When you are investing in something, you want to start to see the ROI as soon as possible. For that reason, homeowners sometimes ask us: How long does it take for lawn treatments to work?
Honestly, we love that you want to have realistic expectations in regard to when you can expect results. But it’s important for us to be clear that with lawn care, you really do need to trust the process. While you’ll see results from some treatments quicker than others, overall, if you have some patience and give it some time, you’ll begin to see your entire lawn transformed.
It’s just not an overnight process.
In this article, we’ll answer some of your key questions, including, “When will I see results from my lawn treatment?”
We have always prided ourselves on transparency and when it comes to talking about results, it’s no different. Any company that promises you quick fixes or overnight results is only setting you up to be disappointed. But understanding what you can realistically expect will help you to notice the progress your lawn is making.
Let’s start off by talking about weed killer as weeds are often one of the biggest gripes of homeowners.
Oftentimes, you’ll start to see weeds die within 5 to 7 days after an application. Around this time you’ll begin to see the weeds turning yellow and starting to wilt. However, it’s important to remember that not all weeds in your lawn are the same (and some are tougher to control than others).
For more difficult-to-control weeds, or also a lawn with a greater abundance of weeds, it could take longer than this typical period. It could also require additional treatments.
You’ll need to have a bit more repeated patience with those tough weeds, such as grassy weeds. Unfortunately, these types of weeds are stubborn and persistent and will need ongoing diligence.
That brings us to another important point that weed killer does not last forever. We certainly wish it did. But due to the persistence of weeds, they’re going to keep coming back.
As far as how long weed control lasts, it really does depend upon the type of weed that you’re dealing with. But no matter what the weed type, repeated and ongoing weed control is key. Our visits are perfectly timed to help fight the weeds in your lawn.
Our program is also comprehensive and incorporates pre-emergent, post-emergent, and specialty controls. Of course, it’s also part of a total lawn care program that incorporates other key treatments like lawn fertilization and insect control. This is important because, at the end of the day, the best defense against weeds is a healthy lawn.
In other words, the better shape that your lawn is in, the better it will be able to fight off weeds naturally. This is obviously the “playing long game,” but it’s worth mentioning. This is why it’s important to trust the process. Over time, you’ll need less weed control product to ward off those unwanted weeds.
As far as when you can expect results from lawn fertilization, it is going to depend upon several key factors:
Another question that we commonly receive in regard to fertilization and timing is: When can I mow? We typically advise waiting at least 24 hours after an application so that you provide some time for the product to absorb into the soil.
The answer to this question will definitely depend upon the type of insect, the type of treatment, and the time of the year (so there’s a lot of variation).
For example, grub control is typically a systemic treatment meaning that we apply it on top of the ground, it gets watered in, and the grub worms have to eat something that has absorbed the product. This is going to take a little bit longer than controlling a pest with a contact-type product.
For example, with armyworms, we are typically applying a contact product that will kill the worms within a few hours.
When it comes to moles, another common North Texas pest, we apply a product that they perceive as a bad smell and move on to go feed somewhere else. It also helps that we’re treating grubs, which are a primary food source of moles. As your lawn is rid of grubs, you eliminate a key food source for the moles.
You can see how these different strategies can have different timelines. In general, the two ways that we treat are systemically on contact applications. Systemic is going to be slower.
We know that you’re eager to have the best lawn on the block and you don’t want to wait long to see results. While you will start to see some changes pretty quickly (such as weeds yellowing or wilting), it will be important to have some patience.
You should know that each lawn care treatment also builds upon the last. That means that as time goes on, you’re only going to continue to see your lawn improve.
Of course, that’s not to say that there may not be some backward steps. Unexpected problems like a pest invasion or extreme weather conditions can cause backward steps in your results. But if you have a lawn care professional partnering with you, they’ll likely spot those problems early and get your lawn back on track as quickly as possible.
Plus, over time, you’ll find that your healthy and thriving lawn is starting to ward off problems on its own. This is one of the key long-term benefits of a good lawn care program.
We also want to mention that some of these changes are gradual and when you look at your lawn every single day, it can be hard to see those changes taking place (even though they are). This is where “looking back” can really make a big difference. If you snap some “before” pictures of your lawn, you’ll likely be shocked just how far it has come on a lawn care program.
It’s just easy to lose sight of the progress and remember how bad it was when you’re staring at it every day.
One final point that we want to make is that when it comes to results, you’re going to be in better shape working with a lawn care professional than attempting to tackle these services on your own.
While you might attempt DIY lawn care to try and save some money, many homeowners are often disappointed with their subpar results. This is due to the fact that DIY products that you can purchase at a big box store are going to be lower-quality and less effective than the commercial-grade products a pro is using.
Lawn care pros are also highly trained in best practices and application techniques (and timing), which ultimately yield better results.
Working with a professional will also help to take away your worries. You should be able to feel confident that your lawn care pro is working toward your long-term goal of having the best lawn on the block. By trusting the process, and knowing you’re in good hands before you know it, you’ll start seeing amazing results.
Ready for a gorgeous lawn at your Flower Mound, Highland Village, or Lewisville, TX home? Get a free quote and then enjoy the best lawn on the block without the worries!