Sod

Depending upon availability, we order fresh sod from Wisconsin. Our sod distributor has been in operation since 1979. They grow Kentucky Bluegrass, which is a hybrid of 5 different varieties of gras. Their sod is #1 grade salt tolerant and meets all Illinois Department of Transportation specifications. Sod can be ordered by the piece (24" x 60") or by the pallet depending upon your needs. Since sod is so vulnerable to the conditions outside, we order fresh cut sod every morning to ensure that you get the best sod available. However, since we do order it daily we need to have all orders placed by no later than 3:00 PM the day before. Often times we may have some extra rolls of sod to sell, however, it would be wise to call a day before to reserve even just one roll of sod.

Grass Seed/Fertilizers

All of our grass seeds are supplied by a local seed company and have been specifically created to endure the extremes of Chicago weather. Each mix is designed to handle a certain amount of sunlight and needs to be purchased according to the conditions of the area where you desire it to grow. All of our grass mixes will survive the winter and (with the right care) come back stronger the next year. For your convenience, we supply you with four different types of seed (packaged in bags of 3 lbs., 25 lbs. and 50 lbs.).

Seeding a lawn properly is a rather involved process. Upon making your decision to use grass seed, it is important for you to follow a number of steps. First, observe the amount of sun the lawn will get over the course of the day. This will make a difference in whether you purchase Premium Shady, Sun and Shade, or Pro Mix. Next you will need to mow the grass and then loosen the soil. Then spread the grass seed along with a starter fertilizer. Spreas another ¼ - ½ inch of topsoil, peat moss, or mushroom compost on top of the seeds. In areas where erosion takes place it will be important to place straw or an erosion mat down to prevent the soil and seeds from washing away. After that you still need to water the seeds about twice each day to keep the soil moist. The seeds will germinate in about 7 - 21 days. However, you will need to wait longer before mowing the lawn.

GreenView Fertilizers

Many homeowners struggle to keep their lawns looking beautiful year-round. At Tameling's we carry all the fertilizer necessary to insure that your lawn remains lush and weed-free throughout every season. We stock a four-step lawn program by GreenView, which includes:

Step 1, Crabicide Green

• Should be spread in March/April
• Combines a long-lasting fertilizer with a crabgrass preventer
• Contains an exclusive nitrogen formula that jump-starts lawns

Step 2, 2-Way Green Power

• For us in May/June
• 30-4-4
• Features both a long-lasting fertilizer as well as broad weed control
• Feeds for months and kills broadleaf and viney weeds

Step 3, GreenPower Plus Insect Control

• For implementation in July/August
• 30-4-4
• Provides a long-lasting fertilizer plus insect control
• Feeds, greens and thickens lawns

Step 4, WinterGreen

• Best if used in September/October
• Greens, thickens and develops deep roots
• 10-16-20 plus trace elements

GreenView Preen

Are you sick and tired of spending every Saturday afternoon weeding, and every Saturday night nursing the sore back that this tiresome activity inevitable produces? Preen is absolutely guaranteed by GreenView to prevent the growth and spread of weeds in your flowers, gardens and landscaping. Here are some advantages to using Preen:

• Effectively prevents 27 different annual broadleaf and grassy weeds from growing around nearly 180 varieties of bulbs, flowers, roses, shrubs, trees and vegetables
• One application will prevent weeds for up to three months
• May be applied throughout the entire growing season-spring, summer and fall
• May be used on sloping areas without fear of runoff or leaching

Notice: Preen is a weed preventer, not a weed killer. If weeds are already growing, they must first be removed, before application of Preen.

Grub Control

At Tameling's we stock Grub Control, containing Dylox insecticide. Grub Control controls damaging insects below the soil surface. Some pests controlled by this product include: Sod Webworms (Lawn Moth Larvae), Cutworms, Japanese Beetle, European Chafer and Southern Chafer, Mole Crickets and many others. Environmental as well as health hazards apply to this product. Consult directions on packaging before use.

Straw

Tameling Industries sells bales of straw that measure about 12"x18"x36". To make it more convenient for you, we also carry straw mats in two sizes. You can purchase them in either 4 or 8 foot widths by 112.5 feet long. Each covers 50 or 100 sq. yards, respectively.

The straw mats are particularly convenient. All you have to do is cut the plastic and unroll the netting, which has the straw already spread throughout the product. A necessity for seeding a lawn, straw provides protection against wind and rain erosion while also giving the required shade to the grass seed. However, straw has a couple other uses.

During the colder months homeowners are advised to cover newly poured concrete with straw. The purpose for doing this is to provide an insulator to prevent the concrete from cracking. Straw is also a great insulator for exposed pipes. This method protects outdoor pipes from freezing and breaking.