Lawn & Pest Control FAQs

Yes, the short answer is absolutely, though Mother Nature can sometimes create circumstances beyond our control. We visit your lawn 4–5 times per year, or every 4–8 weeks depending on your program. Issues can arise between visits, which is why we take a team approach: if you notice a concern, it becomes our concern as well. We also provide guidance on proper mowing, watering, and other cultural practices to help achieve the best possible results for your lawn.

Typically, late summer through early fall is ideal. Soil is still warm, air is cooling, and weeds are less competitive.

It removes plugs of soil and thatch, which reduces compaction and improves airflow, water absorption, and nutrient delivery.

At Turf Solutions, we spoon-feed your lawn with high-quality, slow-release nitrogen fertilizer 4–5 times throughout the growing season. This approach provides nutrients exactly when your lawn needs them, preventing the peaks and valleys in color and growth often caused by quick-release products. Each visit also gives us the opportunity to inspect your turf and address weeds and turf-damaging insects.

Yes. If you use a starter fertilizer formula with balanced nutrients and follow recommended rates, it is safe and effective.

Absolutely. When the wrong products are used or when they’re applied at improper rates, quick-release or water-soluble (WSN) nitrogen sources can easily damage turf, especially during hot weather or periods of low moisture. That’s why at Turf Solutions we rely on high percentages of slow-release nitrogen or water-insoluble (WIN) sources, ensuring safer, more consistent feeding for your lawn.

Overseeding is the process of introducing new seed into an existing stand of turf to improve grass varieties or thicken a weak lawn. Proper seed-to-soil contact is essential for germination, which is why overseeding is often paired with core aeration or other methods that expose soil and ensure good contact. Simply throwing seed onto the surface of the lawn rarely results in successful germination or long-term survival. At Turf Solutions, we use grass varieties that offer proven drought resistance, disease resistance, and natural surface-feeding insect deterrence.

Lawn renovation, on the other hand, involves completely terminating the existing turf and re-seeding the area using the same equipment used for overseeding. Because we are terminating the entire lawn—not supplementing an existing stand—renovations require a higher seeding rate. This process does not require expensive topsoil, making it a cost-effective and efficient way to establish a new, healthy lawn.

Light watering immediately after seeding helps settle the soil and support germination. After that, frequent, shallow watering is recommended to keep the seedbed consistently moist until the new grass begins to establish. Once the grass starts to grow and develop roots, you should transition to deeper, less frequent watering to encourage strong root development.

Yes. If seed contacts the soil and receives proper moisture, it can fill in thin or bare spots within weeks.

 At Turf Solutions, we use climate-appropriate, endophytic seed blends tailored for Maine soils and conditions to provide durability and natural insect resistance.

While traditional Maine blends have relied on fine fescue, perennial ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass, changing weather patterns over the past decade—longer extremes and warmer summers—require more resilient varieties. That’s why we favor improved Turf Type Tall Fescue, which is better adapted to weather extremes, more disease-resistant, and naturally deters damaging surface-feeding insects.

John’s experience also includes large-scale hydroseeding, from small showpiece lawns to airports and highway projects—informing our choice of seed blends for long-term lawn performance.

The best natural ways to reduce thatch include core aeration, improving soil biology with compost, proper mowing, and deep, infrequent watering. Avoid excessive quick-release nitrogen, and choose grass varieties that produce less thatch. These steps help soil microbes break down thatch naturally and promote a healthier lawn.

Absolutely. Lab-based soil testing helps us select the correct amendments so your lawn gets exactly what it needs. Turf Solutions re-test lawns every three years at no additional cost.

Applying dolomitic lime helps correct soil pH while also improving calcium and magnesium values. Calcitic lime adjusts pH and calcium only. At Turf Solutions, we apply lime only when lab-based soil tests show it’s needed. Applying lime every year without testing is unnecessary and often a waste of money. Over 95% of soil test results we receive recommend dolomitic lime, but the rates vary widely. Soil test results dial in the exact amount needed for your property.

Absolutely. We include, as needed, turf-destructive insect control with our Lawn Program. A thick, healthy lawn not only enhances its natural resistance to pests and diseases but also creates an environment that is less favorable for infestations.

Yes. Turf Solutions vegetation control services handle weeds and invasive plants in mulch beds, along curbing, crushed stone, and other hard-to-reach areas. We do this with specialized equipment that can make targeted applications.