What are the recommended intervals for topdressing with compost? 1 app in spring and fall? Does it hurt to topdress more often than this, or is it just overkill?
The hot sun will burn off "humus". Exposure to certain elements are not good is - what I've always heard. It does make sense to me.
For that reason , I believe that compost should be applied when its ability to survive into the rhizosphere are best. Namely spring, late summer, and serve as a winterizer bonus in the fall.
:laugh: In this part of Wisco -- that equals once a month!! :laugh:
Question about topdressing. I built one of those drum style topdressers and was wondering if a person is supposed to apply one direction and then apply a second 'coat' perpendicular to the first. It lays it down pretty fine so a second application would be possible without overloading the lawn. Or is it better to do a second application at a later time?
I have always put it down about a 1/4" or so, I haven't had any problems so far, like how it gets the soil going faster, I like the idea of more OM down for everything else to go too... I don't like "dusting" as it just doesn't seem it is doing any good... or it will take FOREVER to make a difference...
How do you guys get people to pay for that? For even the small lawns with light topdressing that is $100's per app.
I am selling 1/4 inch twice the first year and then try to taper off to maintenance levels after that at 1/8 inch or less. Plus I do feed grade meals, compost tea's, and molasses apps to help keep the good guys moving.
It is more cost effective for the client to put down more, fewer times, which for me means a recommendation of no more than 2 apps per season. If you are rebuilding a soil or dealing with an environment that eats up SOM quickly, then you may need more apps per season.
When I tried out the dresser it worked out to about 2.8 cubic feet of compost over a 600 (ish) sq. foot area. Seemed very thin to me but it looked good as in I could see the area done. Should I think about a cross application at the same time to thicken it up a bit?
how much post goes down (lbs?) 25? per thou? sounds like a lot of extra work for that money? at those small dosages of post you will need synthetic's$$ for sure? what happens when you have a 100 customers?
125 lbs per 5000 sf? plus the synthetic needed anyway? 45$?
X SAY 10 YARDS THATS 1250 LBS POST A DAY you will need to handle minimally
how will you keep up blending/applying like that for that much money?
45 sound like TG LD prices? don't burn ur self out my friend
how much post goes down (lbs?) 25? per thou? sounds like a lot of extra work for that money? at those small dosages of post you will need synthetic's$$ for sure? what happens when you have a 100 customers?
125 lbs per 5000 sf? plus the synthetic needed anyway? 45$?
X SAY 10 YARDS THATS 1250 LBS POST A DAY you will need to handle minimally
how will you keep up blending/applying like that for that much money?
45 sound like TG LD prices? don't burn ur self out my friend
At high production I will be moving 3.5 yards of 'postblend per day. At the topdressing rates you guys are talking about I would be using 6.25 yards for one 5k lawn... now who is breaking their back on any given day?
At high production I will be moving 3.5 yards of 'postblend per day. At the topdressing rates you guys are talking about I would be using 6.25 yards for one 5k lawn... now who is breaking their back on any given day?
I think I got you figured out. Everyone in business needs their secret to success. I am just glad your over there so I dont have to try to compete with you. I would love to see some long term effect pictures if you take them.
At high production I will be moving 3.5 yards of 'postblend per day. At the topdressing rates you guys are talking about I would be using 6.25 yards for one 5k lawn... now who is breaking their back on any given day?
I think I got you figured out. Everyone in business needs their secret to success. I am just glad your over there so I dont have to try to compete with you. I would love to see some long term effect pictures if you take them.
I wouldn't be all that concerned JD. Your process is nothing more than your standard fert program using organics .... not like it is ground breaking innovation.
jd, the time and effort is reflected in the bills i leave my customers from a few hours work. plus your just doing apps so we have different goals for the year.$
put down a proper amount to make a difference right off the bat, more time for the post to get settled, customers like immediate results, leaves more time to do other things$ for them
your price might reflect your area's prices but what your doing is giving them more, which is good but.... is this a organic approach your selling or bridge, other.?
how are you handling weeds?
come fall schedule your topdressing in a row, bring on extra labor to knock it out.$$
seeding,aeration, ete
You are probably right Kiril... but still... who likes sharing how they do things?
GDRO, Maybe different goals, maybe not. My goal is to provide the customer with an amazing lawn done in a significantly more sustainable and safe way than the normal fert and squirt companies. And do so in a profitable manner. I do not know what your business purpose is. I know that with my current setup I can pull around 25% net profit after all expenses (including this huge amount of labor you suggest I have). Mind sharing your annual net proft?
terrapro,
Here is a pic taken this week of one of my test lawns. I started the program on this lawn last August. I made some program adjustments last fall, but all in all, this is the result I expect to see (or better)...
Thanks. I mow this one. Mowing season is usually End of April to beginning of October. Snow plowing in between. Current temp is 55f.. average for this day is 65. Soil temp at 4-6" deep reads 57 degrees right now.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Lawn Care Forum
7M posts
202.7K members
Since 1999
A forum community dedicated to lawn care and landscaping professionals and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!