Has anyone tried TruGreen lawn care?

seadoug

seadoug

Well-known Member
Location
Texas
We have an issue with our lawns in my neighborhood because we have Live Oak trees that suck up all the nutrients. My neighbors recently replaced their front lawn with Astroturf (which actually looks fine) because of the issue. We had Zoysia grass planted in 2020, but it dies during the winter and each year it gets more thin. It was so thick and bright green in the beginning. I fertilize it once a year but it never looks like it did in the beginning.

I'm wondering if I should hire TruGreen to take care of it. Has anyone had any experience with them?
 

I'm a former greenkeeper and farmer, I'm not sure which part of Texas you're from but your soils and annual rainfall are relevant as is your water budget.
Short answer, try Kikuyu grass but be careful what you wish for...
If you give me more information I can offer further suggestions.
 
Location: Lower Alabama near the Florida line

My next door neighbor uses TruGreen service monthly. Part of his lawn is Zoysia. His lawn still browns out in the winter.
Overall in the grand scheme of things and on a year long basis, his lawn looks nicer than mine, has fewer weeds and invasive plants.
Although many casually driving by, might never notice the difference in our lawns.

I can't say it would be worth it to me to give TruGreen a go. YMMV
I just feel like I can weed, pull invasive plants and add nutrients as needed. All I have these days is time.
Well that and not sure what's in the lawn application they put down. Is it safe for pets? I have a dog to think of.
 

Rakaia said:
I'm a former greenkeeper and farmer, I'm not sure which part of Texas you're from but your soils and annual rainfall are relevant as is your water budget.
Short answer, try Kikuyu grass but be careful what you wish for...
If you give me more information I can offer further suggestions.
Click to expand...
What is your grass like in Jundalup, Western Australia? Do you have Buffalo grass, or artificial turf?
 
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Meanderer said:
What is your grass like in Jundalup, Western Australia? Do you have Buffalo grass, or artificial turf?
Click to expand...
Personally the only grass at home is on the road verge, it's mostly Couch with some Kikuyu. I never water it but some years I use a selective spray for the flat weeds and winter grass.
Buffalo is often used locally but it needs to be pampered to survive the summer, which was a scorcher this year.
Local golf courses are mostly couch with bent grass greens.
Artificial turf is held in contempt.
 
Exactly one year ago I had zoysia sod laid in the front and back of my house and hired TruGreen. The grass "died" over winter which is expected of zoysia and is just now turning green again but unevenly. I assume this is normal so I'm waiting until he comes back.

I haven't turned the irrigation system back on because we've had enough rain and moisture from the ocean. We're expecting 2 days of rain starting tomorrow also. So it seems rain showers should make it evenly green. I've watched them fertilize and it appears that they are hurried and may be missing places but I'm not sure.

It's a large space. I've seen other zoysia lawns in the neighborhood and it's much the same so I'm just waiting a month until he returns. You have to pay extra for trees so my palm trees are looking a bit neglected...but I'm in touch with the Nursery and following their advice to wait a month and fertilizing them with a pre emergent specially formulated for palm trees.
 
The apparent winter 'death' of grasses is perfectly normal, it's called dormancy. Spring is a good time to fertilize it, a little each fortnight is ideal. Be careful with the potential for fertilizer burn.
I'm happy to give specific advice if you want, I need to know what your soils and annual rainfall are as well as your regional climate. If you can tell how green or brown your thumbs are then I can really talk down to you...
Sorry the devil made me say that 😳
 
I used them for at least 10 years, but my neighbor’s lawn always looked better and he used some local company. I finally gave in and switched over to his company and my yard has improved 100%. The driver came to my door 2 years ago and told me that my yard was being invaded by Army Worms, which I never heard about, so I looked it up. They are usually prevalent in the fall, which mine was.

Sure enough, they do exist, so I paid for the treatment and in the spring, my lawn came back very green, dense and looking healthy.
 
seadoug said:
We have an issue with our lawns in my neighborhood because we have Live Oak trees that suck up all the nutrients. My neighbors recently replaced their front lawn with Astroturf (which actually looks fine) because of the issue. We had Zoysia grass planted in 2020, but it dies during the winter and each year it gets more thin. It was so thick and bright green in the beginning. I fertilize it once a year but it never looks like it did in the beginning.

I'm wondering if I should hire TruGreen to take care of it. Has anyone had any experience with them?
Click to expand...

I say, find a new love for live Oak tree's! ;)
 
Thank you, everyone, for your input. Yes, the Zoysia grass does turn brown each winter and comes back in Spring. It's just that over the past 4 years it seems to have come back thinner, weaker and more spotty each time. There are currently spots of green, but we are still dropping into the 40's at night so it may take more time. I've fertilized it once and will do so again later this week when things warm up.

This is what the grass looked like when it was first planted. I want to bring it back.

IMG_0084.jpg
 
It's a harsh chemical solution. Lots of people do it. I tried to stay mostly chemical free when I had a big lawn. Have it aerated. Put down triple the amount of recommended grass seed. Do K31. Do some natural feeding and water. Grub worms were the only predator that I didn't have any other solution for except some chemicals.
 
seadoug said:
We have an issue with our lawns in my neighborhood because we have Live Oak trees that suck up all the nutrients. My neighbors recently replaced their front lawn with Astroturf (which actually looks fine) because of the issue. We had Zoysia grass planted in 2020, but it dies during the winter and each year it gets more thin. It was so thick and bright green in the beginning. I fertilize it once a year but it never looks like it did in the beginning.

I'm wondering if I should hire TruGreen to take care of it. Has anyone had any experience with them?
Click to expand...
I am in Houston, Texas with the same problem. Mainly my back yard with two live oaks that suck up all the nutrients. I've tried watering, new sod, having the tree tops cut out for more sunlight. As to date, no growth of St, Augustine, which normally survives everything. I'm thinking of the turf grass in that area. Seems like I have spent a fortune with various bags of fertilizer. Good luck.
 
mnray said:
I am in Houston, Texas with the same problem. Mainly my back yard with two live oaks that suck up all the nutrients. I've tried watering, new sod, having the tree tops cut out for more sunlight. As to date, no growth of St, Augustine, which normally survives everything. I'm thinking of the turf grass in that area. Seems like I have spent a fortune with various bags of fertilizer. Good luck.
Click to expand...
I've fertilized the Zoysia grass twice in the past couple of months and it is starting to grow back in green patches. It will never look like it did when it was first planted, but it looks acceptable. There are neighbors who have big brown dead patches in their lawns. I had the Live Oak tree trimmed last month.

It's just difficult in Texas. Thanks for your response!
 

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