Haines Tree and Spray

We have made significant changes to our lawn care program. Our programs now include weed control, plus a new Lake Whatcom Watershed Program, and a new Organic Program.

In order to manage lawns in the most environmentally sound manner, Haines uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. This means we take a holistic approach to lawn care which includes proper mowing, soil conditioning (acid, neutral or alkaline), watering, aeration, and fertilization as well as using the safest products for the results you want.

In doing this, Haines focuses on the root causes that need management to maximize control and minimize the products we put into our environment. We perform the right service, at the proper time, with the appropriate product for the best results. This requires extensive training in identification of grasses and weeds, insects (entomology) and diseases (plant pathology).

Haines uses a combined approach of balanced fertilizing and proper control of weeds, moss and turf damaging insects to give you a thicker, greener, healthier lawn. We also incorporate aerations for water, air and nutrient penetration and root growth, overseeding to thicken up and fill in lawns and lime applications as a soil amendment to neutralize acidity and "sweeten" the soil.

Over the course of the year, we will adjust your fertilizer as needed. This includes a mix to help deal with stresses from the winter cold or summer heat, and a root enhancement fertilizer in the late fall.

We have several programs to suit your taste and location:

• Standard Program: Most people will prefer this program. It includes balanced fertilization up to 8 times per year, with moss, insect and weed control included as needed and appropriate. We have various scheduling options to fit your budget, and to get the results you want.
• Watershed Program: Those who live in the watershed of a lake or stream will want this program. It includes phosphate free fertilization up to 8 times per year, with moss, insect and weed control as needed and appropriate. In order to reduce pesticides, once weeds are under control we use an organic pre-emergent to keep them from re growing. We have various scheduling options to fit your budget, and to get the results you want.
• 3-2-1 Organic! Program: For those who prefer to go organic, we've devised a program to "wean" the lawn off of synthetic products and fertilizers over a two year period so that by the third year we can be completely organic. The only exception may be the need for insect control as there is no organic control for crane fly larvae. Scheduling is more rigid as results depend on a full program of applications, including aerations, overseeding and liming, and prices per application will be higher due to the cost of materials. The advantage is that over the three years, we are able to drop from 8 applications to 6 because of the organic nature of the program, and testing shows that soil conditions greatly improve.
• Beneficial Services: Aerating, overseeding and liming are critical to a sound lawn maintenance program. While we offer these as add on services (except in 3-2-1 Organic!), it can not be stressed enough how important these are in the long term.

We have three basic scheduling options for the standard and watershed programs. These always include fertilization, and may include moss, insect and/or weed control depending on season, timing and the program selected:

• Standard Maintenance: 8 applications, spaced 5-6 weeks apart. This will give you the best results for a consistently green, thick and healthy lawn.
• Basic Maintenance: 6 applications, spaced 8 weeks apart. This will keep the lawn in good shape, though neither color, moss nor weeds will be as well controlled.
• Economy Starter: 4 applications, spaced 5-6 weeks apart. This is primarily for control of moss and weeds and consists of 2 Spring applications and 2 Fall applications.

For Crane fly Control Update click here.

A NOTE ON LAWN CARE:

There are many aspects of lawn care that are beyond our scope of control at Haines. We do not offer mowing services, nor are we available to water lawns for our customers, so it's important you are aware of correct mowing and irrigation.

Lawns need 1-1.5 inches of water per week (2 inches for sandy soils during hot weather) to stay healthy. This should be done in one or two sessions, rather than a little every day. Water evaporates fairly quickly when it is in the upper portion of the soil. Watering deeply allows water to penetrate further, so grass roots can grow downward to chase this water. To check the volume of water, use a tuna can to measure out one inch. The best time to water is in the early morning.

Mowing height affects how much water a lawn will retain, as well as how much fertilizer is required. Lawns that are cut too short struggle to leaf out enough to perform the photosynthesis they need to survive. Longer lawns shade the soil and prevent excessive evaporation. While proper mowing height varies depending on grass type, most lawns in Northwest Washington should be mowed at 1.5-2.5 inches, longer during hot, dry summers.