Scientific Plant Service,

Algae Control

An affective Algae Control Program should be teamed up with a vegetation control program. In the past we have worked with "Barley Straw" as a natural control for algae and found it ineffective. Our primary control product for algae prevention is coppercarbonate or trade name "Cutrine". Monthly treatments of Cutrine combined with shades will keep ponds clean of algae bloom. One word of caution, coppercarbonate is toxic to catfish and koi .

Aeration / Top Dressing

Aeration is the most important process in keeping a natural turf field responsive and playable. Thatch management, good drainage and deep rooted grass plants are all results of a comprehensive aeration program. Deep-tine aeration is the first step to having a well drained field. Our VERTIDRAIN deep tine aerator has the ability to penetrate the soil up to 16" deep. Its patented kicking action shatters the soil down deep to help reduce compaction and improve drainage. Surface aeration is managed using a JOHN DEERE AEROCORE to aggressively open the soil and reduce thatch by removing 34" cylinders of soil up to 4" deep. The resultant core debris is broken up via dragging and working the topsoil back into the surface. We highly recommend taking advantage of the open surface from aeration to top-dress with sand and dragging the surface thoroughly to work to sand into the soil profile. It is important to use only clean washed sand that meets USGA standards. This sand is uniformly applied with a TYCROP top-dresser. Sps Is a "Certified Redexim Charterhouse Contractor" for Verti-drain Aeration.

Step 1

Playing surfaces should be brushed using a factory approve drag type brush every 1-4 weeks. This interval is dictated by the type and frequency of use. Example: a grade school using it for phys-ed and recess (light weight feet) requires a brush grooming once a month. A college field used for men's football along with several other sports and practice needs weekly attention. Brushing in precise patterns should be avoided and special attention to infill levels should be given to the center of the field and around goals and face-off areas. When infill depths diminish, excessive wear will occur, shortening the life of carpet fibers.

Our Program

We make applications twelve (12) months out of the year. When you sign up for six (6) or more consecutive monthly treatments we will make additional treatments throughout the month "FREE" if feeding damage occurs. (Feeding damage can occur on new plants added since last application, new growth/blossoms since last application or from being sprayed repeatedly with your sprinkler system) Programs with fewer than six (6) treatments do not carry any warranty. Throughout the year we rotate the use of 3-4 different products to avoid deer resistance. Our program will help keep deer from feeding on your plants, however, it won't keep deer off of your property. Beware! As deer travel they transport the deadly "DEER TICK" which spreads LYME DISEASE. We can fog your property and wood lines where deer travel during the prime tick breeding seasons of spring and fall to keep your family and pets safe from the deer ticks' LYME DISEASE.

Crucial Cultural Tools

The key to a healthly thick lawn with reduced pesticide applications is to implement good cultural practices. This includes: Maintaining a mow height of 2 12" -3" removing no more then 50% of new growth; Sharpen mower blade once a month; Maintain moisture levels equivalent to 1" of rainfall per week; Core aerate at least 1-2 times per season; Broadcast or slice seed annually to replace lost grass plants and fill thin areas. SPS provides you guidance with mowing and watering and makes recommendations for aeration and seeding services. We are equipped to handle any size project from 2,000 sq. ft. to 200 acres. Our core areators range from 18" wide to 84" wide. We even have equipment that can get into a dry hard lawn! Same goes for seeding, we have slit seeders from 24" to 60" wide.