DIY vs Professional Lawn Care - Which is Better?
Sometimes, you might feel comfortable handling lawn care on your own. For those times when you want some more help, you can pay for a subscription company, or hire one of the full-service lawn care companies in Des Moines. Taking care of your lawn on your own may save you money at first. However, without expert advice from a lawn care professional, you increase the chances of making mistakes that prove expensive in the future.
A company like Sunday Lawn Care can help remove some of the guesswork from the process. These companies will mail you a subscription package of lawn care chemicals and equipment. They determine what your lawn needs and when, depending on the season and where you live in Iowa. However, you still need to handle the manual labor.
Prefer to have someone else handling everything? A full-service company like TruGreen might be the best fit for you. A full-service lawn care company might be the highest-cost option, but these companies take care of not only the decision-making but also the manual labor.
Types of Lawn Care Services in Des Moines, IA
The lawn care companies in Des Moines offer a number of services, including:
- Weed Control: Weed control services help remove and keep away weeds and other unwanted plants. Weed control services involve both manually pulling unwanted greenery and spraying chemicals that kill weeds and prevent more of them. Most if not all full-service and subscription lawn care companies offer weed control services.
- Fertilization: Fertilization encourages growth of plants and grasses using the application of certain chemicals and compounds periodically throughout the year. Similar to weed control, most if not all full-service and subscription lawn care companies provide fertilization services.
- Aeration: Aeration services, which consist of making small perforations all over your lawn, are provided by many full-service lawn care companies. These services help loosen the soil, allowing air, water, and nutrients to flow easier. This facilitates root growth and helps to strengthen your lawn.
- Seeding/Overseeding: Seeding and overseeding are offered by the majority of full-service lawn care companies and many subscription companies. The seeding process involves putting seed down in bare or patchy spots. On the other hand, overseeding involves adding additional seed to thin spots. Both seeding and overseeding help improve the color and appearance of your lawn.
- Soil Care: Soil care involves balancing the chemistry and pH of your lawn to increase the availability of nutrients and promote lawn growth. Most full-service and subscription lawn companies offer soil care services.
- Leaf/Snow Removal: You may often need snow removal services in Des Moines, 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 will help you get everything taken care of faster, preventing damage to your lawn.
- Mowing/Edging: There are some full-service lawn care companies that offer mowing and edging, and there are even some companies that specialize in these services. Mowing and edging help prevent overgrowth, and they will quickly improve your lawn's overall appearance.
- Pest Control: Many full-service lawn care companies can also help you deal with insects or other pests that are damaging your lawn. The lawn expert might trap animals or apply pesticides. Always confirm that your lawn control technician is properly licensed to apply pesticides through the Iowa Department of Agriculture.
- Tree and Shrub Care: Many full-service lawn care companies offer services for shrubs and trees that are overgrowing, wilting, or simply need some extra love. This service can go a long way towards helping your property look its best.
No matter your need, there is a lawn care company in Des Moines that can fill it. It is a smart idea to get in touch with at least one of the companies from our list above to ensure that you find the right one for you.
Des Moines Quick Facts
- Generally, Des Moines sees around 32.5 inches of snow a year.
- The average high in Des Moines is about 59° F.
- On average, lot sizes in Iowa are around 11,000 square feet.
- Des Moines is in the Cold climate zone.
- Like a good mix of clouds and sun? Des Moines receives more sunlight than 42.5% of the country.
Choosing a Des Moines Lawn Care Company
When you need to choose a company, you first should verify that the one you are choosing is reputable. If a technician will need to apply chemicals like pesticides as part of their services, they will need to be licensed through the Iowa Department of Agriculture. If the package from your lawn care company includes landscaping services, such as tree care or mowing, you can confirm that they meet all of the landscaper licensing requirements for Iowa. After you've verified a company's licensure, you can check to see if they belong to an organization such as the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). This is an optional association that allows members to collaborate and provides information regarding industry best practices. You can also read reviews online and explore the company's website to learn about the 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."
Next you will want to determine which companies can perform the specific services you need. Many Des Moines lawn care service companies offer both fixed plans and "a la carte" options, which let you pick and choose only the services that you need.
After whittling down your list even more, you can begin asking companies about free inspections and getting a service quote. An inspection can happen quickly — some companies are even able to estimate the size of your yard via GPS before they visit your home. From there, they should be able to provide an estimate based on the specific services you need and the size of your lawn.
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Homeowner Responsibilities
When you employ a lawn care company in Des Moines, there are things you can expect before, during, and after treatment. Some of these are:
- Before Treatments: Any full-service company you hire will ask that you ensure your lawn is fully accessible when they come to treat it. For example, you will need to make sure all gates remain open. The company will also ask that all pets be kept inside. If they need you to water or do anything else to your lawn in advance, they will tell you. If you've opted for a subscription company, make sure you provide all of your information and place your order in advance.
- During Treatments: When you use a subscription company, you will carry out lawn care treatments based on the instructions that the company provides. When you choose a full-service company like TruGreen, a lawn care professional will come to your house to take care of everything. In most cases you won't have to be home on service days. However, your company may request that you are present the first time they visit. They will communicate with you (in writing or electronically) what services were performed and when.
- After and Between Treatments: Your lawn care company might recommend that you water your lawn 24 hours after some treatments. They will also tell you when it will be safe for family and pets to be on the lawn again. Remember that the effects of certain treatments, like overseeding and fertilization, may not manifest immediately. If something goes wrong with your lawn care treatment, most full-service and subscription companies back up their products and services with guarantees. Whichever type of company you go with, in most cases services will continue on a regular basis unless you cancel.
Picking the right Des Moines lawn care company can help you be confident and knowledgeable when it comes to all of the work being done on your lawn. It is a good idea to contact one of the companies from our list of Des Moines' best lawn care providers to discover which one is best for you.
