In the Garden
Amy Jordan
Originally published 01:16 p.m., March 13, 2008
Updated 01:16 p.m., March 13, 2008
Lawn care companies are a large and ever-growing segment of the horticulture industry.
Companies offer lawn maintenance services such as mowing, fertilizing and pest control, and are an option for homeowners who don’t have the time, confidence or desire to do their own lawn care.
You may be considering contracting with a company for lawn care this year, or deciding whether to stick with the company you have or switch to a new company. When trying to decide which firm to hire, talk with friends, neighbors and relatives who have been customers of one or more companies. Then get some competitive bids. You should be provided with an accurate measurement of your lawn as basis for pricing and a thorough analysis of your lawn’s condition. When you talk with a representative from a lawn care company, spend enough time to evaluate his or her knowledge and commitment to customer service. Look for sincerity and genuine interest. Make sure the company understands your expectations and that you understand what the company is able to provide.
Find out if the companies you talk with have proper credentials. State law requires that anyone who applies pesticides in Kansas for compensation must be licensed and certified by the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
Inquire about the company’s approach to turfgrass fertilization. Kansas State University recommends a fall emphasis fertilization program for cool season grasses. If you have a warm season grass (Bermuda, zoysia or buffalo), is there a program designed for the different maintenance regime required by those species?
Find out how flexible the company is about what is offered. Is there a fertilizer only option? Make sure you understand the purpose for each application that is offered.
Are there special instructions that accompany the applications, such as avoiding mowing right before or after an application or applying water after a product was applied? Some of the treatments may need to be watered in promptly to stabilize and activate the chemicals.
Keep some mental notes about your lawn care company throughout the year. Did they offer cultural recommendations such as adjusting the mowing height or aerating the lawn, or was everything solved by a product? Did they check for problems throughout the season? Were they receptive to your questions and concerns? Did they alert you when an application might interfere with other practices, such as how over-seeding could be compromised by an untimely herbicide application?
Communicate openly with your lawn care company and ask questions if you don’t understand something about its programs.