DIY vs Professional Lawn Care - Which is Better?
When you need to do lawn care, if you don't want to do everything yourself you can go with either a subscription company or one of Waldorf's full-service lawn care companies. If you opt to do everything yourself, you might save money initially. However, you'll give up the expert guidance and advice that might help avoid expensive mistakes.
A company like Sunday Lawn Care can help simplify the process. These companies will send you a subscription package of lawn care equipment and chemicals. They determine what your lawn needs and when, depending on the season and where you live in Maryland. However, you will still need to make time to do the manual labor.
Would you prefer to have someone else taking care of everything? A full-service company like TruGreen might be the best fit for you. A full-service lawn care company may be the highest-cost option, but full-service companies handle not just the decision-making but also the manual labor.
Types of Lawn Care Services in Waldorf, MD
Your local Waldorf lawn care companies offer a number of services, including:
- Weed Control: Weed control involves both chemical application and manual labor to get rid of weeds and other unwanted foliage, and various practices to keep them from coming back. Most if not all full-service and subscription lawn care companies offer this service.
- Fertilization: Fertilization helps promote the growth of plants and grasses via 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.
- Aeration: The process of aeration involves making small holes in your soil. This allows nutrients, air, and water to penetrate the soil more easily. This, in turn, lets roots grow deeper, strengthening your lawn. These services are provided by the majority of full-service lawn care companies.
- Soil Care: Most full-service and subscription lawn care companies provide soil care services. These services involve balancing your soil's pH and chemistry to promote lawn growth by increasing the availability of nutrients.
- Seeding/Overseeding: Seeding and overseeding services are offered by most full-service lawn care companies and many subscription companies. The seeding process involves putting seed down in bare or patchy spots, while overseeding involves laying down additional seed in thin spots. Both seeding and overseeding help improve the appearance and color of your lawn.
- Pest Control: When you pay a company for pest control, always confirm they are properly licensed to apply pesticides through the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Your technician will apply pesticides or use methods like traps to get rid of pests. Getting rid of pesky insects and animals ensures that your lawn looks its best.
- Tree and Shrub Care: Do you have trees and shrubs that are wilting, overgrowing, or simply need a little TLC? Many full-service lawn care companies offer tree and shrub care services to help keep your lawn looking its best.
- Mowing/Edging: Some full-service lawn care companies offer mowing and edging, and some companies even specialize in these services. Mowing and edging help prevent overgrowth and quickly improve your lawn's overall appearance.
- Leaf/Snow Removal: Your lawn can sustain damage as a result of leaves and snow sitting on it. Knowing which local companies offer removal services can be very helpful if you ever require them in the future.
No matter what your needs are, there is a lawn care company in Waldorf that is able to meet them. We suggest reaching out to one or more of the companies on our above list to find just the right one for you.
Waldorf Quick Facts
- Waldorf is in the Mixed-Humid climate zone.
- The average low of 47° F in Waldorf is lower than 30% of the country.
- Waldorf is in the 50% percentile in terms of tree coverage.
- Waldorf's average high temperature of 65° F is higher than 71.7% of the country.
- Waldorf sees about 14.5 inches of snow annually.
Choosing a Waldorf Lawn Care Company
During Treatments: If you end up choosing a subscription company, you will handle all treatments yourself based on the instructions provided by the company. If you've gone with a full-service company like TruGreen, they will come to your home to treat your lawn. Your company may ask you to be home the first time they come to your house. However, you generally do not need to be present for your lawn care technician to do treatments. The company will inform you (either in writing or electronically) what services they performed and when. "[Our mission is to] advocate for lawn and landscape industry growth and the benefits we provide to our communities."
The next step is to determine which companies can perform the specific services you need. Many Waldorf lawn care service companies have both fixed plans and "a la carte" options, which let you pick and choose exactly which services you need.
The next step is to get an inspection and quote. Even before they see your property, some companies might be able to make an estimate by using GPS technology. This estimate will be based largely on the specific services you need and the size of your lawn.
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Homeowner Responsibilities
If you've never hired a lawn care company in Waldorf before (or even if you have) you might have some questions about what to expect. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Before Treatments: If you are going with a full-service company, you will need to make 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 you keep any pets inside. You will not have to water or otherwise otherwise prepare your lawn beforehand unless told to do so by your technician. If you have decided to go with a subscription company, you will want to provide all your information and place your order in advance.
- During Treatments: If you are purchasing from a subscription company, then you will perform treatments yourself, following the instructions provided by the company. If you've elected to hire a full-service company like TruGreen, they will come to your house to treat your lawn. In most cases, you don't need to be home for lawn care treatment. However, your lawn care professional may require your presence at home the first time they come out. The company will communicate with you (electronically or in writing) to let you know what services were performed and when.
- After and Between Treatments: Your lawn care company might ask you to water your lawn 24 hours after certain treatments. They will also tell you when it is going to be safe for pets and family to be on the lawn again. Keep in mind that the effects of certain treatments, such as fertilization and overseeding, may not be immediately apparent. 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 decide to use, your services will usually continue on a regular basis until you cancel.
Selecting the best lawn care company in Waldorf will help you feel confident and knowledgeable regarding all of the work that needs to be done. We suggest getting in touch with one of the companies from our list of the best lawn care providers in Waldorf to discover which one is best for you.
