FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions.
Follow the links below to the explanations that will answer your important questions.
General FAQ:
- Why should I choose Organicare?
- How do I get started?
- Do I need to sign a contract?
- Do you guarantee your work?
- What if I think my lawn is having problems?
- Can I sign up after the growing season's begun?
- Can I cancel my Organicare service at any time?
- Will my Organicare representative also answer questions about my trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables?
Environmental and Safety Concerns:
- Does Organicare use pesticides?
- Does Organicare post those yellow signs after each treatment?
- Are Organicare's products safe for my children and pets?
- Will Organicare's lawn treatments affect my well?
About the Applications:
- Is Organicare's program all organic?
- What does the Organicare program include?
- Can I get an all-organic program?
- What is the soil analysis for?
- Is the soil analysis absolutely necessary?
- Will I get the same results from Organicare's program as I would get from a chemical program?
- How long does it take to get results?
- How many applications does the Organicare program include?
- When would my Organicare service begin?
- Is Organicare's application granular or liquid?
- Will my lawn be green?
- Does Organicare treat for weeds and insects?
- Do I need to have all six applications?
- I don't want my grass to grow too fast. Are six applications too much?
- An Organicare competitor says he/she can provide organic treatments. Why shouldn't I use his/her service?
- Do I need to water after any applications?
Financial:
- What type of payments do you accept?
- How can I make payments?
- How will I be billed?
- What are Organicare's payment terms?
- Does Organicare send statements?
- Can I prepay my program?
- What about discounts?
General FAQ
Why Should I Choose Organicare?
- ENVIRONMENT, SERVICE, PRICE
Organicare gives you a healthier lawn, a healthier environment and superior service—at a competitive price. - THE ORGANICARE COMMITMENT
As an Organicare customer, you'll receive our promise to provide you with the highest-quality lawn care service available. We'll use the finest materials and safest techniques possible to achieve results that will exceed your expectations, all at a reasonable price. - COMPLETE SOIL ANALYSIS
Your soil may be deficient in one or more of the important nutrients needed for your lawn's maximum potential. We provide a complete soil analysis that reveals nutrient deficiencies and provides us with a complete picture of your soil's condition, allowing us to correct your soil and give you the best-looking, healthiest lawn possible. - NATURAL NURTURING: CHEMICAL LAWN CARE VS. ORGANICARE
The basis of any lawn is its soil. Repeated applications of pesticides and high salt/nitrogen fertilizers will create a biologically inactive soil, resulting in shallow roots, thick thatch and the need for more fertilizer to compensate for inactive soil. Your lawn will gradually decline in appearance and health and suffer from recurring problems.
Organicare focuses on making the most of the soil's natural functions. We start by analyzing the soil to determine any deficiencies. Then we nurture the soil with rich organic matter and macro/micronutrients that will develop a biologically active soil, resulting in a deeper root system, reduced thatch and vibrant green color. Your lawn will look better, be healthier and resist the problems that plague chemically treated lawns. - MINIMAL CHEMICAL USE
Weed, insect and disease problems will occasionally warrant the careful, limited use of certain pesticides. Organicare practices Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Pesticides are applied only when and where necessary, using the lowest concentrations possible. Pesticide-free programs are also available. We treat difficult lawn, tree and shrub problems with intelligence and care. - PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE
Most technicians are owner-operators of their own Organicare franchises. Their top priority is to deliver exceptional service to their customers. You won't be faced with a youngster that doesn't know a dandelion from a geranium. Your Organicare technician either will have many years experience in the trade or will have completed our rigorous Organicare training or both. You can rest assured that he or she will know what's best for your landscape. Being a franchise owner-operator, the Organicare technician has a vested interest in your satisfaction. And the same person will service your property year after year, so you can feel confident that you have the best person doing the job. - SOUND ADVICE
When you hire Organicare, you can count on getting sound advice, not just on your lawn, but on your entire landscape. Our extensive tree and shrub services are a major part of our total care system. - INFORMATIVE UPDATES
Communication is essential to a successful lawn care program. Our quarterly newsletter keeps you informed on changing environmental situations. If you ever have a concern or question, we'll respond quickly. And you can feel free to call us anytime.
- Starting your service Is fast and easy using the Organicare web site.
- To begin your service right away, visit the Sign Up Now feature on this web site. Just complete the information requested. We'll schedule your program, and a technician will be out with your first application right away.
- If you want to speak to a professional before starting, visit our Receive an Estimate feature. Fill in the information requested, and a representative will be in touch to discuss your needs. After you place your order, we'll send you a confirmation letter detailing your program and costs.
- No contract is necessary.
- We can schedule your lawn care program over the phone (800-801-8046) or the Internet. After you place your order, we'll mail you a confirmation letter detailing your program.
- Organicare guarantees your satisfaction.
- Guaranteed Results
What are results? Results are an improvement in color, turf density and overall appearance. Results are apparent sooner if your lawn has not had fertilization maintenance in the past, and take a little longer if your lawn has been maintained in the past.
- Results can be achieved only with a full 6-application program with grub prevention and a soil analysis.
- Organicare will need one full season (8 months) to achieve results.
- As the customer, you must agree to perform all maintenance practices and act on all recommendations from Organicare.
If results are not achieved, Organicare will continue to work on the lawn until the desired results are achieved at no additional cost.
Note: The guarantee will not apply if:
- Your lawn has an unsustainable soil or soil depth
- Your lawn has a detrimental amount of thatch
- You do not follow Organicare’s recommendations
What if I think my lawn is having problems?
- Contact our customer service department CustomerService@Organicare.net.
- All customers on a program involving four or more applications annually receive free service calls. Under most circumstances, a technician will visit your property or call you within 48 hours to discuss your concerns.
Can I sign up after the growing season has begun?
- Yes, but it is not ideal.
- You can start your service any time during the season. But to get the best results from our program, it is preferable to start at the beginning of the season. The early spring application is important for the Pre-Emergent Crab Grass Control to work properly.
Can I cancel my Organicare service at any time?
- Naturally!
- You are not bound by any contract. If you need to cancel your service, just call and we will cancel your service or suspend it until further notice.
Will my Organicare technician also answer questions about my trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables?
- Yes.
- Your Organicare technician will be able to answer most questions about your landscape on the spot. If he or she doesn't have an answer immediately, he or she will be able to get it within 48 hrs. Organicare technicians have extensive information resources available to them, designed exclusively by Organicare.
Environmental and Safety Concerns
Does Organicare use pesticides?
- Minimally, only when absolutely necessary.
- The lawn programs developed by Organicare have been able to reduce the use of insect and weed control pesticides significantly as compared to traditional chemical lawn care and spray companies.
- Our proprietary system feeds the soil and creates a healthy environment for the lawn and soil organisms. Our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program allows us to make better decisions regarding the use of pesticides. We do offer a 100% pesticide free program, Organicare 100.
Does Organicare post those yellow signs after each treatment?
- Yes, we do.
- The law requires us to post those yellow signs if even the tiniest amount of pesticide—enough for one dandelion, for example— is applied to your property. We believe it is prudent to avoid unnecessary exposure to any chemical substance, and we advise our customers to keep family and pets off treated areas until the application has dried, even if a negligible amount of pesticide has been used. However, after a lawn has been on our program for a while, the need for pesticides drops significantly, and the non-pesticide signs are used more frequently.
Are Organicare's products safe for my children and pets?
- Our fertilizers are harmless, and our pesticides, if used, are the safest in the industry.
- Our organic-based fertilizer is perfectly safe for you, your kids, and your pets. When pesticides are necessary, we make every attempt to spot-treat the problem areas only. All pesticides contain some small amount of material that could be considered a hazard. The pesticide products we purchase from our suppliers have generally the same active ingredients that are found in products sold at retail stores, and the EPA deems them safe for public exposure. Organicare does extensive research into all products applied to ensure the safest, least toxic means are used to achieve the desired results. The healthier and thicker your lawn is, the less pesticide it requires. That's why we advocate a healthy lawn. Organicare also offers programs that are 100% pesticide free.
Will Organicare's Lawn Treatments affect my well?
- No!
- The pesticide products we use are not very water-soluble, and most readily bind to organic matter in the soil. The thatch layer and underlying soil contain microbial species that biologically degrade these and other molecules before than can reach any ground water.
About the Applications
Is Organicare's program all organic?
- Only the Organicare 100 program uses completely organic / natural products.
- The Organicare 50 and the Organicare 75 programs do use some synthetic materials.
- Organicare utilizes a sound, organic approach to lawn care. We use organic materials to nurture soil and minimize pesticide use, and we practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to minimize pesticide use. Any pesticide used is the mildest available. The combination of the materials we use and our IPM practices can result in an 80% reduction in pesticides as compared to traditional lawn care.
What does the Organicare program include?
APPLICATIONS OF THE RIGHT MATERIAL AT THE RIGHT TIME.
Our Organicare 50, Organicare 75 and Organicare 100 programs are carefully engineered so applications are done exactly when insects, disease and weeds can be a problem. The Organicare program typically includes:
- Soil Analysis (Spring) (optional – extra cost HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
- Organic Based Fertilizer (each treatment)
- Pre-emergent Crab Grass Control (spring)
- Grub Prevention (late spring) (optional – extra cost HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
- Surface Insect Control and Weed Control (Spot treatments when needed)
- Disease Control (Spot treatments when needed) (optional – extra cost)
Can I get an all-organic program?
- Yes.
- Organicare 100 Program.
What is the soil analysis for?
- It is a critical step toward a healthy lawn.
- The basis of a healthy lawn is the soil. Our soil analysis will identify any deficiencies and allow us to make recommendations that will correct them.
Is the soil analysis absolutely necessary?
- No, but it is the only way to get maximum results from the program.
- We highly recommend a soil analysis. Without it, our fertilizer will not be utilized to its full potential, and you won't get the most from your program. Plus, the soil analysis, conducted by an independent laboratory, is the only way to find out if there's an underlying soil problem that could inhibit healthy grass growth.
Will I get the same results from Organicare's program as I would get from a chemical program?
- You will get even better results.
- In the long run, Organicare's organic program will out-perform a chemical program. Remember, chemical products do nothing for the soil. They can even build up harmful residues that decrease soil fertility. Our organic lawn fertilization plan will continually build up the soil structure and health. As the overall fertility of the soil increases, so will the health of the plants that live there. Lawns and golf courses that have switched to an organic plan show a dramatic decrease in the incidence of lawn disease and weed problems.
How long des it take to get results?
- At least one season.
- Lawn care is a process, not an event, so you'll want to stick with the program for at least one season. You will see results the first year. In fact, if you follow our recommendations, you could achieve the neighborhood “Showcase Lawn” that first year. Generally, the longer you are on the program, the better your lawn will look and the healthier it will be.
How many applications does the Organicare program include?
- Six applications approximately 4 to 6 weeks apart.
When would my Organicare service begin?
- In the spring.
- We generally make our first applications in March or April, depending on the weather.
Is Organicare's application granular or liquid?
- Organicare 50 program is mostly granular.
- Organicare 75 program is a mixture of liquid and granular materials.
- Organicare 100 program is a mixture of liquid and granular materials.
- Absolutely!
- You sacrifice nothing, especially color, by switching to our organic program. In fact, as time goes on, your lawn will develop into the healthiest, greenest lawn you ever had.
Does Organicare treat for weeds and insects?
- Yes, when and where needed.
- We use pesticides sparingly, only when and where necessary. Organicare practices Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to keep pesticide use to an absolute minimum.
Do I need to have all six applications?
- Yes, for best results.
- Each application contains a balanced application of organic-based fertilizer that is one-sixth of your lawn's needs for the entire season. The six applications are needed to manage the weeds and insects that can consume your lawn very quickly.
I don't want my grass to grow too fast. Are six applications too much?
- Not with the Organicare system.
- Since we use organic based fertilizer, you will not experience the fast growth you get from traditional chemical fertilizer. Your lawn will have a more gradual growth pattern and it will stay greener longer because it will be healthier.
An Organicare competitor says he/she can provide organic treatments. Why shouldn't I use his/her service?
- Because the materials and service are probably inferior.
- Good organic fertilizer products are not readily available. Those that are, are either poor quality or very expensive. Organicare has its products mixed to our exacting specifications. Plus, we have the training, knowledge and experience in natural organic products and methods. It's more complicated than buying a bag of organic stuff and spreading it around a lawn.
Do I need to water after any applications?
- No.
- Some of our products are water soluble and activated with water but they can wait until it rains. Some of our products are activated by soil microorganisms and do not require water.
Financial FAQ
What type of payments do you accept?
- Check or credit card.
- The way most convenient for you.
- Your technician will leave an invoice with a payment stub. You can either mail your payment in or use your credit card over the phone, by fax or through our Web page.
- We will provide an invoice.
- Your Organicare technician will leave a description of the work he has performed, along with an invoice, at your door. The bill is due within 30 days.
What are Organicare's payment terms?
- Net 30 days.
- Any account that goes over 90 days will result in a suspension in service until paid.
Does Organicare send statements?
- Yes, at the beginning of each month.
- Yes, and it is to your advantage.
- If you prepay your program before April 1, you will receive a 6% pre-payment discount.
- We offer them periodically.
- We run occasional introductory offers. We also offer a 6% pre-payment discount that would not be connected to any other offer.
