[polecat63]

Was just wondering if Chem-Lawn, Lawn Doctor...etc. were already doing aeration and seeding in your area. It's in the 90's here and no rain for two weeks, and they are seeding fescue lawns. And if I know C-L , The Doctor and most other national companies they are overseeding with some rye mixed in. These people have no scruples.

 

[GLAN]

Polecat

Did you ever consider that their work load demands that they start early.

I did about 1/3 of ours last week.

If they have irrigation, you can core at anytime.

 

[mtdman]

If the work load demands it, but the conditions are not favorable, it's the customer that loses out in getting the service at the wrong time.

 

[GLAN]

mtd


How is the customer lossing out?

 

[mtdman]

I am sure that if you gave the customer a choice between performing a service at the most benefical time for the grass, or when it fits into your busy schedule, they'd take the grass. It shouldn't be a matter of when it's best for you, but when it's best for the lawn.

I'm not directing this at you in particular, Glan. I wouldn't comment on an operation or conditions of which I have no understanding. But I see many LCOs just out doing the work no matter what, with no regard to whether or not it is helping the lawn. For example, Chem Lawn fertilized one of my customer's neighbors on the same day she had half her yard torn apart by the city fixing her water mains. What the heck was the point in fertilizing a yard in that condition? Chem Lawn's explanation was that "It was on the schedule". That's great, but the neighbor was so pissed she dropped Chem Lawn. Great business practices there.

Sure, a guy's gotta make a buck. But when you put your considerations in front of whether or not it will help the lawn, it's the customer that will get screwed. They are getting a service or product when they don't need it or when it won't do the best for the lawn. I always try to be as flexible as I can with the considerations of the customer in mind when I schedule services.

 

[mower_babe]

Glan just said that if it is irrigated, than anytime is a good time.

 

[MOW ED]

If it is 90 and dry, I certainly wouldn't core aerate. I have seeded my own lawn in hot weather and got decent results but I watered frequently. TG/CL is a big operation and they do what they want, losing a couple customers doesn't really matter because people recognize the name and there are 10 new customers for every one that leaves.
I offer personal service but that is my business. I am a small operation. It would be a different story if I was doing volume. Grass will grow in almost any weather if the right conditions are given to it.

 

[1grnlwn]

If the soil is moist enough to pull a 2.5" core yes it's fine. But most of these big Co.s tell the customer to water right before (which they don't) even if they did it would not be sufficient in most cases. Then the LCO comes out and plugs nickles. $80 wasted. If turf is still dormant then you haven't fulfilled the aerate while turf is activly growing requirement.

 

[1MajorTom]

Not aerating here yet. Even though this is the mildest August we have experienced, still not going to start aerating in Aug.
We're probably only going to end up with about 40 aerations, maybe a few more added to that when a homeowner sees us and calls us over to do theirs also.... but it's still not enough aerations to warrant starting in August.

 

[polecat63]

Don't know about where you all live but here it's just too damn hot. I have several customers that insist on using CL and DO NOT have irrigation. The were areated and seeded last week. CL never said they need to water and the high nitrogen fert they apllied has stressed the fescue already there. Now the lawns look like c r a p and they have asked that I not mow for a week or two. Morons are costing me money. 95% of my properties are fescue and even with irrigation most fescue seed will not germinate with it this hot. Up until now it has been so wet here that many lawns have brown patch and dollar spot. Dumping fert. on those is definately not in the best interest of the client.

 

[DUSTYCEDAR]

who said CL was interested in the client
its all about the money with them

 

[EJK2352]

Originally posted by polecat63
Don't know about where you all live but here it's just too damn hot. I have several customers that insist on using CL and DO NOT have irrigation. The were areated and seeded last week. CL never said they need to water and the high nitrogen fert they apllied has stressed the fescue already there. Now the lawns look like c r a p and they have asked that I not mow for a week or two. Morons are costing me money. 95% of my properties are fescue and even with irrigation most fescue seed will not germinate with it this hot. Up until now it has been so wet here that many lawns have brown patch and dollar spot. Dumping fert. on those is definately not in the best interest of the client.

polecat,
Are you a mow only company??? I won't mow for anyone who doesn't allow me to do their lawn apps. and core aeration. If you are not licensed, I would look in to it seriously, as you are leaving alot of money on the table. You can also do what is agronomically correct for your customers lawns.

 

[polecat63]

All my clients under contract are also treated by me. I have a few customers that I've had for years that don't want to be under contract. Told them this year they will have to find a new service if they do not sign a contract next season.

 

[Hole in 1]

I core aerate in my area from March-November, including the hot summer months. This is my third season in this area and have not had any problems aerating during the hot months. (Temps average 105 or so) Although every lawn or field here has an irrigation system, without it you have desert!
I try to start early in the morning when the temp is a cool 90 or so, fertilize and then have the customers water heavy for the next 2-3 days.
Like I said I haven't had a single problem lawn.

 

[mtdman]

Originally posted by Hole in 1

I try to start early in the morning when the temp is a cool 90 or so, fertilize and then have the customers water heavy for the next 2-3 days.
Like I said I haven't had a single problem lawn.

A cool 90 or so?? AHHHH! I thought 70 was cool?

 

[Hole in 1]

Yeah 90 is pretty warm for the morning, but for the most part there is almost no humidity here. So its not as bad as it sounds

 

[smburgess]

Not time to seed here in Virginia just yet. Temps are to high (high 80's/90's) Seed will germinate easy enough, but the afternoon temps would just kill it since it has such a shallow root system. Have to wait till temps in the 70's if you want it to survive.

For the original post: They are wasting the customer's money by a large part.