swstout
04-06-2010, 12:21 PM
I did a job this morning where the homeowner wanted leaves removed. When I got there I found a uard covered with oak leaves. The temp here has been in the 90’s for the last 4 days (supposed to be 95 today), so the leaves were dry. I suggested that it would be better to ulch the leaves and apply my biological dethatcher, Natures Nagic and liquid sulfur.
I explained that the leaves would put nutrients back into the lawn when they decomposed and that the biological dethatcher would hasten that. I then told him I could, at the same time, add Nature’s Magic, a soil activator, and liquid sulfur to lower his lawn’s pH. He told me that he was told to raise his pH to 7.0 or above and asked me why I said he should lower it. I told him that he had Centipede grass and the ideal pH for it was 5.0 with a range of 4.0 to 6.0 and showed him the chart. He then told me that the Garden Department told him that all grasses grew best at 7.0 to 7.5 and asked what else I would do. Would I fertilize? Put an insecticide on it? A weed killer?
I told him that Centipede needed only minimal nitrogen and no phosphorous or potassium, The N-P-P on the fertilizer packages and that “Weed and Feed” would do more harm that good and that most lawn weeds liked pH of 7.0 or above and that treatment would greatly reduce lawn weeds. That the sulfur has a greening affect on the grass.
He said go ahead with my recommendation. I used a 40% Nature’s Magic, 40% Biological Dethatcher, and 20% Liquid Sulfur after mowing with mulching blades on my tractor. It was about 5.000 sq. ft. I quoted him $25.00 for mulching and $140.00 for applying the chemicals for a total of $165.00 + tax.
While I was doing the yard he went to 2 of his neighbors and I got both of them. I gave him the mulching and only charged him $140.00 + tax. I made $469 and my material (chemical) costs were less that $20.00, and got orders for further service (Nature’s Magic every 5 weeks).
For about what I would have had to charge for the leaf removal The customers got a healthier lawn.
Steve
p.s. It's 91 now and I am going to get lunch and then work in the office for the rest of the day. I have 6 quotes to do. Irving and Pat will be sodding this afternoon to finish up a job.
I explained that the leaves would put nutrients back into the lawn when they decomposed and that the biological dethatcher would hasten that. I then told him I could, at the same time, add Nature’s Magic, a soil activator, and liquid sulfur to lower his lawn’s pH. He told me that he was told to raise his pH to 7.0 or above and asked me why I said he should lower it. I told him that he had Centipede grass and the ideal pH for it was 5.0 with a range of 4.0 to 6.0 and showed him the chart. He then told me that the Garden Department told him that all grasses grew best at 7.0 to 7.5 and asked what else I would do. Would I fertilize? Put an insecticide on it? A weed killer?
I told him that Centipede needed only minimal nitrogen and no phosphorous or potassium, The N-P-P on the fertilizer packages and that “Weed and Feed” would do more harm that good and that most lawn weeds liked pH of 7.0 or above and that treatment would greatly reduce lawn weeds. That the sulfur has a greening affect on the grass.
He said go ahead with my recommendation. I used a 40% Nature’s Magic, 40% Biological Dethatcher, and 20% Liquid Sulfur after mowing with mulching blades on my tractor. It was about 5.000 sq. ft. I quoted him $25.00 for mulching and $140.00 for applying the chemicals for a total of $165.00 + tax.
While I was doing the yard he went to 2 of his neighbors and I got both of them. I gave him the mulching and only charged him $140.00 + tax. I made $469 and my material (chemical) costs were less that $20.00, and got orders for further service (Nature’s Magic every 5 weeks).
For about what I would have had to charge for the leaf removal The customers got a healthier lawn.
Steve
p.s. It's 91 now and I am going to get lunch and then work in the office for the rest of the day. I have 6 quotes to do. Irving and Pat will be sodding this afternoon to finish up a job.