A lawn that is well maintained is important, as it improves the curb appeal and value of any given property. That said, maintaining and caring for a lawn requires effort and planning throughout the year. While one can easily do the task without assistance with the help of the right tools, hiring a lawn care company or professional can ensure high-end results and help one save considerable time and effort.
Steps for lawn planting and care
Tending to a lawn to make it visually appealing and lush takes effort, practice, and time. Homeowners will need the basic equipment to plant, mow, and water the lawn regularly. Furthermore, a thorough understanding of planting seasons, impacts of rain and heat conditions, potential diseases and harmful pests, fertilizer application, and replanting is required. They should also have enough knowledge of the different steps and stages of lawn maintenance and care. There are a few steps in creating a lawn:
- Understanding the landscape, slope, and drainage of the area to be planted
- Cleaning and preparing the area by removing weeds and rocks
- Testing the soil and adding components to improve its physical or chemical properties
- Choosing the right grass seed and the right time for planting them
- Choosing the right planting method
- Adding seed starter fertilizer to facilitate faster growth of seedlings
- Watering regularly
- Checking for bald patches, diseases, and pests
- Mowing the grass as it grows taller
- Fertilizing periodically
Benefits of hiring a lawn company
Even a small mistake with lawn maintenance can significantly damage one’s lawn. Too much or too little watering, excessive or inadequate use of fertilizer, overmowing, and not having the right equipment are some factors that can affect the appeal of one’s lawn. Undoing any unintentional damage, replanting or fertilizing, and investing in costly equipment may end up being expensive. To avoid such issues, hiring a lawn service is advised.
There are many benefits to hiring a professional lawn service. They include timely and professional care from experts who understand the local soil health, the possibility of pest and disease attacks, and climatic conditions. They will plant, fertilize, mow, and oversee the lawn at the right time and season so that it remains lush and green at all times. They can also set up barriers and devices to prevent damage from moles and squirrels. They use the right equipment to plant and maintain the lawn quickly, removing all debris and leaving behind a clean and perfectly trimmed lawn.
Ways to find the best lawn company nearby
For individuals planning their first-ever lawn maintenance or those who worked on improving their lawn unsuccessfully and are looking to hire a professional for the task, certain tips can help them find the best lawn service in their area.
1. Walk around the neighborhood
Look for houses that have a perfect lawn and ask the homeowners there if they have hired a professional lawn service. Some lawn services may place a placard mentioning their contact details on the lawns they work on. Look for such information, note it down, and reach out to them for a consultation and to get a price estimate.
2. Ask friends and relatives
Ask for referrals from friends or family members to gain insights into the best lawn care service in one’s area and learn about their work and service quality.
3. Visit community hobby groups on networking sites
Most personal networking platforms have hobby groups for specific localities. Join gardening groups and ask for recommendations. Members who are happy with a particular lawn company will provide recommendations. When one finds a suitable company that provides services that would meet one’s requirements, reach out to them.
4. Consult nearby stores
Gardening stores, hardware stores, and nurseries may have information about lawn companies, as they may regularly supply seeds, equipment, and fertilizer. They can give valuable recommendations that are worthy of research.
5. Search online
One can search online using keywords like “best lawn service company near me” or “top lawn company near me” to find and shortlist a service. One can also use the zip code or name of the locality and look for specific results. Create a list of companies, read the reviews by their clients, and reach out to each service individually.
6. Browse through gardening magazine websites
One can look for blogs and articles in gardening magazines and websites about the best lawn services and check if a particular service or company has a branch in one’s area. Furthermore, one should check online directories that list lawn service companies and rate them according to customer responses and reviews.
Things to ask a lawn company before hiring them
Hiring a lawn service that is accessible and closer to one’s property is advisable, as the professionals can come quickly in case of an emergency. Before hiring a particular company, homeowners should confirm certain things with the service or professional they opted for to ensure they can get the best service at affordable rates.
- Check with the company to see if they will inspect the site and provide an estimate.
- Confirm if they will assist with landscape design.
- Ask them if they will provide all the services associated with lawn care or only specific services.
- Enquire if one can choose the type of grass they want.
- Confirm how often they will visit.
- Check if they can give the schedule in advance.
- Ask if they will be using synthetic or organic fertilizer.
- Verify whether they charge an additional fee in the event of an unexpected pest attack.
- Ask them who is responsible if the lawn doesn’t grow well.
- Check if they have the right equipment.
- Ask if their employees are trained.
