Many people find it hard to believe that people spend thousands every year on their lawn and gardens. The reason is people believe that lawn care doesn’t require too much attention because once the shrubs and weeds are planted, they would grow and flower eventually without any special demands. However, the fact is lawn care can become one of the most demanding domestic jobs. You must have often come across beautiful houses with neatly manicured lawns. And unless you have nurtured something equally beautiful, you can never estimate the efforts that must have gone into their making and care. Nevertheless, the amount of time one has to invest depends on the size of the lawn. A small lawn wouldn’t demand too much of your time and if you have someone to help you, then certainly you can get things maintained without any trouble. But if you own a large lawn space, then you would need to employ a few workers to take care of your plants and trees.

How beautiful your lawn can look depends on how hard you work on it. Lawn care involves lot of planning and diligence in the beginning stages. Once the plants and shrubs are in place and matured, all you have to do is nurture and protect them. In other words you need more lawn care assistance when you are constructing a lawn or remodeling it. Primarily, you need to ensure that the soil is perfect for a healthy looking lawn. And if it isn’t so, then you should buy the right type of soil and make the land fertile enough to support all the vegetation. These are the basic factors that affect the entire lifespan of a lawn and to fix these matters you need expert opinion. This is where a professional lawn care team can assist you in laying the foundation for a beautiful lawn.

Keeping the lawn safe from harmful pests, insects, molds and fungus is yet another important responsibility that demands special lawn care services. Especially, if your lawn is built close to your home, then special care should be taken so as to prevent the plants and weeds from hosting harmful pests.

A neatly cut and maintained lawn has many uses. It is a great place to enjoy parties or simply relax with family or friends. The environment of your lawn and its landscape affects your mood and it can certainly make your home a better place to live. At times, lawn care can be quite addictive too. Some people spend most of their day in caring for plants, shrubs and orchids in their lawn or garden. For them it is topic of unending interest. They indulge in collecting rare plants, bonsais, designer plants, decorative creepers and flowering trees for adorning their lawns. Also, they construct artificial fish ponds and fountains in there to make the scene more divine.

What Lawn Care Companies Do When you have neither the time, knowledge, nor the desire to maintain a great looking lawn you may find that you want to have a lawn care service come out and take care of the yard work for you. Lawn care companies will vary in price, but for the most part they all provide the same basic services.

Lawn care companies may offer you a wide variety of services and depending on what you pay for will depend on how much of the offered services get done. Here is what a typical lawn care service will offer as part of their many different services:

Ø Cut the Grass: The most obvious reason that you would want to hire a lawn care service is to have the grass on your property mowed. Unlike your push style lawn mower, lawn services generally have industrial style riding lawn mowers which allows them to cut your lawn in a relatively short amount of time.

Ø Weed Eat and Edge: After the lawn is mowed, most lawn care companies will weed eat around the house and other fixed objects on your property such as trees and your mailbox. They will then edge which is where they cut the excess overgrown grass away from the edge of your driveway and walkways leaving behind a nice straight cut look.

Ø Blowing: After your lawn has been cut and everything has been trimmed and edged there is usually a considerable amount of grass clippings remaining on your driveway and your walkways. Most lawn care companies will use an industrial leaf blower to blow your driveway and any subsequent walkways clean.

These three services are usually standard with any lawn service company, but there are also some extras that you can opt to pay for as well. These extra may include:

Ø Fertilizing: Many lawn companies will offer to fertilize your lawn for you at certain intervals throughout the year. While this does usually represent an added cost it also helps to keep your lawn looking its best all year round.

Ø Bushes and Hedge Trimming: Again this is usually not included, but for a little bit extra many lawn care companies will trim all of your bushes and any hedges that you have on your property. This will give your house an overall tight and clean look.

Most lawn care companies do not get into tree trimming, landscaping, and irrigation systems but most will have companies that they can recommend for you should you need those services as well. While it is rare, you can find a lawn care company that does a multitude of these services, but these types of lawn companies are usually a division of a larger landscaping business.

Having the lawn of envy in the neighborhood is attainable, even if you have no clue what you are doing in the yard. With the hiring of an experienced and well-rounded lawn service company, you too can have the lawn that all the neighbors talk about, admire, and secretly want to have.

Questions to Ask When Hiring a Lawn Care Company

Are you one of those folks who want a lovely lawn but just don’t have the time to care for it yourself? The answer for you could be a lawn care company. However, how do you know whom to choose? Below are questions you should have answers to before hiring a lawn care company.

1. Price is something that should be looked at when hiring a lawn care company, but remember the old saying, “you get what you pay for?” Some companies may give you a lower rate but do they scrimp on materials or use low quality products? They also may be able to charge lower prices because they are not training their staff adequately. Ask your neighbors and friends whom they use. A company with a good reputation will be promoted widely by word of mouth. Look at their lawns and ask them if they are happy with the lawn they have. Are they satisfied and well treated? Lower price can sometimes mean lower quality. Get a price quote and a quote for anything extra that may come up or is not already provided by their company. Check out several lawn care companies before you decide. Walk around your lawn and see what their suggestions are and if they sound genuinely interested in making your lawn the best it can be.

2. Look for companies that are professional and belong to lawn care organizations such as the Professional Lawn Care Association in Utah as well as state lawn care organizations. Lawn companies that are involved in these organizations usually are staying current with the latest in technology, safety regulations and have a professional pride in their business.

3. Ask what pesticide programs they provide. Are they organic or natural and those words won’t always mean pesticide free. Ask detailed questions about the pesticides they use, are they allowable in the area where you live and ask if there are any environmental or health risks. Ask what products they use. A good company will be able to give you the names and product labels of all their seed blends, fertilizers and pest control products.

4. Another question to ask prospective lawn care companies is; what techniques do you use to improve the health of the soil and grass. This is an important part of any lawn care program and not all companies provide these services. Services should include over seeding, topdressing, aeration, and hand weeding. Yes, some work still needs to be done by hand. Be sure to ask if these are extras or part of the service. If they don’t do these extras, then ask for information so you can do them on your own to keep your lawn healthy. If these services are not offered, then be sure that their charges reflect what they are doing.

5. Is mowing a part of the service? What height do they cut the grass; do they leave clippings on the lawn, bag, or mulch? Will they adjust their mowing schedule according to the weather? More in the spring and less in the summer when it is needed less. Do they bag clippings and take them with them or do they leave them for the waste disposal people to pick up? Will you be responsible for providing bags for clippings? Will they rake or mulch leaves in the fall? What about anything extra that might come up such as storm damage? Will they be available to help with that? You never know when a natural disaster will occur and you need the help to clear out the debris of limbs from your yard.

These questions are all important ones for you to consider when choosing a lawn care company. Your lawn and garden program will be effective if you have a partnership between you and your lawn care company. You should know what services your lawn care company provides. They should know what your expectations are for your lawn and what you should do between visits to maintain your lawn properly. Between visits, it is up to you to watch out for insects and disease. If you are mowing, you need to do it on a regular schedule and water the lawn properly according to their instructions. Your lawn will look its best if you and your lawn care company understand each other and are both aware of what is expected from each side.

Hiring a Lawn Care Professional

Your lawn plays a significant role in the overall outdoor appearance of your house. A lot of effort, dedication, and time is required in order to make a yard beautiful, healthy, and green. For families lawns are an integral part of their memories as their children grow up playing in the yard. Lawns are great for a small family and friend get together and they are eco-friendly as well. So lawns are an important part of the house and family and thus it becomes necessary that they should be taken care of to the maximum possible level. However due to busy schedules people get little time and it becomes a difficult chore to properly take care of the lawn and landscaping. It is often better to hire a lawn care professional who can take good care of the lawn. Optimum maintenance of lawn can be done only by a professional lawn service. Lawn mowing professionals understand the requirements and needs of families very well and they will develop the lawn accordingly. Unkempt lawns give the house a disastrous look, and it’s difficult to spend quality time in a disorderly looking lawn.

So if you want your house to look beautiful, attractive and appealing then it is best to hire a professional lawn service. Lawn care specialists may be expensive; hence thorough research should be done before hiring one. The most important point to be considered is that one should hire a lawn maintenance professional who is qualified for the job he is performing. Experience and a good track record are important qualities of a good lawn service professional. Besides these qualities a lawn care professional needs to be aware of the environmental issues. He should understand the importance of a chemical free and healthy residential environment.

It is important for you to collect all the information about the annual cost, and the cost, which will incur after each visit for the lawn care services. There is a wide range of services, which are offered by the companies so you should be clear about the kind of services you want from your chosen lawn care professional such as mowing, seeding, aeration, maintenance, pest control etc.

Most lawn service companies will offer guaranteed services and occasional discounts. It is a must to get all the information prior to hiring a lawn care professional or company and by being a little prudent you can be a proud owner of an amazing, beautiful, and attractive lawn.

Pro Lawn Care Tips You Can Do Yourself

Achieving a lawn that looks like you hired a pro lawn care specialist to care for is easier than you think. Some of the pro lawn care ideas are simply common sense but people often overlook them when caring for their lawn. Simple things like ensuring that your mower blade is sharpened can make a huge difference in the quality of your lawn.

Dull mower blades can tear and shred grass instead of making a clean cut. When grass is torn or shredded, it leaves the grass open to disease and can stress the grass. When you ensure that your mower blade is sharp you increase the chance that your lawn will remain healthy and disease-resistant.

Raise the level of your mowing blade. Unless you are running a golf course in your yard there is no reason to have your lawn extremely short. One fact that many people do not know is that when you cut your lawn extremely short you are forcing the grass to grow faster. The green grass blades are the source of the food the grass takes in and stores from the sun. Pro lawn care specialists know that if you leave the grass longer it will grow more slowly. This also reduces the amount of times you need to mow your lawn throughout the summer months.

Another pro lawn care tip is to use a mulching mower when you mow your lawn. The grass cuttings that are returned to the soil can replace at least half of the nitrogen your lawn needs to stay green and healthy. If you add an overdressing of compost in the spring you can completely remove the need for fertilizers for your lawn.

Many pro lawn care companies have found that corn gluten is an effective natural weed prevention compound. When applied in the spring it can prevent the growth of most of the weeds that plague lawns. Pro lawn care services know that watering can be an issue with many lawns. Most lawns require between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain per week. Many people forget to factor in the amount of rain fall their area has received during the week. Over-watering your lawn can be more damaging than under-watering it. If you do need to water your lawn throughout the summer months, be sure to do a longer soaking once a week rather than several days of light watering. Light watering encourages shallow root growth in your lawn. One deep-soaking watering encourages grass to develop a deeper root system, which then requires less watering.

You can contact TruCo services to handle your lawn care professionally. TruCo Services is a full-service landscaping and snow removal organization that can handle every aspect of your project needs. Our teams of professional irrigation technicians, landscapers, licensed fertilizer applicators, certified arborists, and top-notch management staff deliver quality services that you’ll be proud to showcase at your home or business.

If you’re thinking about hiring a lawn care service, to choose the right company and level of service, you need to find out the range of services they offer. Lawn care services work with different products, tools, techniques, and schedules, but the results they promise are similar from company to company. Companies usually offer customers a selection of “packages” that include specified treatment plans to take place over the course of a year. Some lawn care services also offer one-time treatments, some automatically renew the contract each year, but almost all allow you to cancel a contract at any time and pay only for the visits you have received.

These are the most common types of lawn treatments, all of which you can do on your own if you don’t want to hire help.

Aeration

Most lawns benefit from a core aeration process once every three years or so. A device with metal tubes about one-half inch in diameter is rolled over your lawn, penetrating several inches into the turf to remove plugs of turf and soil, and then deposit them on the surface. The resulting holes admit water, air, fertilizer, and humus-creating organic matter to the root systems. The holes give the soil room to loosen, permitting easier root growth and better air and water circulation throughout the turf. Because it’s labor-intensive, aeration is usually an add-on to lawn care service contracts, ordinarily costing more than $30 per 1,000 square feet of lawn. It’s a relatively simple job that you can do yourself by renting an aeration unit—which looks like a cross between a lawn mower and a tiller. If you’ve never operated one before, get some instruction from the tool-rental shop.

Seeding

Although it can be expensive, many lawns benefit from seeding (or “over-seeding”) each fall. New seed can fill in thinned-out areas, create a denser lawn that will discourage weeds and pests, add a newer grass variety with improved disease and insect resistance to an established lawn, or add a better grass variety for the area. Some lawn care companies do limited seeding at no cost, but all charge for major jobs. If you want to do it yourself, make sure the seed comes into contact with the soil by using a rake to stir up soil underneath the lawn and applying a light topcoat of soil or compost after distributing the seed. Some lawn care services follow seeding with aeration.

Fertilizing

Applying fertilizer gives your lawn extra nutrients to improve its health. Most lawn care services recommend fertilizing three to six times per year, depending on need. But most turf grasses grown in lawns benefit most from fall fertilizations.

There are three basic types of fertilizer: fast-release synthetic, slow-release synthetic, and slow-release natural (organic).

A fast-release fertilizer gives grass a quick shot of nutrition, resulting in rapid leaf growth and greening. But this burst of growth may divert energy from the formation of a strong root system. A lawn that gets fast-release fertilizer five or six times per year may look good when the weather is good, but its weak root system may cause it to dry up later on.

Slow-release synthetic fertilizers give lawns a more steady and gradual supply of nutrients, but their disadvantage is that they don’t produce quick results—some formulations may produce no effects for weeks until weather conditions are ideal or they’ve been activated by nutrients in the soil. But the steady lower dose of nitrogen these fertilizers provide allows grass to build strong roots without sudden diversions of energy to leaf growth.

The third broad category of fertilizer types—natural, slow-release fertilizers—consists of all types that are not synthesized. Examples include dried blood, fish emulsion, manure, and processed sewage. These fertilizers are sometimes referred to as “organic,” a word used very loosely by lawn care companies eager to make sales. A more accurate term is “natural, nonsynthetic” fertilizers.

Like some synthetic slow-release fertilizers, all-natural fertilizers require action by soil microbes before nutrients become available to grass plants. But natural fertilizers tend to be expensive, mainly because you may have to use up to four times as much of it as you do a synthetic.

If you apply fertilizer yourself, don’t assume more is better, especially with a synthetic. Since it’s really just a form of salt, too much synthetic fertilizer can “burn” your lawn, and excess fertilizer pollutes the watershed.

Maintaining Soil Acidity

Generously fertilizing your lawn can have little effect if its acid balance—pH reading—is not right. Your grass simply won’t be able to use the nutrients if the soil is too acidic or too alkaline. Most grass varieties grow best when the pH reading is between 6.5 and 7.0 (slightly acidic). Maintaining proper soil acidity may also help control weeds, since many undesirable plants thrive at higher or lower pH levels compared to turf grasses. By keeping soil pH at ideal levels for turf grasses, you give your grass an advantage in competing with weeds. Lawn care companies should test the pH level of your soil and apply lime, which reduces the acidity, as needed.

Controlling Weeds

There are several ways to control weeds:

· Competition. The best way is to crowd out weeds with turfgrasses. A thick, strong lawn will have few weeds because the unwanted plants can’t compete. Mowing properly and seeding will help produce a nearly weed-free lawn.

· Pre-emergent herbicides. You can apply an herbicide that kills seed sprouts; it’s what lawn care companies most commonly do to control crabgrass and poa annua. After a lawn has been seeded, most types of pre-emergent herbicides must not be applied until the desired grasses have matured or the new grass will be killed or stunted (one type of pre-emergent grass herbicide, containing the ingredient siduron, can be used over newly seeded grass). Since you can’t know in advance exactly where weeds will appear, pre-emergent herbicides must be applied generally to broad areas that seem likely locations for weed grasses. While many lawn care companies treat every lawn in its entirety, some limit treatment to lawns that have a history of weed problems or even to vulnerable portions of such lawns.

· Post-emergent herbicides. While no pre-emergent herbicides are in wide use for broadleaf weeds such as dandelions and clover, there are post-emergent herbicides that kill these plants without killing desired grasses. Some lawn care companies apply post-emergent herbicides all over every lawn to kill both visible plants and small not-yet-apparent plants. But many companies limit the application of these herbicides to lawns with a history of weed problems or currently visible weeds, and some treat only the portions of lawns where weeds are visible.

· Physical removal. In small lawns with few weeds, physical removal is a reasonable option; use an asparagus knife to cut the roots. Many lawn care companies don’t offer this labor-intensive service.

· Natural death. Weeds die off. If the problem isn’t too severe, just let nature take its course. In fact, that’s often the only practical option once weeds have matured. When choosing a company, or deciding which of a company’s programs to choose, keep in mind that weeds are for the most part just wildflowers and grasses that have sprouted up in the wrong places. If you can live with a little wayward flora (consider them pops of color!), you may be able to avoid some expense, trouble, and exposure to herbicides.

Controlling Insects

All lawns have some harmful insects; weather and other factors can create conditions where they can cause noticeable damage. Like weeds, many harmful pests prefer sunny areas. A thick, properly maintained lawn discourages widespread bugs, and most turfgrasses are fairly resistant to most insect attacks. Many lawn care services treat all of the yards they service with insecticides at times when insect damage is likely. This reduces the chances that a company will be called back between scheduled visits and reduces the risk that customers will be unhappy about losing portions of their lawns for the season.

But insecticides may kill beneficial organisms that prey on harmful insects and other harmful organisms. Insecticides may also harm earthworms, which contribute in other ways to the maintenance of healthy turf. Because of this, applying a hefty dose of insecticides can make a lawn more vulnerable than before the pest problem. From a community perspective, broad-scale use of insecticides may pose an additional risk to lawns—the risk that resistant strains of insects will develop. To prevent companies from needlessly applying pesticides, insist that ones you deal with use a targeted control approach, or will agree to withhold pesticide treatments altogether. If a company plans to use pesticides, ask why, and whether it’s okay to skip it.

Controlling Disease

Most turf diseases are caused by fungi. Disease is most likely to occur in lawns that have been over-fertilized, improperly watered, cut too short, or otherwise subjected to stress. Weather conditions can up your chances of problems. In most years, most lawns won’t experience serious disease problems. Most diseases that do occur are self-limiting, with the full damage often done by the time a disease is spotted. Because most lawns won’t benefit from fungicide treatment, and because the chemicals are expensive, lawn care companies and homeowners should seldom apply fungicides.

Work You Still Have to Do

Some lawn care services don’t offer mowing services; those that do usually sell it in a separate contract.

Mowing and watering properly is key to a healthy lawn:

· Don’t mow grass too short. Most lawns should not be cut below a height of about 2½ to three inches.

· Mow often enough that no more than one-third of the blade is cut at a time.

· Keep your mower’s blades sharp to avoid tearing grass leaves, which makes them brown and vulnerable to pests.

· Mow when grass is dry.

· Leave clippings on the lawn so they can decompose and fertilize the soil, but spread out or remove big clumps.

Grass should be watered when leaves are just close to wilting; your grass is in the danger zone if you leave footprints when you walk on it. In general, to keep grass green during the summer, make sure it gets about one inch of water per week; a rain gauge can help.

Hiring A Lawn Care Service

Putting the responsibility for an attractive lawn on someone else’s shoulders can be appealing if you’re limited on time or commitment. Going the lawn service route involves some tradeoffs you’ll want to think through.

Advantages to hiring a lawn service:

· Time savings. With a service, someone else does the work. That means extra free time for you.

· Consistent schedule. With many lawn services, you’ll get consistent weekly service — same day, same time — rain or shine.

· Professional-grade lawn care products. Lawn professionals have access to premium pro-line products at trade-only pricing.

· Equipment provided. Lawn care services provide the equipment and fuel, along with repairs and maintenance.

· Skills and experience. Qualified lawn pros offer the benefit of focused training and industry expertise

Disadvantages to hiring a lawn service:

· Increased labor costs. Your time’s valuable, but so is the pro’s you’ll pay.

· Inflexibility. A lawn service’s fixed schedule doesn’t always correspond to the best timing for your lawn.

· Increased product costs. Some services charge more for trade-only products.

· Automatic treatments. Many service programs provide automatic treatments for all lawns they service, regardless of each lawn’s individual needs.

· Need for careful screening. Some lawn services lack training and professional experience.

Reclaiming Your Turf With Diy

Doing your own lawn care can be a simple, satisfying achievement. You get to experience and influence your lawn’s progress from start to finish and still enjoy free time. Doing it yourself also has pros and cons to consider.

Advantages to DIY lawn care:

· Cost savings. Go ahead and pay yourself. Labor costs drop when you go DIY.

· Optimal timing. From quick weekend fixes to month-to-month lawn care, you can schedule DIY lawn care for the best possible time for your lawn.

· Professional-grade consumer products. With premium consumer products such as Pennington Smart Seed, you are a pro. Water-conserving Pennington Smart Seed grass varieties used and recommended by lawn pros are available to help you create an exceptional lawn.

· Personalized choices. With DIY, you decide and do. Whether choosing between seed or sod or growing grass in shade, you can select the best possible grasses and lawn care products for your unique lawn conditions.

· Health and fitness benefits. Lawn care activities as simple as mowing can contribute significantly to your current and future health.

· Knowledge and expertise. When you take on your lawn care, the opportunity to research, learn and do gives you specialized knowledge you can share with others.

Disadvantages to DIY lawn care:

· Time commitment. Consider the value of your free time and whether you enjoy hands-on outdoor tasks. Creating a healthy, beautiful lawn requires a commitment to learning and lawn care, but that doesn’t mean you’ll forfeit your weekends off.

· Equipment investment. To do it yourself, you’ll need basic equipment, such as a mower and spreader, and room to store them. You may also have occasional equipment rental for special projects such as aeration.

Some common services you can expect from lawn care companies are:

· Fertilizer Application

· Pest Control

· Pre-emergent weed and crabgrass control

· Post-emergent weed and crabgrass control

· Aeration & thatch control

· Tree and shrub pruning

· Root stimulants & developers

· Irrigation systems

· Soil testing and Mulching

· Organic lawn care

Lawn Maintenance

Lawn maintenance includes cleaning your property and keeping it manicured throughout the year. To prepare your lawn for spring, TruCo services can help you clear debris, mow your lawn regularly or clean up your yard prior to winter’s arrival. TruCo company provides the following services.

· Pruning of Shrubs and Trees

· Regular weed control

· Lawn mowing

· Edging patio areas, driveways, and walkways

· Spring yard cleanup

· Fall yard cleanup

Although lawn care and lawn maintenance both focus on improving the look of your lawn, they are considerably different. A lawn care program is designed to improve the overall health of your soil and lawn. It includes services such as pest control and soil testing to make sure your lawn’s turf and soil are healthy and disease-free. This helps to promote a lush, green lawn without the use of toxic chemicals. Lawn maintenance, on the other hand, includes services such as removing debris and leaves, edging borders, mowing grass, and spring and fall cleanup. A lawn maintenance service can be beneficial when planning new landscaping projects or as routine maintenance to improve the look and feel of your lawn.

Conclusion

Whether you seek professional lawn care service or embrace the DIY approach, you should have a general understanding of the difference between lawn care and lawn maintenance.

Lawn care service ensures the health and wellbeing of your lawn, whereas lawn maintenance focuses more on the more routine tasks associated with maintaining your lawn. TruCo services can help you develop a lawn care and maintenance program to promote healthy growth and a lush, green lawn for you and your family to enjoy year after year.

TruCo Services is a full-service landscaping and snow removal organization that can handle every aspect of your project needs. Our teams of professional irrigation technicians, landscapers, licensed fertilizer applicators, certified arborists, and top-notch management staff deliver quality services that you’ll be proud to showcase at your home or business.

Landscaping is much more than merely planting shrubs and trees and mowing lawns. It consists of a variety of services such as sod work, installing retaining walls, driveway interlocking, and more that can help enhance your curb appeal. It can also increase the value and functionality of your property if done correctly.

Types of Landscape Construction Services

Softscape

Softscapes typically refer to installations and landscaping services involving plants and other organic materials such as grass, annuals, perennials, shrubs, and more. It includes analyzing the architecture, planning, and determining a suitable landscape design with the help of flower bed installations, a lawn, yard or garden for residences and estates.

Softscape Features

You need to change and evolve the softscape elements as the plants grow and adapt to the changing climate and other environmental conditions. The experts working in our landscaping company recommend weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly management to maintain the overall beauty and appeal. Softscape maintenance comprises planting, weed removal, mowing, aerating, fertilizing, watering, pruning, trimming, and more. Some of the features include the following:

· Lawn and yard

· Trees, shrubs, and vines

· Accent plants and flowering plants

· Garden and flower beds

Hardscape

Hardscaping includes all types of structures and stonework, such as garden retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, barbecues, fire pits and fireplaces, patios, pool decks, fencing, and more. In addition to this, it also encompasses water features such as fountains, dry riverbeds, and waterfalls.

Hardscape Features

The non-living, solid elements of the landscape are categorized as hardscape. You can design these as part of your landscape construction plan. Hardscape materials have several effects on the environment. The porous materials used allow water to soak into the soil. Pavement and retaining walls help reduce water runoff and prevent contaminants from flowing into streams. Some popular hardscape features include the following:

Retaining Walls

You can hire experts for landscape construction to create and install beautiful and functional retaining walls. They can be made of natural stone, wood, and concrete wall blocks.

Interlocking Driveways

They are durable and aesthetically pleasing. Specialists offering landscaping services can help create creative designs for your driveway and ensure it matches the look and architecture of the property.

Stonework

High-quality stonework enhances the appearance and functionality of a property. It is low maintenance, long-lasting, and helps improve the curb appeal.

Sod Installation

Installing sod on a property helps smooth the surface and create a beautiful space. You can install it anywhere to enjoy an outdoor area for games and activities.

Benefits Of Landscape Construction

· Connect with Nature: Hiring reputable experts for landscape construction services can help you create an exceptional outdoor area. You can have a private retreat and enjoy the health benefits of nature at your home.

· Enhance Your Quality of Life: Having a well-developed and maintained landscape will allow you more time outdoors, unwinding in the beautiful backdrop. You can also use it as an entertaining space for guests and to host gatherings.

· Balancing Natural & Artificial Elements: Working with a reputable landscape company can help you create a balance between manufactured designs and natural landscapes. The specialists can help highlight the beauty of your yard by choosing the most suitable outdoor features.

· Create Functional Areas: If you have an unused backyard or a side yard, landscape construction along with adequate planning can help create a spectacular outdoor space. The landscaping specialists will assess the property and design a suitable and beautiful space.

· Defining Entertainment Areas: If you are looking to bring some order to your yard, a reputable landscaping company can help. They will be able to create areas on your property for specific activities depending on your requirements.

· Boost the Property Value: A well-planned and maintained outdoor landscape can increase property values by 5% to 12%. It is an excellent way to maximize the outdoor space and make your home more appealing to potential buyers if you plan to sell your property.

Skills Required For Landscape Construction

Landscape design and construction requires the expertise of qualified and experienced professionals. Some of the skills associated with the construction aspect of landscaping a property include the following:

· The ability to come up with reliable landscape designs and ideas.

· Work with professionals, interpret the plans made by a landscape architect, and carry out the necessary work.

· Estimate the cost and prepare quotations for a variety of projects.

· Horticultural skills that are required to come up with beautiful ideas associated with softscapes.

· Possess construction knowledge and skills, including the ability to build retaining walls, lay pavers for driveways and walkways, and other structures.

Things To Consider Before Landscape Construction

· Examine your landscape, recognize any potential problems such as inadequate soil conditions and plan accordingly.

· Consider the purpose of landscaping. It could be anything from entertaining guests, creating a play area, having a private space for relaxing, and more.

· Identify any natural pathways already present in your landscape and consider including them in your plans as is.

· Consider your needs, expectations, and budgetary concerns up-front to save time and money.

· Think about the ongoing maintenance and ask if you can meet the requirements to keep the structures in excellent condition.

· Work with a reputable landscaping construction company having professionals who can understand your needs and offer reliable advice.

Enhance Your Curb Appeal With Our Landscape Construction Services

Whether you want a garden retaining wall, stonework in patio, or any other landscape construction, TruCo Landscaping and Snow Removal is the right choice. We have the skills and expertise to understand your needs and come up with the best solutions on time and budget. We will help you create a beautiful and functional space that enhances your curb appeal and adds value to your property.

Landscaping Service – Why You Should Use a Professional

A well-maintained landscape takes a lot of forethought and hard work, especially for it to shine all year. While you might have some general knowledge such as how to apply landscape design principles or how to use landscape design to increase your home value, hiring a landscaping service can help.

Landscaping Service – Why Hire One?

Get excellent ideas that work

Since professional landscapers work with multiple clients, they understand how designs or ideas might work across varying terrain. After all, backyards face different challenges related to size, architecture, slope, and other elements. Based on similar past customer designs, a professional landscaping service will know if the ideas you want to incorporate into your yard will work or not.

Avoid landscaping pitfalls

Professionals know how to avoid the common DIY pitfalls. These mistakes can cost you time and money. For example, suppose you plant several plants and shrubs in your backyard and fail to install an irrigation or sprinkler system. In that case, you may need to redesign the entire yard to integrate the missing elements. Landscaping service experts can avoid such pitfalls, thereby getting your project done on time and within budget.

Free up your time

There is no doubt developing a yard from scratch or prepping for a new garden takes time. Additionally, figuring out how best to care for the area can be challenging. Depending on your layout, you’ll need to mow the grass, water the flowers, mulch the beds, or prune the trees. Some aspects also need specialized equipment, skills, and experience. A professional landscaping service company will take care of the challenging maintenance tasks so that you enjoy your yard without any worries.

Receive expert care from a landscaping service

Professional landscaping services can diagnose and treat yard and garden issues quickly in most cases. For example, if your flowers or trees are losing leaves, professionals know the right treatments to stop further damage. Additionally, landscape professionals can advise on how to prevent these issues from occurring in the future.

Landscaping Service Considerations for Your Residential Garden Areas

Whether you are redesigning your landscape or making a few changes to tweak the existing design, there are several factors to consider before starting your project, such as:

Location

Your first step is to understand your location, including the soil type, regional climate, and topography of your site.

Plant care and maintenance

When designing a landscape plan, a good practice is to start with the end in mind. Consider the plants’ maintenance needs, growth rates, and maturity sizes before selecting any plants or shrubs. Similarly, during the planting stage, ensure your plants have enough room to reach their mature size without any problems. Simplify future maintenance by planning low-maintenance landscaping from the beginning. A landscaping service will be able to help guide you through the process with ease.

Getting Help from a Landscaping Service

Hiring a professional landscaping service can help save you time and money. The right landscaping team can keep your outdoor space looking beautiful and well-maintained throughout all seasons. Additionally, a landscaper can make sure the area is functional for your family’s needs.

Benefits Of Landscaping Services

Landscaping services offer a variety of benefits for both you and your property. Landscapers are often able to perform manual tasks that you cannot do, and their work can improve not only the visual appearance but also the health and resilience of your outdoor property. This will result not only in a visually beautiful and attractive property that features elements unique to you, but also a healthy and thriving outdoor space that benefits the environment and native flora and fauna of the area.

Improve Overall Appearance

One of the primary functions of a landscaping service is to boost the aesthetics of your garden and the area surrounding your home. For some, this means pruning bushes and trees and re-edging gardens to create a crisp, clean look. For others, this involves selecting beautiful and hardy plants that complement the look of a home. This type of visual detailing improves a home’s curb appeal and can play a critical role if you are trying to sell your home. However, even if you plan to stay in your home for years to come, more and more studies are showing that resting in an aesthetically pleasing outdoor space can benefit you both mentally and physically.

Enhance Usage Of Outdoor Space

Not only does an improved outdoor space look appealing, but it is also a joy to inhabit. Research has even shown that outdoor spaces have multiple benefits, from improved cognitive function to stress reduction. This effect is true even if you live in the middle of a bustling metropolis and have only a small garden. Freshly mown grass creates a play space for children and pets, and new plants and flowers provide a fresh background to enjoy as you and your loved ones sit outside, enjoying the weather and scenery.

Act As A Creative Outlet

Many people use the outdoors as a respite from the stress and complications of their working lives. Landscaping is one way to embrace your creativity. With the help of a landscaping service, you can realize your creative vision and lay the groundwork for grass that will remain vibrantly green, plants that will bloom for years to come, and even ponds that thrive as their own miniature ecosystem.

Control Invasive Plants

Landscaping is not all about the visual aesthetic of your property; it also plays a critical role in the health of your environment. Landscaping mitigates the growth of invasive plants and weeds through focused care and attention to your specific soil’s pH and composition. Without these harmful plants, your native foliage can thrive and grow to be robust, improving air quality, and even keeping your home safe from flooding and erosion during inclement weather.

Provide A Safe Outdoor Space

Landscaping generally focuses on the unique features of each land and the home it is joined to. By caring for your land, you can prevent potentially dangerous situations such as diseased trees falling on your home, stinging or allergen-producing plants coming into contact with your family, and even unwelcome animals taking up residence in your land. This will enable you to enjoy a beautiful and safe outdoor space that will benefit the environment and make your small section of the world more robust and thriving.

Contact The Landscaping Services Professionals

An overwhelming variety of plant options and landscaping decisions may seem intimidating, but the choices you make about them do not have to be. If you are considering how landscaping services might benefit your home, either for the first time ever or in the middle of your current outdoor projects, be sure to reach out to professionals who can help you to achieve your vision.

TruCo landscaping and snow removal would be happy to assist you in making plans for your space. Reach out to schedule an appointment to discuss your landscaping vision and determine which services are right for you.

TruCo Services is a full-service landscaping and snow removal organization that can handle every aspect of your project needs.

Our teams of professional irrigation technicians, landscapers, licensed fertilizer applicators, certified arborists, and top-notch management staff deliver quality services that you’ll be proud to showcase at your home or business.

For many people, the price of home lawn care service is almost as important as the care their lawn receives. When you start evaluating lawn care companies, remember the old saying, “You get what you pay for.” Remember, a perfect lawn is not necessarily a cheap lawn.

There are big name companies out there like TruCo services and several others that can be very expensive but they do wonderful work. They have all the top lawn care tools and lawn supplies at their disposal. They use the best fertilizer on your lawn, and they will make sure that you have a true green lawn. However there are people who don’t really care, lawn services like these are simply overkill.

There are lots and lots of smaller lawn companies out there that will provide an equivalent level of home lawn care as the big guys, but may give you a lower rate without scrimping on materials or using low quality lawn products. A great way to locate some of these smaller home lawn care services is to ask your neighbors and friends, who they use for their lawn care. A company that provides great lawn care services, with a good reputation in the neighborhood, will be promoted widely by word of mouth.

Check out your friends and neighbors grass. Ask them if they are happy with lawn care business they are dealing with. Are they satisfied with the service? Are they well treated? Do they have that perfect lawn that you wish you had on your property?

With a bit of care, lawn services shouldn’t be that hard to find. Be careful though because sometimes, lower price can mean lower quality. Get a price quote for basic lawn care service, then get a separate quote for anything extra that you may want done. Do you want some landscaping? Is it extra for lawn fertilizing? What about grass seed? Do they use the best grass seeds available? A reputable lawn company will be able to give you the names and product labels of all their grass seed blends, fertilizers and pest control products.

What techniques do they use to improve the health of your soil and grass? This is an important part of any home lawn care program and not all companies provide these services. Some services you would want them to include are lawn seeding, overseeding, topdressing, lawn aeration, and hand weeding. Yes, believe it or not, some of this work still needs to be done by hand!

If they don’t provide these services, perhaps they can show you how to do them on your own. Believe it or not, you need to learn how to seed grass so that you end up with a beautiful green lawn. You don’t want to kill your grass after all. I hope that you find these questions useful when you are choosing a home lawn care company. You know you can’t afford those top of the line lawn care tools, but they will have them for you. They will have the best lawn seeds, they will have the best fertilizers and they will help you grow beautiful, perfect grass and a beautiful, perfect lawn.

A beautiful, well-maintained lawn is the pride of most neighborhoods. The way your grass looks depends on the way that you take care of it. There is some basic things that you can do to help keep your grass healthy and beautiful. Mowing, watering, feeding, aerating and scarifying are all important steps to follow for basic lawn care. The well cared for lawn can also add value to your home if you are trying to sell. Curb appeal is very important to homeowners so read on to help learn the basics of lawn care.

Mowing

When mowing your lawn the most important thing to remember is the height of the grass. You should never cut more than one-third of the height of the grass blades. Make sure to always leave the grass clippings on the yard because this will provide fertilizer for your grass. You should be mowing your lawn at least once a week but an ideal situation would be mowing more than once a week. Keep your mower blade sharp and never mow in the same direction. You should also never mow your lawn when it is wet. Wet mowing will cause clumps of clippings and that can breed bacteria. Choose your type of mower by the size of lawn you have. A small lawn that can be done in half an hour or less is best done with a walking mower. Larger lawns will require a ride-on mower.

Watering

Watering your grass is important to keep the grass healthy and looking beautiful. When you water your grass it should be done early in the day. Avoid watering your grass too frequently. When the yard is watered be sure that it is done so there is a good soaking so it will not have to be done for a while. Watch the weather and if it is going to rain then you don’t need to do any watering.

Feeding

Lawn feed is another important part of maintenance to keep your lawn looking beautiful and make it the envy of the neighborhood. Before feeding your soil you should have it tested to see which nutrients that is missing from the structure of it and what you need to be adding. In the spring you should be adding a spring/summer fertilizer. This is a lawn feed that is high in nitrogen and is low in phosphates. In the autumn you will use a lawn feed that has low nitrogen and high phosphates. There is also a mixture of fine sand, ammonium and iron sulfate that can be put on your yard to prevent the growth of weeds and moss. The sand is usually applied in the late spring.

Aerating

Aerating is usually done with a piece of equipment known as an aerator. The lawn aerator is run over the grass the same way as a mower but instead of cutting the grass this piece of equipment actually pulls out plugs of dirt and grass. Aerating will help your grass build a better root system and will help with compacted soil and thatch grass. An aerator is a good investment for the care of your yard and to help your grass look healthy. Leave the soil plugs on the grass so that they can provide fertilization as they decompose. Aerating can also be done by wearing cleats onto your lawn and just walking around.

Scarifying

Scarifying is like exfoliation for your yard. You are going to take away all the bad stuff and get down to the nice, new, healthy grass. Scarifying your yard is removing the dead material from your grass. You can do this by using a rake but a scarifier can reach further than the rake and can remove more waste. The scarifier reaches between the grass blades and removes the decaying matter without damaging the blades of grass. Using the scarifier is as easy as using a rake. Before you start scarifying you need to remove any living weed, fungus or invasive plants. You also need to kill any moss that is growing in the lawn. Autumn is the best time to do the scarifying because the soil is moist and warm. The reason that this needs to be done is because the dead and decaying debris that is laying on the grass will eventually smother it and kill it out. Using the scarifier will keep your grass healthy and disease free.

Your lawn is the first thing that a visitor to your home will see. This is the first impression that they get of you so it is up to you to make it a good one. It may take an investment of some time to make this first impression a good one but it will be worth it. A well-maintained lawn shows that you care about your surroundings.

The Best Reasons To Get Professional Lawn Care Services

Whether conspicuously right out front or concealed in the backyard, almost every house has a lawn. Well maintained lawns usually serve to landscape a home and add to its value. It is no surprise that some homeowners spend a lot of time, effort and money on lawn care. While some homeowners opt to have professional services take care of their lawns, others prefer to do it themselves. If you want to create and take care of your lawn but do not know where to begin, here are some of the basic things to consider first.

Healthy Soil, Healthy Lawn

One of the most important things to take care of is the foundation for the lawn. To grow a great lawn, you need to have healthy, fertile soil. You can perform a soil test using available do it yourself kits you can buy from the store. This test will allow you to determine how your soil is and what else you need to do to improve it. Lawn care begins right from the very first step.

Grass Types and Planting

The type of grass that is best for your lawn depends on your geographic location. Are you living in a hot or tropical area? Do you often experience rains where you live? Do you live where there is not much sunlight? After considering this and deciding on a type of grass, you can start to loosen up or aerate the soil using a rake and plant the grass seeds. For proper lawn care, make sure to spread the seeds evenly and cover them with a layer of soil so that they are nestled in the earth’s nutrients.

Watering and Fertilizing

A thick, green, luscious lawn can be your pride and the envy of your neighbors. To grow this kind of lawn, you need to make use of proper fertilizers that give nutrients to the soil. The nutrients are absorbed by the plants, allowing them to grow rich and well. Make sure to do your research and use the best fertilizer and the proper fertilizing method. Lawn care does not just end with the fertilizer; you need to water your lawn regularly with the proper amount.

Regular Maintenance

After all the careful preparations you have made for your lawn, you need to maintain it regularly. Depending on the type of grass, you can set a date on when you need to mow the lawn. Keep the grass anywhere from two to three inches all year round. If you go shorter than two inches, your lawn can be at risk for heat intolerance and drought as well as insects, weeds and diseases. With proper and regular lawn care, you and your lawn can be free from such problems.

Why Go Through So Much for a Lawn?

A lawn does not just serve to beautify your surroundings. There are so many benefits that you and the world enjoy when you properly take care of your lawn. Lawns prevent soil erosion, provide oxygen and fight off pollution. They also trap dust particles and can absorb sound. If you think that lawns are just for aesthetics, think again. If you want to keep your surroundings pollution free, then start by giving proper lawn care. Your lawn should never have to worry about pest control again with our professional services. TruCo landscaping and snow removal offer top lawn care and pest control services to rid your yard of bugs and insects.

Choosing a lawn care provider to keep your lawn green and healthy is as important a decision as choosing any other service to help you care for your home. Lawn care is vital to keeping your home beautiful, because anyone who visits your home will see your lawn and know if you are caring for your yard properly. Whether you have just a front yard lawn, only a backyard lawn, or both a front yard lawn and a backyard lawn, a good lawn company will provide you with the care you need on your own terms. While choosing a lawn care service, consider these three factors: price, reputation, and customer service.

Lawn Care at a Good Value

Different service providers will charge very different rates. Some of these rates will be expensive, while others may be surprisingly cheap. If a rate is too expensive, that provider may not be the best choice for you and your budget. If, on the other hand, the rate a provider charges seems too cheap, it may be because the quality of service that company provides is only worth the amount of money they charge-which isn’t much. Research different rates for lawn care services around your area, and choose one that isn’t too expensive but also isn’t too cheap. This way, you are more likely to get quality work that you can afford on a regular basis.

Look for a Good Reputation

It is always good to get services from a company that has a good reputation, whether you need lawn mowing or landscaping for your home. Look up companies you are considering on a review site online, and see what past customers have to say about their experience with the company’s service quality. If you have family, friends, or colleagues who have hired a company, ask them which lawn service they chose and why. You may even want to ask some of your neighbors who cares for their lawn, because it is likely that if you are looking for a lawn service, other people in your neighborhood get their lawn done by a professional lawn business as well.

Exceptional Customer Service

Last but not least, you should choose a lawn care that provides you with good customer service. This means that the company will have someone available to answer important questions when you call to find out more about the company. A good lawn company may even send someone over to your home to look at your lawn and talk with you about the kind of lawn services you want or need. Any great company will go above and beyond to delight their customer.

A lawn dethatcher is also referred to as a power rake, a lawn sweeper, a thatching machine, or a dethatching rake. All of these have the same purpose, which is to remove undesired thatch out of your lawn. Thatch is another all encompassing word which essentially means any unwanted material in your lawn such as dead grasses and mosses. It can also refer to dead sod, undesirable grasses and creeping lawn weeds. It takes the longest to dethatch thick moss and dead sod. Lawns with really thick moss may need to be dethatched several times.

A lawn dethatcher machine usually does a better job than a lawn mower dethatching blade and is a lot less time consuming then a dethatching rake. A lawn dethatcher machine works by having 4 sets of raking blade spinning vertically and hitting the surface of the ground at a perpendicular angle. The pulley on the engine spins the blades. It works like a brush combing snarls and thatch out of the lawn, but leaving the grass in place. Any good dethatcher will have a level that can engage and disengage the spinning blades.

The benefit of removing thatch with a lawn dethatcher is that it can improve the overall look and health of the lawn. Weeds and moss that choke the lawn off from water and sunlight can be eliminated. Most rental shops rent lawn dethatchers. They rent for $35 to $80 depending on where you rent and the length of the rental. You may need to ask for a power rake or lawn sweeper but don’t worry they are the same thing. It is just that every brand calls it their own name. If you do it your self be careful with going over roots, rocks and sprinkler heads. A lawn dethacther is about the size of a lawnmower, only is about twice as heavy and as powerful.

How to Dethatch a Lawn and Lawn Dethatchers

§ Determine if your lawn needs to be dethatched. Power lawn dethatchers are stressful to your grass and should only be used as needed. Take a sample of grass and soil and measure the spongy layer of thatch in-between that is made up of organic materials such as grass clippings, pine needles, leaves and roots. You may want to test several different areas since the build-up can vary. If it is a half an inch deep, think about dethatching soon. It is definitely needed if it is an inch or more.

§ Decide whether to rent or borrow a power dethatcher or hire a professional to do it for you. Lawn dethatchers look kind of like power lawn mowers but are typically much heavier and have several vertical tines that cut into the thatch layer without ruining the grass. Because you want to have the blade height and spacing just right, it can be a bit tricky to use if you are not used to them. You should be able to do a typical lawn in a half-day rental period, which will cost about $60-80 dollars or around $100-$125 for 8-hours if you have a larger lawn.

§ Plan to dethatch at the right time. You do not want the soil to be too dry or too wet. Since it is hard on your grass, there needs to be recovering time, at least two or three weeks of active growing season before the weather gets too hot and dry or too cold. Typically early spring or late fall are best.

§ Prep your lawn and gather other lawn care materials. You want to mow your grass about half its normal height. If you want to overseed (a really good idea), fertilize (a good idea) and/or topdress (not necessary but a benefit to many lawns and many help even it out) have those materials readily available.

§ Set-up the thatcher. When you go to pick up the lawn thatcher, have the rental center help you set blade height or spacing. For warm weather grasses, the height is set to cut into the turf about ½ inch with the blades 1-2 inches apart. Since cool weather grasses are thinner, blade spacing can be increased to 3 inches and the height can be set around ¼ inch. As you are dethatching, you can make small adjustments if they are needed.

§ Go over each area more than once. For the best coverage and results, make several crosswise patterns in each area. Consider using a manual dethatching rake to get to the corners and get up additional moss.

Why is Lawn Dethatching Necessary?

If you want to have a beautifully maintained lawn, it is important that you do the necessary tasks such as lawn dethatching. This task is considered as a significant part of lawn care and maintenance because it will help get rid of the various layers of dead plants and grass that exists in your lawn. The reason why dead plants need to be removed is because they can stop nutrients and water getting to the roots of your plants. At the same time, they can also act as the breeding ground of various diseases for your lawn that have the tendency to quickly spread out. If you are going to dethatch your lawn, it is recommended that you leave a small area of thatch left untouched. This is because it will help protect grass against heat stress as well as drought. A healthy lawn will normally have a half inch thick of thatch layer. In order to know if it is time to do a lawn dethatching, you can dig up in your yard and measure how thick the thatch layer currently is. Once it is beyond half an inch, that’s the time you can dethatch your lawn.

The best time to dethatch your lawn is during the fall. This is because doing this task in the spring months can add more damage to the crowns of grass that have just grown. Here are some useful tips that you can use when you do lawn dethatching:

§ Mow lawn equally low.

§ A hand rake should be used in smaller areas.

§ Make use of a core aerator.

Once there is a serious buildup of thatch and it causes a severe problem, renting or hiring a professional lawn care company is recommended. This can also occur once the thatch is over an inch thick. For this, a professional lawn dethatching company is advised since they will use mechanical equipment on your lawn.

How and When to Remove Thatch From Your Lawn

You Should Consider Dethatching Your Lawn if:

1. You have a lawn comprised of cool season grass or grasses, the most common of which are perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and fescue. Cool season grasses grow where the winters are colder; they spread by producing underground rhizomes.

2. Your lawn has spots where the grass is very thin – where the individual grass blades are weak and far apart from one another.

3. Your lawn has large brown spots where the thatch is so thick that it has temporarily suppressed all of most of the grass plants in that area of the lawn.

4. Water runs off your lawn before it can penetrate the soil. This is especially problematic on sloping areas, where thatch prevents a barrier to water absorption.

5. Your lawn is severely compacted by heavy foot traffic, and you are planning to aerate it, or have it aerated professionally. (Thatch build-up should always be removed before aerating a lawn.)

6. You are planning to over seed your lawn this fall (which is always a good idea).

Timing – When to Dethatch

Timing is very important; you can actually do more harm than good if you dethatch at the wrong time. The very best time to dethatch a lawn is early fall, at least four weeks before the end of the summer/fall growing season. An early fall dethatching can prepare your lawn for over seeding and fall feeding, giving it the best preparation for surviving the winter and rebounding quickly the following spring. Late spring, after several weeks of green grass growth, is the second best time to dethatch. Of course, if you dethatched the previous fall, you won’t need to dethatch in the spring. There is virtually no thatch build-up during the winter.

How Important Is Lawn Thatching With a Thatch Rake?

Lawn thatching is very important if your lawn contains a lot of buildup. Lawn thatch refers to the layer of dead grass or moss that is growing in your lawn. You can do lawn thatching with a thatch rake or a thatching machine. This can also be done to improve the look good lawns or lawn that are spare. (Although these lawn will also need overseeding.) How often your need to be thatched depends a lot on the quality of grass you have and what other stuff might be growing in your lawn. There are several benefits to thatching a lawn.

Some of the most important are as follows:

§ Dethatching gets rid of harmful build up. This build up can block water, air and sunlight from reaching the plants or the roots. The barrier it creates block oxygen witch breaks down the thatch. This is why sometime thatch can become really bad on year, when the lawn reaches a tipping point and it produces thatch faster than it consumes it.

§ This activity also aides in reseeding. This is because it opens up the ground all the way to the dirt to allow overseeding. In addition, it creates loose furrows and loosens the dirt on top of the lawn to help the seed to grow in faster. In addition, it can trim existing plants allowing more soil space to receive new sunlight and allowing more grass seed to come in. The result is thicker turf.

§ Also another benefit is the lawn dethatching helps to remove the thatch layer where a lot insects live. Although most insect don’t eat the thatch, they do build their homes in it. The Thatch layer keeps them warm in the winter and protects them from predators during the rest of the year. A lot of times regular thatching will do a lot to prevent insect infestations.

§ Thatching your lawn can also help to get rid of weak grass pants. When you overseed, you can replace this with new, healthier plant, or at least ones that will grow in the shade.

§ Lawn thatching helps to scarify the soil and make it ideal for planting. Grass only need about 1/8 to ¼ inch of loss dirt to germinate. Thatching before you overseed dramatically increases germination rates.

Dethatching vs. Core Aeration

Of the two solutions, dethatching is certainly preferable to core aeration because core aeration requires a mechanical device. Unhappily, you may not have a choice. The severity of the situation determines which solution is implemented. Dethatching is for mild cases. You will know afterward that it worked if your grass starts looking better the following year.

If grass health does not pick up, that could mean that you have a more severe case. Core aeration may be necessary for your lawn. It is best performed in fall. If you have badly compacted soil, that is another reason to aerate your lawn.

You have three options when it comes to core aeration:

§ Hire a lawn service to do the job.

§ Rent a core aerator.

§ Buy an aerator.

The average homeowner should be able to either hire a lawn service or to rent a core aerator. When it comes to buying, not only is cost an issue but so is storage. Dethatching a lawn by means of a core aerator is probably not going to be a yearly task. Whenever it is not in use, this large piece of equipment will be taking up space in your garage or storage shed. An exception might be made if you own a tractor or a riding lawn mower because you can buy an attachment for these machines that will allow you to aerate your lawn.

If you are not physically up to the job, do not live near a rental center, or just plain do not like gadgets very much, it might make sense for you to choose to hire a lawn service to do this work. Otherwise, renting is a great option.

If you want your lawn to look healthy and green, it is essential that you fertilize your lawn. Fertilizing is one of the most important factors that affect the growth of your lawn. Proper fertilizing provides color and growth to your lawn grass and also helps it to grow thick.

Let us take a look at the main constituents of fertilizers. Standard fertilizer contains nitrogen, phosphate and potash. Fertilizing involve the administration of all these constituents but in different amounts. Most lawns would need nitrogen in the maximum amount as it helps in fast growth, gives the grasses darker color and also thickens the grasses. However, you cannot neglect the administration of phosphate and potash.

A deficient in phosphate and potash coupled with high dose of nitrogen will result in too much top growth. This can cause insufficient root growth and reduce nutrient storage capacity. A balanced fertilizing program would include all the three constituents in proper amount and micro-nutrients that you lawn need. Micro-nutrients are minerals like iron, manganese, boron, zinc, etc. They are not required in large quantity but they are necessary for healthy grass growth. Your lawn soil should already have some of the micro-nutrients but the quantity may not be enough for healthy grass growth. You would have to provide those micro-nutrients that the soil is deficient in.

In order to know how much nitrogen, phosphate, potash and micronutrients to administer to your lawn, you need to get a soil test done. You can buy a soil test kit from your favorite nursery or send a soil sample to a laboratory for analysis. The latter is of course more accurate and provides more information about your lawn soil. The downside is that the cost is considerably higher than using a DIY soil test kit.

When you have received the report of the soil test from the lab, you will know the correct amount of nitrogen, phosphate, potash and micronutrients that your lawn need. The report will likely include suggestion about fertilizing schedule too. Do not apply the fertilizers in excess of the suggested amount. Doing so will likely cause very good top growth but poor development of the root system. In addition, the excess fertilizers might also cause ecological problems. Excess fertilizers may contaminate nearby lakes or streams due to runoff problem and that might ultimately harm the entire ecosystem.

In general, the best time to fertilize your lawn is about thirty days before the growing season. Then you should go on fertilizing after every sixty days or so throughout the growing season. That would help your lawn grass to grow thick and healthy. Once you have a strong and green lawn, you will discover another side benefit. The amount of weeds present in your lawn will wither. Simply put, the stronger your lawn grass is, the stronger is its resistance against weeds. Thus, proper fertilizing is an effective good way to control weed growth.

Fertilizing require a little planning and some effort to implement it. However, the result is definitely worth the effort. Start giving the nutrients that your lawn need today. The best lawn fertilizer for a given lawn depends on several factors. You need to know about soil condition, types of grasses, and your maintenance goals to pick the best lawn fertilizer for your needs.

Let’s find out more about these factors for making your fertilizer selection.

1. Learn about your soil condition

Your soil in your yard may be deficient in several key nutrients for a healthy yard. You can get soil testers at garden supply stores. One of the basic measurements is acid or alkaline levels. These affect your soil pH level. Nutrients that can make a big impact on the health of your lawn include nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, iron, zinc and sulfur.

2. Learn what your grass needs

For a healthy lawn, both cool season and warm season grasses need a balanced portion of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. These three nutrients work together to keep the grass at its peak growth. Specific grasses may need more of particular nutrients, check with your garden supply store or a lawn and garden guide for the needs of your specific grass type.

3. Look for a fertilizer that offers a combination of nutrients

When you go to the garden supply store, you will see a wide variety of fertilizers that are specially formulated for different plants and grasses. On each bag is a nutrient analysis that can help you in your selection. You will often also see a set of three numbers on the bag, like 21-7-4. These numbers correspond to the amount of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in the mixture. Nitrogen is the nutrient which provides the biggest impact to your lawn, it supports both greening and growth factors. Phosphorous helps with the root system development. Potassium helps your lawn resist disease.

4. Decide what type of fertilizer you want

Most fertilizers on the market today are synthetic fertilizers. These are created by a chemical process, and are often easier to apply that to the types of fertilizers. Organic fertilizers get their nutrients from sources that were once alive, such as manures or fish emulsion. These sources help to build up the soil, but can be slow acting in cool weather. Timed release fertilizers have coatings on the granules which dictate how quickly they can release their nutrients. The advantage of this type is you get a long lasting feed to your lawn. The disadvantage is that you could be getting some nutrients delivered at times that don’t support the growth cycle of your grass.

Combination fertilizers add bug killer or weed killer to the mix, allowing you to address multiple lawn issues. This can be a big convenience to you if you are addressing multiple issues in your lawn maintenance. Lawn fertilizing is not rocket science but does need a little background knowledge to be done properly. There are a few tips that can aid the homeowner in completing this task with little to no effort. These tips may help in achieving the perfect lawn that you have always wanted.

A little background information on the lawn goes a long way in making sure that the lawn gets what it needs, when it needs it. A simple soil test along with a pH test can help the homeowner to determine what the yard is lacking. This can help the homeowner get the right fertilizer for the yard and apply it properly.

The best results will be achieved by adding only what the lawn actually needs instead of adding unnecessary chemicals. On the average, a low nitrogen fertilizer is preferred when feeding any lawn. Use a slow release formula to avoid the fertilizer burning patches in the lawn and getting an even feed across the whole yard.

Apply the fertilizer at least two times a year, the spring and the fall. The states with a shorter growing season can get by with this and gain some great results. Those with a longer growing season, will need two applications in the spring and two in the fall. Be sure that if a spill should occur that it is cleaned up immediately using a dry method such as a broom or vacuum. If stray fertilizer is washed into a stream or drain, it can affect the water supply. This can spell disaster for the entire community.

Use a spreader to ensure even application of the fertilizer. Spreaders come in different versions, including hand-held and pushable, and they can be purchased online or at a garden center. The last point to note is to avoid applying fertilizer within 24 hours of anticipated rain and avoid heavy watering for 24 hours after application. The lawn fertilizing steps above provide the path to a beautiful lawn without wasted time and effort. You can enjoy walking on the soft surface of your lawn as well its power to keep the air clean if you fertilize your lawn on time and that too with the correct formulas. You should fertilize your lawn annually as the lawn is a growing investment. Fertilization will always keep it in good health.

For lawn fertilization, you will require:

· dust masks

· lawn sprinklers

· lawn fertilizers

· gardening gloves

· garden hoses

· broadcast spreader

Fertilization should be timed so as to meet the needs of the lawn. Allow the lawn to become green if you know how to have a green lawn. Mow it a couple of times. Then apply the food formula on the lawn in spring. Go for organic grass fertilizers that are suitable for your kind of grass. Any organic lawn service centre will provide you with such kinds of lawn products as per the types of grass. Such lawn services also offer products for weed control for getting rid of crabgrass or any other weed. They provide the best products for grass care.

When buying a lawn fertilizer, make sure and read the label to see if it lists the grass that you’re growing. Also make sure of the frequency of use. Use “starter” or “new lawn” formulas for the seeds, sods and sprigged lawns that are less than 2 years of age as they will deliver thickening effect in the initial seasons.

For older lawns, use granular, slow release complete fertilizers as they are known to supply nutrients consistently during the fastest growth periods of the lawn.

Do not go for fertilizers that only have a single ingredient like potassium or nitrogen unless you have tested the soil and the ingredients are needed. Buy or borrow a fertilizer spreader. Make sure that you know how it is calibrated for the preferred granular food of the lawn. Walk a little away from the spreader. Do not run. Cover each and every part of the lawn just once. Water soluble food for the lawn will not last for a long time in the soil.

Follow the directions on the label regarding re-application. Spray it cautiously. Do not overfeed. During the course of the growing season, fertilize once at least. During early fall, apply winter formulas in case it has been recommended for the lawn. You do not have worry in case you forget as experts say that once in a year, as and when you remember, is enough for an established lawn.

You have to keep the following points in mind while fertilizing a lawn.

· Do not fertilize an extremely dry lawn as it will burn out the stressed lawn.

· Do not use agricultural products on true lawn grasses. Apply products of weed control

· Do not use them in combination.

· Wear gloves whenever you handle pesticides and fertilizers.

· Wear a dust mask so that you do not inhale the dust.

Advantages of Using Organic Lawn Fertilizers

For gardeners who have been using synthetic lawn fertilizers since they first began to care for their lawn, the concept of taking care of their lawn in a different way may seem foreign. But as more and more homeowners learn more about the types of chemicals used in their everyday lawn products, many are choosing to take a different path. They’re choosing to go organic.

There are many reasons why you might think about using organic lawn fertilizers. Number one is that they are often cheaper than the synthetic store bought fertilizers. In fact, if you have the yard space, you can easily make your own. Once you make the initial investment of composting tools, you rarely have to purchase anything else for your fertilizer needs.

Secondly, to grow, your lawn needs good food. Many people believe that since synthetic fertilizers have been tested in a lab that they are necessarily the best. But, in reality, some of the best food sources for your lawn come from organic foods such as manure, blood meal, and other completely natural sources. These foods are loaded with nitrogen that can be easily digested by your grass. Organic fertilizers release nitrogen at a slow, steady pace and over a longer period of time. On the other hand, many of the water soluble synthetic fertilizers, although they will reach the plant roots immediately, tend to dissipate quicker into the lower soil layers, meaning that you will have to feed them more often.

Third, many people are genuine concerned about their effects on the land. They believe that they are responsible for leaving the land to their offspring as well or better than they found it. They believe that the use of chemicals has a negative effect on the land itself, possibly poisoning it for both current and future generations. They take their stewardship of the land seriously and feel that using synthetic chemicals violates their responsibility to the land.

And lastly, there’s the whole safety issue. Many people believe, with some justification, that the synthetic foods that we so blithely put on our lawns are poisons. The reasoning goes, if they aren’t poisons, then how can they kill all of the “bad” insects that they are so efficient at eliminating. And, if they are poisons, how can they possibly not affect us as well? For these people – using synthetic fertilizers is a risk that they’re not willing to take with the health of their children or their pets.

For most people, the biggest drawback to using organic fertilizers is usually the smell. However, even that’s not a problem if you use one of the many dehydrated organic fertilizers that are on the market today. It’s true that no matter how many benefits one may give for using organic fertilizers, some people have very strong opinions and will never change their ways. If, however, you are on the fence, do something different this summer and try organics. You may decide that it’s not as bad as you thought.

Different Types of Lawn Fertilizers

Your lawn is made up of thousands and thousands of tiny little plants that group together closely to shape patches of grass. Plants need fertilizer to grow healthy and balanced. We know we must fertilize our garden and house plants, but often, the lawn is not considered.

A green lawn requires food to grow and thrive. Fertilizer is any substance providing one of these vital plant nutrients. Most basic turf grass fertilizers consist of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, yet they may at the same time contain other essential mineral elements for turf grass growth. Fertilizers do far more than help make your lawn green, they also help the grass grow at the same time, but there’s a little more that’s involved. Fertilizer should help grass seed emerge a lot quicker and rise out of the earth. As soon as the plants have established themselves, fertilizer will make the grass plumper and much healthier.

The most common questions asked by home-owners regarding fertilizers is how much they should apply, and when. Generally speaking, most lawns will want four applications of fertilizer per year. Disperse fertilizing out sixty days apart beginning in spring approximately one month before the growing season will begin in your region. Continue fertilization through the growing season until mid-fall. Spring fertilizing gets the grass off to a fast start giving you that rich green color everyone wants. As in watering, it is best to steer clear of using excessive fertilizer. General pointers should be included on the bag. Too much fertilizer will result in excess growth, lead to fungus growth and damage, and weaken the grass.

When you own a beautiful yard some kind of lawn mowing equipment is necessary. Since it is such a necessity you should also be well informed on some of the necessary maintenance skills. A solid ability to maintain it is a must. When you are maintaining any type of lawn equipment, you will understand the benefit of knowing some of the do-it-yourself lawn mower repair tricks. This can not only save you money, but also save you some major frustration of not knowing what to do when the engine goes crazy. Yes, these skills will most likely not be acquired overnight. It may take years of experience to learn all the tricks to keep the mower running properly.

But guess what! You are lucky enough for finding this page right now as this is where you will find some important tips on do-it-yourself lawn mower repair!

A mower that won’t start at all is most likely needing a new spark plug. What can you do to solve this? It is relatively simple, just replace the plug with a new one. You should be able to purchase one at a nearby electrical store. Just check the model number to make sure you purchase the correct one. The store should have a qualified employee that can offer their assistance.

When a mower continue to cough and sputter the problem is usually one of two things. It is either a problem with the air filter or the fuel. If the problem lies with the air filter, it is a simple solution. Just replace it with a new one. It the fuel is the problem make sure that there is enough fuel in the tank to make it run properly.

The best do-it-yourself lawn mower repair when you are faced with a mower that keeps dying after starting it is to check to see if it has fuel in it. If it does have enough, the problem could be that the engine has become flooded. Turn the fuel off, and then restart the engine. Do this several times and make sure to start it on the correct setting. Also remember this tidbit: do not use old gas! Discard any old gas and replace with fresh fuel.

It does not matter what type of problem you are having with your lawn mowing equipment, always remember to remove the spark plug before trying to fix anything. Keep these tips in mind as they may be able to save you some time and money. It is certainly essential to inform yourself with these do-it-yourself lawn mower repair tips!

As a home owner you’ll find that a lawn mower will be one of those assets that you’ll need to look into, unless you have the money to have someone else worry about taking care of your lawn. When it comes to purchasing a lawn mower, there are many options that you can choose from. This includes everything from the classic push mower to a zero turn riding mower and even some robotic mowers. Picking out the right one may be daunting, and hoping that it lasts more than one season before having to replace it can be highly stressful.

These tips will help you maintain your lawn tractor so that you can maintain your yard for years to come. With older lawn mowers, it can be fairly easy to fix and maintain it to make it last, but with the newer lawn mowers it can be very stressful as technology has moved forward by leaps and bounds. Thankfully, every lawn mower you purchase new comes with an owner’s manual that has all the information you might need to help you keep your mower running in top condition for as long as you own it.

In the owner’s manual you’ll find a section of maintenance that you should read over carefully. This section will tell you all the things you need to know about such things as replacing sparkplugs, changing oil, tire pressure, and a host of other things that are vital to keeping your mower running. It will also have a section about winter maintenance for storing your mower during those months when you won’t be using it. Following these instructions will have you mowing your yard for years to come and with very little effort on your part. When it comes to repairing broken parts, you’ll first have to locate the part that has broken. Blades, belts, and chains are the most common parts that wear out on lawn tractors. You must make sure that you purchase the right size for the model of lawn mower you own. If the belt, for instance, is too long or too short you mower won’t be able to operate correctly.

When ordering your parts you’ll need the mowers model number and possible the serial number as well. These can be found on the mower, usually under the seat or on the engine block. These numbers will help you in making sure the parts fit correctly.

Good Reasons To Hire a Lawn Care Pro to Mow Your Yard

Lawn mowing is not easy. The blistering sun, biting insects, clouds of dirt and dust and lawn mower fumes can make you want to run inside and hide. Yes, mowing and trimming a yard is a big pain for a variety of reasons, all of them legitimate; but there really is a better way. You can make the pain go completely away by hiring a lawn care pro, and all for a surprisingly reasonable price. If you have never considered hiring a professional company to mow your grass, you might want to reconsider. Here are good reasons to think about it:

· It’s not as expensive as you might think. Mowing companies and landscapers in general are very competitive on price. A reputable company will offer a fair bid and work hard to keep your lawn care costs low. Shop around and look for a company that will beat competitor’s prices with the same high level of service.

· Consistent and reliable day of service. Barring inclement weather, your service pros will generally arrive on a specific day to mow the grass. For example, lawn mowing in southwest Florida is usually once a week in summer months and every two weeks in cooler months.

· Your yard always looks neat and trim. With regularly scheduled mowing, you never wonder how your lawn looks to others. You know it looks good.

· Expertise to save you money. A professional lawn care company provides experienced knowledge of plants and vegetation including drought conditions, over-watering, weeds, insect infestations and more. They can deliver landscaping products such as sod, trees, palms, flowers, shrubs, mulch, herbicides and fertilizer, and pass the savings on to you.

· Professional lawn mowing is so quick! A team of professionals can service yards swiftly and efficiently. They make quick work of overgrown grass and foliage. Mowing, trimming and leaf blowing are neat and tidy before you know it.

· No lawn mower start-up or repair. The best mowing companies have all the right equipment to do the job right. You can put your mower away and never have to touch it again.

· The best reason of all: You deserve it. When you consider the modest cost, as well as the quality of service you can expect, hiring a lawn service makes good sense. No sweat, no strain, no pain. Leave the heavy work to the professionals, and you go relax inside with a cold drink.

How To Deal With Common Lawn Mowing Problems

In order to make lawns appealing, it is imperative to accomplish lawn tasks regularly. However, some homeowners do not have enough time to do such tasks due to their work and obligations. In addition, some homeowners do not have sufficient knowledge in dealing with lawn problems. Because of this, some homeowners make mistakes in maintaining lawns such as lawn mowing. As a result, turf can be unsightly or perhaps cause infection and worse; Death. Fortunately, there are now ways on how to deal with lawn issues. For instance, when planning to get rid of mowing issues, you need to know its cause and how to fix it. Below are some of the following.

Streaking

Streaking is caused when thin strips of uncut grass are left behind the mower. This issue is commonly experienced due to operator error or poor blade maintenance. To avoid this issue, it is imperative that homeowners sharpen or replace their blades. Apart from that, homeowners also need to make sure to use the mower in full throttle and reduce speed if ground speed is too fast. Plus, you also need to clean your mower regularly.

Stepped Cutting

The next mowing issue homeowners may experience is stepped cutting. This issue can be identified due to sharp ridges left in the lawn surface. And, this issue is caused by mower deck damage, mower blade, or maladjustments. To prevent this, homeowners are advised to level the deck correctly. In case there are any issues with the deck, it is best to repair or replace the deck immediately.

Uneven Cutting

Uneven cutting is also another common mowing problem. This issue can be notice due to wavy or smooth troughs in the lawn surface. Fortunately, this can be prevented by repairing or replacing the spindle or perhaps reinstalling the blades correctly.

Scalping

Scalping usually occurs when the mower deck comes close to or hits the ground. Another cause of scalping is due to unevenness of the lawn. Homeowners can get rid of this issue by levelling the lawn as well as raising cutting height.

Stingers

Finally, some homeowners may also notice stingers. Stingers are patches of uncut grass left behind the mower. This is cause by dull blades and even operator error. To avoid this, blades must be sharpened or replaced. Other than that, mowers must be cleaned properly. Knowing all these will help homeowners mow their lawns properly without experiencing any issues that can affect the looks of their properties.

How to Choose the Best Lawn Mower for Your Lawn

For most of the country, lawn-mowing season is upon us, leaving many homeowners with the age-old question, “which type of lawn mower is best for my yard?” This question comes about because there are so many different types of yards and so many different types of mowers.

Manual Reel Lawn Mowers

Manual reel mowers are great for very small lawns that are flat and relatively smooth. If you have a small, flat lawn this could be the best type of mower for you. Reel mowers are lightweight because they do not have an engine, there are few moving parts so they last a long time without the need for many repairs, and they are quiet. Along with that, reel mowers do a good job of cutting grass, although they have a tendency to miss tall weeds. The main drawback for a reel mower is that you must walk at a quick pace in order to realize the best cutting performance.

Battery Powered Electric Lawn Mowers

Again, this is a good choice for those with small flat lawns, although they can be used for a larger lawn than a reel mower. The benefit of this type of lawn mower is that they are quiet, they are durable, and they do a good job cutting the grass no matter how fast you walk. There are several key drawbacks if you choose a battery powered lawn mower. First, as the battery loses its charge the cutting ability of the mower will deteriorate causing multiple recharges if your lawn is too large to do on one charge. Next, rechargeable batteries only last for a certain amount of time, replacing them can be expensive, nearly as much as purchasing a new mower. Lastly, they do not work well if your grass is thick or your yard is rough.

Electric Lawn Mowers

Electric mowers are the big brother of battery-operated mowers. These types of mowers can be used on any lawn up to about three-quarters of an acre if you have enough extension cord. Modern electric mowers are very powerful and very efficient and they are quiet. They do not require much service or repair so they make a great choice for small, flat yards, although they can do large lawns. The drawback of this type of mower is the fact that they have to be connected to electricity via extension cords, which you must drag with you as you mow.

Gasoline Powered Walk- Behind Lawn Mowers

This category of mowers has the most different types of mowers in the class, making the choice of a mower more difficult. All of these mowers share the fact that they are powered by a gasoline engine which will require more maintenance than the mowers we have discussed to this point. They are also heavier and louder than the above-mentioned mowers. Gasoline powered mowers can be used on lawns up to 1 acre in size, with any type of grass, and no matter how rough your lawn. The only thing that stops this type of mower from doing any size lawn is how much walking you are willing to do. For lawns that are one acre or larger you should look into a self-propelled mower. You will also need to choose between a two-cycle or four-cycle engine. Four-cycle engines run on regular gasoline, two-cycle engines require that you mix special oil with the gasoline. Four-cycle engines are easier to use, but two-cycle motors are typically quieter and more durable.

Riding Lawn Mowers

There are nearly as many types of riding mowers as there are walk-behind mowers. They come in classifications of lawn mowers (the smallest type), garden tractors (very large with many options), and zero turn lawn mowers. If your lawn is more than an acre in size, you should consider purchasing a riding mower. This type of mower will save you a great deal of time and effort when mowing large lawns. If you have many trees, or other obstacles in your yard to maneuver around you should consider a zero-turn type of riding mower. Only people with very large lawns and that do a lot of gardening and other heavy outdoor yard work would need to consider purchasing a garden tractor sized riding mower.

If you are blighted with an overgrown lawn and garden and wish to have it transformed into a pleasing and beautiful space, you might want to look at the outside lawn care services. There is a range of advantages for using a professional landscape gardener who are mindful of how to care for the lawn to get the very best from it. Here are some of the benefits of hiring a professional lawn care service:

Implementing the right schedule of lawn care

If you are hiring a landscape company to take care of your yard area you want to put in place a regular schedule of when the grass is cut. A lawn is going to look a far-sight more attractive when it is cut at regular intervals, which is often weekly or bi-weekly throughout the summer months. This can easily be arranged with your chosen lawn maintenance contractor.

Feeding the lawn for best growth

Beyond just mowing the lawn in line with the required schedule, a professional landscape gardener will also be mindful of when to fertilize the lawn to help promote the growth of the grass.

Have access to the right tools and equipment

If you have attempted to care for the backyard in the past, you will recognize a range of different tools are required to effectively maintain the lawn and plant life. By hiring the services of a professional lawn care company you effectively eliminate the need to invest in lawn maintenance tools, which are often expensive if you need a varied choice. In order to offer a high-quality service, the landscape contractor will not only be equipped with a reliable lawn mower, but also certain other power tools such as the edging and trimming tools.

Diagnosing and treating pests and disease

A further quality service that is provided by the professional lawn care service is that of the diagnosing and treating any garden pests or plant diseases, which might be impacting the overall growth and quality of your garden. Since it is always wise to be cautious when using insecticide or fungicides, you might well want to leave this type of job to the professionals who are highly efficient at eliminating any pests detected in the garden. All in all, if you are able to leave the entire process of taking care of the lawn and plant life, you are able to free up a lot of your own time that can be spent more wisely relaxing in the back yard area, which is now in a pristine condition.

What Lawn Care Services You Can Acquire From Professionals

Experts in lawn care perfectly understands that it doesn’t only incorporate mowing the grass and maintaining the ideal height of the grass’ blade. Lawns involve more care and maintenance than you probably know about, so if you are looking for a proper service, it would most probably need more than calling your neighbor’s teenage son to help you for extra bucks.

In taking care and maintaining a perfect lush, green yard, technical knowledge is a necessity in providing true lawn care. More experienced homeowners understands that there is a science to weed control that is more than what most people know. So they do not hesitate in counting on professional service providers to execute this for them.

Additionally, weeds are only one of the various issues that needs to be addressed in the maintenance of your lawn. Other tasks that are professionally handled by these experts also include issues with pesky bugs, worms, fungus, dry spots and many more. Luckily, experts offer a diverse range of services that are essential in making your lawn attractive, safe, healthy and comfortable.

What kind of services can be offered by a lawn care company are as follows:

· Mowing – the key to proper lawn mowing isn’t just about eliminating unequal height of the grass by simply cutting them. Details such as keeping the mower blades sharp, cutting at the proper height according to the grass type, and the use of different mowing patterns are extremely crucial. Moreover, to achieve a beautiful, manicured look, string trimming and 90-degree edging should be done properly.

· Fertilization and weed control – lawn care experts are easily capable of determining which treatment best suits the type of lawn you have as well as your lawn’s condition. This is one of the advantages of acquiring their services. Addressing grassy weed and broadleaf weed as well as fertilization can be a year-long process, and most importantly, the timing is crucial. Applying preventive and curative fungicide is also a task that requires technical knowledge in case of fungus concerns. With the help of experts, the right chemicals as well as tools can easily be addressed.

· Insect control – pest control treatment requires different approach depending on the type of insects involved. Whether you want to stop bugs from getting inside your house or to control the population of fleas, ticks, and chiggers outside, the right treatment approach can be easily solved by professionals.

Lawn care isn’t a simple matter. It is a complicated work that needs pretty much year-round maintenance so it is highly recommended to have excellent service provider to depend on. Professional lawn care services can help you to have that great looking lawn without all of the work that comes along with it. There are many companies, both national and locally that can provide you with the services you need to maintain your lawn. These services including lawn care services to keep the lawn healthy as well as services that are used just a few times per year. Other services provide mowing and trimming help as well. Before you sign with any of these services, be sure you know what the company can offer to you.

What You Need, What They Offer

Some companies offer just about all services for your yard while others are specialized. If you want a lawn that is lush, free from weeds and problems, then choosing a company that only offers a cutting service won’t work well. One way to get a good quality company is to find referrals from customers that have worked with the company. If you find that the company is not performing as you would like, notify them and be sure that appropriate action is taken.

The Difference Between Landscaping And Lawn Care

There are some landscaping companies that you can work with that offer lawn care services. Some offer experience and others offer resources that can help you. It is important to know who the landscaper’s employees are so that you can determine if they have the necessary skills to do the work. To work with a company like this, be sure that they can provide you with the necessary services you need including knowing how t fertilize and seed the lawn as necessary. You also may need their help with maintaining pest control. Some landscaping companies do not provide this to the level you will need.

When you have selected a company that is to provide you with full lawn care, then you should see them doing additional things besides simply cutting and trimming the yard. They should be removing weeds and filling in locations where there is a problem. If you only see grass cutting, that service is likely all you are getting. Working with a quality lawn care service can help you to meet your needs. Specify what your needs are before you actually invest in the company. More so, be sure that you know what they are providing and how well this fills your specific need.

Benefits of Using Lawn Care Services in Utah

Having a beautiful lawn does take work, though. Rather than spending most of your time working on your lawn, hire a lawn care service in Utah to do the work for you. Then, you can spend more time enjoying the lawn and relaxing, and less time working.

Why Hire a Lawn Care Service?

The climate in Utah is conducive to plant growth year-round. If you have a yard to care for, this means that you essentially never have a day off! Not only do the plants you want grow year round (grass, trees, shrubs, flowers), so do the plants you don’t-weeds! Additionally, fungal diseases and insects have a grand old time, where conditions are ripe for growth of one kind or another all year. What looks like a lovely oasis outside of the window, is really an entire ecosystem needing care. With a lawn care service, the service, not you, has to worry about all of that!

Benefits to hiring a lawn care service in Utah are:

o A professional lawn care service in Utah will know exactly the right time to fertilize your lawn for optimum growth. This will save you time and money because you will not apply fertilizer at the wrong time for plant growth.

o A professional lawn care service has all of the tools and equipment needed to do the job efficiently, thoroughly and quickly. Each service will not only include mowing and trimming, but edging, weed control and a general checkup of the lawn. You could spend four hours doing what it takes a lawn care service thirty or forty five minutes, and they will do more than you could. (Do you trench edge your beds every time you mow? I didn’t think so!)

o A lawn care service in Utah will be specially trained to diagnose and treat pest and disease problems before they get out of hand. The key is proper diagnosis and proper treatment. A homeowner can go to the hardware store and buy a kill everything type of fungicide/insecticide, but that can literally kill everything-including plants and beneficial insects. A trained, certified lawn care service will help you fix the problem and avoid mass destruction in the yard.

o Lawn care services will have a schedule that optimizes their ability to properly care for your yard. Grass looks its best when it is cut regularly, and at the right height with sharp mower blades. Lawn services keep their own interests, and the interests of their clients in mind by properly maintaining their equipment at peak performance levels-something the average homeowner does not have time to do.

The main benefit of hiring a lawn care service in Utah is the ability to enjoy your lawn, rather than spend all of your free time working in it. You will, in the end, save time and money by hiring a trained professional to care for your lawn. If you don’t do your own taxes, or cut your own hair, or re-wire your house, outsource your lawn care. Your back, your neighbors and your wallet will thank you!

DYI or Professional Lawn Care

You don’t have time for complicated garden arrangements or have enough space to have both flower stops and a lawn? In any case you should either spend time to take care of it or hire a professional lawn care company to do it for you. Many would think that taking care of a lawn is simple. Indeed, it is not rocket science, but still there are many things to know in order to have a healthy and nice lawn. Using a professional lawn care service will save you the time required to learn the lawn care secrets as well as the risk involved in practicing over your own garden.

How A Professional Lawn Care Company Can Help?

Usually they will make an analysis of the current condition of your lawn. It normally includes the grass types, turf density, thatch, lawn diseases, weeds type and presence, watering patterns, and so on. Each one of these is very important and must be taken into account for growing a healthy garden.

The next batch of services depends of the analyses made. Most of the professional lawn care companies offer weed and moss control, scarification, pest control, fungus and disease control, fertilization. If you are new to the subject it is likely that you don’t know what exactly each one of this means. Here is a brief explanation.

Weed control includes monitoring of the weed growth and the application of various treatments to reduce it. Scarification is a mechanical process that removes dead moss and combing the thatch. It’s important for the proper growth of the grass as well as for the good watering. Do not worry if some lawn areas will have to be re-seeded after the scarification. The pest control includes application of pest products and a recommendation which are the best ones after consideration of the most common pests for your garden. In fact you may not need professional lawn company to take care for your lawn all-round the year. You can be briefed how to handle the regular activities such as watering and mowing. It is easy to learn the basics of watering and mowing. The lawn company can handle the pest control and fertilization. This way you will not only spend some money but will benefit from a relaxing hobby.

Lawns look best when they flaunt a landscaped look and this is only possible with an investment in the best lawn services in town. People these days do not have adequate time to maintain the open spaces around the home. This requirement is taken care of by professional services designed for lawn care. The companies provide specialized services in lawn maintenance. It is very difficult to determine which of the companies provide the best services just by looking at the websites and hence conducting a thorough research becomes a mandatory process for homeowners. If you want to get the best for the money you are going to shell out for these services then you need to indulge in proper study of lawn maintenance services.

The best way of gaining proper information on services for lawn care is to go through reviews on different websites on the internet. Dedicated resources offer a range of reviews on experiences with these services which you can make the best use of. If any particular service is strongly recommended then you could consider it too. In the process of selecting a professional service for lawn care you need to scrutinize the reviews online. Checking out with your relatives and friends is a great idea. If they recommend a particular service, you can avail those services and check out better deals.

Once you get to know which lawn maintenance service suits your needs, the next thing to do is to contact the company. Find out more about the kind of services they provide, the amount they charge per service or total maintenance, the number of times they revisit etc. Fixing the lawn in due time is very important so make sure they are ready to provide services as per your need too. Preparing a checklist in advance is a good idea to remain well prepared and shoot questions you simply have to have answers to. In case you are not satisfied with their services after a period of time, enquire about the outcome of the decision on the agreement.

Professional lawn services are offered by experts in their field of gardening. They know exactly when the lawn has to be treated with fertilizer, to give you the desired results. All equipment and tools need to be readily available with them enabling them to conduct the job in an efficient manner. It is because of their skills that they are able to do their job quickly as well as efficiently. So, don’t forget to check on all these points. Besides conducting a thorough check of the lawn, ensure that the company also addresses trimming, mowing, edging and pruning services. Instead of you wasting hours over the lawn, it is best to hire these services at really affordable rates.

Choosing the Best Lawn Service Provider

For property owners, lawn care is sometimes the biggest challenge. Finding the right balance of services offered, customer satisfaction and price can be very difficult. Finding the right lawn service, especially for commercial properties, is often of the utmost importance. It is also important to some residential property owners. When looking for lawn care and landscape maintenance, the first thing that should be considered is the services that are required. Are there a great number of trees, shrubs or flowers that must be mowed around and taken care of? Is there lawn around a pool or water feature? Will there be a need for pruning or weeding? All these things are important questions to ask the providers in the area. How often will someone come out to perform normal landscape maintenance is also something that is important to know. Perhaps most important, though, is whether or not the company works with residential, or exclusively commercial properties. These questions should be asked, and the answers recorded, in order to compare the different services available.

Perhaps the most telling way to find a good lawn service is by finding customers. If a company has a website, look and see if they have testimonials, or ask around to see if anyone with similar needs uses them. Find the companies that have the best customer satisfaction rates, as they are usually willing to work with any kind of special needs that may appear. Also, high customer ratings are normally indications that the company is a good one with which to do business.

Finally, and the thing that most concerns people, price should be a factor. When asking questions, make sure to compare prices as well as services offered. Do not, however, dismiss a company merely because its prices are higher. They may offer services above and beyond what another company offers, and may be well worth the extra cost. If, however, a strict budget must be adhered to, then cost must be a deciding factor.

Whatever the reason for looking into it, lawn care is a big deal for a lot of people. Working families sometimes simply do not have the time to pay enough attention to their lawns, but still want them to be beautiful and well cared for. Remember the three things to consider: services offered, customer satisfaction and price. With these in mind, it is relatively easy to find the best lawn service for any needs.

Ask around

One of the best ways to get in touch with the best lawn service companies is simply to ask. Ask your friends, relatives, colleagues and acquaintances for recommendations on a lawn care company that offers great service for reasonable prices. Ask especially those who have lawns themselves and have experienced hiring a contractor to maintain their own lawns. Chances are, they’re your best resource for reliable reviews and firsthand accounts of lawn care companies and will best be able to point you in the right direction – towards doing business with a reputable lawn care company. After you’ve got a list of recommended companies, double check these providers against your local Better Business Bureau’s own reviews of those companies. BBB is a good resource for checking up on a particular company’s reputation and it will tell you which companies are getting praises and which ones are getting complaints.

Aside from this, your local BBB will be able to furnish you with information about a particular company’s professional membership in a lawn care association as well as services it is licensed to provide, like application of lawn chemicals other than fertilizers. Application of lawn chemicals in particular is strictly monitored by some states’ Department of Agriculture and requires a license to provide.

Do your homework

First, decide on the kind of services you need from a lawn care provider and from there, you can start collecting estimates from several different companies about the fees they charge for these services. Make sure to create a list of the services you need before calling up a lawn care company.

Here are a few things to think about in terms of the kind of services you might need or want:

· What is the size of your lawn?

· Do you need landscaping services or do you just need lawn cutting?

· Do you need seasonal maintenance?

· Do you need programming for an irrigation system?

· Do you need application of fertilizer or pesticides?

Some additional services that you might want to look at aside from lawn cutting and fertilizing are: pest control, dethatching, reseeding and core aeration. Next, ask if the company you are interested in can do an onsite evaluation of your lawn so that you get an idea of the kind of services your lawn needs and if it meets with the kind of services they will be able to provide. This also helps you get to know the people behind the company, if they’re reasonable and easy to deal with.

Pricing

Once you’ve gone over the lawn care company services, it’s time to ask around for the cost. Ask how much the company charges for its services and get a written estimate of the overall cost of maintaining your lawn. This should narrow down your choices, as price is definitely one of the most important factors you look at when choosing a lawn care service provider. All in all, go for the lawn care company that gives you the services you need at reasonable prices, and make sure that the provider is a trusted name in its field. Meeting all these requirements will ensure that you will get the kind of well-tended lawn that you deserve.

Tips to Choosing the Right Lawn Service

It doesn’t have to be difficult to choose the right lawn care service. For a lot of people, this type of decision can drive them crazy. Normally it is because they worry that if they choose the wrong lawn service, not only will their lawn look bad, but they will miss out on another opportunity. The truth is that you are free to change lawn services whenever you want, for whatever reason you want. Don’t worry about making a bad decision, because it is easy to remedy. Maybe you are looking into lawn services for the first time or maybe you just need to make a change. Either way, here are tips that you can use to weed out the services that won’t pay off in the long run.

1. Define Your Needs

One of the biggest problems that a lot of people have is that they hire a service that doesn’t fit what they want. If you just want a service to manicure and maintain your lawn, then you probably don’t need pest control or tree/shrub trimming or flower tending, etc. The key is to define your needs and choose a service that excels in those particular areas. Have a great tree trimmer doesn’t help if you don’t have any trees.

2. Use Local Research Resources

There are a variety of local research resources at your disposal and you should use them. The easiest place to start is the Better Business Bureau as well as you local Chamber of Commerce. Both of these institutions should have a good idea about whether or not people have been satisfied with a particular services work. Additional local resources are friends, family, and neighbors. Anyone who has used the lawn service in question is a potential research resource.

3. Go Online

Utilizing the internet is another great way to find out how well a lawn service is regarded. Along with official websites like the BBB Online, you can also go to more casual review sites. They will be able to give you a good idea about what to expect. If it is a franchise or chain, then you can also see how well they are respected in other areas. At minimum it will let you know if any kind of standardization exists or if you just “get what you get”.

4. Get Prices Upfront

It is imperative that you get price quotes up front. Not only does this give you a baseline for comparison with other potential candidates, but it also gives you the best chance to get some sort of discount. For example, you may get a better deal with a particular package or you may get a discount for paying an annual fee upfront rather than spit out over the course of the spring and summer.

5. Find out the Worse Case Scenario

Many lawn care services will offer some sort of guarantee. This is important to pay special attention to because it will help you define the worst case scenario. You will know where you stand if everything else goes wrong. At minimum this will let you know what type of recourse you have if there is any kind of disagreement.

Professional Lawn Services and Do-It-Yourself – Selecting A Suitable Lawn Care Approach

Lawns can remain beautiful and attractive if their owners maintain them correctly throughout the year. Either they can hire the do-it-yourself or the professional lawn services techniques. The latter is a technique involving hiring of experts with ample knowledge of agriculture. In simpler words, they have the best knowledge of weed elimination, best fertilizers, irrigation, sowing seeds and so on. The second technique is all about you doing every gardening and landscaping task. For instance, you would plough, prepare nurseries, scatter seeds, nurture and water plants, apply fertilizers, and so on. Without enough time, knowledge and experience, you may be sorry for trying the DIY method. There is no doubt that you can save money, but if your work does not go as planned, you might spend even more money correcting the problem.

Hiring has its pros and cons too, and that is why you must take time to think and decide. You will surely have a dilemma in choosing professional lawn services or personal approach just as many other people. You may want to try personal approach when you need to save money. Even so, you must set aside time for research and learning about caring for a lawn and its vegetation. Additionally, you must allocate enough time for each project to end successfully.

If you apply your research and study, it would be easy for you to avoid failure. Applying trial and error tactics would no longer be very necessary. If already you are a trained agriculturalist, then you can maintain your garden throughout the year. When you want to attend to your farm needs personally, you must know the best, tools, plants, chemicals and fertilizers that would survive in your locality and so on. If you need to avoid all these learning hassles, then your best option is hiring professional lawn services.

They would do everything on your behalf in exchange for a fee. These companies can really shoulder your lawn problems while you concentrate on other important matters. Even so, many landowners find it difficult to choose the most appropriate lawn care provider. Now that every service or product is available on the Internet, you should not have any problems choosing.

Everyone wants to save time so that he or she can take an extra job, education, be with family and so on. At the same time, a garden needs time and skill to remain beautiful all year round. If a lawn care carries out the gardening tasks on your behalf, then you can create time for something else. What is more, you would not worry anymore about the process going wrong and losing your money. If this happens, you would certainly have someone to hold responsible, but if you do it yourself, then you would only hold yourself accountable. Gardening and landscaping can be challenging tasks without the help of a professional lawn care company help. Although do it yourself is a good alternative, a lawn owner has to know a lot about lawn care issues, and we can provide that knowledge.