Cragen Lawn Care LLC

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Q:	How long should I wait to walk on the grass after an application?

A:	We recommend you wait until the grass dries. This usually takes about an hour and a half to two hours.

Q:	How long after the application do I need to wait until I can mow?

A:	You will need to wait 24 hours so the product can make its way into the roots of the plant and is no longer above the surface of the soil.

Q:	What happens if it rains after the application?

Contrary to popular belief, a light rain after the application is actually good for the effectiveness of the application. When it rains, the pores of the plant (both weed and grass) open up and soak in the weed control and fertilizer more quickly. However, if it's raining too hard, the weed control can potentially wash off the leaf surface. Your satisfaction is our number one priority. Therefore; if this does happen, we want you to contact us so we can make it right. Rain has no negative effect on the crab grass pre-emergent, insecticide, or fertilizer we use in any of our applications.

Q:	Is there a benefit to raising the mowing height?

Keeping your blades at their highest setting will give you the best results. Crab grass, weeds, and other undesirable plants require an abundance of sunlight to grow. By keeping your blades at their highest level, you will give shade to the soil level which prevents those plants from growing successfully. This will also allow the plant to store more moisture in the leaf tissue. Having the extra moisture in the grass blade allows your lawn to have a darker shade of green. Also, when there are multiple weeks without rain, your lawn will stay green longer with the extra moisture.

Q:	Should I bag my grass clippings when I mow?

A:	We recommend that you don't bag grass clippings. Grass clippings will decompose and return moisture and fertilizer to the lawn.

Q:	What else should I know about mowing?

There are two other helpful tips. First, keep your blade(s) sharp. Just like you don't want to shave with a dull razor, you don't want to mow with a dull blade. A clean cut across the lawn will make your lawn less susceptible to disease and give it a greener appearance. Second, avoid mowing during the hottest part of the day, especially in the summer. Mowing in the hot sun causes the grass to dry out more quickly.

Q:	What is the best time of the year to put seed down?

A:	The best times of the year to put seed down are early spring and early fall. Those seasons generally have cooler temperatures that allow the seed to grow better. Keeping your seeded area(s) watered consistently is the key to success.

Q:	Once my seed is down, how much water does it need? (Watering Instructions post renovation/seeding)

Initial Watering - The first watering should be heavy, wetting the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches. This will allow developing roots to better penetrate the soil. Daily waterings will also be more effective with a heavy initial watering. Care should be taken to not allow runoff.

The First Three Weeks - Daily watering is recommended for the first three weeks. The objective is to keep the surface moist. The amount of water applied each time will be small. However; in hot weather, two or three daily waterings may be necessary. With dew available many mornings, midday is often the best choice if only one daily watering can be made.

Fourth Week - As the seedlings develop, the surface may be allowed to dry out, but the root zone must still be kept moist. Change from light daily waterings to heavier waterings every other day.

Fifth Week - Two heavy waterings to maintain soil moisture for root development and later germinating seedlings.

Sixth Week - At this point resume normal watering procedures for your lawn. 1" of water each week will provide adequate growing moisture for excellent lawn performance.

Q:	When will start seeing my new seed grow?

A:	Air temperature, ground temperature, available moisture and sunlight affect the germination times of seeds. Most rye and fescue seeds will germinate in 7-14 days. Kentucky bluegrasses germinate in 20-35 days. All seeds applied to your lawn by Cragen Lawn Care are perennial.

Q:	When can I mow after seeding?

A:	Seeded areas with existing grass can be mowed as needed, after the initial watering (as described in the FAQ, "Once my seed is down, how much water does it need?"). Do not let clippings accumulate on the lawn, as smothering of new seedlings may occur.

Q:	When can your company or I apply weed control to the weeds in my newly seeded area?

A:	New seedlings can be harmed by weed controls. It is normal for some weeds to grow in newly seeded areas. Once the new grasses are strong enough to withstand the weed control, applications may be given.

Q:	What about crabgrass in my newly seeded area?

Annual grasses, such as crabgrass or foxtail, may show up in seeded areas. Weather conditions will greatly affect the amount of annual grasses that enter the seeded areas. Also, if your lawn was seeded in the spring, annual grass preventive products would not have been applied due to the fact that these products are designed to suppress new grasses from coming up, which would also affect your new seed. As newly seeded areas are often somewhat thin the first season, it is not uncommon for weeds and annual grasses to be a problem. Mowing with your blade(s) at the highest level will lessen this problem. By the second season, as the new grasses mature and thicken, most problems of this sort are eliminated.

Q:	When can people and pets go onto the seeded areas?

A:	People and pet traffic should be kept to a minimum for the first six weeks. Brand new seedlings have a very shallow root that can be dislodged from the soil, killing that seedling.