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West Michigan Lawn Care: Crabgrass In Summer

July 26th, 2024 by Tuff Turf Molebusters

In The Field: July 22, 2024 – July 26, 2024 

Crabgrass is a common weed that many people struggle with in their lawns. Here’s a simple breakdown of what it is, how it grows, and how to control it.

What is Crabgrass?

Crabgrass is an annual weed that grows quickly and can take over your lawn if not managed. It thrives in warm weather and sunny spots.

How Does Crabgrass Grow?

  1. Spring: Crabgrass seeds start to germinate when the soil warms up in spring.
  2. Summer: It grows fast, spreading out and competing with your regular grass.
  3. Late Summer: It produces a lot of seeds, which will grow into new plants next year.
  4. Winter: The plants die with the first frost, but the seeds remain in the soil.

How to Control Crabgrass

  1. Maintain a Healthy Lawn:
    • Mow Regularly: Keep your grass at the right height to shade the soil and prevent crabgrass seeds from sprouting.
    • Water Properly: Deep, infrequent watering helps your lawn grow strong roots, which can outcompete crabgrass.
    • Fertilize: Feed your lawn the right nutrients to keep it healthy and dense.
  2. Remove Crabgrass:
    • Hand Pulling: For small patches, pull out the crabgrass by hand before it sets seeds.
    • Mowing: Regular mowing can help control it by preventing it from spreading.
  3. Use Herbicides:
    • Pre-emergent Herbicides: Apply these in early spring before crabgrass seeds germinate. They prevent seeds from sprouting.
    • Post-emergent Herbicides: If crabgrass is already growing, use these to kill the plants.

Prevention Tips

  • Choose the Right Grass Seed: Use a high-quality seed mix suitable for your region.
  • Mulch: In garden beds, mulch can help prevent crabgrass by blocking light to the soil, which stops seeds from sprouting.

By keeping your lawn healthy and using these control methods, you can effectively manage and prevent crabgrass from taking over your yard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A Grand Rapids Michigan Lawn Care company based in Byron Center, Michigan. Tuff Turf offers a variety of services (ranging from Lawn Care, Pest Control and Bug Control) to the following cities in Michigan:

Grand Rapids, Byron Center, Kentwood, Grandville, Jenison, Hudsonville, Holland, Grand Haven, Rockford, Cascade, Kalamazoo


West Michigan Lawn Care: How To Prevent Lawn Diseases

June 7th, 2024 by Tuff Turf Molebusters
An overly watered lawn can lead to various diseases.

 

Use this guide to prevent and treat lawn diseases caused by excessive moisture.

 

  1. Water Deeply and Infrequently: The infrequency helps encourage deep root growth.
  2. Water Early in the Morning: This helps grass blades dry out during the day, reducing fungal risk.
  3. Check Soil Moisture: Ensure soil needs water by probing it before watering. The screwdriver trick works great.
  4. Mow Properly: If a diseases shows up, raise your mower deck and let the grass grow a little longer than normal.
  5. Avoid Night Watering: Cool sunless nights create an environment in the yard for fungus and diseases to flourish.
  6. Aerate Regularly: Improve soil drainage and reduce compaction by performing a core aeration every other season.
  7. Spot Water: Focus on dry spots to prevent overwatering other areas.
  8. Tuff Turf Service Calls: Take advantage of our on site quality checks to help further diagnose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like us on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/tuffturfmolebusters/

Tuff Turf's Main Logo.

 

 

 

 

 

A Grand Rapids Michigan Lawn Care company based in Byron Center, Michigan. Tuff Turf offers a variety of services (ranging from Lawn Care, Pest Control and Bug Control) to the following cities in Michigan:

Grand Rapids, Byron Center, Kentwood, Grandville, Jenison, Hudsonville, Holland, Grand Haven, Rockford, Cascade, Kalamazoo


Pest Control Technician

May 3rd, 2021 by ifiadmin

Job Description

Tuff Turf Molebusters is the leading lawn care and pest control company in West Michigan. We are the largest and most professional mole control company in West Michigan. We also provide lawn fertilization, outdoor pest control, mosquito control, and lawn rolling. We service the Grand Rapids and Lakeshore areas as well as areas near Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Detroit. We are a Super Service Award winner with Angie’s List. This award is only given to the top 5% of companies nationwide, that show great customer service and quality work. We pride ourselves in providing the best customer service!

Due to rapid growth, we are currently hiring for a Pest Control Technician with a high standard for quality and dependability. Pay is commensurate with experience ($17-$23hr.) This role is full-time.

Our mole & mosquito technicians walk over 10 miles a day while often bending and kneeling on the ground. We require a clean driving record, perform drug screens and criminal background checks. We have very low employee turnover because we have a great work environment and everyone is part of a team. Tuff Turf Molebusters believes in treating our employees as a family!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $17.00 – $23.00 per hour


Back to Work

April 25th, 2020 by Tuff Turf Molebusters
It felt great to drive my car in to work today. There were only 5 cars on the road at 6:45, but 3 of them waved. They could be clients of ours, but our team mentioned that yesterday afternoon people walking on the streets were waving at us as though they are glad to see us working again. I actually parked the car on 3/24 and did not drive it again because I felt like a criminal as people glared at me on the way to Family Fare. I felt like I had to explain that I always drive a company car and was on my way to get groceries, and not going to work.
We will sanitize, wear masks and gloves all day at work because it feels great to be outside and servicing our clients again!

Coronavirus response actions

April 8th, 2020 by Tuff Turf Molebusters

In response to the coronavirus, Tuff Turf Molebusters has implemented new safety protocols:

  • The Tuff Turf Molebusters office is currently closed to visitors, clients, and technicians.
  • Tuff Turf has suspended all in-person meetings and training and is using Zoom instead.
  • Tuff Turf has suspended our usual attendance policy.
  • Employees with a fever, flu like symptoms, or who are feeling sick need to stay home.
  • If an employee or an employee’s family member living at home has been exposed to Covid-19, the employee needs to notify the office immediately. At that time, the employee will start a 14-day quarantine.
  • Employees are to take their own temperature at home each morning and fill out the survey at https://covid19symptomchecker.spectrumhealth.org, take a screen shot of the results, and email them to info@TuffTurfMolebusters.com prior to starting work.
  • Employee’s clothing, including shirts, pants, sweatshirts should be washed every day.  Covid-19 clings to clothing and can live on them for days at a time.
  • Employees should wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap or hand sanitizer.
  • Practice social distancing by remaining at least 6’ away.
  • Employees start times have been staggered to limit exposure to others.
  • Employees will wipe down all the commonly touched surfaces of their work vehicles, including keys, steering wheels, door handles, door frame, dashboard, controls, etc., with disinfectant in the morning and afternoon. All trash must be removed from vehicles each day. This includes bottles or cans.
  • When using a gas station bathroom, employees should sanitize and wash hands for 20 seconds prior to using the bathroom, and after leaving the bathroom.  Employees are encouraged to wear a mask and gloves.
  • Hand sanitizer must be used after using the keypads for the gate or gas tanks.
  • Limit face to face client interaction and conduct any necessary at a safe distance. Any recommendations technicians have for the lawn should be sent to the office and the office will notify the customer.
  • Only one person per work vehicle.
  • Employees will suspend the usual practice of knocking on clients’ doors.
  • Employees will suspend the usual practice of leaving invoices and flyers at a customer’s home.
  • It is highly recommended to employees that any drinks and food should be brought from their own home each day to limit exposure to restaurants and gas stations.
  • Technicians will not use the time clock and instead use a Google sheet to log hours worked.
  • Technicians will leave any paperwork in their vehicles.
  • Office staff will use disposable gloves and/or hand sanitizer before they take paper off the printer that has to go to a technician.  Office staff will put anything printed in the tech’s vehicle.
  • Anyone helping an employee that needs assistance, like to lift a heavy object, will wear masks, and immediately wash hands when done.

Coronavirus day 3

March 26th, 2020 by Tuff Turf Molebusters

Day 3 of Stay Home Stay Safe. With an empty office you would think I would be bouncing off the walls.


Talk of the Town

April 8th, 2019 by Tuff Turf Molebusters

Jim was interviewed on Wood Radio’s Talk of the Town on 4/7/19.  Click on the link below to hear the interview.


Christmas Toy Drive

December 31st, 2018 by Tuff Turf Molebusters

A BIG thank you to all who contributed to our first ever toy drive. Tuff Turf Molebusters collected new toys for a wonderful local organization named Christmas4Fosters who distributes them to children awaiting placement in a foster home so they can receive a gift at Christmas. Merry Christmas!  


Heat Tracking Damage

August 15th, 2018 by Tuff Turf Molebusters

Mosquito & Mole Technician

April 19th, 2018 by Tuff Turf Molebusters

Tuff Turf Molebusters is looking for both a full time and a seasonal mole man (or woman). The seasonal position is a great opportunity for a college student that can work a few days a week now, then full time in mid May. The full time position would start immediately. We do not work on Sundays. Be one of the proud drivers of a mole mobile. Get paid while you get in shape and enjoy our great and not so great Michigan Weather. While mosquitoes may travel at the speed of 1 mph, our mole & mosquito gurus walk over 10 miles a day. The pay is $15.00 per hour, plus bonuses that could add another $3.00/hr. We start at 7:30 in the morning and work until the route is done. We try to set up our routes to be completed by 5:00. Some days are longer and some days are shorter. We require a clean driving record and we perform drug screens and criminal background checks. An android based smart phone with data and texting is preferred, but we can work around an iPhone. We pride ourselves on having a great reputation and only hiring good people. We can train how to become a mole and mosquito assassin. There are 3 tests given by the state that will need to be passed in order to become certified. We have the study manuals, you need to provide the brain power.