The Landscape Trailer Train - Determining the Right Company for Your Job

As the weather got warmer, you undoubtedly noticed more trucks on the road hauling lawn mowers and equipment. Now that we are in full lawn care and landscaping season, the roads are jammed packed with companies of every shape and size vying for your business.

If you are in the market for a landscape or lawn maintenance company, the shear number of companies out there can be mind numbing and leave you no better off than when you first started your vendor search. So where do you go for help and how do you choose the right company for you? Let's start with the first question - where should you be looking to find the right company?

Let your fingers do the walking. If you are like most people, you have noticed numerous business names plastered on the sides of trucks and trailers. You may have even noticed business lawn signs while getting on and off the highway or perhaps you have seen a flyer posted at a local business. These various forms of signage all have at least one thing in common - a phone number. So your first step should be to pick up the phone and speak directly to a few vendors.

For those that are computer savvy, take your fingers for a walk on the information highway and do a bit of research on the Internet. Most companies these days have a Web site with additional information on their services or an e-mail address that you can use to inquire about services rendered.

Here are a few questions that should come to mind in your research:

• Is the vendor state licensed and insured?
• If you are located within city limits - is the vendor licensed with the city?
• What services is the vendor able to provide - are they strictly lawn maintenance professionals or can they implement landscapes?
• Is the vendor licensed to work with chemicals such as pesticides or fertilizers?
• Does the vendor have references that you can call or lawns that you can drive by for a visual reference?
• When can the vendor visit your property for an estimate?

The last question above is very important. If your vendor indicates that they can give you an estimate on the maintenance of your property without first walking through the property with you, look somewhere else. Every lawn and landscape is different and there is no way to accurately quote a job without first analyzing the property to see what work does/does not need to be done.

While the vendor is visiting your property, be sure to ask if they continue to mow your property in the sweltering heat. Mowing an already heat stressed lawn can cause serious sun scorch and leave you with an unsightly brown carpet of grass.

For more information on selecting the proper lawn/landscape maintenance vendor, visit the links below:
LCAP
Better Business Bureau
Lawn Care & Tools

Cold Weather Blues

If you're like me, this snap of cold weather is definitely killing the "spring" in your step. But let's look on the bright side, we all have a little more time to finish our spring lawn and garden maintenance plan.

First things first, take a long hard look at your property and pinpoint areas that are really going to need your attention right off the bat. See those brown spots in your lawn, notice the crab grass peaking through, or have you spotted clusters of weeds that are just waiting to take over your lawn? Better get a move on and head to your local lawn and garden supply store for some pest control, weed killer, grass seed, and fertilizer or if you prefer to go the organic route check out a few sites that I found on the Internet:
Natural Lawn Care
Extremely Green Gardening
The Green Guide

Once your lawn is on the right track to proper growth, start diving into the planting beds around your home. Now is the perfect time to clean out debris that has collected over the winter months and eliminate any weeds that are pushing through, but be careful - what you think is a weed could actually be one of your perennials pushing up. Examine your plants and shrubs for winter damage and prune back the dead and damaged limbs. Now that your beds are cleaned up, you can put together a list of new plants that you would like to add to the mix.

For those of you that are staring blankly at a yard devoid of any color other than your green grass, perhaps it is time to plan out a few new beds. Not only will you add color and curb appeal to your home, but you also increase your home's value and selling potential. While you are making your list of the annuals and perennials that you would like to include in your new bed, keep these things in mind:

• Color - decide if you are going to stay in one color palate, choose two corresponding colors, or go for the gusto with a mix of colorful plantings.
• Year round appeal - remember that you can maintain color and curb appeal year round with the right plants. There are several varieties of shrubs available to change or hold their color in the winter months adding visual appeal during the dark and dreary winter months.
• Wildlife appeal - if you are looking to bring birds and butterflies closer to your front door, be sure to add their favorites into your plan.

Hopefully I have given you enough lawn and garden food for thought to get you moving and help you pass away the time during these weather unreliable weeks.

Why I love your lawn...

So you're probably wondering why I love your lawn. Well, let me ask you this - why would you want someone maintaining your lawn and garden that doesn't really give two craps about what it looks like but rather when the next check is coming in?

I'll fully admit that to some, lawn care or garden maintenance doesn't seem like the ideal choice for a job. But I will tell you that there is nothing more satisfying than driving past a property that makes you want to stop and stare because it is so beautifully maintained. Even better - getting a phone call from a potential customer that simply thinks their neighbor's property looks fantastic and they want theirs to look just as good or better.

I've been working in the landscaping industry for over 15 years and I've got the caluses and aching back to prove it. And while I am content with my full time job maintaining the Club at Shannondell Golf Course, I've decided that it just isn't enough. It's time for me to put my skills to good use and that means providing assistance to homeowners that just don't have the time to pay close attention to their lawn and gardens and just can't afford to call on a large-scale commercial landscaper.

This all leads back to the title of this blog - Why do I love you lawn? Simply because someone should.