The Lawn Moores is the first lawn care company in Macomb, Il. to specialize in sustainable lawn care using primarily organic, locally produced inputs.
Our treatments are aimed at increasing soil organic matter over the long term and reducing the need for further inputs. No more “stay off the grass” signs following a treatment, our products are food for the soil and are perfectly safe to play on.
Our treatments include:
- Compost topdressing
- Feed grain meals and commercial organic fertilizers
- Aeration
- Overseeding
- Leaf Removal
- Lawn Mowing
We suggest you consult the websites and readings listed below for a detailed explanation of the Soil Food Web, but we will try to give a brief explanation here:
Compost topdressing: Your soil should contains millions of bacteria, fungi, nematodes, protozoa, earthworms, arthropods and a host of other creatures that feed in the soil and feed off of each other in the soil food web. Their “circle of life” is the engine that drives plant growth. As they grow, die and decompose they provide all the nutrition healthy turf will need. Compost is the primary food source for the biological life in your soil and contains much of this beneficial bacteria and fungi as well. We use locally produced compost, recycling organic matter in our community. It is spread in appropriate quantities once or twice per year, building soil organic matter and moving your lawn toward nutrient self-sufficiency.
Feed grain meals and commercial organic fertilizers: Many locally produced grains and distillers’ grain byproducts are a good source of food for the soil food web when used judiciously. We will select the types and application rates that fit your soil’s needs. We also use commercial organic fertilizers from Nature Safe to supplement our compost and grain meals program.
Aeration: Aerating your soil eases compaction, allows water and oxygen better access to the rhizosphere (root zone) and is a good way to get soil amendments deeper in the soil profile. Aeration can be performed anytime the soil is not too moist.
The Lawn Moores are the only lawn care company in the area to offer shatter tine power aeration using an Aerovator on our Grasshopper power unit.
The aerovator actually far out performs conventional core aerators during our hot dry summer and fall seasons. Combined with compost and overseeding it is also a very effective fall overseeding tool.
Overseeding: Often overlooked as a lawn care practice, overseeding is a means of regenerating tired, thin lawns, increasing the thicknes and vigor of your turf and introducing improved cultivars of desirable species. We overseed with a custom mixture of heat resistant, self regenerating species developped by Barrembrug’s Seed which include Kentucky Bluegrasses, Turf-Type Tall Fescue, and Perennial Ryegrass. Fall overseeding is the most successful time to overseed.
Leaf Removal: We provide leaf removal services for our clients with the option of taking them off site or setting up a composting bin on your property. We can also mulch mow your leaves if you would like. Pricing varies with the quantitiy of leaves and the disposal option chosen. And we will blow out your flowerbeds and from behind your shrubs as well! Contact us for options and a quote.
Lawn Mowing: We use professional equipment, sharp blades, proper mowing heights and recycle clippings to maintain a healthy growing environment for your grass. Edges are trimmed and hard surfaces blown free of debris. Our lawns have a professionally maintained look that comes from years of experience and service to our area.
WHAT ABOUT WEEDS IN MY LAWN?
Weeds are often a sign of a soil problem and a failure to compete on the part of your grass. We strive to rectify the soil problem first to favorize the turf grass
However, should you need a quick fix for heavy weed problems we are certified to spray herbicides in the state of Illinois.
SOME USEFUL WEBSITES FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.soilfoodweb.com/ The site of USDA soil scientist Dr. Elaine Ingram, the foremost expert on the biology of soil life. The start of it all.
Soil Food Web Soil Primer: Learn all about the biology of your soil from the USDA:http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/concepts/soil_biology/soil_food_web.html
http://www.safelawns.org/ A how to site for the homeowner.
http://www.ghlp.org/ Grass Roots Healthy Lawn Program
Teaming With Microbes, A Gardener’s Guide to the Soil Food Web, by Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis . The most up-to-date and comprehensive look at the latest understandings of the biological workings of healthy soil.