Proper lawn maintenance begins with fall cleanup

     In the spring and summer, I often get the inquiry where there is a problem with the lawn like dead spots, washout, or bad growth.  The turf is declining, there are bare spots or dead areas and the customer wants an answer.  A common misconception is that, at that point in the year, there is a "silver bullet" of a remedy that can immediately turn the condition of the lawn around; a treatment or a quick seeding that will give them the lush, green lawn that they desire.  The truth of the matter is that proper lawn maintenance should include a thorough fall cleanup routine that perhaps includes some treatments. 

     There are several different attacks happening on your lawn in the fall.  Sticks, pine cones, gumballs, acorns, leaves and pine straw are a few of the major culprits.  These items must be removed in order to optimize your lawn's potential.  Fall cleanup can be done with a blower or a rake of course, but a blower is the best way to get all the debris out off the nooks and crannies in the quickest way possible.  My favorite leaf blowers are an even tie: I like the Echo PB651-T, which you can't get anymore and I like the Stihl BR600 magnum, which is a quieter model that is available at your local lawn and garden supply store.

     One thing I see people doing is running the riding mower over a yard full of debris.  The intent here (and the misconception in most cases) is that this "mulching" of the leaves is good for the lawn, somehow easier to do than rake, and perhaps even more environmentally friendly.  In my many years of experience with lawn care, it is in my opinion that I state that I believe that this method is faulty.  It seems to me that mulch mowing the debris creates a thin layer of lawn suppressing garbage as opposed to a more chunky layer of grass killing garbage.  Heavy riding mowers exacerbate the problem because the heaviness and the wide tires push the debris into the soil.  Pushing acorns, sticks and pine cones into the turf is a sure way to kill that spot in the season to come (grass will not grow on top of a pine cone).  Although using the riding mower and getting those yard guy juices flowing seems like a great idea, in my opinion you'd be much better off buying a quality backpack blower, blowing the leaves into a pile, raking that onto a $9 tarp and dragging it to the street or a natural area.

     There are also various treatments that you might consider in the Fall.  Lime, for instance, might be a good pick if your pH is off, if you see moss, or if you have onions...and often times, in yards that have a lot of washout or pine trees, lime application is a good choice for this time of year.  One lawn treatment service that I consider to be a basic need is pre-emergent.  Pre-emergent granules can be a critical part of the annual treatment regime in that they "prevent" winter weeds from emerging.  This often overlooked treatment also has post emergent properties to a lesser extent and a slight amount of seasonal fertilizer.     

     In summary, if you have an abundance of leaves, pinecones, or the like in your yard, do your lawn a favor in the spring to come and do the leaf removal with a backpack blower.  The job will be done much faster, much easier, and more thorough than other methods like raking.  Take the time to manually pick up the heavier debris like sticks and pinecones.  Carefully gather acorns with a rake or take the time to blow acorns into a pile so you can collect them and remove them.  Spend some time working on your yard in the fall and your lawn will be on its way to being more lush and beautiful for your enjoyment in the spring to come!

Lawn Maintenance Services Columbia South Carolina

If you are searching for lawn maintenance services in Columbia, S.C., be aware that not all companies are alike. "Value" is an aspect of any company in the current economy that should be taken into account. Alternately, "price" is a criteria that one should be careful with as a prudent choice could mean the difference between overall customer satisfaction and failure in a business relationship. Value, Experience, and communication are crucial elements that should be considered when choosing a lawn maintenanace service.

Value in lawn mowing, gardening, groundskeeping, and the landscape maintenance business is something that is increasingly sought after by the customer as it should be in any economy. The company who can go over and above the standard service and deliver more than the customer bargained for in a deal is likely to thrive in this environment.

Experience and professionalism is another aspect of lawn maintenance services that should be seriously considered. If a less experienced worker scalps a lawn or weakens the turf by cutting the grass too short and/or too often, the long-term cost of that service is inflated. Also, few workers have a feel for when to mulch grass and when to bag the clippings. Replacing sod is a costly endeavor. If the companies you are considering do not specialize in lawn care, you would be best advised to not employ those companies.

Communication between the residential or commercial lawn customer, the company supervisor, and the labor staff is the third crucial element. Email is one way that customers can relay their wants, concerns, and needs to the lawn service manager. In this way, there is a paper trail of items that have been asked for and negociations that have been made. The customer deserves and should demand effective communication when it comes to their yard services.

Cutting grass is no longer a casual labor service where the "here today gone tomorrow", inexperienced companies or individuals can thrive - the customer can no longer afford to pay for the mistakes that these lesser experienced services can make! Customers deserve a valuable service whereby their money goes a long way and where they are content with the beauty in their lawn that they bargained for. A strong relationship involving a high level of effective communication can make the difference.