Grass Cutting | Zero Emissions Organic Lawn Care

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Organic Lawn Care Programs

We offer a range of lawn care programs; all of which are Clean, Green, Organic, and Sustainable.

• Organic Vegetation Control
• Organic Weed Control
• Organic Lawn Fertilizer
• Organic Top Dressing
• Organic Insect Control
• Integrated Pest Management
• Organic Grub Control

Organic Vegetation Control

The GrassCutters offers an environmentally friendly solution to vegetation control for interlock patios, driveways, walkways, etc., using a safe organic product.  These areas are sprayed periodically with a concentrated brine vinegar, which quickly dries out and kills the weeds.  This treatment is available with yearly programs or as a single service.

Organic Weed Control

THE GRASSCUTTERS UTILIZES STATE OF THE ART ORGANIC PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET TO CARE FOR YOUR LAWN, INCLUDING A SAFE, NATURAL WEED CONTROL PRODUCT THAT CAN QUICKLY PROVIDE VISIBLE RESULTS FOR OUR CLIENTS.

Sarritor Natural Weed Control is part of our solution to manage broadleaf weed infestations on your lawn. Sarritor contains a naturally occurring fungus that actually “eats” weeds, but does not affect grasses. It is the most effective weed management tool available on the market, and conforms to all municipal and provincial pesticide by-laws. This product is most effective on dandelion, thistle, plantain and other rosette-type weeds, but offers some control over many broadleafed species. It is a tool to help REDUCE the number of dandelions and other weeds on your lawn, but it is not reasonable to expect complete eradication. The efficacy of our organic weed controls can be enhanced by applying them only in appropriate weather conditions, and by extensive watering in the days following Sarritor application. Two Applications are included in each of our yearly programs, or single applications may be ordered.

Sarritor is derived from a naturally occurring fungus called Sclerotinia Minor that is normally associated with rotting lettuce.  It was developed by Dr.Alan Watson at McGill University. See more at Sarritor.ca .

PDF Downloads:

• Label – Sarritor
• MSDS – Sarritor

For CRABGRASS and other annual weeds, including Dandelions, we offer a corn-gluten based spring fertilizer, which also acts as a pre-emergent weed management tool. When applied at the appropriate time, corn-gluten inhibits germination of crabgrass and weed seeds on your lawn. For lawns with a history of crabgrass, or severe weeds, corn-gluten can be used in place of the spring fertilizer in order to feed the lawn as well as combat weed infestation before it gets out of control.

Sarritor treatments, along with corn gluten pre-emergent weed control and midsummer weed-pulling, will allow us to keep weed infestations in your lawn to a minimum. Over time, we will help give you a healthier, thicker lawn and reduce the overall number of weeds. A comprehensive multi-pronged approach including professional soil testing, soil conditioning, organic fertilization, aeration, top dressing, overseeding and natural pest management will give you the best results money can buy, without the use of harmful chemicals.

THERE ARE 3 IMPORTANT STEPS WITH SARRITOR

• WATERING: Watering is the most important consideration. You must water your lawn after the application is finished for 15 minutes. We also recommend repeating this for 3 days after the application. It is a good idea to keep the product moist.
• MOWING:  Normal mowing can resume 3 days after our application of Sarritor.  Also, try to avoid heavy traffic on the lawn for at least 3 days to allow the product to work more effectively.
• PESTICIDE SIGNAGE: Although Sarritor is naturally occurring and SAFE for animals, birds and humans, Ontario Law still requires that we post a sign at each application.

Organic Lawn Fertilizer

Corn Gluten

The GrassCutters uses a 100% natural spring turf fertilizer made from corn gluten. The nitrogen in this fertilizer is found in the form of proteins, as opposed to the urea found in chemical fertilizers. This organic nitrogen is naturally time-released in the soil as these proteins break down, reducing the risk of burning. Corn gluten has the added benefit of suppressing seed germination in your lawn’s soil. When applied in mid-spring, corn gluten fertilizer will act as a pre-emergent control of crabgrass and other annual weeds.

One problem with using a corn-gluten-based fertilizer is that it prevents grass seed from germinating.  If a lawn is going to be over-seeded, or repaired with soil/seed or sod, then corn gluten cannot be used.  If Corn Gluten is used in the early spring, fall seeding is possible, but extra seed is required to overcome the germination suppressant.  If seeding is planned, the GrassCutters offers a non-corn-gluten-based spring fertilizer or high-nutrient spring top dressing.

Premium organic fertilizer (kelp)

To feed your lawn through the summer and fall, The GrassCutters offers the highest grade granular organic fertilizer available.  Our Premium organic fertilizer is a seaweed (kelp) and botanical based fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 9:3:4. It contains various enzymes, vitamins, amino acids, and mineral nutrients (ie: micronutrients not found in synthetic fertilizers) for optimum turf grass performance.  The nitrogen in this fertilizer is found in the form of proteins and other complex organic molecules, as opposed to the urea in chemical fertilizers.  This nitrogen is naturally time-released in the soil as these molecules are metabolized by soil bacteria.  In addition to providing superior nutrients, this fertilizer stimulates turf growth with kelp/plant derived biostimulants.  A study at Virginia Tech recently found seaweed (Kelp) extract to be one of the most promising biostimulant formulations for turfgrasses. Biostimulants increase plant growth via hormonal effects and/or increased stress tolerance due to elevated antioxidant levels.  Kelp has been shown to stimulate root growth, thicken turf, and increase the lawnﾒs tolerance to stresses, such as drought, salinity, pH, and high traffic.

Organic Top Dressing

Top dressing a lawn with composted organic material is a sure way to add nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as micronutrients and beneficial microbes, to your lawn.  The addition of this organic matter to your lawn’s soil will dramatically increase turf density, stress tolerance and overall health.  Top dressing may also be done in conjunction with overseeding to thicken turf and fill in thin/bare spots.  Larger damaged areas can also be repaired at this time and blended into the existing turf. For best results, top dressing/seeding should be preceded by mechanical core aeration.

Organic Insect Control

In the event of an attack on your lawn by surface insects like chinch bugs, sod webworms, or cutworms, The GrassCutters can apply an organic insect control product that is derived from the chrysanthamum plant.  This product is allowed under municipal and provincial by-laws, and is applied according to IPM regulations.  Insect control is offered on its own, or in a yearly program on an as-required basis.

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.

The IPM approach can be applied to both agricultural and non-agricultural settings, such as the home, garden, and workplace. IPM takes advantage of all appropriate pest management options including, but not limited to, the judicious use of pesticides. In contrast, organic food production applies many of the same concepts as IPM but limits the use of pesticides to those that are produced from natural sources, as opposed to synthetic chemicals.

Organic Grub Control

Nematodes are microscopic living creatures that can be found in your garden soil. The Beneficial Nematodes are an organic gardeners dream because they are hungry predators that feed on the larva of some of our nastiest garden and lawn pests. When you release this Beneficial, they lay and wait in the soil for the larva of crane fly, fleas, root weevils, grubs, cut worms, borers, gnats, and a wide range of other pests. The good news is that they leave hard working worms alone and they don’t harm birds, pets, or humans. You can have all the benefits of theses Nematodes in your garden and by following a few key steps, you’ll guarantee bug killing success.

Once your outside soil has warmed up to a minimum of 12 degrees Celsius, it’s safe to apply Beneficial Nematodes. They like to travel through moist soil, so watering your lawn and garden extra well is necessary. Nematodes don’t like sunlight, so the best time to apple them is at night.

If you find your lawn under attack by grubs this summer, call The GrassCutters and we’ll stop them dead in their tracks-the organic way.