Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers from Treppendahl Landscape about lawn treatments, weeds, soil, landscaping and Christmas lights.
Got lawn care questions? You are in the right place. We have gathered the questions Baton Rouge homeowners ask us most, grouped by service. Start with the general answers below, or jump straight to the service you are curious about.
Is it safe for my pets and kids to be on the lawn after a treatment?
Yes. Once a treatment has dried, kids and pets can go back out on the lawn. We also limit insecticides to the peak damage season, when insects can actually hurt your lawn.
Will I get locked into a contract?
No. Our 7 Step Annual Lawn Treatment Program is pay as you go, with no contract required. You stay because your lawn looks better, not because you signed something.
How do I get a quote?
Reach out by phone or through our quote form. For lawn treatment, we can usually give you a fast, accurate quote by measuring your lawn with Google Maps, since pricing is based on turf size, but we're happy to meet you at home if you'd like. Just call our office. For landscaping and drainage projects, an estimator comes out to look at the property with you. Request your quote here.
What areas do you serve?
We are based in Baton Rouge. We service the Baton Rouge area, including towns like Prairieville, Geismar and Gonzales, as well as the Lafayette area, including towns like Broussard, Youngsville and Maurice. Landscaping and Christmas lights are offered in the Baton Rouge area, and plant health care and flower bed weed control are offered in both areas. See every town we cover on our service area page.
What are your hours?
Our phones are answered Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. We are closed Saturday and Sunday. You can send us a message or request a quote online any time.
Do you install sod or irrigation?
No. We focus on what we do best. On the lawn side, we improve the warm-season grass you already have with soil testing, fertilization, weed control, core aeration and topdressing. On the landscape side, we install flower beds, plants, mulch, lighting and drainage. See our landscaping services for the full list.
How do I pay my bill?
Use the Pay Online link at the top of any page to reach our secure client payment portal.
How does the Weed Kill Guarantee work?
If you have not seen substantial visual improvement to your weeds after 4 consecutive treatments, we will refund your last visit. Weeds start fading after the first visit, and the full benefit builds over about a year. Learn more about our lawn fertilization and weed control.
What's in the 7 Step Annual Lawn Treatment Program?
A program designed for South Louisiana turf: a golf-course-level 6-month premium pre-emergent herbicide, a premium 15-week slow-release fertilizer, occasional fungicide based on the season, high-quality insecticides, root growth stimulators, liquid aeration and pH adjusters. It also includes an in-depth soil test and assessment, seven treatments a year, a heads-up the day before every visit and our Weed Kill Guarantee. All of it is pay as you go.
How many treatments do I get each year?
Seven. Each treatment is timed to the season and to what your lawn needs, and we text and email you the day before we come.
When will I see results?
You should notice weeds starting to fade after the first visit. It's a gradual process, and the full benefit builds over about a year. Our reviews page shows what neighbors say about their results.
Do you treat grassy weeds like nutsedge and crabgrass?
Yes, and they're included. Most of our competitors don't treat difficult grassy weeds like these, but they are part of our program.
Will I get locked into a contract?
No. The program is pay as you go, with no contract required.
What's the difference between the program and your other lawn services?
The program is the year-round plan: seven treatments that feed the lawn and control weeds. Core aeration and topdressing improve the soil itself, so we typically suggest them after your soil test shows compaction, low organic matter or a pH problem.
Do you treat lawn insects?
Yes, as part of the program. We apply insecticides only during the peak damage season, when insects can actually hurt your lawn, to limit the impact on the environment.
How do you price lawn care?
By turf size. For lawn treatment, we can usually give you a fast, accurate quote by measuring your lawn with Google Maps and emailing you an estimate, but we're happy to meet you at home if you'd like. Just call our office.
Which lawn service should I start with?
Start with the program, since it includes the soil test. Your results tell us whether aeration or topdressing would help. Want to see how we think first? Rob's Helpful Tips videos walk through a lot of it.
Questions & Answers
Lawn Fertilization & Weed Control
Which weeds do you treat?
Nutsedge, crabgrass, dollarweed, Virginia buttonweed, clover and the other broadleaf and grassy weeds common in south Louisiana lawns. Grassy weeds are included in the program at no extra charge.
What's the difference between pre-emergent and post-emergent?
Pre-emergent stops weed seeds from sprouting in the first place. Post-emergent treats weeds that are already up. Your lawn gets both, timed to the season.
Is it safe for my kids and pets?
Yes. Once the treatment has dried, kids and pets can go back out on the lawn.
When do you use insecticides?
Only during the peak damage season, when insects can actually hurt your lawn. We keep them to a minimum to limit the impact on the environment.
Which grass types do you treat?
The warm-season grasses that make up most Louisiana lawns: St. Augustine, Centipede, Bermuda and Zoysia.
What is lawn topdressing?
A thin layer of organic material spread across your existing lawn to add organic matter and improve the soil your grass grows in.
What material do you use?
A custom blend of 100% organic matter made for Louisiana soils. It's a seven-year aged compost: black, rich and finely screened.
How often should I topdress?
One to two times a year if your soil test shows organic matter at 2.5% or below. Topdressing will still benefit any lawn.
Do I need a soil test first?
It's the best place to start. Every new lawn treatment client gets one, and the results tell us whether low organic matter, compaction or pH is what's holding your lawn back.
Will topdressing help with weeds?
Indirectly. It builds a thicker, healthier lawn, and dense turf leaves weeds less room to start. For the weeds you already have, our lawn fertilization and weed control treatments do the heavy lifting.
What is core aeration?
A professional lawn core aeration service removes small plugs of soil from your lawn to relieve compaction and let air, water and nutrients reach the roots.
Why don't you overseed after aerating?
Louisiana lawns are warm-season grasses that don't respond to overseeding the way cool-season lawns do. We focus on helping the grass you already have spread and fill in. Where an area is too damaged to recover, sod or plugs are usually more dependable than seed.
Does aerating my lawn help drainage?
It can. Compacted soil sheds water instead of absorbing it, and aeration opens it back up so water can soak in. If water is pooling because of how the landscape drains, our landscape drainage team can take a look.
Should I topdress at the same time?
If your soil is compacted or low in organic matter, it's a smart move. Aeration opens the soil, and topdressing works better material into those openings.
Is aeration good for new-construction lawns?
It's especially valuable there. Heavy equipment often compacts the soil before the lawn is installed, and aeration is how we start opening it back up.
What does a lawn soil test measure?
We focus on soil pH, nutrient levels and organic matter, and we read the results alongside your grass type and the condition of your lawn.
How long does it take to get results?
Samples go to a lab, and we send you the results with our recommendations, usually within a few weeks.
Is soil testing included in the lawn program?
Yes. Every new lawn treatment client receives a soil test as part of the 7 Step Annual Lawn Treatment Program.
What happens after the test?
We use the results to guide fertility decisions, look at ways to improve pH over time and, when we find compaction or low organic matter, recommend soil-building services like core aeration and topdressing.
Can a store-bought soil test kit do the same thing?
A kit can give you a number. What it can't do is turn that number into a plan. Our samples go to a lab, and we combine the results with your grass type, the condition of your lawn and what we see throughout the year, then act on them.
How long does a landscaping project take?
Most landscape installation projects take our crew a few days. Bigger jobs, or ones that add drainage or lighting, can run longer, and we will talk through timing when we visit.
Do you provide a plan before you start?
Yes. After an on-site consultation we put together a plan and sketch for your beds and plantings, so you know what is going in and where before we start digging.
Do you need to come out to give me a quote?
For landscaping and drainage, yes. An estimator meets you at the property, looks at the space and talks through what you want, then puts your quote together. Lawn treatment quotes are different: we can usually measure those with Google Maps, though we're happy to meet you at home if you'd like.
Can you keep the beds looking good after they go in?
Yes. When an installation is finished we can give you a maintenance estimate, and our Bed Maintenance service keeps the beds weeded and trimmed with two cleanups a year and weed treatments in between.
How long does a landscape installation take?
Most projects take our crew a few days. Larger jobs, or ones that include drainage or lighting, can run longer, and we will talk timing with you before we start.
Will I see a plan before you start?
Yes. We sketch the layout of your beds and plantings so you can review it, ask questions and make changes before anything goes in the ground.
Which plants do well in Baton Rouge?
Plants that are proven in our heat and humidity, including many natives, give you the best odds. We choose for your sun, shade and soil, and we will tell you honestly if something you love is going to struggle in that spot.
Do you mulch new beds?
Yes. Fresh mulch is part of a finished installation. It holds moisture, keeps soil temperature steadier and helps keep weeds down.
Can you add drainage to the project?
Yes. If a bed stays soggy after rain, we can fold yard drainage into the same project so the new plants are not sitting in water.
Why LED instead of halogen?
LED uses about 80% less energy, lasts about 10 times longer and runs much cooler, so you replace fewer bulbs and do not risk burning the plants around a fixture.
How long do LED landscape lights last?
LED bulbs typically last 30,000 to 50,000 hours. Halogen bulbs last 2,000 to 5,000 hours, which is why LED is far lower maintenance. The fixtures themselves usually last 8 to 15 years.
Can you light my oak trees?
Yes. Uplighting live oaks and other specimen trees is one of the most striking ways to light a landscape.
Does landscape lighting help with security?
It helps. Lighting paths, entries and the corners of the house improves visibility around your home at night, for you and for anyone walking up.
Can lighting be part of a new landscape?
Yes. Lighting is often added during a landscape installation, so the new beds and plants look good after dark from day one.
What's included in a flower bed cleanup?
Three things: we weed the beds, trim the bushes and hedges, and put down fresh mulch. The goal is beds that look cared for again after one visit.
Is this a one-time service or recurring?
Bed cleanup is one-time. For ongoing care, our Bed Maintenance service includes two cleanups a year plus weed treatments in between.
Can you handle really overgrown beds?
Yes. That is exactly what this service is for. Beds that have been ignored for a season or two, shrubs that need serious cutting back and weeds that have taken over are all fair game.
How do I get a quote for bed cleanup?
Call us or fill out the quote form. An estimator will meet you at the property, look at the beds and email you a quote.
Will the weeds come back after a cleanup?
Fresh mulch helps keep new weeds from sprouting, but weeds like nutsedge grow back from what is left underground. That is why ongoing care is worth considering once the beds are clean.
How often do you service my beds?
We do two full bed cleanups a year, and apply chemical weed treatments in between, so the beds stay clean from one cleanup to the next.
What's the difference between bed maintenance and bed cleanup?
Bed cleanup is a single visit that resets overgrown beds. Bed maintenance is ongoing: bi-annual cleanups plus weed treatments in between, so you never need another big reset.
Do you treat weeds in the beds?
Yes. Weed treatments between cleanups are part of the service. For nutsedge and torpedo grass, our monthly Flower Bed Weed Control targets those weeds specifically.
Is shrub and hedge trimming included?
Yes. Our crews trim shrubs and hedges during each cleanup to keep them in shape.
Can you take care of my lawn as well?
Yes. Our lawn fertilization and weed control service handles the grass, so the whole property is looked after by one local team.
What is plant health care?
It is a program of quarterly treatments for your trees and shrubs: root-zone fertilization, disease management and insect control, each applied at the right time of year.
How often do you treat?
Four times a year. Quarterly visits let us match each treatment to the season.
What problems does it address?
Nutrient shortfalls that dull color and slow growth, plant diseases, and insects that feed on trees and shrubs.
Can it help with crape myrtle bark scale?
Crape myrtle bark scale is an insect problem, and insect control timed to the season is part of every plant health care program. If your crape myrtles have white crusty patches or black, sooty bark, mention it when you ask for a quote.
Is this the same as my lawn treatment?
No. Your lawn treatments are for the grass. Plant health care is a separate service focused on trees and shrubs.
Which is better, a French drain or a catch basin?
In our experience, catch basins win in about 90% of cases. They take in surface water faster and are much easier to keep working. French drains still have their place, and we install them where they are the right fit.
Why does water stand in my landscape?
Usually it is a mix of heavy rain, low spots and soil that cannot soak water in fast enough. Compacted soil around newer construction homes is a common culprit. When our estimator visits, we will show you where the water is going and why.
Will core aeration fix my drainage problem?
Core aeration relieves compacted soil and opens pathways for water to move down into the root zone, which helps a lawn take in rain. It will not carry water away from a property that floods, though. That takes a drainage system.
Can you connect my downspouts?
Yes. Downspouts can tie into a drainage system, and a 6-inch pipe system can handle about three times as many downspouts as a 4-inch one without losing performance.
Do you install sump pumps?
No. Outdoor pumps clog, fail, burn out and stop working when the power goes out, so we stopped installing them. We build gravity-fed systems instead.
What are nutsedge and torpedo grass?
Two aggressive weeds that spread underground. Nutsedge is shiny and light green with triangular stems and grows from tubers. Torpedo grass is an invasive grass with sharp, torpedo-shaped rhizomes that can run about 6 inches deep.
Why can't I just pull them?
Pulling only removes the top. Nutsedge regrows from tubers left in the soil, often two or three new plants within days, and torpedo grass rhizomes sit too deep to pull out.
Will the treatment hurt my flowers?
We use selective herbicides chosen for these specific weeds and apply them to target the weeds, not your plants. That is what makes it possible to treat inside a planted bed.
How often do you treat?
Monthly. These weeds come back from underground, so steady, repeated treatments are what wear them down and prevent new outbreaks.
Can this work alongside bed maintenance?
Yes, the two work together. Bed maintenance keeps the beds weeded, trimmed and tidy, and monthly weed control handles the nutsedge and torpedo grass that regular weeding cannot.
How much does Christmas light installation cost?
It depends on your house and what you want lit, so every display is quoted individually. Email a few photos of the house to [email protected], and we will either visit or send you a plan along with your quote.
What can you light?
Rooflines, wreaths, tree wraps, oak tree dangles and banisters, on homes and on commercial properties.
Do you take the lights down?
Yes. After the holidays we come back and take everything down, so nobody in your house has to climb a ladder in January.
What if lights go out during the season?
Let us know. If something stops working during the holiday season, we come back and fix it.
Do you light businesses too?
Yes. We install holiday lighting for both homes and commercial properties.
Let’s Get Started
Still Have a Question?
If you don't see your answer here, the Treppendahl Landscape office is happy to help. Call (225) 405-1816 or get a quote and tell us about your property. We service the Baton Rouge area, including towns like Prairieville, Geismar and Gonzales, as well as the Lafayette area, including towns like Broussard, Youngsville and Maurice.
