Can I use 1 product all season?

[TreffertLawnWrx]

For the past 5 years I have used a commercial franchise for all my applications. The relationship has been great as well as the service but I have since grown and find it necessary to do my own fertilizer and weed control for this year.

I service only town home developments so these applications are only 3 times per season: March/April, June/July, Aug/Sept. Very few do we apply 4 applications but it does happen.

There is a local contractor, who when I stopped by his shop has pallets of a certain Lesco product that he applies all season long. They do have a spray rig that they do a liquid application at some point but I have no idea when.
He also told me that Lesco has a product that combines weed control, that although on the expensive side, it kills two birds with one stone.

Now with this in mind that all licenses and classes will be taken prior to any application (please no comments), what would be the most cost efficient set-up without losing the quality. Most places we have done for years and require no attention on my part when the necessary apps were made, ie: weed free, green grass, no burns.

Can I use just one product with decent results?
If so what product, when, and at what intervals?
What is going to be the best applicator, a PG? (10+ACRES/9 PROPS.)
If I'm going to need a spray rig what is popular? 200gal?
What product will I use in the liquid app?
Please treat these questions as if I know nothing! (Cuz I don't:dizzy: )

Thanks to all for your replies!

[TreffertLawnWrx]

All of my accounts are contract so Im not concerned about pricing the applications.

[Frank Fescue]

I wouldn't suggest it. I'd put down a pre-emergent round one after that you can absically use whatever fert you like. You can adjust spread rates on the regular fert to put down the proper amounts of N when needed.

I used 25-3-12 or my non grub customers round 2,3 and 4.

[TreffertLawnWrx]

Great! What kind of pre-M is working well for people in my area Midwest-North?

Is the pre-M a liquid or granular?

[MaineFert]

We use Nutrients PLUS with Cavalcade, its a 16-2-3, but is also available in 5-5-0 and 10-4-2

[TreffertLawnWrx]

what are the benefits between 16-2-3, or using 5-5-0 or 10-4-2, I know what the numbers represent but not why?

[MaineFert]

It depends upon what you are looking for for Nitrogen. Some people like us prefer a nice kick of N early on in the season(cool season turf up here) Others do a blast of Nitrogen in the fall, so they will not need as much in the Spring. Either way, the active ingrediaent of cavalcade is the same, it all depends upon what your program is calling for, i.e soil tests, preferences etc.

[TreffertLawnWrx]

I would like it if a few members would put together a program to get a basic idea as to what and why i need to apply certain products. Ican go off the basic lesco program, early spring, late spring, summer, then a winterizer. where do i include spraying for weeds, if at all? What equipment is going to works best for HOA's with many townhomes? Thanks!

[MaineFert]

I can definitely do that for you, drop me an email bh1416@yahoo.com and I will give you my company info and we can talk

[turfsolutions]

Maine Fert.

Still waiting for a response.

[MaineFert]

Cavalcade is a generic Barricade products. It works very well as apre-emergent and is yellow. It is also a bit dusty, but nothing too severe. We offer three formulations like I stated above. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks

[TreffertLawnWrx]

Not to get off track but could you help answer my first quesiton as to wether or not 1 product will work all season? Or should I start with a pre-emergent then a 18-0-18 for the rest of the year? All Im looking for is the basics.

[MaineFert]

I wouldn't recommend using the same product all year. A pre-emergent is fine in the spring, but a high N fertilizer in the hot summer can stress turf unecessarily. During the hot months we use an 100% organic product that is designed to feed the microbes, because this is the time when they are most active, rathe rthan push growth. Then in the fall you will want something with a higher K for overwintering. let me know your coverage, and we can work on a program for you. just use my above email if you are interested.

[turfsolutions]

You are asking for a simple answer to a complex question. Do some research on basic lawn care and find out from local sources what works best in your area. You can find great advice from local extension agencies, and local lawn care product providers. It would be very difficult for us to go through all of the products that we use in our programs for different situations. It would take about 20 pages to explain, not that I have that kind of time. If you have specific questions about specific products than you will get a better response.

But to answer your question, NO, you can't use the same product all year round and expect quality results. If you could, we would all be out of a job, at least a good paying job.

[TreffertLawnWrx]

Thanks for the explanation turf,

You are right, I will concentrate on my needs and repost.