eek

Now, of the fungus based diseases, and they're all fungus based, this one it the easiest to deal with. The disease is known as Red Thread and becomes active in the late spring. As the turf is more prone to this infestation when depleted of nitrogen, a good balanced fertilizer treatment will knock this down. Fertilizer will be packaged with an analysis, 3 numbers; NPK = nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. See, no worries, Dr Pirate is on your side, and wants your lawn to do well.

Pride

Why is it the other lawn care companies don't hold a candle to Turfman? It's not because I work for Turfman, its just we are not pushed to bill ungodly amounts of money. We (the techs, owner included) just go out, run a route day and do it right. On the new sales, usually loaded with weeds; we apply heavy weed control, bring the weeds to near eradication. Yes this takes more time, it is time well spent, most of the customers on my route are very happy with the results of my service. What's in it for me? Well being happy to have provided a top notch service, the company grows, my job is secure and the worries of day to day living go out the door. My experiences have shown my sense of "job well done" will not equal the definition the 'Scotts' or 'True Green' definitions. I have never had my boss ask me "why didn't you do more?" 


So as the day begins, I am happy to be part of the machine, the machine that produces happy customers.

Now I am tired

Perhaps a favorite, this is the biggest lawn Turfman has on the books. 235,000 square ft, rounded to about 5.5 acres. I took this shot this morning from the back edge, facing the house (in the upper left corner). My truck is there parked by the tree, I think its a maple; the tree, not the truck. The entire property is bordered by a dry stacked stone wall, which is quite impressive. Turf as far as the eye can see. This is one where the turf buggy saves the day. Its a nice lawn in the early spring for a Saturday job, weed control is limited on this application as the weeds are have yet to 'pop'. 2 guys on turf buggies can get this done by late morning. So... that's what I did this morning. I do think its funny the bench sitting out in the middle of the back yard; not shown in the pic there are about 4 crab apple trees just to the right of the bench. The lower picture is the same bench seen from the house. This lawn is actually a bit smaller than some of the yards in Indian Hill, a ritzy part of greater Cincinnati. The one thing I am surprised at is this lawn does not have a swimming pool in it, most Indian Hill residents have pools. There is a horse pasture here, of course it is not included in the "treated area" of the lawn. It goes with out say, I am about whipped, even riding this lawn out will take it right out of a person.

 

Ticking away...

 The time grows near, in 25 hours I will be reporting for work again. With snow still on the ground and the 1st of March fast on the way... I remember this time of year being crazy in the other companies I did time with. Lots of customers, lots of trucks lots of employees all running around trying to get those last minute details done, and then heading out to treat your first day of properties and the boss tells ya, "If it takes ya till dark: 30, we need those numbers". Then first few weeks, you run run run getting your "accelerated" production done. It all seemed to be a money thing. The excuse "its too wet to get the spreader on the yard" no, you need to find another excuse, we are after all talking about the True Greens aka the Chemlawns named Davie and Scott. Out the door as soon as the weather breaks, February 15 or there abouts. True Green is real bad about early starts, I have seen them out even now, with the snow covered hills. One thing I know from experience and common sense, a customer does not want their snow to be fertilized. Yea I realize, its a timing/calendar set program, but really guys; with snow still on the ground? I remember back in '07, late snow fall, ground was covered for over a week. 9 days lost; we just buck up and get more done when we could, and it wasn't all that bad. Got caught up and on with the show we went.

The big companies are... well, too big. Once you reach a point that the service is no longer service but just money in your pocket; there is definitely something wrong. This is a SERVICE industry, once the service is gone; you have nothing to work for. Not so much a plug, (if you live in cincinnati, have a lawn and desire a nice lawn, please call me) I will say the company I work for is small enough for the personal touch, and still provide top notch service.

No its not really a snappy name, and no we don't have a big glitzy banner but what we do offer is service, with a smile (you get to see me) and experienced techs that know what is going on with your turf needs. I don't own the company, I don't get kick back for more accounts (well in the long run it will provide a raise) but I do know to put my stamp on a lawn means there will be results, and I will work with you to the best of my ability to achieve those results. Actually I find it is the customer that provides my paycheck, not Turfman, who signs my check.

I will say I don't know everything, I learn with my experience, and still pick up new information; when it comes to lawncare I do know that service is everything. Not only do I need to know turf, disease, insects and a slew of other things; I need to have rapport with customers. There is more to my job than just knowing the facts. Several hats are worn on this job; sales, service and maintenance. I do change hats quite often.

So here goes... looking forward to another great year of lawn care.

Lawn care now? I just put my folding chairs away

Turf care season abound on the horizon. I like my job and look forward to this time every year.  This being said its almost the end of my extended vacation. Only gripe, well as all I have many, but I don't like the winter being my vacation time. Well I always did say, get what you can get. Or at least something like that. Seems like I should have taken up snow skiing or a similar hobby. This shot was taken from the sun deck on Pirates vessel. Sun deck doesn't get alot of use this time of year. So.... looking to the south-west toward Reading Ohio. Funny thing here is Reading is pronounced Red-ing, not like what you do with a book. Had an issue with a visitor from out of town, "Well it should be reed-ing". I just sat back thinking "let it go"....

The one forecast I read off the Nat'l Weather Service said "1 inch additional snow fall" not sure what was already on the ground at that point. looks to be about 5-6 inches.
*Doesn't look like the temperature is going to help the cause much, could be looking at a late start to the season of Lawn Care, I will keep you posted. *According to my weather sources.