Frequently Asked Questions
Jump to a category to find the answers to your question.
Our Lawn Care Program
What is included in your full-season turf care program?
. Our full-season turf care program is designed to support your lawn from early spring through late fall. It includes multiple fertilizer applications, weed control treatments, insect control, soil health boosters, aeration, and seeding services where appropriate. Each visit builds on the previous one to create thicker, healthier, and more resilient turf.
What services does NovaGrass Turf Care offer?
. NovaGrass Turf Care provides professional lawn care services across Halifax and surrounding HRM communities. Our services include seasonal fertilization, weed control, insect control, soil amendments, liquid and mechanical aeration, overseeding, dormant seeding, and lawn health programs designed specifically for Nova Scotia lawns.
Why is your lawn care program tailored specifically for Nova Scotia?
. Nova Scotia lawns face unique challenges including cool springs, variable summers, compacted soils, and freeze–thaw cycles. Our program is built around cool-season grasses and products that perform well in Atlantic Canadian conditions, ensuring better results than generic lawn care programs.
What should I do to prepare my lawn for a service visit?
. Please remove toys, furniture, and pet waste from the lawn prior to service. Keep pets and children off treated areas until advised. No mowing is required immediately before most treatments.
Should I water my lawn after an application?
. Watering instructions depend on the treatment applied. Fertilizers and soil amendments often benefit from watering in, while weed control treatments typically require a short dry period. We provide specific guidance after each visit.
Do you offer discounts or referral incentives?
. We offer seasonal promotions and referral incentives from time to time. Current offers can be found on our website or by contacting us directly.
How long is the turf care season?
. Our turf care package begins on the first week of April and ends the last week of October. (Weather Dependent)
Do we Mow Lawns?
. NovaGrass Turf Care does not mow lawns throughout the season, However we work closely with award winning Landscaping companies around HRM and would be happy to provide a referral!
Seeding & Grass Blends
What is the Ultra Shade seed blend, and when is it used?
. Our Ultra Shade Blend is specifically designed for lawns with limited sunlight, such as areas under trees, beside buildings, or north-facing yards. Ultra Shade Blend Composition: 40% Maxima Creeping Red Fescue 30% Windward Chewing Fescue 20% Sideways Perennial Ryegrass 10% Appalachian Kentucky Bluegrass Why we use it: Fine fescues thrive in low-light and shaded conditions Excellent tolerance to cool, damp soils Lower nutrient and water requirements Maintains coverage where standard blends fail
How do you decide which seed blend my lawn needs?
. To decide which blend is best we assess: Sun vs shade exposure Existing grass type and density Soil condition and moisture retention Lawn usage (pets, kids, foot traffic) In many cases, we may use both blends on the same property, targeting sunny and shaded areas separately for the best overall result.
What grass seed blends does NovaGrass Turf Care use?
. At NovaGrass Turf Care, we use professional-grade grass seed blends from DLF, a world-leading turfgrass breeder known for durability, disease resistance, and climate-specific performance. We primarily use two blends: PRFK Blend (Premium Residential Full-Sun to Partial Shade) Ultra Shade Blend (Designed for low-light and shaded lawns) Each blend is selected based on sun exposure, soil conditions, and long-term lawn performance in Nova Scotia’s climate.
Why do you use different grass seed blends instead of just one?
. No two lawns are the same. Sun exposure, shade, soil moisture, and foot traffic all affect how grass performs. Using the wrong seed blend often leads to: Thin or patchy growth Increased weed pressure Poor winter survival By matching the seed blend to the environment, we create lawns that are: Thicker and more resilient Better at crowding out weeds Longer-lasting with less maintenance
What is the PRFK seed blend, and where is it best used?
. Our PRFK Blend is ideal for full sun to partial shade lawns and high-visibility residential areas. PRFK Blend Composition: 35% Sideways Perennial Ryegrass 30% Esquire Perennial Ryegrass 25% Maxima Creeping Red Fescue 10% Geisha Kentucky Bluegrass Why we use it: Perennial ryegrass provides fast germination and quick lawn recovery Creeping red fescue adds drought tolerance and fine texture Kentucky bluegrass contributes density and self-repairing ability This blend establishes quickly, looks lush, and performs extremely well in Nova Scotia’s growing season.
Can I buy the same seed blend myself?
. These blends are professional-grade turf products typically not available at big-box stores. While similar grasses may be marketed to homeowners, they often lack: Certified cultivars Proven disease resistance Proper blend ratios Using the correct seed—and applying it properly—is key to long-term success.
Can you overseed existing lawns or fix bare patches?
. Yes. Overseeding and targeted seeding are effective ways to thicken turf, repair thin areas, and improve lawn density. These services are often combined with aeration for best results.
Do you offer dormant seeding?
. Yes. Dormant seeding is typically performed late in the season once soil temperatures drop. Seed remains dormant through winter and germinates naturally in spring, providing early-season lawn improvement.
Aeration & Soil Health
What is liquid aeration, and how does it work?
. Liquid aeration uses soil-conditioning agents to loosen compacted soil, improve water penetration, and support microbial activity. It enhances root development without removing soil plugs, making it ideal for lawns where mechanical aeration is not practical.
How often should my lawn be aerated?
. Most lawns benefit from aeration once per year. Lawns with heavy foot traffic, compacted soil, or poor drainage may benefit from a combination of mechanical and liquid aeration depending on conditions.
Do you offer mechanical (core) aeration?
. Yes. Mechanical aeration physically removes soil plugs to relieve compaction and improve airflow to the root zone. It is especially effective for heavily compacted lawns and is typically performed during peak growing seasons.
How does soil health affect my lawn?
. Healthy soil improves nutrient uptake, root development, and overall turf resilience. Poor soil health leads to weak grass, increased weeds, and pest pressure. Our program focuses on building soil health—not just feeding grass.
Weed & Insect Control
What pests do you treat for?
. We monitor and treat common Nova Scotia lawn pests including chinch bugs, grubs, ants, and ticks. Treatments are applied only when conditions warrant them, based on seasonal timing and lawn health.
What types of weeds do you treat in Nova Scotia lawns?
. We target the most common broadleaf weeds found in Halifax and across HRM, including dandelions, clover, plantain, chickweed, and other nuisance broadleaf weeds. Treatment effectiveness depends on weed type, growth stage, and weather conditions.
How does iron-based weed control work?
. Iron-based weed control works by delivering a concentrated dose of iron to broadleaf weeds. Broadleaf plants absorb iron differently than grass, causing weeds to darken, wilt, and die while turfgrass remains unharmed when applied correctly.
Will weed control prevent weeds from coming back?
. Weed control eliminates existing weeds, but long-term prevention depends on turf density and lawn health. Thick, healthy grass naturally crowds out weeds. That’s why weed control works best when combined with proper fertilization, soil health improvement, and overseeding.
Should I mow before or after a weed control treatment?
. We recommend avoiding mowing 24–48 hours before and after weed control treatments. This allows weeds to absorb the product more effectively and improves overall results.
Safety & Environment
Are your lawn care products safe for pets and children?
. Yes. When applied correctly and allowed to dry or be watered in as directed, our products are safe for pets and children. We always provide clear post-treatment instructions to ensure safety.
How does weather affect lawn care scheduling?
. Weather plays a major role in lawn care. Rain, drought, or temperature swings may require adjustments to application timing. We schedule treatments based on conditions to ensure effectiveness and safety.
Is weed control safe for the environment?
. We use selective weed control products approved for use in Nova Scotia and apply them responsibly and only when conditions are appropriate. Our approach focuses on reducing weed pressure while improving overall lawn health.
Scheduling, Payments & Results
How long does it take to see results after treatment?
. Some improvements, such as color response from fertilization, may be visible within days. Weed control and soil health improvements take longer and build gradually over the season. Lawn care is a process, not an instant fix.
Why should I hire a professional instead of doing it myself?
. Professional lawn care ensures proper product selection, timing, application rates, and coverage. DIY mistakes often lead to wasted money, poor results, or lawn damage. Our program is designed to deliver consistent, long-term improvements.
How Do I Pay?
. We accept all major credit cards, as well as E-transfers sent to Office@novagrass.ca (We recommend saving a credit card to our online payment system for convivence)
When do I Pay?
. We collect Payments each Friday for services preformed within the last 7 days, if you have a Credit Card Saved on File, we will automatically charge the card and send a payment receipt via email. (If your property was serviced on a Monday, Payment for that service will be due on Friday of the same week)
Credit Card Payments
. Our Credit Card Payments are collected through Stripe and are PCI compliant, We accept all major credit cards.
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