Michael Grimm Services

Whether you want a patio, walkway, new planting or a lawn renovation, we have the knowledgeable staff to design a project to meet your needs. Large or small, we will work with you to create a beautiful project. We guarantee our work and we know you will be satisfied because we value our customers and we work hard to make everything right. Call us at 477-0124 to book an appointment and have your next landscape project done right by Michael Grimm Services.

Lawn Care

Your lawn is the welcome mat to your home! Let us help you maintain its appearance. We can put together a lawn care program that fits your needs, wants and budget. One application or six, we have the equipment and experience to provide the lawn care you need. Trained DEC certified technicians can spot problems and make recommendations for your lawn.

Choose from:

• Fertilizer only
• Weed Control only
• Organic care systems
• Front lawn only or front and back lawn
• Variety of lawn care programs to fit your needs and budget

Lawn Mowing Practices

Our mowing crew leaders have combined mowing experience of over 25 years! They know and understand lawns. Our equipment is new and properly maintained.

We will do our best to keep to the scheduled mowing day for your property. Weather and/or site conditions (i.e. construction, flooded areas) or unforeseen equipment failures may change our schedule.

If for some reason the entire property cannot be mowed, we will charge 50% of mowing price or $25 minimum (whichever is greater).

If an unscheduled visit is needed for a special event, please call us 48 hours in advance.

We mow at a height of 2.5-3.5″, depending on weather conditions.

We use mulching blades, returning the mulched grass back to the lawn. We feel that is healthier for the lawn and is better for the environment.

Bagging and removal of clippings will be and extra $2.00 per bag

Trimming of bedline, walkways, driveways, etc., will be done each week unless no growth has occurred.

Patios, walkways, and driveways will be blown off after each mowing.

We try to vary mowing patterns where and when possible. This helps prevent rutting of your lawn and laying over of grass.

Give us a call. Let us quote you a price.

Question: How often should my lawn be cut?
Answer: At times of active growth, lawns should be cut every week to a height of 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 inches, depending on weather conditions. Ideally, only 1/3 of the grass blade should be removed in one mowing.

Question: Should my grass clippings be collected?
Answer: Removal of clippings also means the removal of nitrogen from the lawn. It is better to chop up and disperse the clippings so they may return nutrients to your lawn. The leaf blade of your grass is actually 80% water and 5% nitrogen. Mulching can reduce the amount of fertilizer you have to apply to your lawn and it helps provide the soil with increased ground cover to hold moisture. Our company uses special mowers with mulching blades that return the grass clippings to the lawn through a continuous cut and re-cut motion. This process eventually drops the finely cut clippings back into the lawn, not onto the lawn. Leaving clippings does not lead to a build-up of thatch. The bagging and removal of clippings will be an extra $2 per bag.

Lawn Renovation

Is your lawn thin, patchy, and overgrown with weeds? A lawn renovation may be just what you need to get your lawn looking great again. It may need nothing more than an aeration and over-seeding. Some lawns need a total renovation with round-up and a mechanical slit seeding. Some customers choose an instant lawn by laying sod. A lawn renovation will result in a totally new and beautiful lawn. Our certified nursery and turf professionals will get your lawn looking great again!

Question: How do I know if my lawn needs a total renovation?
Answer: A rule of thumb is that if there is less than 50% of quality grass in your lawn, you should consider a total renovation. This means that the lawn will be sprayed with “RoundUp” to kill all existing vegetation. If more than 3/4 inch of thatch is present, the thatch layer will need to be removed. Soil may need to be brought in if you have low spots or depressions. Then a new lawn can be installed using a slit seeding machine. Straw or penn mulch is useful on bare soil areas during the hotter months.

Question: Am I responsible for watering the new lawn?
Answer: Yes! New lawns must be watered DAILY for the first two weeks to keep the seedbed moist. After germination watering needs to occur every two to three days for the next month. Thereafter, your lawn should receive an inch of water per week.

Lawn Aeration

A program of annual lawn aeration is one of the most beneficial practices for maintaining a healthy lawn. It is best done in the spring or fall when the soil is moist. The cores of soil left on the surface after aeration will break down within a short period of time. Aeration is a particularly effective method of preventing the build-up of thatch.

Question: What is aeration?
Answer: The removal of small cores (plugs) of soil and thatch to allow a better exchange of gases to the root zone of the lawn. This allows for better water penetration to the roots. Both of these benefits help create a thicker, denser root zone that will help your lawn survive heat and drought stress.

Question: What is thatch?
Answer: Thatch is the build-up of an organic layer beneath the turf and above the soil. It is largely made up of stems and roots of dead grass. A small amount of thatch is beneficial, but large thatch zones reduce the ability of water to get into the soil, reduce the effectiveness of fertilizers and increase the damage to the turf during times of drought. Thatch build-up is best combated with regular aeration. We have the right size aeration equipment for any size lawn – from the smallest to the largest! It’s probably less expensive than you think.

New Lawn Guide

We expect 80% – 90% seed germination after a new lawn installation. We do expect some thin spots. All new lawns need additional care during the first year of establishment. We will make one return visit to apply more seed and starter fertilizer 3-4 weeks after the initial seeding is completed. New lawns take some time and patience. Here are some of the things you can expect. The seed itself can take anywhere from 7 days to 2 or 3 weeks to germinate, depending on seed type and weather conditions. Having some weeds germinate along with the grass is to be expected; especially during a spring seeding or if new topsoil is brought in or if the existing soil is disturbed. Some of these germinated weeds will disappear with the first mowing. Others will remain along with the new grass. It is important not to apply any weed control products until the new lawn has been mowed 3 or 4 times and is mature enough to not be damaged by a weed control application. Weed problems are greatly reduced with late summer or early fall lawn installations.

A new lawn needs a lot of water. Watering is the responsibility of the property owner. The seedbed should be kept moist to ensure good germination. At the outset, this probably means watering every day. After the seed has germinated you can back off to watering two or three times a week. We recommend the use of an oscillating sprinkler, as it is difficult to apply enough water by hand. You probably need to leave the sprinkler on for a half-hour to an hour per location. The watering should be gentle and stop before puddling occurs. We suggest a new lawn receive a minimum of 1 inch of water per sprinkler location per week. During hot and dry periods more may be necessary. We do not recommend watering after sundown because this can promote fungus growth on new seedlings.

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To Our Valued Customers:

In caring for your lawn, plants, and trees, we use a number of pesticides, which are registered with the Department of Environmental Conservation.  All of these products are applied by or under the direct supervision of a Certified Pesticide Applicator and in strict accordance with label instructions.  Please understand that these materials are significantly diluted before application. Granular products are applied in their original forms as specified on the label.

In conformance with New York State law, we have a list of the pesticides and fertilizers that may be used on your property this year on our Product Label page.

Property Maintenance

For your business or home. We’re here to help you with all your landscaping needs.

Lawn Mowing

Our mowing crew leaders have combined mowing experience of over 25 years! They know and understand lawns. Our equipment is new and properly maintained. We do a complete job including trimming edges and blowing off the walks and driveway. Regardless of the size of your property, we will have it looking great every week. Give us a call. Let us quote you a price.

Question: How often should my lawn be cut?
Answer: At times of active growth, lawns should be cut every week to a height of 2 1/2 – 3 inches. Ideally only 1/3 of the grass blade should be removed in one mowing.

Question: Should my grass clippings be collected?
Answer: Removal of clippings also means removal of nitrogen from the lawn. It is better to chop up and disperse the clippings so they may return nutrients to your lawn. The leaf blade of your grass is actually 80% water and 5% nitrogen. Mulching can reduce the amount of fertilizer you have to apply to your lawn and it helps provide the soil with increased ground cover to hold moisture. Our company uses special mowers with mulching blades that return the grass clippings to the lawn through a continuous cut and re-cut motion. This process eventually drops the finely cut clippings back into the lawn, not onto the lawn. Leaving clippings does not lead to a build-up of thatch.

Shrub Trimming

The shrubs and trees that accent your property are a living, growing asset to your home and property. We have certified arborists and certified landscape professionals who can prune and trim your shrubs correctly. Whether you like a formal look to your property or a more natural appearance, we can do either. Our team will do a thorough job from recommending when the proper time to trim will be to a complete clean-up of debris.

Edge and Mulch

Michael Grimm Services strongly recommends installing a new edge on beds as well as installing a top-dressing (1″) of fresh mulch over all garden areas on a yearly basis.

Tree Services

Our company offers a wide variety of tree care services. We want to provide the best service no matter how simple or hazardous the job. We can prune a few branches overhanging your house or we can remove very large hazardous trees. Call us if you have a tree question or concern. We are certified arborists and we can handle your tree problem.

What you can expect when doing business with our Tree Care Division:

1. We will be on time for our appointments.

2. You will receive a written estimate.

3. You will be notified before the crew shows up.

4. All work will be performed to industry standards and will be performed by qualified personnel.

5. The crew leader will perform a walk before and after the job.

6. You will receive a follow-up call from a manager upon completion of the job.

Snow Plowing

If you live in the North East, winter is inevitable! When the frost hits we’re still here for you and your property needs. If you get tired of getting up in the morning and shoveling, give us a call.

Our reliable crew can take care of cleaning your drive, walks, and steps. You can rest assured that your car can get in and out of your garage at the beginning and end of each day. We can help you make winter more bearable.

• Seasonal or per plow contracts
• Experienced operators
• Maintained equipment
• Two-way truck communications
• Salting
• Loader and dump truck available
• Sidewalk and step shoveling
• Residential driveways
• Commercial parking lots

Tree and Shrub Care

Fertilization

Taking care of your investment pays off in the long run!

We recommend a 3-year fertilization program for newly planted trees and shrubs. After they are established, fertilization is recommended if plants do not thrive or show a nutrient deficiency. Plants in soils with a high pH may be unable to utilize micro-nutrients even when they are present. In these cases, we sometimes need to micro-inject nutrients or modify soil pH if practical.

********************************************************

To Our Valued Customers:

 In caring for your lawn, plants, and trees, we use a number of pesticides, which are registered with the Department of Environmental Conservation.  All of these products are applied by or under the direct supervision of a Certified Pesticide Applicator and in strict accordance with label instructions.  Please understand that these materials are significantly diluted before application. Granular products are applied in their original forms as specified on the label.

In conformance with New York State law, we have posted a list of pesticides on our  Product Label Information page that may be used on your property this year. Please feel free to contact Michael Grimm, Mike Macro or Ron Rogers if you have any questions or concerns.

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Here are some frequently asked questions about Tick Free & Mosquito Free.

Q. How does Tick Free & Mosquito Free work?

A.    The cedar oil acts as a pheromone interruption agent that impairs their mental capacity and is the residual repellent for 30+ days depending on the saturation. Our raspberry bio-solvent eats through the insects exoskeleton and eradicates it. Eliminates the egg and larvae. The fatty soap acts as a sticker to the insect.

Q. How often should Tick Free or Mosquito-Free be applied?

A.     Every 30 days depending on infestation and saturation. If you are spraying for mosquitoes we recommend that you spray the first application then return in 15 days for a second application. Then resume to every 21- 30 days.

Q.   How much Tick Free or Mosquito-Free product per sq.ft. or acre should I be spraying?

A.     A gallon of ready to use should cover approx.1000 sq.ft. An acre can use 25-45 gallons or more of ready to use product depending on the saturation. This is an average of suggested use for tank/truck spraying. No more than 100 psi. Backpack spraying is more for residential use providing mist spraying instead of saturation.

Q.   Can  Tick Free & Mosquito Free be sprayed in the rain?

A.     You can spray in light rain conditions. Don’t spray in heavy downpours. The product will just runoff. Even if rain is expected 1 day after an application the product will stay because of our natural soap ingredient.

Q.    Can Tick Free & Mosquito Free be sprayed near ponds or streams?

A.     You can spray near ponds or steams but do not spray directly into any body of water.

Q.    Is Tick Free or Mosquito-Free harmful around children or animals?

A.     Both Tick Free & Mosquito free are non-toxic to humans and most domestic animals. Yards can be used within 15 minutes of spraying to allow drying time.

Q.   Does Tick Free or Mosquito-Free cause discoloration when sprayed?

A.    No, Tick Free & Mosquito Free does not cause discoloration and is safe for sidewalks, foundations, swing sets etc.