring Yellow Flowers
Spring lawn applications are underway. Coming soon to a neighborhood near you! Our team has already been hard at work this past week getting a head start on our Spring Lawn Applications. As always, we’re closely monitoring weather patterns and turf conditions to ensure treatments are applied at the right time for the best results.
With the high chance of rain kicking off the month of April, followed by warmer temperatures, we will start to see those pesky, yellow flowers (that’s right, dandelions) emerge overnight. They may not be here yet but, rest assured, they will be soon, and we are ready for them!
Although your Spring Lawn Application includes fertilizer, crab grass pre-emergent, grub preventative, and broad-leaf weed control, it’s still early in the spring season. There is plenty of time to complete this application to give your lawn the boost it needs coming out of winter. Timing is everything, and we’re making sure your lawn gets exactly what it needs, when it needs it.
April Showers Bring May Flowers… If We Are Not In A Drought
Similar to last season, we are seeing signs of winter kill in lawns across the area. This is largely the result of another dry fall and winter, which left turf going into dormancy without adequate moisture, causing turf to struggle as it transitions out of dormancy in the spring season.
This creates a difficult situation for cool-season turf, as weakened grass simply doesn’t have the strength to survive these stresses. We are especially seeing damage in areas under trees, where turf competes for moisture, and on south-facing slopes that tend to dry out more quickly.
What should I do if my lawn has winter kill?
If an area is completely dead, reseeding is the best place to start. Our updated seed blends now include turf-type tall fescue, a variety known for its strong drought tolerance. It develops deeper roots and establishes quickly, making it a great option for long-term turf health.
If you’d like to add aeration and overseeding to your lawn program, please let us know. There is still plenty of time this season to get these areas repaired and growing again.
The areas are not completely dead but thin, what can I do?
Watering will help bring these areas back to life. Now is a good time to start watering at approximately half-inch of water twice a week.
What will Quality Care techs do if they see these areas during a visit?
Because crabgrass pre-emergent prevents all grass seed germination, our techs are trained to not apply pre-emergent on bare or really thin turf areas. If you have already received an application you will still be able to seed.
When can I seed?
Our soil temperatures are the main driver on when to apply seed. Soil temps need to be in the middle to high 50s consistently. Normally, that happens around mid April.
Commonly Asked Questions
Do I have crabgrass in my lawn already? Crabgrass will not germinate for another couple of months. What you are seeing is more likely K-31 Tall Fescue. There is no chemical control which can be applied that will not also damage the good turf. Hand removal is the safest way to manage these grasses to avoid any accidental damage to the turf.
What if I want to seed this year myself? Our fertilizer blend contains crabgrass pre-emergent, which will prevent all types of grass seed from germinating. Please let our customer service team know if you plan on seeding this year so that we can make accommodations for your property and withhold the pre-emergent.
April Showers Bring Different Colors To Our Lawns
The reason is under our feet. Every spring we get questions about lawns having different colors throughout and from property to property. The answer to why this is lies in the dirt. Our lawns have pockets of different soil profiles and grass varieties. Each one of these areas react different coming out of dormancy in the spring. This is why we see the different shades of green. Eventually, once the turf stabilizes into summer, everything will even out and it will be business as usual.
April Showers Bring Moles
… Also, earthworms. We’ve been seeing an increase in mole activity as we move into spring. If you’re noticing this in your lawn, you’re definitely not alone.
Moles are attracted to healthy lawns where they can easily live and hunt for food. With the frost now out of the ground, their primary food source, earthworms, are becoming more available, which is why activity tends to spike this time of year.
It’s important to note that moles are not an indicator of grub problems. Earthworms makeup the majority of their diet.
If you are experiencing mole activity, we do offer professional baiting services to help manage the issue. We also recommend trapping if you’re able to do so — scissor-style traps tend to be the most effective option.
