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 employ the services of either a subscription company or one of New Orleans' full-service lawn care companies. While handling everything on your own may seem like the most budget-friendly option, this leaves you open to expensive mistakes. You also will be working without expert guidance from a lawn care professional.
If you want to have expert guidance while still doing your own lawn care, you may like a company like Sunday Lawn Care. These companies offer subscription packages of lawn chemicals and tools, which are regularly shipped to your door depending on the season and where you live in Louisiana. They take care of the research and planning, although you still have to do the manual labor.
If you'd prefer to be completely hands-off, a full-service company like TruGreen will be the best avenue for you. This option might be the most pricy, but not without reason: they provide both custom solutions to all your lawn care problems and the people-power to take care of all the work.
Types of Lawn Care Services in New Orleans, LA
Lawn care companies around New Orleans offer many different kinds of services, including:
- 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 greenery and spraying chemicals that kill and keep away weeds. Most if not all full-service and subscription lawn care companies offer weed control services.
- Fertilization: Fertilization encourages the growth of grasses and plants through the application of certain chemicals and compounds periodically throughout the year. Like weed control, most if not all full-service and subscription lawn care companies provide fertilization services.
- Soil Care: Soil care helps improve your lawn growth by balancing the pH and chemistry of your soil to improve nutrient availability. Normally, most full-service and subscription lawn care companies can provide this service.
- Seeding/Overseeding: Seeding and overseeding improve the appearance and color of your lawn and fill in bare spots. Seeding is the process of planting grass in an area where there is none. Overseeding involves planting more seed in an area of existing grass, without digging up any of your lawn. Seeding and overseeding are offered by the majority of full-service lawn companies and many subscription companies.
- Aeration: Aeration involves loosening over-compacted soil, which allows roots to grow deeper, strengthening your lawn. Aeration involves the creation of small holes in the soil to let water, air, and nutrients in more easily. Aeration is offered by most full-service lawn care companies.
- Leaf/Snow Removal: You may rarely need snow removal services in New Orleans, and you might infrequently be in the market for leaf removal. No matter your situation, it is a good idea to know which companies near you offer these services. This will help you get the problem taken care of faster, preventing damage to your lawn.
- Pest Control: Many full-service lawn care companies can also help you deal with insects or other pests that are doing damage to your property. The lawn expert might trap animals or apply pesticides. Always ensure that your lawn control technician is properly licensed to apply pesticides through the Louisiana Department of Agriculture.
- Mowing/Edging: Mowing and edging improve the look of your lawn, and they help prevent overgrowth. There are some full-service lawn care companies that provide these services, and there are many companies that specialize in edging and mowing.
- Tree and Shrub Care: Does your property have shrubs and trees that are wilting, overgrowing, or simply need a little TLC? Many full-service lawn care companies provide tree and shrub care services to help your lawn look its best.
For any need, there is a New Orleans lawn care company that can fill it. We strongly suggest getting in touch with one or two of the companies from the list above to feel confident that you have the right one for you.
New Orleans Quick Facts
- Generally, New Orleans sees approximately 0.0 inches of snow a year.
- Prefer sunnier days? New Orleans sees more sunlight than 86.6% of the country.
- On average, lot sizes in Louisiana are around 12,000 square feet.
- When it comes to precipitation, New Orleans gets more, on average, than 98.5% of the U.S.
- The average high temperature in New Orleans is around 76° F.
Choosing a New Orleans Lawn Care Company
When it is time for you to choose a company, you ought to first ensure that the one you're choosing is reliable. If a technician is going to apply chemicals like pesticides to your lawn, they will need to be licensed through the Louisiana Department of Agriculture. If the package from your lawn care company includes landscaping services, such as edging or mowing, you can confirm that they meet all of the landscaper licensing requirements for Louisiana. After you have confirmed that a company is licensed, you can look and see if they belong to an organization such as the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). NALP is an optional association that helps members collaborate and provides education about industry best practices. You can also read online reviews and check the company's website to find out exactly what guarantees they offer. "We are committed to helping our members achieve success through education and training and increasing professionalism through certification and accreditation."
Next, you need to decide if a particular company provides all of the services you need. When you hire a New Orleans lawn services company, you may choose to go with one of their fixed plans or one of their "a la carte'' options that allows you to pick and choose specific services.
After narrowing down your list to just a few companies, you'll want to ask for an inspection and quote. With the help of GPS technology, some companies are even able to provide you with 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
If you've never hired a lawn care company in New Orleans before — or even if you have — you may be curious about what you should expect. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Before Treatments: If you have chosen a full-service company, make sure that, on the day they visit, they can access your property (for example, by opening gates). You will want to also make sure that you keep any pets inside. You will not have to water or otherwise do any treatments on your lawn beforehand unless told to do so by your technician. If you've opted for a subscription company, you will want to ensure that you've provided all your information and put in your order in advance.
- During Treatments: If you are using a subscription company, you will be the one doing the lawn treatment using the instructions provided. If you are using a full-service company like TruGreen, they bring their equipment to your home to treat your lawn. You usually will not need to be home during services. However, your company might ask that you be home the first time they come to work. The company will inform you, either electronically or in writing, what services they completed and when.
- After and Between Treatments: Your lawn care company will inform you when it will be safe for pets and people to be on your lawn after treatment. Your company may also recommend that you water your lawn 24 hours after some services. It is important to keep in mind that it may take some time to see the effects of treatments like fertilization and weed control. In the unlikely event that something goes wrong or you don't see the promised results, many full-service and subscription companies have products and services that are backed by guarantees. Most of the time, both full-service and subscription lawn care services continue on a regular basis unless you cancel.
Picking the best lawn care company in New Orleans can help you be confident and well-informed when it comes to all of the work that needs to be done. It is in your best interest to speak with one of the companies from our list of the best lawn care providers in New Orleans to find the right professional for your needs.
