DIY vs Professional Lawn Care - Which is Better?
For the most part, there are three main ways to do lawn care: handling all of it yourself, using the services of a subscription company, or hiring one of Salina's full-service lawn care companies. When you make the choice to handle everything on your own, you eliminate labor costs, but don't receive any professional guidance. There is a chance of this resulting in expensive mistakes that you can't foresee.
Companies like Sunday Lawn Care were created to provide assistance with DIY lawn care. They offer subscription packages of lawn care chemicals and equipment that they send to you as needed. The packages are assembled based on the time of year and your location in Kansas. This model takes the guesswork out of lawn care; however, you still have to apply everything yourself.
If you'd rather have a company handle all parts of the process, hiring a full-service company like TruGreen is the way to go. While they may be more costly than other options, they take care of everything, from determining what is needed to doing the actual work.
Types of Lawn Care Services in Salina, KS
Salina's lawn care companies can provide many different kinds of services, such as:
- Weed Control: Weed control is the process of removing and preventing weeds and other unwanted plants. These types of services involve processes like manually pulling unwanted plants and spraying chemicals that kill weeds and prevent more of them. Both full-service and subscription lawn care companies essentially always offer weed control services.
- Fertilization: The process of fertilization involves the use of chemicals and other compounds to promote the growth of grass and other plants. Like weed control, most if not all full-service and subscription lawn care companies offer fertilization services.
- Soil Care: Soil care improves the growth of your lawn by balancing the chemistry and pH of the soil to improve the availability of nutrients. Most full-service and subscription lawn care companies offer this service.
- Seeding/Overseeding: Seeding involves putting down grass seed in places where your lawn is bare. Overseeding involves placing new seed over patches of existing grass. Both processes help fill in bare or patchy spots and improve the look and color of your lawn. Both processes are offered by most full-service lawn companies, and by many subscription companies.
- Aeration: Aeration services, which consist of making small holes all over your lawn, are provided by the majority of full-service lawn care companies. Aeration helps loosen the soil, allowing water, air, and nutrients to flow easier. This facilitates the growth of roots and helps to strengthen your lawn.
- Pest Control: When you employ someone for pest control services, always verify they are properly licensed to apply pesticides through the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Your technician will apply pesticides or use traps or other methods to get rid of pests. Eliminating pesky animals and insects ensures that your lawn looks its best.
- Tree and Shrub Care: Does your lawn have trees and shrubs that are wilting, overgrowing, or simply need a little more love? Many full-service lawn care companies offer tree and shrub care services to help your lawn look its best.
- Leaf/Snow Removal: Concerned about snow or leaves sitting on and killing your lawn? You can find a lawn care company that will come out and clear everything away. You might less frequently need snow removal services and infrequently require leaf removal services in Salina. If and when you do require these services, be sure to contact a company to make sure it is something they are able to do.
- Mowing/Edging: Mowing and edging services are one way to quickly improve your lawn's overall look. Some full-service lawn care companies perform these services, or you might find a company specializing in edging and mowing.
For any need, there is a lawn care services company in the Salina area that can fill it. We strongly suggest getting in touch with at least one of the companies from the list above to feel confident that you have the right one for you.
Salina Quick Facts
- Salina is in the 27.4% percentile when it comes to average precipitation.
- Salina sits in the Mixed-Humid climate zone.
- Salina's average high temperature of 67° F is higher than 76.4% of the United States.
- Salina is in the 20% percentile in the country in terms of tree coverage.
- In Kansas, the average lot size is around 14,000 square feet.
Choosing a Salina Lawn Care Company
You want to choose a lawn care services company that you can trust. If you are going to have chemicals like pesticides applied to your lawn, your technician will need to be licensed through the Kansas Department of Agriculture. If they're going to be helping with landscaping services (such as edging), they will need to meet all of the landscaper licensing requirements for Kansas. Companies might also have membership in organizations like the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). Landscapers are not required to be NALP members, but the association lets companies collaborate and share information on best practices. Finally, you can read through a company's website to learn about the guarantees they offer, and read online reviews. "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'll need to determine which companies can perform the specific services you need. Many Salina lawn care service companies can offer you both fixed plans and "a la carte" options, where you can pick and choose which services you want.
Next, you'll want to get an inspection and quote. Even before coming out to your property, some companies can give you an estimate with GPS technology. This estimate will be determined by the size of your lawn and the specific services you need.
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Homeowner Responsibilities
When you work with a lawn care company in Salina, there are things you can expect before, during, and after treatment. Some of those things are:
- Before Treatments: Any full-service company that you choose will ask you to make sure that your lawn is fully accessible the day they come out. For example, you'll want to make sure all gates are open. The company will also ask that all pets be kept inside. If they want you to water or do any other care for your lawn in advance, they will let you know. If you want to use a subscription company, make sure you provide all of your information and put in your 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're using a full-service company like TruGreen, a lawn care professional will come to your home to treat your lawn. Your company may ask you to be home the first time they visit. 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) which services they completed and when.
- After and Between Treatments: Your lawn care company may instruct 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 remember that the effects of certain treatments, like weed control and overseeding, may not be visible for some time. If something goes wrong with your lawn care treatment, most full-service and subscription companies have guarantees to back their products and services. No matter what type of company you choose, in most cases services will continue on a regular basis until you cancel.
Choosing the right lawn care company in Salina will help you feel confident and knowledgeable regarding all of the work that needs to be done. It is a good idea to contact one of the companies on our list of Salina's best lawn care providers to discover which one is best for you.
