DIY vs Professional Lawn Care - Which is Better?
When there is lawn care to be done, if you don't want to do everything yourself you can use either a subscription company or one of Indianapolis' full-service lawn care companies. Caring for your lawn on your own may help you save money at first. However, without the help and guidance of a lawn care professional, you could make mistakes that wind up being costly in the future.
A company like Sunday Lawn Care can help remove some of the guesswork from the process. Companies like this will mail you a subscription package of lawn care chemicals and equipment. They decide what your lawn needs and when, based on the season and where you live in Indiana. However, you will still need to make time to do the manual labor.
Prefer to hire a company that can manage both the mental and physical parts of the job? Consider hiring a full-service company like TruGreen. While this will likely be your most expensive option, you will get the most comprehensive services, and the pros will do all the hard work so you don't have to.
Types of Lawn Care Services in Indianapolis, IN
There are a number of services for which you might employ a lawn care company in Indianapolis, such as:
- Weed Control: Weed control services help remove and keep away weeds and other bothersome plants. These types of services involve both manually pulling up unwanted foliage and spraying chemicals to kill and keep away weeds. The majority of full-service and subscription lawn care companies — if not all of them — offer weed control services.
- Fertilization: Fertilization helps facilitate the growth of grasses and plants through the application of certain chemicals and compounds at various intervals throughout the year. As with weed control, most if not all full-service and subscription lawn care companies provide fertilization services.
- Aeration: Aeration involves loosening over-compacted soil, allowing roots to grow deeper and strengthening your lawn. Aeration involves creating small perforations in the soil to let air, nutrients, and water in more easily. Aeration is offered by most full-service lawn care companies.
- Soil Care: Soil care improves the growth of your lawn by balancing the chemistry and pH of the soil to improve nutrient availability. The majority of full-service and subscription lawn care companies can provide this service.
- Seeding/Overseeding: Seeding involves planting grass in bare patches on your lawn. Overseeding, on the other hand, involves placing new seed over patches of existing grass. Both services help fill in bare or patchy spots and improve the look and color of your lawn. Both processes are offered by the majority of full-service lawn companies, and by many subscription companies.
- Pest Control: Many full-service lawn care companies will also eliminate insects or other pests that are damaging your lawn. Your lawn professional may trap animals or apply pesticides. Always verify that the technician you hire is properly licensed to apply pesticides through the Indiana Department of Agriculture.
- Mowing/Edging: Mowing and edging help improve the look of your lawn, and they help prevent overgrowth. There are some full-service lawn care companies that offer these services, and there are many companies that specialize in edging and mowing.
- Tree and Shrub Care: Many full-service lawn care companies are able to take care of trees and shrubs that are wilting, overgrowing, or simply need some extra love. These services will result in large improvements in your lawn's appearance.
- Leaf/Snow Removal: You may only occasionally need snow removal services in Indianapolis, and you might sometimes be in the market for leaf removal. No matter your needs, it is a smart idea to know which companies near you offer these services. This can help you get the problem taken care of faster and prevent damage to your lawn.
For any need, there is a lawn care services company in the Indianapolis area that can fill it. It is in your best interest to get in touch with one or two of the companies from our list above to ensure that you find the right one for you.
Indianapolis Quick Facts
- Indianapolis gets a good mix of clouds and sun. It is in the 42.1% percentile for average daily sunlight.
- Are you neither here nor there on cold weather? Indianapolis' average low is around 45° F.
- In terms of precipitation, Indianapolis receives more, on average, than 67.0% of the country.
- Prefer more moderate weather? The average high in Indianapolis is around 61° F.
- Indianapolis is part of the Cold climate zone.
Choosing a Indianapolis Lawn Care Company
When choosing a lawn care services company, you want to know that they are reliable. In order to apply chemicals like pesticides to your lawn, a technician must be licensed through the Indiana Department of Agriculture. If you need landscaping services like edging and mowing, you can look and see if a company meets all of Indiana's landscaper licensing requirements. You can also learn whether a company is a member of an organization such as the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). Lawn care professionals are not required to be members, but NALP allows landscaping professionals to collaborate and share information regarding best practices. You can also read company reviews online and check their website to learn about guarantees that they offer. "NALP members have access to industry-leading tools and training to keep you on the cutting edge."
Once you've discovered the best companies in your area, you'll need to determine which ones offer the specific combination of services that you need. Many Indianapolis lawn care companies offer both pre-set plans and "a la carte" options that allow you to make your own service package.
After you've narrowed down your list to a small number of companies, you'll want to ask for an inspection and quote. Utilizing GPS technology, some companies can provide you with an estimate based on how big your lawn is before ever stepping foot on your property. Your estimate will be based mainly on the size of your lawn and the specific services you need.
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Homeowner Responsibilities
When you work with a Indianapolis lawn care company, there are certain things you can expect before, during, and after services. Some of these are:
- Before Treatments: Any full-service company will ask you to keep any pets indoors on the day of treatment. They will also ask you to make sure that your lawn is accessible, for example by opening any gates. You won't need to prepare your lawn — for example, by watering it — in advance unless you are asked to do so. If you've chosen a subscription company, ensure that you provide all necessary information and that you order in advance.
- During Treatments: If you've opted for a subscription company, you will be the one to treat your lawn based on the provided instructions. If you've gone with a full-service company like TruGreen, they will come to your home to perform services. Your company might ask that you be home the first time they come out. However, you generally do not need to be at home for lawn care treatment to take place. The company will inform you (either electronically or in writing) what treatments were done and when.
- After and Between Treatments: Your lawn care company may ask you to water your lawn 24 hours following certain treatments. The company should also inform you when it will be safe for family and pets to be on the lawn again. It is important to keep in mind that the effects of some treatments, like overseeding and fertilization, may not be evident right away. If you have issues with your lawn care treatment, most full-service and subscription companies back their products and services with a guarantee. No matter what type of company you go with, services will likely continue on a regular basis unless you cancel.
Picking a good Indianapolis lawn care company can go a long way towards feeling confident and in-the-know regarding all of the work being done on your lawn. We suggest getting in touch with one of the companies from our list of Indianapolis' best lawn care providers to find the right professional for your needs.
