Most Common Weeds
Lawn Care Information
You can use our Lawn Care page to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of
most common weeds, diseases, and pests.
Keep in mind that lawns are a very important part of our landscape. Lawns provide a
safe play area for children. Turf converts carbon dioxide into oxygen and carbon which
is then sequestered or removed from the atmosphere. Turf stabilizes soil and
prevents erosion. Eroded soil carries nutrients and sediments into streams and
waterways and is a major cause of pollution. Thick, healthy turf will virtually eliminate
this concern. Turf areas provide a buffer zone against fires. Turfgrass areas play a
significant role in the purification of ground water. Areas covered with turf are cooler
thus saving energy by reducing the need for air conditioning.
Knowing this, the role of your local lawn care provider is to bring curb appeal to your
property and to improve your quality of life. Our Heritage Care Program for lawns is
the starting point for a great lawn. Based on our professional analysis we might also
recommend core aeration to relieve soil compaction, overseeding to thicken thin turf or
corrective limestone or fertilizer services that will be brought to our attention by the soil
test that is conducted at the start of every lawn care program. Please refer to the
program description below.
We also offer an Organic Based Program that focuses on reducing dependence on
synthetic fertilizers while still providing you with a spectacular Heritage lawn. Please
refer to the program description below.
We are pleased to announce that we now offer a Fully Organic Program. Please
contact us for details about this program.

Field Bindweed
Green Foxtail
Most Common Lawn Pests
Narrow Leaf Plantain
Asiatic Garden Beetle
Mature grubs about 3/4-inch long. The
adult is a small chestnut-brown, velvety,
scarab beetle. The wing covers do not
entirely cover the abdomen. Adults are
highly attracted to light and may be very
numerous at windows, doors, or
wherever there is a bright light.
Chinch Bugs
Adults are 3/16-inches long with a black
body covered by fully developed white
wings with two black spots. Nymphs are
smaller than adults, are orange-to-red
with a white band across their back. They
prefer hot, sunny, dry areas. Damaged
grass turns yellow and then reddish
brown as it dies. Damage usually begins
as irregular patches along a sidewalk or
driveway which spreads to adjacent
sunny areas.
.
Cutworms
silk lined burrows in the soil and thatch.
They feed at night.silk lined burrows in
the soil and thatch. They feed at night.
European Chafer and Grubs
1/2-inch long, light reddish-brown with a
darker head. Beetle larvae, referred to as
white grubs, are wormlie, C-shaped, and, at
maturity about 1-inch long. Chafers are
active at night and return to the soil during
the day. They attack cool-season turf
grasses. Chafer grubs damage turf by
feedingon the grass roots, cutting them
completely off just below the soil line. The
grass dies in irregular brown, spongy
patches which can be rolled back like a
carpet.
Japanese Beetle and Grubs
Beetle larvae (grubs) are
wormlike, C-shaped, and at
maturity up to 2/3 to 1-inch long.
The tip of the grub abdomen has
two rows of short spines
arranged in a V-shaped pattern.
Grubs feed on grass roots
cutting them off completely just
below the soil line. Severe
damage is most evident from
late August through early
October. The grass dies in
irregular brown, spongy patches
which can be easily rolled back
like carpet.



Sod Webworms
Adult moths are dull colored. Their
wings are rolled around the body,
giving them a tube-like
appearance. They have two
snout-like projections extending
from the front of the head. When full
grown, larvae are 3/4-inch long.
The larvae are tan, brown, gray, or
green depending on the species.
Only the larvae cause turf damage.
The immature larvae feed on the
surface tissues of the leaves.
Mature larvae chew the grass
leaves off at the base and eat
them, exposing grass crowns.
Damage begins with thinning and
as it progresses the grass turns
brown and is closely cropped.
Damage in combination with
stress can kill the grass.
Heritage Care Lawn Program
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EARLY SPRING: Service Window: February, March and April
A balanced, extended release Granular Fertilizer containing essential elements plus
micronutrients is applied at this time to help improve color, growth and thickness of
your lawn. This is a great application to help achieve a dark green lawn in the spring.
We recommend this treatment if any seeding is required this spring. Customers
choosing 3 to 4 Basic services receive this application.
(or)
A balanced, extended release Granular Fertilizer containing essential elements plus
micronutrients with Crabgrass Control is applied to help improve color, growth and
thickness of your lawn and prevent the germination of crabgrass. Note – Do not select
this service if seeding is required this spring as it also prevents the germination of
grass seed. This service is included in our 5 visit Heritage Care program . There is an
additional cost for this treatment to our Basic Care customers who request this service.
SPRING: Service Window: April, May, early June.
A combined application of Broadleaf Weed Control, Pre / Post-emergent Crabgrass
Control, and Liquid Fertilizer with Natural Humates. The Broadleaf Weed Control is
applied to help control most Broadleaf Weeds. Our Crabgrass control has the ability to
control Crabgrass that has germinated, plus stop further germination. A moderate rate
of fertilizer is also applied.
PREVENTIVE GRUB : Service Window: June and July.
This application uses a material that Prevents Grub Damage and must be applied
before Grub damage occurs.
With the increase of the Japanese Beetle population this application is important to
consider. A corrective treatment to control the grubs after they have emerged is also
more costly.
SUMMER: Service Window: June, July, and August
At this time we apply Limestone to help maintain existing pH levels. We will also
service for Broadleaf Weeds as needed at this time. If you accept our Heritage Care
program in the spring we will also treat for breakthrough Crabgrass if it occurs.
EARLY FALL: Service Window: August, September, and October.
A combined application of Broadleaf Weed Control plus Fertilizer with Natural Humates
Our fall treatment will help control most Broadleaf weeds and improve the color and
thickness of your lawn. This application can help your lawn look great this fall.
FALL: Service Window: October, November, and early December.
We apply a special Granular Fertilizer, often called “Winterizer”. This will help improve
the color and thickness of your lawn, and allow grass to utilize stored nutrients early
next spring.
NUTSEDGE CONTROL: Service Window: June, July and August.
This weed which looks somewhat like a grass is becoming more prevalent in lawns.
We offer an application of a material that Controls Nutsedge after it has germinated.
Difficult to Control Weeds: Service Window: April through September.
We offer 3 closely timed visits to control stubborn weeds such as Violets, Spurge,
Ground Ivy, Wild Strawberry and Oxalis using a specially designed herbicide.
CORE AERATION – Spring or Fall
Is a procedure that removes soil plugs from the ground with a core aeration machine.
This is done to help improve the health, density and depth of grass roots. It reduces
soil compaction, improves soil texture and allows more air to reach the roots. Healthier
and deeper grass roots are better able to with stand periods of drought. Core Aeration
also helps to reduce thatch build up.
Most Common Lawn Diseases
Brown Patch
Dollar Spot
Pythium
Helminthosporium
Redthread
Crabgrass
Seeding and Aeration for Lawns
At Heritage Lawn & Landscape Care, we provide a variety of methods of overseeding
lawns. Our goal is to get seed in contact with soil to ensure germination. On any
seeding job that we perform, we will guarantee our work and we will guarantee that
the seed will germinate. Acts of nature may serve to diminish overall results, and for
that we have no control. Following any seeding service, all recommendations for
watering and good cultural practices must be followed.
Aeration is another way that we can greatly impact your lawn in a beneficial manner.
Aeration does several things for the turf. First, it allows more oxygen to get to the root
zone. Second, it allows more moisture to get to the root zone. Finally, it promotes a
thicker root structure of turfgrass. Aeration becomes very important for turfgrass areas
which are considered "high traffic" areas. Some examples of high trafffic turf could be
athletic fields, areas where children play, or any other areas where foot or vehicular
traffic travel across turf. Aeration is recommended at least once every other year and
annually is better.
OUTLINE OF ORGANIC BASED LAWN TREATMENTS
The selection of an organic based lawn program is designed to allow the customer to
maintain a high quality lawn while relying less on synthetic fertilizers. It makes use of
natural fertilizers and microbial organisms to help release beneficial nutrients.
EARLY SPRING: Service Window: February, March and April
A granular application of ORGANIC BASED FERTILIZER containing Nitrogen,
Potassium and Iron, including Microbial Organisms. This fertilizer breaks down slowly
releasing its nutrient to the plant over a longer period of time.
SPRING: Service Window: April, May, and early June.
A combined application of Broadleaf Weed Control, Pre / Post-emergent Crabgrass
Control, and Liquid Fertilizer with Natural Humates. This treatment also contains
additional Manganese and Iron.
PREVENTIVE GRUB : Service Window: June and July.
This application uses a material that Prevents Grub Damage and must be applied
before Grub damage occurs.
SUMMER: Service Window: June, July, and August
At this time we apply granular Limestone which helps to maintain existing pH levels
and supplies Calcium and Magnesium. Calcium improves plant vigor and is
necessary for plant growth. We will also service for Broadleaf Weeds and Crabgrass.
EARLY FALL: Service Window: August, September, and October.
A combined application of Broadleaf Weed Control plus Fertilizer with Natural Humates
Our fall treatment will help control most Broadleaf weeds and improve the color and
thickness of your lawn and also supplies Iron and Manganese. This application can
help your lawn look great this fall.
FALL: Service Window: October, November, and early December.
Our second granular application of ORGANIC BASED FERTILIZER containing
Nitrogen, Potassium and Iron, including Microbial Organisms is done again in the fall.
This fertilizer breaks down slowly releasing its nutrient to the plant over a longer period
of time. This will help improve the color and thickness of your lawn, and allow grass to
utilize stored nutrients early next spring.
TOPDRESSING:
Adds additional ORGANIC MATTER to your soil and improves the soil structure.
Topdressing is a key to a successful organic lawn. We can spread up to a half inch of
this organic material. It is also great to spread topdressing along with seeding and
aeration.
CORE AERATION – Spring or Fall
Is a procedure that removes soil plugs from the ground with a core aeration machine.
This is done to help improve the health, density and depth of grass roots. It reduces
soil compaction, improves soil texture and allows more air to reach the roots. Healthier
and deeper grass roots are better able to with stand periods of drought. Core Aeration
also helps to reduce thatch build up. Aeration is also a key to a successful organic
lawn program.
Summer Lawn Care Tips:
• Even if you do not mow
at 3” during the spring and fall,
a 3” mowing height is most
important now.
• Change your mowing
pattern from one week to the
next.
• If your lawn is very dry
and becoming dormant
(brown), delay mowing
indefinitely.
• Try to mow during cooler
temperatures. Mowing during
the hottest part of the day can
damage your lawn.
• Keep your mower blades
at their sharpest!
• If you water your lawn,
please do so in the AM. If
your lawn is wet overnight,
especially during very warm
summer nights, you could see
an outbreak of turf disease.