Benefits of an Owner Operated Lawn Care Business

This spring as a homeowner you will probably have your newspaper box inundated with countless flyers from lawn care providers and Tonka Turf will most likely be included in that stack of information. As a homeowner the questions that you may think of are - how do I choose the best provider to take care of my property and what kind of business do I want close to my home all season?

At Tonka Turf we believe that we are a different kind of service provider. We are not a service that you call once; we solve an issue and then go. We are on your property all season long.

Here are some questions to answer when selecting the best lawn service for you;

1. Is the service owner operated?

2. Do they have insurance?

3. Do they have the proper license for fertilizer and weed control?

4. Is the company set up as a business?

These are important questions to ask before hiring a lawn care service. The benefits of checking these questions are;

1. Owner operated means that the owner of the company will be serving you and your family. If any questions arise you can simply walk out your front door when we are there and let Andy, the owner, know.
2. At Tonka Turf we have only one phone number. That is Andy’s cell phone so you will get him every time.
3. We are fully insured. We are serious about taking care of all the details.
4. We have up to date license for fertilizer and weed control.
5. We have been in business for over 13 years. We know the industry and we specialize in green lawns.

We look forward to answering any additional questions you may have. Have a wonderful season!

Andy and Sarah Patnode

Owners

Tonka Turf

(612) 282-4920

www.tonkaturf.com

ICE DAMS and YOUR HOME - winter 2010-2011

With record snowfalls in December and frigid temperatures in Minnesota we have the right conditions for ICE DAMS, a homeowners worst roof nightmare.

*An ice dam, on a smaller scale, is a problem of house and building maintenance in cold climates. An ice dam can occur when snow accumulates on the slanted roof of a house with inadequate insulation and warm air leaks into the attic at penetrations for plumbing stacks, wiring, chimneys, attic hatches, recessed lights, etc. These warm air leaks are known as attic bypasses. Heat conducted through the insufficient insulation and warm air from the attic bypasses warms the roof and melts the snow.[4] Meltwater flows down the roof, under the blanket of snow, onto the eave and into the gutter, where colder conditions on the overhang cause it to freeze. Eventually, ice accumulates along the eave and in the gutter. Snow that melts later cannot drain properly through the ice on the eave and in the gutter.

This can result in:
* Leaking roof (height of leak depends on extent of ice dam).
* Wet, ineffective insulation.
* Stained or cracked plaster or drywall.
* Rotting timber.
* Stained, blistered or peeling paint.

Under extreme conditions, with heavy snow and severe cold, almost any house can have an ice dam, whereas a house that is poorly insulated with attic bypasses will have ice dams during a normal winter weather. Giant icicles hanging from the eave are one indication of a poorly insulated attic with many attic bypasses.[5]Although high snow levels along with extreme cold weather is generally considered the highest potential risk conditions for ice dams to accumulate, standing snow is not even a required prerequisite for ice dams to form.[6] It takes very little actual moisture to form ice dams.

**Source of Information*:
Ice Dams on Roofs and Buildings

Let us help you keep your house safe from ICE DAMS. Please call today for a free quote.

Happy New Year!

Andy and Sarah Patnode
Tonka Turf
Owners
(612) 282 4920
www.tonkaturf.com

Spring is here!

Spring is here and Tonka Turf is already cleaning up our clients lawns. This is early for us by at least a week! If you are interested in a spring clean-up for your property contact us today. We are also currently signing up weekly lawn care clients.

Ask us about new customer discounts.

As the grass recovers from the winter months some lawns have shown signs of SNOW MOLD.


It is useful to determine whether the disease is pink or gray snow mold because gray snow mold rarely damages more than the blades of the grass. Lawns with gray snow mold can be expected to recover fairly quickly even when damage appears extensive. Pink snow mold, in contrast, may invade the crowns and roots causing more serious injury. It is not unusual for both types of snow mold to be found in the same area. All common lawn grasses may be infected, but Kentucky bluegrass-fescue lawns are the least susceptible to severe damage.
(http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/snowmolds.html)

Tonka Turf knows how to get your lawn back if it has suffered from snow mold. We also offer fertilizer applications, de-thatching and weed control.

Let us help you have the best lawn season ever!

Andy and Sarah Patnode
Tonka Turf
Owners
(612) 282-4920