slow growing lawn

[riverbirchld]

I live and work in N.E Ohio ( zone 5 ).I installed a new ( seeded ) lawn, in mid June. I advised homeowners to put off till end of August, but they insisted on instalation right away. I tilled in about 15 yards of compost - 12000 sq. ft. seed area. Preped soil as needed. Lawn germinated within 3 weeks. But the problem is that the lawn has only grown about 2.5 inches. It is now mid September, and the homeowners call every week wanting me to fix it, they are complaining that they haven't cut their lawn yet. And their neighbors, who put there lawn in 3 weeks prior, have cut their lawn 4 times. Is there anything that I can say or do. I am planning to overseed with a cut seeder tommorow. Please help.

[HardDaysKnight]

Charge them accordingly. Had they taken your advice the situation would be different, positive. I suggest you get a print out of the excessive heat and drought in your area to show them
why it's not a quality turf. Also, it's a starter lawn. That means you guarantee germination, which was successful. They need
to take many steps over the course of a year i.e fertilizer
programs etc. Now is the time to sell them a fert/overseed/aeration service. Johnny

[Bill Schwab]

I'm betting the problem is water and fert. Not enough being first guess.

[NCSULandscaper]

if they had watered the lawn from the time it was planted, they would be in the same boat as the neighbors and cutting........so basically i would tell them tough luck, they didnt listen to you the first time so you are not liable for them being impatient.

[riverbirchld]

I've instructed him on how and when to water and he does not listen. They use oscilating sprinklers, and don't move them around the yard enough, because you can see the outline of thicker grass where the sprinkler reaches.
Thanks for all the input, we'll see what happens.

[Mark Oomkes]

Fertilize, Fertilize, Fertilize. Water works wonders too.

Should have had starter fertilizer when it started greening up after germination. New lawns need fertilization just a shade less than water. They could keep up on water and without fertilization, the grass isn't going to do anything. Remember the turf does not have an established root system yet to gather the nutrients it needs, like after it is established.

IF you wanted, go with the highest rate possible of 12-12-12, 19-19-19, or 20-20-20, water it in and you will have a happy customer. Otherwise just inform him that this needs to be done.

Make sure there are no herbicides applied until it has been mowed at least 3 times.

[Nebraska]

By all means fix it but make sure that you charge for it! Consult with them the issues facing them and present the services and the costs associated with providing those additional services that you can provide that will lead towards a remedy of their problem.

From your description these folks are "pining" for maintenance services.

[Hamons]

Also, look at soil test results. If your base saturations are out of whack then this can bind up all the nutrients and they will not be available to the grass to use for growth.

A few other questions, what typ eof turf? whats the CEC?

Get the soil chemistry balanced -- fertilize every four weeks with 1# of nitrogen until Novemeber and the lawn should be up and growing.

[Rob Shauger]

I have suggested to a number of my Landscaper Clients here to blend in a Hydro Gel when installing their new lawns Put it in a spreader and work it in with your grass seed into the soil. It is by no means a cure all, but it works great for holding things over in between water or rain fall and it lasts 3 to 4 years in the soil.

I did it on my own lawn about 5 years ago. This year we are about 9 inches behind on rainfall here in upstate NY. Within 6 hours after a rainfall my almost dormant lawn started turning around.

Jeff has some good advice too. Wouldnt hurt to run a soil test.

[riverbirchld]

Today I overseeded with a cut seeder, get this I had to cut the grass first. Just as I told them, their lawn would hit a major growth spurt in the middle of September. But I overseeded any way, for free! I just wanted them off of my back. I mean I am all about customer satisfaction and attention to detail, that's why I started my own business, I counld'nt handle the way my former employer handled his clients. But now that I'm on my own it seems that almost every one of my clients is tougher to handle than the previous.

[Rob Shauger]

Funny how things worked out like you said. A lot can be dealt with in your initial contract. We ALL know most clients wont water like they should.

If you need a good Fert company, a friend of mine owns Oasis Lawn Care in Alliance, I can hook you up with him.

[timturf]

good advice jeff

why wasn't a soil test done when lawn put in?

how much fert , lbs/m of n,p and k applied?

Any fert applied since you did the install?

Did you condiser that compost is robbing the turfgrass of nitrogen?

no reason why the yard couldn't be seeded in June?

I think the problem lies with you! Should have done a soil test before starting. client should have been instructed on proper care needed after germination. Who was to properly apply the follow up nutrients?

Would like to see what you applied at seeding, and anything else after germination

just my thoughts, lot of info left out
tim

[lrmatthews]

I am new to this site but have been in business for a few years now. I have always heard that the customer is always right, but you really need to take into consideration how much money, and most times more importanly, time you are spending with this customer. Remember you are going to have those customers you just can not please. Mabe it is time to cut your losses and run.

[Lanelle]

When it comes to matters of horticulture and agronomy, the client is often wrong and it takes a lot of communication, setting realistic expectations with them and sticking to what you know works to get a good outcome.

[Bill Schwab]

"When it comes to matters of horticulture and agronomy, the client is often wrong and it takes a lot of communication, setting realistic expectations with them and sticking to what you know works to get a good outcome."

Well said Lanelle. I can't tell you the number of times we would seed lawns in spring, then the rains did not do their job, or it was too cold to really kick the seed in gear and the calls that came were ridiculous and there was no way you could ever convince a client you knew what you were talking about....UNTIL... a few weeks went by and they saw all those little grasslings poking their heads through the dirt.....