Home Lawn Care Questions and Answers
Questions and Answers
Lawn Care FAQ

Below are a list of frequently asked questions concerning general lawn care and our lawn care services. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please send a message through our contact page and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Aeration

Fertilization

Sprinkler Blowout

Sprinkler Startup

Appointments and Scheduling Service

Aeration

What is lawn aeration or core aeration?

Aeration is the removal of small soil plugs or cores, (typically 5/8 inch in diameter, 2-5 inches long) from the lawn, using an aerator.

How does aeration benefit lawns?

Lawn aeration will:

  • Cultivate a healthy lawn, as it allows an easier access of necessary water, fertilizer, air and nutrients into the lawns’ root system;
  • Boost the outcome of over-seeding, by allowing the seed to quickly absorb into the soil, allowing for an ideal growing terrain;
  • Loosen the soil to encourage a deeper, healthier root growth;
  • Allow soil ventilation to prevent thatch build up, which is a layer of dead grass and roots that do not properly decompose.

When and how often should lawns be aerated?

  • Optimal times are during the spring and fall as ground is most soft, avoiding intense heat and temperatures over 85 degrees for consecutive days;
  • Harvest recommends that you aerate twice a year.  This allows for two separate times for fertilizer, water and oxygen to penetrate the lawn surface.  However, if you only choose to aerate once a year, we suggest the fall as this better maintains your lawn as it freezes and goes through the colder months.

What should be done with the plugs left on the lawn?

  • Plugs should be left on the lawn, as they will decompose on their own, and the vital nutrients in them will return to the soil.  Most of them will gradually incorporate into your lawn within 3-6 weeks.

When should aeration NOT be done on a lawn?

  • Newly seeded and sodded lawns should not be aerated in the first year;
  • Lawn aeration is for the grass.  Yards that contain large areas of weeds, and other non-grass elements will not benefit from aeration.

What type of aerator do you use?

We use a Ryan Lawnaire IV Plus-a self-propelled, drum type aerator.  It contains a 4hp Honda powered engine with the ability to aerator up to 21,000 sq. ft per hour, 9 holes per square foot.  The tines on this aerator are ¾ inch in diameter and can pull plugs from you yard anywhere from 2.75-4.75 inches deep.

Why does Nations only offer lawn services in the spring and in the fall?

In the past several years that Harvest has offered lawn services to customers, we have found that the majority of people call a professional to handle their aeration in the fall and/or the spring seasons. In the future, as we grow, look for us to offer additional services during other times of the year.

Fertilizing Q & A

What is the importance of fertilizing in the fall?

Fall fertilization of cool-season lawns such as Kentucky bluegrass is a common and recommended practice for Colorado.  Fall fertilization increases turf quality during the fall and following spring and promotes healthy seasonal rooting.

We applied fertilizer in the fall.  Why would it be important to place it down again in the spring?

The fertilization of your lawn in the spring is vital because this feeding replenishes the reserves used during the dormant winter period.

What type of fertilizer do you offer in the fall?

Timed release "winterizer" with special micronutrients to feed your lawn going into winter and promote early spring green up. We offer both organic and synthetic blends, specifically made for the Colorado soils.  This is the most important feeding of the year!

What is a winterizer?

Winterizer is a fertilizer that slowly feeds the lawn over the winter, helps protect root structure, and allows the lawn to rejuvenate in the spring very fast.

Why is a winterizer important?

The winterizer is the most important treatment of the year. Lawns that are not treated in the fall typically are 10 times more likely to acquire a disease, have 20% more weeds, and produce 10% less chlorophyll compared to lawns not treated with a winterizer.

What type of fertilizer do you offer in the spring?

Slow release granular fertilizer containing weed preventer; treatments to aid in grass reproduction and promote strong root development and broadleaf weed control where needed.  We offer both organic and synthetic blends, specifically made for Colorado soils.

What is the difference between organic and synthetic fertilizers?

Most fertilizers are comprised of water-soluble nitrogen. This is quickly available to the plant and released into the lawn. These fertilizers will quickly green up the lawn, and need seasonal and yearly applications. From a cost stand point, synthetic fertilizers are less expensive then organic fertilizers.  Pure organic fertilizers are slow release blends and only release the nitrogen as microbial activity occurs. The lawn stays green for a longer period of time, which is better for the lawn. Organic fertilizes also stimulate microbial activity which is beneficial in preventing fungus invasions and decomposing thatch. A major component in synthetic blends is sodium nitrate, a salt containing 26% sodium. We have high salt soils in Colorado so sodium nitrate is a product that adds to the problem instead of addressing the high salt issue. Organic fertilizers have low salt products that help balance the soil’s pH. Additionally, synthetic fertilizers are derived from petroleum products, which are non-renewable resources and organic products are derived from renewable plant based resources.

What is the consistency of your fertilizer and how is it applied to the grass?

The fertilizers we use are in granule form and are spread with a broadcast spreader.

Do I need to do anything to prepare my lawn before or after the fertilizer is applied?

Watering (1/2 inch) just after fertilization will provide the greatest benefit to the lawn.

Our grass was just laid down in the past year.  When can we use fertilizer on it?

We prefer to wait to fertilize on either newly sodded or seeded yards for a year after the lawns were laid down.  This prevents any damage to the “baby” grass leaves, most notably burning from the fertilizer.

Why does Harvest only offer its lawn services in the spring and the fall?

In the past several years that Harvest has offered lawn services to customers, we have found that the majority of people call a professional to handle their fertilization in the fall and/or the spring seasons. In the future, as we grow, look for us to offer additional services and applications during other times of the year.

Many seasons we have watering restrictions placed on our usage.  What is the best time to fertilize when we have these restrictions on our properties in a given year?

Fall fertilization can benefit these lawns if the fertilizer is applied and watered-in before the watering cutoff.  In these cases, most of the fertilization benefits will be seen in spring.

Sprinkler Blowout Q & A

When should I have my sprinkler system winterized?

We recommend having the sprinkler system winterized prior to the first freeze. We cannot predict when that is going to be, but we begin sprinkler blowouts around the middle of October, unless we see extreme cold systems coming through on a regular basis before that time. Keep in mind that although we may have one day of freezing temperatures, generally the ground is still warm, and can recover from a harsh day without problems occurring to your system.  Rule of thumb, if the temperatures stay at or under freezing temperatures for 3-5 consecutive days, you have probably waited too long to have your sprinklers blown out.

Do I need to be home for you to perform the sprinkler blowout?

If you can shut off the water inside the house and drain the downstairs pipe yourself then we can winterize the system from the outside and you DO NOT need to be home. We have instructions on how to drain the downstairs pipe on the website.  However, if you want us to drain the downstairs pipe and shut off the water you do need to be home.   Further, if you have an outside dog that is not secured in one part of the yard, we do ask our customers to be present for their appointments, unless otherwise worked out with our office.

I have a sprinkler clock do you need access to that to winterize the system?

In about 99% of all cases no. We can manually control the sprinkler through the manifold or valve boxes, which are located in the ground, usually with green lids.

I am trying to self drain my system but I cannot find my water shutoff in the basement what should I do?

We would be happy to help you locate your water shutoff and educate you for future seasons. We can find 99%+ of all shutoffs.

I am draining my downstairs pipe and it is taking a long time to drain, did I shut of the water properly?

Yes, if you did not shut it off properly you will have water gushing out of the pipe at about 50 PSI. Sometimes it may take up to 10-15 minutes for the pipe to drain properly because some pipes are very long.

By having my sprinkler system winterized does that ensure that I will not have any damage over the winter?

Even a properly winterized system can still have damage. In our experience with our company, typically there is damage from the winter season on approximately 5-10% of all sprinkler systems. This damage is completely unrelated to the winterization of the system. This is not because of improper winterization, but usually because of an old or weak part. Most sprinkler systems in Colorado have plastic parts that were manufactured in a warmer climate outside of our state, making these parts not conducive to the harsh winters we experience.  In very cold conditions plastic parts can become brittle, thus causing damage before the spring season.

What air pressure do you use to winterize the system?

We use 40-80 PSI depending on your system.

I have a water shutoff valve that is in the ground and it requires a key to turn it off, do you have a key or do I need to supply the key?

You need to supply the key. It is very important that you own a key because if you need to shut off the water in an emergency you need to have quick access to the key. If you do not own a key, you can find one at any home improvement store.

My sprinkler shutoff uses a key in the ground, how do I drain the system?

You do not need to drain the system, if everything is outside our technician will do this for you. You just need to give our technician access to the key.

Why do I need to drain the pipes that are on the outside of my property?

If you don’t drain the pipe then it is possible that the water that is inside the pipe will expand in the freezing temperatures over the winter, causing the pipe to break.

Can you drain the pipes for me, or do I have to figure it out before you winterize my system?

We are more than happy to drain the pipe for you, however, if you can drain your own pipe you do not need to be home for us to be able to blowout the sprinkler system.

How do you blowout the sprinklers if you cannot get into the garage to use the sprinkler clock?

We can operate each zone through the valve boxes which are the green boxes in the ground outside.

I have opened the valves and the petcocks but there is no water coming out of the drain. What is happening?

You probably have a vertical pipe somewhere and we need to back blow the system.

What do I do if my pipe comes into the house then it goes up (vertical) and then down.

This is rare but it is possible and we need to back blow the system. This means we apply air pressure to the pipe and blow the water backwards. This is important due to the fact that your pipe goes vertical and therefore will not drain properly without air pressure. You will need to be home for us to be able to back blow the system.

I noticed I have some broken sprinkler heads, after the blowout was completed.  When should I replace them and can you help me with those repairs?

We can help with replacing your sprinkler heads.  It best to wait until after the winter season, before you start your system back up in the spring, so your heads can be adjusted appropriately, and tested out once the water is back on again.

I waited too long and my sprinkler system froze and I need some repairs can you do that?

That depends, if it is the bonnet or pop-it which are inside the vacuum breaker yes we can. Typically, 95%+ of freeze issues are going to be the bonnet or the pop-it. If the pipe ruptured or something else broke then you may need to have a sprinkler company or a plumber out to fix the problem, before you are able to have the system winterized.

Sprinkler Startup - Q & A

What time of year is the best time to start up my sprinkler system?

We recommend that you startup your sprinkler system when hard freezes are unlikely. This is usually anytime between the middle of April and into May.

What do you do when you startup the sprinkler system?

We start up the water system properly and check all the zones to make sure they are watering in the most optimal direction for your lawns. We program the clock to water the lawn properly, check to be sure the sprinkler heads are spraying in the correct direction, as well as check for any leaks, cracks or problems in the heads or outside visible lines.

Do I need to be home for the sprinkler startup?

Yes, you need to be home so we can get access to the water valve and the clock for programming.  Further, if you have an outside dog that is not secured to one part of the yard, we do ask our customers to be present for their appointments, unless otherwise worked out with our office.

I have a repair that needs to be done. Can you do that while you are here?

It depends on the severity of the repair. We can replace bonnets and pop-its, some sprinkler head tips, and micro-mist tips but many major repairs we do not have the equipment to handle. If there is a repair we cannot do we will advise you of the situation and can give you a referral for the repairs to be completed.

I have a sprinkler head that is broken can you replace that?

We can help with minor sprinkler repairs, such as replacing a broken head.  If we do not have the correct head for your system on our trucks, your technician will advise you to call our offices to schedule another time to come out and take care of this repair.  Since we do not specialize in sprinkler repairs, we do not have many parts on the trucks.  Further, if our technician feels he cannot help with a repair, we will advise you as such, and refer you to a company that can help you.

You winterized my system and there is a problem.  Is that guaranteed?

Probably not. Even a properly winterized system can still have damage. In our experience with our company, typically there is damage from the winter season on approximately 5-8% of all sprinkler systems. This damage is completely unrelated to the winterization of the system. This is not because of improper winterization, but usually because of an old or weak part. Most sprinkler systems in Colorado have plastic parts that were manufactured in a warmer climate outside of our state, making these parts not conducive to the harsh winters we experience.  In very cold conditions plastic parts can become brittle, thus causing damage before the spring season.

Appointments and Scheduling Q & A

What is the best way to communicate with you about the services I schedule?

We now have a website that accommodates our customers in the most effective way possible when communicating to us about appointments and lawn care services and tips.  Although we welcome all customer phone calls, you can contact us through our email address provided, and be assured a quick turn-around time in getting a response to you.

What do I need to do to prepare my lawn before your come out for my services?

For aeration customers:

  • If your watering schedule permits, water your lawn the night before or the morning of your service
  • Flag sprinkler heads that are in the center of your yards; the perimeters do not need flagging, as we stay 6-12 inches off the edge, unless you have an invisible dog line-that will need to be flagged
  • If you do not own flags, you can use large rocks, plastic utensils, or anything that helps our technicians locate your sprinklers

For aeration and fertilization customers:

  • Remove any toys, lawn tools, etc off of the grass
  • Unless already arranged with our office, we usually do not move trampolines, unless they are lightweight; we are not responsible for broken/torn structures
  • As we fill our technicians schedules with back to back appointments, please be sure to clean up your dogs’ droppings off the yard, so our equipment will not carry debris to the next property
  • We prefer to have your dogs inside when servicing your yard or have them secured to an outside part of the yard; if this is not possible, we ask that you are home during the appointment
  • Be sure to leave any back/side gates unlocked
  • If you did not make payment for services before the appointment, we require it on the day of service.  If you are not home, you can leave payment in an envelope addressed to Harvest, under the door mat, taped to the front door, or other convenient location for the technician to locate
  • Without payment, our technician will not be able to service your yard and your appointment will need to be rescheduled
  • Time frames quoted for arrival are approximate, and are given in 4-hour windows, to accommodate our technicians’ schedules, unless other arrangements have been made with our office

Can I pick a time for you to come out for my services?

We try to schedule all of our appointments to best accommodate the customers and your time.  During our busiest times of the seasons, we try to place you on the schedule that is not only best for your schedule, but also for our routing and efficiency of our technicians.

Will I receive a reminder before you come out for my scheduled services?

If you have supplied us with an email address when your appointment was scheduled, you will receive an email reminder 1-2 days before we come out to your property.  For all others, we will call the phone number you gave us to remind you of your scheduled services, usually 1-3 days before your services.

Do I need to schedule early in the season for my appointments for lawn care or sprinkler services?

Our schedule fills up quickly so the sooner you set your appointment, the more dates we will have available for the day and time your are looking to have us take care of your services.
 

A green way to grow your lawn, grow your organization and grow your community!