Keeping a well-manicured lawn is an important part of maintaining a home. But not everyone has the time to do it themselves.
Hiring a lawn service can save homeowners the hassle of mowing, fertilizing, and treating for pests. Plus, it allows them to avoid costly mistakes made by an amateur gardener.
Weed Control
Weeds can choke out healthy grass, competing for water and nutrients that the lawn needs to grow. A good lawn care service will remove weeds by hand or use a chemical application that prevents them from growing in the first place.
In addition to weed control services, some companies offer soil pH treatments, mulching and mowing. These can be great for enhancing the appearance of a yard, while also preventing weeds from stealing sunlight and nutrients from the turf.
Lawn care services can also help with common lawn diseases, like brown patch or summer spot, as well as pests, such as grubs or ants, that infiltrate yards. They can provide fungicide and insecticide treatments to keep these invaders at bay, while helping the lawn recover from their attack.
Before choosing a lawn care service, you should find out whether they offer a satisfaction guarantee. This will allow you to know if the company will return to resolve any issues or pests that are unsatisfactory. The terms and conditions of the guarantee will vary by company, so it’s important to review these carefully.
A reputable lawn service will also be licensed and insured, so you can be confident that they are qualified to perform the work on your property. A great way to determine if a lawn care company is reputable is by looking at reviews and ratings on consumer websites.
Many companies have a mobile app that makes it easy to request a quote and schedule a consultation. They may also offer online account management, where you can manage your schedule and view previous visits. It’s also important to find out if the lawn care company requires you to be home during their visit. Some will only service properties when the homeowner is present, while others make their appointments on a recurring basis and will need access to your property.
In most cases, the lawn care service will take an inventory of your lawn and ask about your goals to create a customized lawn treatment plan. They will consider the climate, soil condition and grass type to identify any problems or areas of weakness that need improvement. Generally, you’ll receive lawn treatments every four to six weeks during the growing season. The frequency will be based on your location, as warmer areas have longer growing seasons and require more treatments.
Fertilization
Lawn fertilization services help the grass grow thick and healthy, which makes it better able to defend itself from weeds and harsh weather conditions. Fertilizers are nutrient-rich treatments that deliver essential nutrients to the soil and grass, such as nitrate, potassium, and phosphorus. A professional lawn care service can create a custom program that includes regular fertilizer applications during the growing season, as well as other services like core aeration and seeding.
The cost of lawn fertilization can vary depending on where the lawn is located and the type of grass. For example, Kentucky bluegrass requires nitrogen more than other types of grass. In addition, a lawn in an urban area will typically need more frequent applications than one in rural areas. Some homeowners can save money by purchasing their own lawn fertilizer and performing the application themselves.
However, hiring a professional to perform the work can be a more efficient way to maintain a yard. A lawn care service will know the best time to apply fertilizer, and it can also keep track of when each treatment was made. In addition, lawn care companies often purchase their supplies like plants and mulch in bulk at a lower price than at home stores.
Many companies offer subscription programs that provide ongoing lawn maintenance. For example, Sunday offers a DIY lawn service that delivers a shipment of organic-based fertilizers directly to the customer’s door every four to six weeks during the growing season. They use only natural products and tailor shipments to your region’s climate and growing season, so you can rest assured your lawn is getting exactly what it needs to thrive.
In addition to mowing and fertilization, lawn maintenance services may include landscaping tasks like mulching or pruning. Mulching helps moderate soil temperature and retain moisture, which can reduce weed growth. It can also protect the roots of trees, shrubs, and flowers from overheating or drying out. A lawn care company may also trim and clear debris from the yard to enhance curb appeal.
Lawn care services can help busy homeowners achieve a healthy, beautiful-looking yard without the hassle of maintaining it on their own. Many people don’t have the time to learn how to use equipment like power rakes or keep track of when they last fertilized their yard. A lawn care service can put your yard on autopilot, which leaves you free to focus on other important things in your life.
Weed Prevention
The best lawn care service providers offer weed prevention services that keep weeds from growing in the first place. This includes both pre-emergent and post-emergent weed control, along with fertilization services to keep the grass healthy enough to crowd out weeds.
Many services also provide trimming and mulching to improve the look of your yard. Trimming trees and shrubs reduces the amount of weed-friendly shade they cast, while adding a layer of mulch moderates soil temperature, retains moisture and helps suppress weed growth.
A good lawn care service should provide an in-depth analysis of your property and the types of weeds you want to eliminate before designing a plan. This will allow them to create an effective treatment program tailored to your unique landscape and goals. Choosing a company that offers a variety of treatments, including both organic and chemical solutions, allows you to choose the option that works best for your needs.
You should also consider the type of lawn you have, the season and your schedule when selecting a service. Some companies schedule frequent visits to maintain your grass, while others visit only a few times per growing season. You should also consider how much the service costs and how billing is done, as this can vary between companies.
There are a few different ways to treat weeds, with the most effective methods being preventative or spot treatment. Some weed products use a combination of chemicals to kill the weeds, while others are natural and safe for your pets and kids. The weed-control products used by a lawn care service will be formulated to work well with the soil, grass, plants and other things in your yard.
If you decide to use a lawn service, make sure that they have a strong reputation for customer satisfaction. Some companies host an online chat feature where you can talk with a representative in real time, while others have mobile apps to help you manage your service and payments. TruGreen, for example, stands out for its commitment to customer service, offering a Healthy Lawn Guarantee that promises a re-treat of your yard at no extra cost if you’re not satisfied with results.
Irrigation
Some lawn care companies offer additional services that go beyond mowing. Weed control, pest control, trimming shrubs and trees, mulching and annual leaf cleanup are all common add-ons that homeowners can expect to pay extra for. These services can save the homeowner time, and they may help improve curb appeal and value of the home. Homeowners should be prepared to pay extra for organic treatments if they are seeking to avoid chemicals that can harm the environment.
Lawn service costs are affected by the size of the yard, the terrain (hilly, rocky), and any obstacles that may be present. For example, if the yard is fenced or has obstacles like patio furniture or playground equipment that require extra trimming, this will increase the cost of the service. Many companies provide a range of rates for different lawn sizes and conditions, so it’s best to get an estimate before hiring a lawn professional.
In addition, frequency impacts lawn service costs. If the grass is allowed to grow too tall between mowings, it will require more water than a well-maintained lawn. A lawn that is maintained with proper dethatching, aeration, and watering regimen will need less water, as it promotes deep roots and reduces evaporation. A lawn that is mowed at the proper height for the grass species will also require less water because it will retain more of what it does receive.
Another factor that can affect lawn care costs is the type of equipment used. Some lawn services use robotic mowers that are able to cut grass more efficiently than manual push mowers. The mowers are able to cut more grass in less time, which can save the lawn service company money in labor and fuel costs.
Many lawn services offer packages that include mowing and other services, such as fertilizing and weed control. Bundling can be a money-saving option for homeowners, as it reduces the number of bills to pay and simplifies scheduling and billing. In addition, some companies create customizable lawn care packages for various property types and sizes.