One week death march
130,000 steps. That was my last week at work-measured by my old iPhone 5- and it translates to roughly 99km; and for much of it I pushed a Shindaiwa spreader full of product in front of me. That’s the real life of West Coast landscape professionals and it’s been my goal to show my readers the real life in the field.
We put down a combination fertilizer and moss killer which is extremely convenient because you cover two different treatments in one go. The moss will get pushed back and the grass will get a kick. Now we just need someone to run it over large sites.
Danger!
Experienced landscapers will know the danger in this product application. Since the product contains iron, it stains very easily when it comes in contact with water.
This granular fertilizer/moss combination, therefore, shouldn’t be applied anywhere near swimming pools. Once it hits the pool bottom it produces permanent looking stain streaks that confuse the swimmers.
So, the correct procedure is to apply this product in good weather and with a blower following you. The weather is fine but having a worker constantly on your ass is annoying.
For one, it’s creepy, and two, I always feel like I’m not going fast enough. But in this case, speed is secondary. Correct application and clean-up blow are crucial. A second clean-up blow is completely justified because reddish stains on 130 patios are hard to explain.
So, you have to slow down and get your bearings. Shooting the product down stairwells makes for awkward clean-ups. Just like doing small grass patches: stop and do it by hand.
And don’t be fooled by nice weather. We delayed our clean-up blow and homeowners started washing their cars and patios. Oh, s%$t.
Fitness
Last week was hard but deep down I was happy about this chance to run around and maybe lose some weight. By Friday, I was cracking. 130,000 steps is a big week for a landscaper pro of a certain age, in his 21 field season.
Pro tip: landscaping requires decent physical fitness, all year!
Conclusion
Remember the hidden dangers in granular moss killer applications and stay in good physical shape if you plan to work in landscaping.
