Tips for Hiring a Lawn Care Service

Who does not like enjoying Sunday-morning coffee in a lush, green lawn with a couple of Patio chairs? We all want a turf that looks fresh and beautiful; however, keeping it that way can be a hassle. Of course, you can hire a lawn care service, with so many options to choose from, picking one that best suits your requirements might be a bit difficult. 

Here are a few tips for hiring the best lawn services south jersey. 

Check insurance 

Lawn care might seem like an effortless task, and in most cases, it is. But some turfs consist of tall trees and large bushes that need to be worked on. It can get risky for both you and the service provider. Lawn care services require the use of heavy machinery, which poses a risk of damage to your turf, as well as to the workers as well. Insurance ensures that you'll stay clean if any mishap occurs in your garden. 

Equipment used 

Technological advancements have found their way to lawn care as well; it is no longer limited to mowers. Plus, how a company maintains its equipment also comes into play. Do they sharpen the blades regularly? Do they oil the appliances on a regular basis? Do they have service logs on their machinery? A company should maintain its arsenal to ensure the best services to its clients. 

Say no to Contracts 

Some lawn care service providers might ask you to sign a contract or two to do business. That is a questionable practice, and it is better to consider other providers. When you sign a contract, you have to entertain company services even when you don't need it and end up paying more for less work. Instead, look for a provider that offers flexible agreements, which enables you to be in charge of the services. 

Services offered 

Turf care consists of a lot more than just mowing grass. Hedges, flower beds, and weeds, a bunch of other tasks are included. And the last thing you want is three different companies coming to your yard one by one. Therefore, be sure to select a provider that offers a comprehensive range of services. Reviewing the offerings becomes more crucial when you are signing a contract. 

Background checks 

A company might look perfect on paper, but the kind of service it offers depends a lot on the type of workers it has. Be sure to run some background checks to ensure the provider you are choosing has a strict employee selection process. 

Make customer service a priority 

Lastly, the company you select should always be up for answering phone calls and address your queries on a priority basis. 

Conclusion 

Picking a lawn care company that cares for your requirements is essential. Your lawn should look good, and a good service provider can go a long way in helping you do so. Keep a check of the items in this list to make the best decision while hiring lawn care services in south jersey.

Seven Steps to an almost Perfect Lawn

You have tried a lot of things such as grass seeds, many fertilizers, and watering techniques, but you still cannot manage to get that beautiful lush green lawn. Are there any secrets to it? Well, let's uncover them with these seven steps that can help you get an almost perfect lawn. 

Perform a soil test 

If you want to develop a lawn beautification plan, ask lawn care services south jersey to perform a soil test of your lawn. Elements like soil pH are some critical components that indicate whether it is perfect for growing plants or not. Ideally, your lawn or garden should have a neutral pH (.5-6.9%). If the pH is low (too acidic), you can apply a lime fertilizer. If it is alkaline, you can use a soil pacifiers or organic amendments like manure or compost. 

Fix compacted soil 

If your soil is compacted, water, air, and organic materials will not be able to circulate through your lawn, thereby reducing the nutrients it absorbs. Here is a quick check to find if your soil is compacted. 

· it does not spring back 

· Garden fork tines penetrate less than 2 inches. 

· If you have more weeds 

· Heavy foot or traffic compacts the soil 

Here are a few ways to fix compacted soil. 

· Water your lawn regularly 

· Apply soil enhancer or compost 

· Be regular with your lawn mowing and watering schedule 

If it does not fix, contact lawn services south jersey. 

Repair bare spots 

If you see bare spots in your lawn, repair them. If the spots are due to the traffic from pets or kids, you can repair them by loosening the soil, adding fertilizer, spreading grass, and watering it continually. For patches due to grubs, use a 24-hour grub killer. 

Pick your grass seed 

Grass seeds are classified into two types: warm season and cool season. You can pick the right kind of seed depending upon where you live, temperature, sun exposure, and your mowing frequency. 

How-to fertilize your lawn? 

Fertilizers are an essential component to get lush green lawns. However, it is crucial to know the correct usage depending upon your grass seed type. If you are establishing your lawn from seed, pick a fertilizer with high phosphorous content. Cool-season grass seeds require more fertilizer in the first season. 

A mowing strategy 

Moving is the key to a neat lawn, but cutting the grass and leaf tissue can damage your grass. Thus, it is essential to pay extra attention while mowing, along with using an appropriate strategy. 

A watering schedule 

Your watering schedule will depend on whether your lawn is newly seeded or already established. A newly seeded lawn needs to be watered twice or thrice per day, whereas established turfs can be watered less frequently. 

Conclusion 

Getting a beautiful green lawn is no rocket science. Follow the above steps to give your turn an instant makeover. If you still face problems, get in touch with a south jersey lawn care service provider.

How Much Sod Installation Can Cost You In South Jersey?

Sod installation is the fastest way to turn your empty or dirt-patched lawn into a lush, green carpet of a grass. It’s easier to maintain, and less time consuming than starting from scratch with seed. When it comes to laying new sod, you’ve two options either do sodding on bare dirt or by ripping up grass that's already in place. You can do it on your own or can hire professional landscapers for sod installation. 

  

Why you should hire lawn care services for SOD installation?

Hiring lawn care services in South Jersey for SOD installation is beneficial as they can help you determine the proper type of sod for your property, as well as to adapt any existing design plans you may already have. 

For many homeowners, the deciding factor for SOD installation is its cost. The SOD installation cost includes the cost of equipment required for SOD installation, labor cost, fertilizer and composite cost, etc. 

How much does SOD Installation cost? 

Sod installation can cost homeowners $1,836 on an average. The whole project price may vary from $1,025 to $2,689 but can be as little as $450 or as much as $4,500. The average rate of landscaping contractors to prepare the ground and install SOD is $45 to $75 per hour.

You can install SOD yourself but there is always an advantage of hiring professionals as they have the right equipment to lay the grass mats evenly. 

When is the Best Time to Put Down Sod? 

The first thing you need to take care of is rain. Ripping out grass and removing rocks from soil can cause unexpected delay but rain can wreak havoc on your prepped yard. Rain can quickly turn your tamped, fertilized, and composed landscape into a mud pit. If you can't cover it with a tarp, you may need to re-compost and re-tamp before putting in the new material. 

The next is the temperature. Extreme temperatures in summers and winters are not optimum for SOD installation. The extreme temperature may make it difficult for grass to grow. Fertilizing when the weather is too hot can burn the grass. Installing during cold weather can hamper the roots from establishing themselves. 

The best time for SOD installation is mild and clear weather.

Looking for the best landscaping companies in South Jersey? Do let us know in the comment section below.