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Dave Schwarm

Dave Schwarm

Recent Posts

Top 5 benefits of Snow for Your Lawn

Posted by Dave Schwarm on Feb 11, 2021 9:08:01 AM

Does snow fertilize a lawn?

Have you ever heard the old adage that snow is Poor Man's fertilizer? Well, it actually is!  But not to the extent that you would find in a standard application of fertilizer.

Snow, rain, sleet, lightning and hail all collect Nitrogen, Sulfur and other nutrients as they pass through the atmosphere. It brings these nutrients to the ground, then your soil and then your grass. 

While you can't count it as a full application, snow can supply up to 5 pounds of nitrogen per acre of land throughout a season. 

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Local Lawn Care vs Franchise Lawn Care

Posted by Dave Schwarm on Dec 18, 2020 3:54:08 PM

What's the Difference Between Local and Franchise Lawn Care?

It’s easy to hire the “Big Boys''; with their enticing prices, tv commercials and coupons galore.  Some of these companies spend millions just to stay in front of you. 

Is going out of your way to take the time to find a local, family owned lawn care company even worth it anymore? 

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Seeding Your Lawn - The Ultimate Guide

Posted by Dave Schwarm on Nov 10, 2020 11:10:29 AM

Which Kind of Grass Seed is Best for My Yard?

The Northeast’s changing seasons can be tough on turf. It’s important to have a grass variety that can withstand the challenges of long winters and moderate summers. In the northeast, no one grass can do this alone.

The benefit of having a grass seed blend is that it offers genetic diversity.  Where one grass type lacks - another might excel when considering factors such as humidity, seasons or elevation.

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Best Time of Year to Over Seed My Lawn

Posted by Dave Schwarm on Sep 29, 2020 5:26:35 PM

When is the best time of year to seed my lawn?

Fall, followed by winter (dormant) seeding are the two best times of year to seed your lawn. Both will give your lawn the adequate head start it needs to green-up in Spring and suppress weed growth. 

Below, we'll go over the times of year that you can over seed your yard from best to worst:

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Fall Seeding vs Dormant Seeding

Posted by Dave Schwarm on Sep 17, 2020 4:03:58 PM

Fall Seeding:

The best way to repair a thin or damaged lawn is to fall seed. Fall seeding works best with aeration to allow for optimal seed to soil contact.  

Fall Seeding and Germination

Grass seeds will sprout and enjoy a full season before going dormant for winter. This new grass will have plenty of time to establish a strong root system to survive winter and green up in Spring. 

When Should I Fall Seed? 

 The best time to fall seed is between mid August and mid October. Pros: soil is still warm. Has time to germinate and fully establish before winter. 

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How To Treat for Grubs [Prevent Before its Too Late]

Posted by Dave Schwarm on Jun 25, 2020 4:02:18 PM

The Importance of Preventative Grub Control

Grubs are the silent killers of lawn pests. It is very easy to not notice them until it is too late.  Preventative grub control can save you a lot of money in the long run.

When grubs kill patches of your lawn, that grass will not come back on its own. Grubs can destroy an entire lawn in a very short amount of time. 

You will generally have to rake clean the debris, then soil and reseed all of the affected areas. 

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Topics: Moles, Grubs

How To Get Rid of Weeds in My Lawn [The Ultimate Guide]

Posted by Dave Schwarm on Jun 22, 2020 5:11:58 PM

Getting Rid of Weeds In My Yard

We have all been there - you have a lawn full of pesky weeds. What do you do? We are here to help offer some tips on how to better identify and manage weeds on your property. 

Some weeds can be more aggressive than others. Some are just eye sores, while others cause harm by robbing water and nutrients from other plants. Below we'll cover both weed identification and weed treatment. 

Weed: /noun/ A wild plant growing where it is unwanted and in competition with cultivated plants.

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Topics: Lawn care, Weeds, Lawn Tips, Lawn Watering

Choosing the Best Irrigation System [Top 5 Sprinkler Types]

Posted by Dave Schwarm on Jun 18, 2020 8:08:34 PM

In my 30 years of experience in the lawn care industry, a lot has changed. One thing that has remained the same is this: grass needs water and watering your lawn correctly will keep it healthy and green.

Irrigation systems have many benefits. They water your lawn evenly, are environmentally beneficial (less waste), encourage healthy plant growth, and offer both aesthetic and financial benefits.

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Topics: Lawn Tips, Lawn Watering

5 Hidden Costs in Lawn Care Services

Posted by Dave Schwarm on May 28, 2020 5:36:09 PM

Have you even been car shopping and found a "great deal" only to realize later that you were charged extra for your 4th tire?

I have 30 years of experience working in the lawn care industry and I have seen a lot of "slicksters" who take advantage of uninformed customers. I’m here to level the playing field and inform you. 
 
Here’s what I have found is common practice in the lawn service industry and where the hidden costs may lie:
 
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Topics: Insider, Choosing a lawn care company, Cost of lawn care

When Should I Treat for Crabgrass?

Posted by Dave Schwarm on Apr 30, 2020 5:40:59 PM

When is the best time to put down crabgrass control on my lawn?

In my 30 years of lawn service industry experience, a top concern for customers has been the timing of your 1st service.

Homeowners have been taught to apply pre-emergents when the Forsythias bloom in spring.  This is just not true anymore.
 
With research and development, pre-emergents and post emergents for crabgrass control have advanced. Below, we'll go over the recommended timing for 3 different crabgrass control products. 
 
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Topics: Weeds, Spring Lawn Care, Crabgrass, Lawn Tips

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