Question
We contracted with a lawn care company who claim to specialize in Organic Lawn Care & Diseased Lawn Control. We live in Chicagoland and out large lawn was greatly effected by the drought.  I believe this company found themselves growing too quickly and and hasn't kept up with timely applications.  They were to do four treatments for the year.  The first was done in a timely manor, but the 2nd which includes for 'grub control' wasn't applied until Aug. 10th.  Isn't that too late to be effective?  The 3rd application which was to be done Aug-Sept for 'detoxify soil' wasn't done until Oct 26th.  Now, as of today (Dec 15th) they still haven't applied the 'Winterization' treatment AND they claim they will get it done soon.  I want to cancel because it is too late, I think?  We have snow on the ground!!!  They had come highly recommended.  It is a small company and I think this last year, they just got in over their heads and were unable to keep up.  I do not want to be wasting my money paying for treatments that are done too late!

Answer
Lynda:

I applaud you for contracting an "organic" lawn service.  I spent twenty years in anonymity offering the same services without a decent market.

While I am not aware of exactly what "detoxify" means, I assume that it implies a product which will remain in effect for some time, rather than washing away with soluble components.

The winterization is, probably, a late fertilization, and, maybe, a seeding.  Most organic fertilizer products are insoluble and will act when temperature, soil and plant conditions are correct.  Anything done while soil is frozen will wait until warmer times to act, chemical or organic.  Chemical, or conventional, products can run off and not benefit the lawn.  Snow, however, is a buffer and conserves nutrients better than any other weather condition.

If seeding is a part of winterization, ask that it be done in spring.

I would not worry about lateness, too much.  For contract renewal, I would ask that the application dates be observed next year and have an escape clause for non-performance or late performance.

Grub treatment sounds OK.  Milky spore disease was probably applied and the results would be seen next year, not this.  The soil is innoculated with this fungus and remains.

Best wishes.