Hi Eric.
Just wanted to let you know Blade Runners has done a great job with the snow removal in Hillcrest Cluster this winter. We are receiving feedback from residents saying thank you, and I wanted to let you know we have been very pleased with our service.
Thanks so much from your friendly neighborhood Hillcrest Cluster Board
Eric and Mike,
I told your crew yesterday that working here, that I was going to call
you, but decided an email to both of you would be better.
I thanked them for the good job they are doing here and wanted you also
to know that we appreciate their efficiency and conscientiousness. They
are doing a very good job.
They certainly are good employees for your firm.
Jack Arnold
1st Choice Park, 8300 Arlington Blvd.
Eric,
I just wanted to tell you that Duke Street is extremely happy with the service that your company provides. They are always very complimentary and it has been a great move for the community.
James Hawkins Portfolio Manager Duke Street Square
Dear Mr. Storck,
The Danbury Forest Community Association would like to thank you to being a sponsor of our community fundraising event to benefit America’s Severely Wounded Warriors, a.k.a. The Wounded Warriors Project (WoundedWarriorProject.org). Your generous donation is greatly appreciated. In addition to the great work that Blade Runners has done for our community for many years, I appreciate your commitment in supporting the brave members of our armed services.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Frank Divita
President
Danbury Forest Community Association
Attn: Eric Storck and Terry Turner
The board at Hunters Green Cluster hired your company to correct an erosion problem behind my home. The landscaping crew finished the project last week and I am writing to tell you how pleased I am with the results. The combination of Rocks, Plants, and design turned an eyesore into an attractive area.
Edwin, Daniel, and Mesa, are very polite and diligent in completing the work they obviously take pride in doing a job well. I have lived in Hunters Green Cluster over ten years and have always found your crews to be hard workers who always produce professional results -this crew was exceptional.
I would ot hesitate to recommend Blade Runners to my friends or use them for any future work in my yard.
Virginia Banks
11797 Indian Ridge Rd
Reston Va 22091
Hello Eric and Terry…
I have been very fortunate to work from home last week and watch the wonderful workers who from beginning to end (planting today!) did all the work to dig up and prepare and set in the swales behind the houses at the top of indian ridge from 11799 to 11787…
Ruben came by today too and we walked the swale and talked…I want to thank him and this wonderful crew we have here…..
Edwin and Daniel and Meja who have toiled… each day from early morning to late afternoon during the hottest most humid week of the summer, where people take advantage of this by enjoying in the pool, which they keep clean with the right equipment, you can get more info about them in different sites online…
they never complained, never slacked… worked SO hard!!
they are so friendly and respectful… the work is exemplary …. the swale is beautiful…it survived the incredible rain of friday too!!! amazing!!!!
the grounds crew rarely ever gets a nod from the residents…and yet we see that they are diligently here in all kinds of weather helping to keep hunters green cluster neat and tidy… they are always friendly and considerate…whenever a homeowner goes to get in or out of the cars, get their mail etc, the workers stop their work in order to keep the dust and clippings from blowing at them..
it is important to hear the good things… in fact, we so rarely say anything… so much easier to complain… YET, it is not… it is actually much easier to compliment and thank our guys for their efforts on our behalf!!!
thanks so much..
come see the work!!! it is NICE…
(now… we know we have many more erosion areas that need this kind of work… this was a considerably bigger project than some would be, so i am very hopeful that we can do more..)
rushing out for a platelet donation… there will be more later!
katharine hunter 703-476-9095
H Katharine Hunter
hkhunter@starpower.net
…. cliche or no… peace, please
Organic program alternative:
It would be terrific to have a fully organic fertilization and weed control program that was as effective as the traditional approach using synthetic chemical weed control products. Unfortunately there are no proven organic products that kill weeds after they emerge. Corn Gluten can be effective for the pre-emergence control of crabgrass and some broadleaf weeds, please see detailed information below regarding *corn gluten.
*Information regarding Corn Gluten:
Corn gluten is a by-product of wet milling process to make cornstarch. It is an animal feed for cattle, poultry, other livestock, fish and some dog foods. It also contains naturally occurring substances, which inhibit the growth of seed’s tiny feeder roots by causing a break down in the cell wall. The seedlings struggle to get enough moisture, which causes them to die before they ever have a chance to take hold. When used as directed, corn gluten acts as a preemergent natural herbicide that will not harm beneficial insects, soil organisms, pond or stream life. It is also safe around pets and children.
Since corn gluten kills only the roots of sprouting seeds, it can be used around transplants and established vegetables, flowers, fruit, shrubs and lawns. It can be used even up to the day of harvest. Once vegetable or flower seedlings have true leaves, it is then safe to apply corn gluten.
Corn gluten has another benefit. It is 10% nitrogen by weight in a slow release form. As a 10-0-0 fertilizer it can inhibit weed germination and feed your lawn and garden nitrogen. (Additional supplements of phosphorous and potassium may be needed, based on a soil test.)
The only potential hazard that is documented so far is potential allergic reaction from inhalation of dust with certain individuals.
Effectiveness of corn Gluten
• Corn gluten works on seeds not established plants. It will not kill a dandelion plant.
• It has reduced crabgrass by 86% the first year and 98% the second year provided recommended rates are applied in both spring and fall. Dandelion infestations were reduced 100% in plots treated for 4 years in spring and fall.
• Plants tested to date for susceptibility = 23 and include: barnyard grass, smooth crabgrass, curly dock, green & yellow, black nightshade, orchard grass, shattercane, purslane, wooly cupgrass, giant foxtail, lambsquarters, buckhorn, quackgrass, velvetleaf, annual bluegrass, dandelions, creeping bentgrass, black medic, redroot pigweed, catchweed bedstraw, & other common garden weeds.
• Corn gluten lasts 5-6 weeks. There is no carryover. After this time seeds can be planted in treated areas without being effected.
The Green Guardian (https://www.greenerpast.com/tips.html) , offers a liquid application that employs the active ingrediante extract from corngluten along with sugar beet extract that they believe provides post emergent control. I have spoken with some current users who confirm the product is effective. While I cannot offer personal assurance at this time, there is enough evidence to try the program as an organic alternative.
THE PROGRAM
Our organic program is a coordinated effort that employs not only different products, but alternative maintenance practice to bring about desired results while not using conventional control methods. It should be understood that this program will not produce the same results of conventional programs. It is likely that you will have unwanted weed populations in the turf. However, there will be other benefits for the overall health of the turf to include a deeper root system and a greener color.
Change in maintenance and product practice:
Mowing height: The height should be raised an additional inch to 3 ½” in spring and 4” in the summer. This can leave a shaggy appearance from time to time.
Mowing frequency: We would need to mow the property more frequently (an additional 7 mowings per season) to maintain an acceptable appearance and reduce thatch issues.
Increase in aeration: There would be a spring and fall aeration to the property.
Liming: Would become an annual and integrated part of the program.
Seeding: Would become an annual and integrated part of the program.
TREATMENT SCHEDULE
Application 1 14-0-5 March
Application 2 Aeration ,14-0-5 April
Application 3 14-0-5 May
Application 4 5-0-3 June
Application 5 Liming, and 5-0-3 July
Application 6 5-0-3 Aug
Application 7 14-0-5 ,Aeration,Seeding Sep/Oct
Application 8 14-0-5 Nov
Blade Runners was founded in 1984 by Eric Storck, a landscape gardener with a passion to deliver quality service in a courteous fashion.
Blade Runners strives to be different and better than our competitors. We believe the devil is in the details when it comes to comparing companies.
What sets us apart? Blade Runners has a commitment to a trained team of excellent employees. We only work in Northern Virginia, with locations in Sterling and Fairfax and we have a large number of clients located in close proximity to one another. We employee a wide range of progressive environmentally safe products. Our attention to technology is ahead of pack, and we have invested in different smart equipment to save time and money for our clients. Blade Runners has developed dozens of videos and articles to save our clients time making decisions and understanding the landscape maintenance process.
But don’t just believe us, visit our testimonials page or view our Google reviews.
Blade Runners, Inc.
3150 Spring Street
Fairfax, VA 22031
Blade Runners, Inc.
45763 Elm Wood Ct.
Sterling, VA 20163
