What can we do for you?

Gordon's Cutting Edge provides the full spectrum of lawn care maintenance.  Our services are tailored to meet your needs and specifications and can be customized throughout the year to provide optimum care for a vibrant, healthy and safe lawn.  You may choose from the services below or select from the list of hassle-free packages.  We maintain a high standard of customer service and look forward to building a personal relationship with you and your lawn. 

Soil Analysis

In order to create a custom treatment plan for your lawn, it is necessary to obtain a composite soil test.  The sample will be obtained by Gordon's Cutting Edge and the testing will be completed by a reputable agency.  We are especially interested in learning the pH level of your soil, the percentage of organic matter, and levels of phosphorus and potassium.

Aeration

Aeration of the soil is a process of removing small cores of soil and thatch.  Micro-organisms contained in these small cores are brought to the surface to assist in the breakdown of thatch.  Additionally, these holes allow the root systems to spread out, grow deeper, and produce a healthy and thick turf.  It is an excellent natural way to reduce thatch, loosen up compacted soil, and makes it easier for water and nutrients to reach the root system of the turf.

Aeration may be completed at any time throughout the season, preferably in the spring and fall.  Fall aeration should be followed by overseeding. 

 Over-seeding

Over-seeding is the process of applying grass seed to an already established turf.  Aerating followed by overseeding is the best way to produce a thick, vibrant, and weed-resistant lawn by preventing new weeds from sprouting.  This process is recognized by turf professionals to reduce compaction, fill in bare spots, control thatch, and revitalize growth.  For best seed to soil contact, this process is most effective when done immediately following core aeration.

Slit Seeding

Slit-Seeding is an effective process of planting a new lawn or applying new seed to an already established turf.  The slit seeder attachment on the Z-Plug machine pictured below consists of a series of knives that open up the topsoil before an appropriate blend of grass seed is dropped directly into the topsoil.  This method allows us to control the amount of seed required for your lawn with little or no waste and provides optimal conditions for successful germination and growth.

Full Service Mowing

We are happy to serve your specific mowing needs; we are able take care of your lawn mowing for the entire season or we can provide our vacation mowing service or as often as requested.

As discussed elsewhere on our website and in numerous organic lawn care resources, proper mowing is essential for a healthy lawn.  We maintain a high standard of care on our equipment to ensure the mower blades are sharp and create as little stress as possible for your grass.  We are also careful to mow your grass to the proper height; most grasses fair best when mowed to a height of 2.5 to 3.5 inches.

Edging of sidewalks, driveways, and curbs are included in our mowing service.  We are also careful to trim neatly where needed and blow the grass clippings from the street, sidewalks and driveways. 

Eco-Friendly Fertilization

Compost and compost teas are the basis of a natural lawn care program.  We will top-dress your lawn with compost once during the season to build the organic matter in your soil; this improves the structure of your soil and restores beneficial micro-organisms.  The microbial life in the compost digests the organic material and releases micronutrients for use by the grass plants. 

Compost teas (liquid "brewed" from compost) are essential in the beginning phases of transitioning to a natural lawn care program because the nutrients are immediately available to the grass plants.  Compost teas will be applied at regular intervals throughout the season.

Corn gluten, a by-product of corn processing, is a natural product that supplies your lawn with a healthy source of nitrogen.  Another benefit of corn gluten is its' proven success as a pre-emergent weed control product; it naturally inhibits weed seeds from germinating.  Corn gluten will be applied in the Spring.  For greater results, we recommend an additional application in the Fall.  However, it must be noted that corn gluten should not be applied within four to six weeks of any seeding; the corn gluten will inhibit the growth of your grass seeds.

 Eco-Friendly Weed Control

Weed control in an organic lawn is based upon establishing a healthy soil system that produces a thick turf, thereby choking out pesky weeds in your lawn.  However, there is no fool-proof way to completely eliminate weeds and additional measures can be taken.

Weeds are often a sign of a soil system that is out of balance with nature or a sign of certain conditions.  For example, crabgrass often appears in soil that is compacted.  Simply spraying the crabgrass with chemicals will not remedy the situation; you must take measures to loosen the soil in order to solve the problem.  We can help you identify any chronic weed problems and determine if there are soil deficiencies or other conditions that encourage the weeds to flourish in your lawn.

We recommend the use of corn gluten (also an effective natural fertilizer, as described elsewhere) as a pre-emergent weed control.  The University of Wisconsin Urban Horticulture website reports that corn gluten "has reduced crabgrass by 86% the first year and 98% the second year provided recommended rates are applied."  It must be noted that the timing of application is important and that corn gluten will also prevent the germination of grass seed; be sure not to apply corn gluten to any areas that will be seeded within 4-6 weeks.

When natural weed controls and measures and your patience have been exhausted, we are able to take additional steps through a system called Integrated Pest Management (IPM).  IPM is recognized by organic lawn care professionals as a last resort to target isolated problem areas with pesticides.  We will discuss this option if needed and proceed only with your permission.

Traditional Fertilization and Weed Control

While we believe strongly in reducing the use of chemicals to maintain a healthy lawn and encourage you to consider our natural options, we do understand the desire for some homeowners to employ traditional lawn care methods.  We are certified by the state of Minnesota to apply traditional fertilizer and weed control products.  A customized plan can easily be created for you based on the needs of your lawn and may include both natural and traditional products and methods.

Spring Clean-Up

We can help you prepare your lawn for a healthy growing season by removing any remaining leaves and excess thatch.  Care will be taken to blow leaves and debris away from your home and landscape beds.  Our dethatching rake will gently, but effectively, loosen leaves and thatch and the debris will be immediately bagged with our commercial bagging system.

Fall Clean-Up

Allow us to lighten your workload in the Fall by clearing your lawn of excess leaves and disposing of them properly.  In our region of the country, we must be careful not to allow excess leaf coverage on our lawns; once the snow arrives, there is a risk that the excess leaves may cause winterkill of your grass.  Depending upon the amount of leaves present, we may recommend making two visits throughout the Fall to clear your lawn and landscape beds. 

Additional Services:

Garden Tilling

Save yourself the trouble of preparing your vegetable garden and allow us to do the work for you!

Replenishing Mulch in Established Beds

Do your landscape or garden beds need revitalizing?  We can freshen them up for you with a new supply of mulch.

Shrub Trimming

Proper care will be taken to identify your shrubs and trimming will be completed during the optimal season for each variety.

Our Equipment

Gordon's Cutting Edge uses commercial-grade equipment to maintain your lawn.  Our quality line of equipment allows us to efficiently complete your lawn care needs with professional results.  

Our commercial-grade Ferris mower will quickly devour your grass.  Additionally, it will be equipped with the dethatching rake and heavy-duty bagging system for Spring Clean-Up.  It will also be used for Fall Clean-Up; it has the capacity to quickly mulch and bag your excess leaves.

Spray applications will be completed with the Z-Plug system shown at left.  This state-of-the-art piece of equipment will also accept an aerator head, slit-seeding attachment, and spreading system that will accommodate all of your compost, compost tea, seed, and corn gluten applications.