DIY vs Professional Lawn Care - Which is Better?
Don't have the time or experience to tackle lawn care by yourself? You might look into a subscription lawn care company, or reach out to one of the full-service lawn care companies in Homestead. When you go the DIY route, you don't pay extra labor costs, but you forgo any professional guidance. There is a chance of this resulting in expensive mistakes down the line.
A company like Sunday Lawn Care can help simplify the process. These companies will send you a subscription package of lawn care chemicals and equipment. They do the work of figuring out what your lawn needs and when, based on the season and where you live in Florida. However, you will still be the one doing the manual labor.
Rather have someone else handle everything? A full-service company like TruGreen may be right for you. A full-service lawn care company might be the priciest option, but these companies take care of not just the decision-making but also the manual labor.
Types of Lawn Care Services in Homestead, FL
There are a variety of services that you might employ a Homestead lawn care company for, such as:
- Weed Control: Your lawn care technician can eliminate and prevent weeds and other unwanted plants. They may spray chemicals around your lawn as well as manually pull up the unwanted plants. Most if not all full-service and subscription companies offer weed control services.
- Fertilization: Fertilization involves the use of chemicals and other compounds to help promote the growth of grass and other plants. As with weed control, fertilization services are offered by most if not all full-service and subscription lawn care companies.
- Soil Care: Most full-service and subscription lawn care providers provide soil care services. This service involves balancing your soil's pH and chemistry to improve lawn growth by increasing the availability of nutrients.
- Aeration: Aeration helps to loosen over-compacted soil, which allows roots to grow deeper, strengthening your lawn. This process involves creating small perforations in the soil to allow air, nutrients, and water in more easily. Aeration is offered by most full-service lawn care companies.
- Seeding/Overseeding: Seeding and overseeding help improve the appearance and color of your lawn and fill in bare spots. Seeding involves planting grass in an area where there is none. Overseeding involves planting more seed on top of existing grass, without removing any. These processes are offered by most full-service lawn companies and many subscription companies.
- Pest Control: Many full-service lawn care companies can also help you deal with insects or other pests that could damage your lawn. They may apply pesticides or trap animals — always confirm that your lawn control technician is properly licensed to apply pesticides through the Florida Department of Agriculture.
- Mowing/Edging: Mowing and edging do a lot to improve the appearance of your lawn, and also help prevent overgrowth. Many full-service lawn care companies provide these services, and there are many companies that specialize in edging and mowing.
- Tree and Shrub Care: Many full-service lawn companies provide tree and shrub care. These companies will help clean up and provide care for trees and shrubs on your property to help keep your lawn beautiful.
- Leaf/Snow Removal: You may rarely need snow removal services in Homestead, and you might sometimes be in the market for leaf removal. No matter your needs, it is a wise idea to know which local companies offer these services. This will help you get the problem taken care of faster, preventing damage to your lawn.
No matter your needs, there is a Homestead lawn care company that can meet them. It is recommended that you contact one or two of the companies from our above list to determine which one is right for you.
Homestead Quick Facts
- Love the rain? Homestead sees more rain than approximately 93.1% of places in the U.S.
- On average, lot sizes in Florida are approximately 9,000 square feet.
- Homestead is part of the Hot-Humid climate zone.
- Prefer warmer days? The average high in Homestead is about 83° F.
- Homestead has greater tree coverage than around 42% of the United States.
Choosing a Homestead Lawn Care Company
When choosing a lawn care services company, you want to make sure they are reliable. If they are going to apply chemicals like pesticides to your lawn, a technician must be licensed through the Florida Department of Agriculture. If you are looking for landscaping services like mowing and edging, check to see if a company meets all of Florida's landscaper licensing requirements. You can also see if a company belongs to an organization like the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). This is not a requirement, but NALP allows landscaping professionals to collaborate and share information on best practices. Last but not least, you can read online reviews of the company and check their website to learn about guarantees that they offer. "For more than two decades, the NALP Foundation...has supported education, research, and scholarships to strengthen the future of the landscape and lawn care industry."
After you've determined the best companies in your area, you'll need to determine which ones can provide the specific combination of services you want. Many Homestead lawn care companies offer both fixed plans and "a la carte" options that allow you to make your own service package.
Once your list is down to three or so companies, you'll want to contact them to get an inspection and quote. With the help of GPS technology, some companies can even offer an estimate based on the size of your yard before coming out to see your property. Your estimate will depend mainly on the size of your lawn and the specific services you need.
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Homeowner Responsibilities
When you're looking to hire a lawn care company in Homestead, you may be wondering what you should expect. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Before Treatments: If you are using a full-service company, you should be sure that, on the day they come out, they can access your property (for example, by opening gates). You will want to also make sure that all pets are inside. You will not have to water or otherwise otherwise prepare your lawn in advance unless the company asks you to do so. If you have decided to go with a subscription company, you will want to make sure you provide all your info and place your order in advance.
- During Treatments: If you have chosen a subscription company, you will be the one doing the lawn treatment with the help of provided instructions. If you choose a full-service company like TruGreen, they will come to your home to do treatments. You usually will not need to be home when the technicians are there. However, some companies may ask you to be home the first time they come out. The company will let you know, either electronically or in writing, what services were performed and when.
- After and Between Treatments: Whichever type of company you may use, lawn care services generally continue on a regular basis until you cancel them. After each visit or subscription delivery, your company will tell you when family and pets can safely be on the lawn again. Your company may also ask you to water your lawn 24 hours after certain treatments. It is important to keep in mind that the results of some treatments, such as weed control and overseeding, will take some time to be noticeable. In the unlikely event that something goes wrong with your lawn care treatment, many companies back their products and services with a guarantee.
Choosing a good lawn care company in Homestead can go a long way towards feeling confident and well-informed regarding all of the work to be done. It is a good idea to contact one of the companies from our list of the best lawn care providers in Homestead to discover which one is best for you.
