Lawn fertilizer question.

[legendlawn]

I have a customer that wants a bid for 5 step application. I havent done anything like this yet. You don't have to have a license in my area, as long as you are putting down granular. I need to know what ratios some of you guys use throughout the year, so I can price the fertilizer. 0-0-0....or what. obviously not that since that would be pure nitrogen, but I just need some advice, so iI can get the bid in. Thanks.

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Do you have a Lesco or something similar near by you? You can stop in there and they can give you an idea what works well in your area.

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If you've never done this before you really can't go wrong using Scott's products and their website tells you what to apply throughout the year, and it can be bought at any Lowe's or Home Depot, so its available everywhere.
http://www.scotts.com/smg/learn/gard...arentId=100006
http://www.scotts.com/smg/learn/annu...arentId=100006

[Steve]

Legend,

Let us know what you come up with as far as your fertilization schedule.

[legendlawn]

I think I am good to go....I am either going to go through Lesco, or throgh a local garden store who sells Ferti Lome products. I really like Scotts, but not their price. Lol. I'm going to roll with this schedule.
February (Late)
April
June
August
Winterizer in Oct or Nov. depending on Conditions.

Also, I think I will send out a letter to all of my regualar clients offering this service.
Thanks for the help and recommendations. Steve, How do I put my name up under my handle, so that my real name appears under legend lawn instead of the word member? I put up an avatar so you guys can easily identify me, but would also like at least my first name to appear. Thanks.

[Steve]

Can you edit your signature to put your name in there and your website address? That should help improve your search engine rankings too.

I am either going to go through Lesco, or throgh a local garden store who sells Ferti Lome products. I really like Scotts, but not their price. Lol. I'm going to roll with this schedule.
February (Late)
April
June
August
Winterizer in Oct or Nov. depending on Conditions.

What products will you be using at these times?

What type of turf will you be putting this fertilizer down on? Also, have you put any thought into testing the soil? There are companies out there that will give you the exact ratio you should be putting down based on the soil test.

You can then visit a farm supply store or co-op (no sure what they would be called in the US) and they can mix your fertilizer for you.

[legendlawn]

I looked into the soil test for one of my other customers. Unless you sub it out..I was having a hard time finding a actual soil test kit that I could do on site, without sending samples to my state extension office. Do you know where I can get any such kit?

http://www.veseys.com/ca/en/store/to...ltestkit/image

http://www.omega.ca/shop/subsectionS...G08&book=Green

you can find a whack of them by googling. I have never used one (besides a pH meter), I have always sent my samples to Guelph University. Can be expensive but you get great results. Also, you can work the test costs into your prices.

[Steve]

I would think that showing up and doing a soil test on the spot like that would be a great selling tool. If it is a little difficult to do, then most lawn care business owners aren't going to do it. This would give you a way to stand out. Also you could promote 'get a free soil test.'