I was asked how one goes about choosing a lawn care company.
My head started really spinning as this is very important for homeowners that are flooded with all sorts of options that all state they are the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Here are a few ideas that are important to verify with companies you are choosing from...
Fertilizer--
- Verify if the company uses a slow release, granular fertilizer for all of their fertilizer applications, only a couple of applications, or not at all.
- Liquid fertilization has very little to no agronomic value to the turf
- Note, even if companies state they are using slow release fertilizers (like they should), they are not all equal. For example, Weed Man Lawn Care uses only a 65% slow release fertilizer. This lasts 7-10 weeks per application vs some that state they use a slow release fertilizer but don't mention that it is only 15% and only lasts 3-5 weeks.
- More info on fertilization and plant health Here
- It is important to ensure that the company is doing their part to minimize the environmental footprint and enhance your turf quality
- Using a very slow release fertilizer all but eliminates any movement in the soil
- It also will help thicken the turf and reduce runoff compared to a malnourished lawn
- Using weed control to spot treat weeds only, if possible (using combo products for "weed and feed" usually over apply weed control that is not necessary)
- Make sure the company clears off all driveway and sidewalks of fertilizer
- Make sure the companies you consider give free service calls and within a timely matter. There will be times when weeds pop or there are other problems between visits and you might want your company to come back and it should be free of charge
- Make sure they have a willingness to meet with you if necessary to address any concerns
- Check into the background of the owners of the company to see how they are qualified to run the business
- At Weed Man, the owners have degrees in Soil Science, Turf Management and Agronomy and we have a Masters Grad and a PhD in turf grass management as well two ex-golf course superintendents on staff.
- Many companies over promise and under deliver. Be leery if companies promise control of things like quack grass or tall fescue
- Click Here for all sorts of tips based on previous seasons with your lawn
I have a friend and it looks like they have grass as good as the grass on golf courses. I don't know if it is real or not. If it is then they must have it done by lawn care services. http://www.creativeexteriors.com/
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for a lawn care company to come do some work for us. I tried to do some last week, and it just didn't work. It's important to me that they have the small environmental footprint. I have a few options, but this is one of them: http://www.landscapesolutionsct.com/
ReplyDeleteI love these tips! My husband is particularly picky about our lawn and that makes it hard to get the right service. It's hard to "weed-out" (no pun intended) the good ones from the bad ones. I will definitely share this blog with him. Thanks! http://www.lawncarefl.com/Lawn-Care-Services-Riverview-FL.html
ReplyDeleteAndy, the information provided in this article seems like it could be very helpful in choosing a lawn care company. I have wanted to do something with my yard for some time, but have been unsure of what to do exactly. It is nice to know that there are companies that specialize in that sort of thing. I think a well kept lawn and landscaping says a lot about a home, and can create positive curb appeal. http://www.jrfloreslandscapingservices.com
ReplyDeleteI travel a lot, but I don't want my yard to suffer because of that. I am looking to hire a lawn care company, to take care of it when I am gone. Before I do this though, I want to know that they do a good job.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.valleygreen.net/#!lawn-care-services/c1vwr
It is imperative to choose the right lawn care company which must provide lawn mowing service.
ReplyDeleteIt's a tough decision to make when you really want your lawn to look nice, that's for sure. If you get the wrong company, your lawn could end up destroyed and it'll take another season to get it healthy again. I like your tips on how to know which companies will do a good job. I think you're right about the fertilizer tips you gave. That's a good sign that the lawn care professional cares about the long-term. http://thegroundskeeper.com/residential/
ReplyDelete