Weed: Pre-emergent / post-emergent
Q. What is pre-emergent?
A. It is a water based or granular substance that when broadcast on your lawn or granite stops seeds from germinating. We use water based pre-emergent for better control.
Q. Will pre-emergent leave a stain?
A. Temporarily. The color is called an indicator and allows the applicator and client to know what has been sprayed and what hasn't. Unfortunately the color is built into the material at the factory and we don't get a choice in the matter. It fades away with sunlight in a few days.
Q. After I had a pre-emergent application to my landscaped granite I still had weeds come up. Didn't it work?
A. Often, weed seeds have already germinated at the time a pre-emergent is completed. We also spray a post-emergent at the same time, and some weeds aren't covered by the product. Our guarantee covers these exceptions.
Q. What is a post-emergent?
A. Post-emergents are used to kill existing weeds. It is a systemic material and is absorbed into the leaves, stems, and eventually the roots of the plant to kill it.
Q. Will post-emergent leave a stain?
A. No. The color fades away with sunlight.
Q. Will pre or post-emergent applications harm my pets?
A. The manufacturers clearly state the application is safe to humans and pets once it is dry. We recommend that pets and children be kept off the treated area until the chemicals are dry. This will vary depending on the season.
Q. Will you spray pre-emergents on the sand under the swing set, in the sand box or the dirt in the horse corral?
A. Never in a horse corral and not around play areas unless the home owners request it.
Q. When should I do pre-emergent applications?
A. If you haven't had one done in the past nine months, the answer is now! It is a myth that the best time is in the spring. We are a year round business and can attest that weeds grow every month of the year. Just because you may not have weeds now doesn't mean you don't have seeds just waiting to germinate.
Q. What is the difference between a 6, 9, and 12 month pre-emergent application?
A. The manufacturers clearly state that the pre-emergent material lasts only 6 to 8 months. In our climate we might get 9 months of good weed control. Most clients never want to see a weed, so that's why we do an application every 6 months. Since the material doesn't last 12 months we do not recommend an application only once a year. We know that if you treat only once a year your will experience months without a pre-emergent barrier.
Q. Do the pre or post-emergents you use sterilize my ground?
A. No
Q. It rained shortly after the pre-emergent application. Is it still good?
A. Yes. In fact it's not only good, it's great.
Q. So if I do a pre-emergent application I'll never see another weed - right?
A. Like life itself, this is an imperfect science. We can treat two identical properties side by side and one will have a weed problem and the other will be pristine. The imperfection of the science of weed control is why we offer a guarantee.
Q. Why don't you spray in the wind?
A. Do I really need to explain this? Obviously, we are very concerned to get the pre-emergent and post-emergent on only the area we intend.
Q. I'm chemically sensitive, how will a pre-emergent application affect me?
A. Ask us about our organic products. Or we suggest taking the day off and going to a friend's house for 24 hours. We have never had a complaint from anyone chemically sensitive that was away from the treated area for 24 hours.
Q. Will you sell me some of your product for my own use?
A. No. We are not a retail company.
Q. I have thick tall weeds on my property, should I have then cleaned up before the pre-emergent application?
A. Yes, even if you take a weed eater to them. The pre-emergent has to get to the soil to be effective. If you don't want to do it yourself any quality landscaper can help you. Contact us for a landscaper referral.
Q. I'm laying new landscape rock. Do I use pre-emergents before or after I lay the rock?
A. The load of rock will come with seeds in it, therefore we advise putting pre-emergent down after the rock is spread. If there were weeds or grass in the area where the rock is going then you should have a post-emergent application before the rock is put down.
Special problems
Q. How to kill Bermuda grass or other perennial weeds?
A. Repeated applications of post-emergents! Perennials have a root system and while the surface plants can look dead, the roots stay alive. Repeated applications, especially when the leaves are nice and green, will eventually get the material to the root and kill it.
Q. What about lawn problems such as bur clover, nut grass, water grass etc;
A. Many beautiful lawns are marred by the onset of broad leaf weeds such as bur clover, dandelions, spurge, and because it has a root system the toughest of all, nut grass. Selective post-emergents and special pre-emergents applied at exact rates by our experts can help. We at EST Enterprises Inc. have specially designed programs to deal with these problems.
Olive tree applications
Q. Do I have to spray my olive trees every year?
A. Yes. There is a window of time in the spring when olive trees can be effectively treated to inhibit fruit production. This window of opportunity begins at the end of January / the beginning of February and ends in March. Unfortunately, once the bud becomes a flower and the flower falls off the tree, (with a tiny olive taking its place) the window of opportunity is over and you'll have to wait until next year. Remember, olive control is also an inexact science and a realistic expectation of anyone tree is to achieve 95% effectiveness. Contact us in early November to get your olive trees on the schedule in February.
Fertilization
Q. When is the best time to fertilize my trees?
A. Now. We have many programs to fertilize year round.
Q. Why should I fertilize my lawn?
A. To stay green and lush your lawn needs a balanced fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium to keep it healthy and strong. Most of the time these elements are present but over time the hungry lawn eats them up and turf can be a very hungry plant during its major growing season. Usually one glance can tell you if your lawn is starving. The leaves aren't as green and healthy looking or you may see brown tinges or spots. The proper balance of all the nutrients is the key to a healthy beautiful lawn. Some experts say that fertilization should occur every month. Others state four times a year. If you've never fertilized your lawn, ask us, you'll be amazed at how lush, green and healthy it can look.
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