Spraying Lawns

[Trott]

I am going to get my license to spray chemicals on lawns this summer. I am new to the lawncare business and would like any help possible. For example what are the different am=nd most common applications to apply. Pre-emergence and other treatments as well. Where can i srudy on what exactly the different applications are? Thank you very much in advance for ANY help. Trott.

[lorenzo piedra]

There is only so much you could learn for a book (that is if one existed on this subject).

Your best bet would be to serve as an apprentice for a contractor that has some experience (at least 10 years).

There is no real school that teaches the tricks of the trade but in the near future there might be a one on one two week training course available in the winter months in Southwest FLA.

[RatherbeBassin']

Larry, as you already know, I will be first on your list of students. Maybe work a trade on tuition for some KGB? Application is my next rung up scrub ladder as the applicators here are too busy to meet demand.

[lorenzo piedra]

I would think if there is enough interest something could be set up. It would be a six day training course/ winter vacation. To cover the range of T & O I would be providing the lesson plan and instruction for cool season applicator while your host will be doing the same with warm season and tropical plants.

You would be going out with the certified applicator and actually be instructed on the T & O issues of million dollar homes making actual applications.

Instruction will be from 8am to 2pm so you will have lots of beach time frolicking in the flour like sand of the state recreation area on Boca Grande.

All I can tell you it ain't going to be cheap and payable in advance for landscaper types have the worst average credit ratings of any trade.

[RatherbeBassin']

You brilliant bass-terd... I may extend my "catering" services in exchange for tuition as I also have a BBQ competition hobby I recently renewed interest in.

[Ric]

EDUCATION COSTS




Professor Stone

A Traveling Road Show might be a big advantage to those interested in a seminar, but would have many draw back. Tuition would have to be higher to cover travel costs, which would not be cheap due to hauling not only some equipment but also chemicals. Also a classroom would have to be arranged at the site for power point presentations an other class room work. Application sites would also have to be pre-arranged. A certified applicator for the state in which each seminar would be held might be another consideration to keep everything legal and have Insurance coverage in that State. It might be also pointed out that a traveling Road Show might not provide all the Field work advantage that a home based Seminar could provide.

By having the seminars held at a home based site, The student may have more travel expense and motel expense. But this extra cost would mean a better education for them. As you have pointed out They would have the opportunity to make actual applications on real properties. OVER THE TOP weed control in actual Planting beds would be well worth the expense of the seminar alone. Plus it could be arrange to have Roscoe to do table dances as evening entrainment.

[Amphenol]

There is only so much you could learn for a book (that is if one existed on this subject).

Your best bet would be to serve as an apprentice for a contractor that has some experience (at least 10 years).

There is no real school that teaches the tricks of the trade but in the near future there might be a one on one two week training course available in the winter months in Southwest FLA.

Did you bump your head? 10 years? And all you have to show for it is an old chevy 2WD and a used exmark?

[Ric]

Did you bump your head? 10 years? And all you have to show for it is an old chevy 2WD and a used exmark?

Amphenol

Professor Stone also has a very layed back life style that includes several cruise to the Caribbean each year. He also spends winter in Florida. All of this, working about 20 to 25 hours a week, 7 months out of the year in a depressed marketing area. Call him lazy if you like. But no one on this forum will denie he is very well versed in the science of application. By the same token I think Most will agree I am as knowledgable on warm season turf as Professor Stone is on Cool Season Turf. It is my Location that Professor Stone is talking about holding these seminars.

Beware the Braggers who claim to own the world here on the net. They are a lot of wind. In fact beware of any post or advise you read here. Not that most of the information is not correct. But a prudent person will verify or seek second opinions on important issues.

Now Professor Stone and myself have differencing Ideas on application and mutual respect. He bills himself as the Fugal Agronomist and only applys the minimal cost of chemicals and fertilizer. I on the other hand go with the more expensive products that give me a Superior Response in a very competitive market. The application Business is a business and Just knowing what to put down is not the total story of that end of the business. As much as we all hate TrueGreen, they do have their business model in tact and working for them. Yet most of the Hose Jockeys that work for Truegreen are very un knowledgeable of the work they are doing.

I suggest you walk a mile in Professor Stones shoes before Knocking him. We all have different ambitions in life and as long as we are happy then we are successful.

[Scott]

Amphenol
Yet most of the Hose Jockeys that work for Truegreen are very un knowledgeable of the work they are doing.

brother you can say that again along with a few other local companies. From how I see it, there's a couple guys that know what's going on per bizness. Scrubs are given rigs with 200-300 tanks, a chart and some measuring cups attached to concentrated tubs that say, "fill to this line" and then fill with water. They'er told to wear these gloves, these boots, this mask, and spray downwind. Then they're told to use no more than X amount no matter what size the lawn is. Then hack off on this pre-filled out chart and move along to the next 75 houses.

[Ric]

brother you can say that again along with a few other local companies. From how I see it, there's a couple guys that know what's going on per bizness. Scrubs are given rigs with 200-300 tanks, a chart and some measuring cups attached to concentrated tubs that say, "fill to this line" and then fill with water. They'er told to wear these gloves, these boots, this mask, and spray downwind. Then they're told to use no more than X amount no matter what size the lawn is. Then hack off on this pre-filled out chart and move along to the next 75 houses.

Scott

Need Some Feed back From you, and other Limited Pesticide applicators here in Florida.

I believe you have the Limited pesticide license here in Fla that allows you to do Ornamental pesticide treatment with Caution labeled Pesticides. If Professor Stone and Myself ever put together a seminar, I think you might find the 200 mile drive from Panamal City to be worth while. Not only for plant disease but Over the Top weed control. I certainly have enough Nursery stock that needs weed control on a constant bases to provide plenty of pratices.

Professor Stone and Myself have talked about this Idea for several years now. I have even though about Hiring People like your self around the state to do application on Lawns as my employee. The major benefit being able to sit for the Commerial Pesticide test in three years. Of course the ablity to offer one stop shopping to your present customer could really increase the Quality and volume of your customers.

BTW I have some other things on the front burner right now that might be of interest to all. However I will save that annoncement until I have totally gotten it ready.

BTW # 2 in All fairness to GM we would need to include him in some way. Possiblely having him do the prepay and holding the money to ensure everyone of proper management of the funds. This Forum may be free to us, But it is a big cause of Stress to GM. heavens only knows I have caused him some of that stress.

[Seascape]

I certainly have enough Nursery stock that needs weed control on a constant bases to provide plenty of pratices.

Sounds like some nice stock.

[Scott]

Scott

Need Some Feed back From you, and other Limited Pesticide applicators here in Florida.

I believe you have the Limited pesticide license here in Fla that allows you to do Ornamental pesticide treatment with Caution labeled Pesticides. If Professor Stone and Myself ever put together a seminar, I think you might find the 200 mile drive from Panamal City to be worth while. Not only for plant disease but Over the Top weed control. I certainly have enough Nursery stock that needs weed control on a constant bases to provide plenty of pratices.

Professor Stone and Myself have talked about this Idea for several years now. I have even though about Hiring People like your self around the state to do application on Lawns as my employee. The major benefit being able to sit for the Commerial Pesticide test in three years. Of course the ablity to offer one stop shopping to your present customer could really increase the Quality and volume of your customers.

BTW I have some other things on the front burner right now that might be of interest to all. However I will save that annoncement until I have totally gotten it ready.

BTW # 2 in All fairness to GM we would need to include him in some way. Possiblely having him do the prepay and holding the money to ensure everyone of proper management of the funds. This Forum may be free to us, But it is a big cause of Stress to GM. heavens only knows I have caused him some of that stress.

Ric that's a generous offer again BUTT I have my hands tied up here with uncle sam until 05 Jan 07.
Although, we could work out something on the side if you're interested, say a long distance relationship. Just this year I feel I missed out on close to a total of $XXX,XXX worth of contracts due to the fact that I would have had to sub the turf apps out which drove my #'s up and the HOA's didn't like the idea of subs. Guess they're tired of being burned. get it,, being burned! I crack myself up. :p

Hook a brother up RIC,, I'll pay to spray!

[lorenzo piedra]

Please Ric there is no need to offer excuses to the unwashed about the cost/benefit ratios of a low overhead operation. If he had any business education he would understand that when one saves dollar he does not have the associated expenses of actual earning a dollar.

As far as a pesticide school goes unless the student needs comes to the class with at least a turf certification from a state that requires no work experience under a certified applicator.

If the student is innumerate or is not with the terminology they will be lost like a deer in car headlights with such an intense hands on course. As you are already aware we do not have the patience and personality to teach kindergarten.

[Ric]

Please Ric there is no need to offer excuses to the unwashed about the cost/benefit ratios of a low overhead operation. If he had any business education he would understand that when one saves dollar he does not have the associated expenses of actual earning a dollar.

As far as a pesticide school goes unless the student needs comes to the class with at least a turf certification from a state that requires no work experience under a certified applicator.

If the student is innumerate or is not with the terminology they will be lost like a deer in car headlights with such an intense hands on course. As you are already aware we do not have the patience and personality to teach kindergarten.

Professor Stone

In all reality INNUMERATE is the key word here. A materials Calculations class should almost be a required course first. I taught Materials Calculation at Edison College and had many students who had a hard time with it. In fact that was the first course I student taught. The professor teaching the required course realized I was strong in math and split the class, giving me half the students. I am afraid even with Calculators they were unable to get the right answers.

I guess it is no secret that I am in the process of writing an application Book. I believe it might be wise for me to offer the Material Calculation Chapters as a stand alone book. Since my main goal in writing a application book, was to offer simple precise information first and then a little scientific explanation second. I have included look up charts for most common applications. To be a good applicator one must know how to mix chemicals. The Biggest Cause of Burnt Lawns is Math errors when mixing.

[Trott]

When will this book be availalble? Thanks, Trott,