How to choose your Jacksonville Florida Lawn Care Company?

If you own a home in the Jacksonville, Fl area and have a telaphone, chances are you have been approached by someone who wants to provide you with lawn care services. Determining the benefits versus the costs associated with these services can be confusing and even frustrating. Here are a few things to consider when deciding whether to hire a service or doing it yourself.

1. Not all lawn care services are alike.
   This may seem obvious in terms of abilities and competence, but in reality, lawn care companies often do not offer the same services. You must ask what services they will provide. There are companies that only mow and trim the grounds and do not apply any fertilizers or pesticides. These companies are known in the industry as “cutters” (for obvious reasons). The advantage to a mowing company is that they take care of the most time consuming part of your yard care. If they have a good understanding of the importance of proper mowing techniques and frequencies – and they fit your budget – they can be a good choice.
   When interviewing a company, ask about their mowing policies. Some companies mow on a weekly schedule whether your lawn needs it or not. Ask for references for five lawns the size of your yard then take a look at how they are groomed. Here you can see patterns or care and neatness, and you can see their string trimming techniques. Check to see whether the string trimmer operator scalps the grass around trees and sidewalk edges. Scalping with a string trimmer is no different than scalping with a mower, as over time it will promote weed encroachment.
   Keep in mind that the cutting service is on a time schedule. They want to get the job done and move on to the next one. While this is not necessarily a problem, the care and attention to detail during mowing will depend on the mower operator. It’s a good idea to mark seedlings or special plants that may be in the mowing path. If the mowing service uses the commercially popular “zero turn radius” mower, watch for spin marks and torn grass if the mower is turned at high speed. If you find problems, speak up!
2. Fertilizer and pesticide applications.
   The next type of lawn care service is the one that provides only fertilizer and pesticide applications. These companies are known as the “sprayers.” This is a more specialized service as the applicator in many states must be licensed to apply pesticides commercially. While no formal education is required to provide this service, it is certainly smart to shop around for a company that has hired personnel with the appropriate credentials or formal turf education. Ask for references and visit these lawns. Be aware that you likely will be signing a contract for these services.
   In most cases, timing of herbicide applications are not an issue with lawn care applicator services. Fertilizer applications are a little trickier to control if irrigation is not readily available. Problems primarily begin if the company starts to cut corners in terms of fertilizer and weed control products and application rates. The biggest issue here is that you often won’t realize any shortcomings until the appearance of your lawn begins to deteriorate.
3. Mowing and application services.
   The third type of company is one that provides mowing and all applications, know as a full service company. As with the other services, it is important to get references to check out. Read any contract carefully before you sign. With the larger companies, it would be rare to see the same person performing all lawn care activities. This can be frustrating if you are seeking answers about weed control and the person mowing the lawn does not have that expertise. In this case, you may have to wait for an answer or seek information from other sources.
4. Do it yourself.
   There is something positive to be said for rolling up your sleeves and caring for your own yard. If you cut, fertilize and basically manage your own yard, you have the pride and pleasure of completing a job and knowing you did it. And you get some exercise and fresh air, which we can all use.
   Practical things to consider include cost. Once you have purchased your lawn care equipment, you have it for several years and will avoid ongoing monthly expenses. You also establish a “relationship” with your lawn when you do it yourself, which provides the opportunity for close inspection where you will notice problems early-on. You’ll know exactly where that pesky patch of crab grass is and can deal with it in a timely manner. You can also assess your entire yard on a regular basis to determine what you might want to add or change in your landscape. During a dry spell, you determine if the lawn really needs cutting rather than having it cut automatically each week. Plus, you have flexibility and control in making fertilizer applications to your unique situation.
   Previously, homeowners didn’t have access to “professional grade” products, particularly pesticides, because these chemicals were restricted. This is largely not the case any more. You can purchase these products at specialty stores if larger home and garden centers don’t carry them in your area.
   It is not difficult to learn the “basics” of lawn care, nor does it take hours of time each week to maintain the average yard. Getting outdoors and relating to your lawn and landscape can be a very positive and satisfying experience, both emotionally and physically.

So Call us and see if our services fit your Jacksonville, Fl lawn care needs.

Jacksonville Florida Lawn Care

Aerating your Jacksonville, Fl Lawn.

Aerate clay, sandy or loamy soil in spring or fall at least every other year for an improved lawn. Aeration is the best way to combat compacted soil, such as under playground equipment or well-trod pathways through the lawn. It’s also a good method to help revitalize a tired lawn and remove thatch. Thatch limits root growth and increases chances of disease, and aeration is the most effective way to manage it. The result is a healthier grass root system.