Lawn treatments/spraying

Hello All,

I'm looking to improve the services I provide to my current & and any future clients by offering lawn care treatments. But I need some advice on what courses I need to take, equipment, how much to charge and is it a good idea?

Thanks,
Marc

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Permalink Reply by Dale Pellatt on July 9, 2009 at 11:17am: You'll need a descent roatry spreader that you can calibrate to give the required dose rate. Then if your spraying you will need to have a knapsack sprayer. To use this you will need to to a couple of courses. NPTC qualification in the basic safe use and storage of herbicides and a knapsack sprayer course. Can't remeber the course numbers. They will teach you about how to store etc, and also how to calibrate you sprayer with regards to a herbicide dose , and water mix to a given area based on your stride or walking speed. Cant remember how much they are but you should be ble to enrol at a horticultural college etc.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marc Cole on July 10, 2009 at 7:23pm: Dale, thanks very much. I'll start looking around.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Graeme @ BGS on July 10, 2009 at 7:57pm: Anyone feel free to correct me if I am wrong as I wouldn't want to give out duff info.

I believe that you only need PA1 and (PA2 if using a tractor spraying) and PA6 (for knapsack spraying) but only if applying pesticides. Herbicides and general lawn feed / feed and weed / Moss kill etc. wouldn't require you have the NPTC cert.

However I would strongly advise you to get the PA1 and PA6 but before hand read up on the various Manufacturers labels for the various products that you may use and also check out the HSE, DEFRA and COSHH guidelines and any other applicable Code of Practices. If in doubt, contact your local amenity supplier and ask them what they can legally sell you if you don't have PA1/6.

In answer to your other question, lawn treatments are a must and can be very profitable or you could just use it as an additional service at very reasonable rates to compliment your existing services.

The main thing with regards to feed and other treatment is to work out the cost of the raw materials per M2 and then add your labour charge etc. on top. Be careful as unless you get a good discount off your amenity supplier you will not be able to complete on price against other companies. Always buy the best product for the task in hand and charge accordingly. Never try to match, say the price of GreenThumb and besides if using quality products you will get better results than they ever can!

Feel free to Email me if you want more detailed information on rates etc.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pro Gard on July 10, 2009 at 8:40pm: You need to take NPTC Pa1, PA2 and PA6.
If your going down the lawn treatment route thenyoull need to buy a decent scarifier as well, I use an elliet 401.

In terms of chemicals, I stick to liquid feeds and treatments as there is no risk of scorch and they are more effective and most importantly more economical.

In terms of a selective i use Relay and Bayer spearhead, Scots grenmaster range of liquid feeds and soluble iron, I buy from ALS.

Before you invest consult your existing customer base to gaudge interest. If your spraying the actual spraying time is usually quite quick but the chemicals etc add up so don't go down an hourly rate or you'll not make money on it.

I charge a minimum price of £45 for one off spraying work no matter how small an area larger areas obviously more.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marc Cole on July 15, 2009 at 10:00pm: Gents, thank you very much for all your advice.

I'm very interested in the liquid feed, stupid q time. How is the best way to apply it?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Graeme @ BGS on July 15, 2009 at 10:09pm: Marc Cole said:
Gents, thank you very much for all your advice.

I'm very interested in the liquid feed, stupid q time. How is the best way to apply it?

In a knapsack sprayer. Invest in the best one your can afford but make sure you clean it out every time!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by martin on July 15, 2009 at 11:04pm: What would be the preferance on large commercial grounds, liquid or granular?

Having only ever used granulars before ive never looked into liquids. The weeds this season have been a big problem for me on a lot of my large commercial properties.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Graeme @ BGS on July 16, 2009 at 6:57am: For commercial I would always opt for spraying just because I don't ike the idea of having the treatment left on the ground for a few days before it breaks up (I do also warn the clients as well!).

Spraying is fairly quick but if a very large area I would suggest an auto pump sprayer or your left arm certainly gets a work out! :-); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pro Gard on July 16, 2009 at 5:28pm: Martin, Personally I would chose a liquid feed every time, cost wise it works out cheaper and no risk of scortch.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by martin on July 16, 2009 at 7:28pm: Great as i have my spaying certs liquid sounds the better option.

As a novice when it comes to liqiud feeds what would you recommend as a good all rounder without any excess growth (if possible)

As before thanks for all your help and sorry Marc for hijacking the thread ;); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pro Gard on July 16, 2009 at 8:33pm: I rate the scots greenmaster range:

http://www.amenity.co.uk/webstore/product_info.php?cPath=1081_1078&...

For added greenup i mix in a cupfull of iron sulphate if needs be.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marc Cole on July 16, 2009 at 9:47pm: Hi Martin no worries, very interested myself as I have no idea how to apply deal with liquid fertilizer & knapsack sprayer.

martin said:
Great as i have my spaying certs liquid sounds the better option.

As a novice when it comes to liqiud feeds what would you recommend as a good all rounder without any excess growth (if possible)

As before thanks for all your help and sorry Marc for hijacking the thread ;); ▶ Reply to This