How Professional Lawn Treatments Work
What exactly does a professional lawn care company apply to your yard? This guide demystifies the process so you know what you are paying for.
Overview
What You Will Learn
Professional lawn care programs follow a structured, seasonal approach that targets the right problems at the right time. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all product from the hardware store, professionals use commercial-grade products, calibrated equipment, and timing based on soil temperature and grass growth cycles. This guide explains how a typical treatment program works — what is applied in each round, why the timing matters, and what you should expect from a year-round professional program.
The Seasonal Treatment Calendar
A professional lawn care program in Middle Georgia typically includes 6 to 8 treatments per year, spaced approximately every 6 to 8 weeks. Each treatment is timed to match the seasonal needs of warm-season turf. Early spring (February to March) focuses on pre-emergent herbicide and the first fertilizer application. Late spring (April to May) includes a second pre-emergent round and targeted post-emergent weed control. Summer treatments (June to August) address active weed growth, fertilization, and pest or disease monitoring. Fall (September to October) includes the last fertilizer application, fall pre-emergent, and preparation for dormancy. Winter treatments are minimal — a monitoring visit or targeted spot treatment if needed.
Each treatment is timed to the season, not an arbitrary calendar date.
Expect 6 to 8 visits per year for a comprehensive program.
Fall and spring are the most critical treatment windows.
What Is in a Typical Treatment
Each treatment round contains a combination of products selected for your grass type and the current conditions. A typical application might include granular slow-release fertilizer for sustained feeding, liquid post-emergent herbicide for visible weeds, and a pre-emergent barrier during the appropriate windows. The specific formulation varies — bermuda lawns receive different fertilizer rates than centipede lawns, and weed control products are selected based on which weeds are active at that time of year. Professional-grade products are not available at retail stores and are applied using calibrated spreaders and sprayers that deliver precise rates.
Products are tailored to your specific grass type.
Professional-grade products are more concentrated and effective than retail options.
Application rates are calibrated — too much product causes more problems than it solves.
Why Professional Timing Matters
Timing is arguably the biggest advantage of professional lawn care. Pre-emergent must be applied before weed seeds germinate — miss the window by two weeks and it is ineffective. Post-emergent herbicides work best on young, actively growing weeds — waiting too long lets weeds mature and become resistant. Fertilizer applied too early in spring can promote weed growth before the grass is ready to compete. Fertilizer applied too late in fall can push tender new growth that gets killed by the first frost. Professionals track soil temperatures, growth patterns, and local conditions to time every application precisely. That timing precision is extremely difficult for homeowners to replicate on their own.
Pre-emergent applied two weeks late is essentially wasted product.
Fall fertilizer timing is critical — too late promotes frost-vulnerable growth.
Professionals track soil temperature to time applications precisely.
What the Core Program Includes
Most professional lawn care programs have a core offering that includes weed control and fertilization — the two things every lawn needs consistently. Beyond the core, add-on services address specific problems: soil conditioning (pH correction and soil health), disease control (for large patch, dollar spot, and other fungal issues), and insect control (for grub worms, armyworms, and chinch bugs). Not every lawn needs every add-on. A good lawn care provider will assess your property and recommend only what is necessary rather than selling you a one-size-fits-all package.
The core program covers weed control and fertilization.
Soil conditioning, disease control, and insect control are add-ons based on your lawn's needs.
A reputable provider recommends what you need, not the most expensive package.
Key takeaways
What to Remember
Professional programs include 6 to 8 seasonal treatments per year.
Each treatment is timed to soil temperature and grass growth cycles.
Products are selected based on your grass type and active weed species.
The core program covers weed control and fertilization — add-ons address specific problems.
Timing precision is the biggest advantage professionals have over DIY approaches.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lawn treatments do I need per year?
A comprehensive program in Middle Georgia typically includes 6 to 8 treatments per year, spaced every 6 to 8 weeks. Each treatment is timed to match seasonal needs — pre-emergent in spring, active weed control in summer, and dormancy preparation in fall.
What is the difference between professional and store-bought products?
Professional-grade products are more concentrated, more targeted, and applied at precise rates with calibrated equipment. Retail products are often broad-spectrum (they affect everything, including your grass) and applied without rate precision.
Do I still need to mow and water if I have professional treatments?
Yes. Professional treatments handle weed control and fertilization, but proper mowing and watering are still your responsibility. Mowing at the right height and watering correctly are essential for the treatments to work effectively.
Can I cancel professional lawn care at any time?
Most quality lawn care providers — including Attaboy — operate without long-term contracts. You stay because the program works, not because you are locked in.
How long does a lawn treatment appointment take?
A typical treatment visit takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on the size of your lawn. The technician applies products with calibrated equipment and may leave notes about what was applied and any observations about your lawn's condition.
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