DIY vs Professional Lawn Care - Which is Better?
When there is lawn care to be done, if you don't want to go it alone you can employ the services of either a subscription company or one of Tuckahoe's full-service lawn care companies. When you decide to go it alone, you eliminate labor costs, but you forgo any professional guidance. There is a chance of this resulting in expensive mistakes that you can't foresee.
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 equipment and chemicals. They determine what your lawn needs and when, based on your location in Virginia and the time of year. However, you still need to handle the manual labor.
If you would prefer to have a company handle all parts of the process, hiring a full-service company like TruGreen is your best bet. While they may be more expensive than other options, they handle everything, from determining what you need to doing the actual work.
Types of Lawn Care Services in Tuckahoe, VA
Tuckahoe's lawn care companies can be hired for many different types of services, such as:
- Weed Control: Weed control involves the use of both chemical and manual methods to remove weeds and other unwanted plants, and various practices to keep them from coming back. This service is offered by most if not all full-service and subscription lawn care companies.
- Fertilization: The majority of full-service and subscription lawn care companies provide fertilization services. Fertilization uses various compounds and chemicals to help facilitate the growth of grass and other plants that you want in your yard.
- Soil Care: Soil care involves balancing the chemistry and pH of your soil to promote lawn growth by increasing the availability of nutrients. Most full-service and subscription lawn companies offer soil care services.
- Seeding/Overseeding: Seeding services involve planting grass seed in places where your lawn is bare. Overseeding involves putting down new seed on existing grass. Both processes help fill in patchy or bare 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 helps to loosen over-compacted soil, allowing roots to grow deeper and strengthening your lawn. Aeration involves the creation of small holes in the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients in more easily. Aeration is offered by most full-service lawn care companies.
- Tree and Shrub Care: Many full-service lawn companies offer tree and shrub care. These providers can help clean up and care for shrubs and trees on your property to help keep your lawn beautiful.
- 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 types of services. These services help prevent overgrowth, and they quickly improve the overall look of your lawn.
- Leaf/Snow Removal: Worried about leaves or snow sitting on and killing your grass? Some lawn care companies will come and clear everything away. You might less frequently need snow removal services and infrequently require leaf removal services in Tuckahoe. If and when you do need these services, be sure to contact a company to make sure it is something that they can do.
- Pest Control: Many full-service lawn care companies can also help eliminate insects or other pests that are damaging your lawn. Your lawn professional might trap animals or apply pesticides. Always verify that your technician is properly licensed to apply pesticides through the Virginia Department of Agriculture.
No matter what kind of services you require, there is a Tuckahoe lawn care company for the job. We strongly suggest looking into one or two of the companies on our list above to find which one is best for you.
Tuckahoe Quick Facts
- In Virginia, the average lot size is about 12,000 square feet.
- Tuckahoe's average high temperature of 67° F is higher than 76.2% of the United States.
- When it comes to precipitation, Tuckahoe sees more, on average, than 68.7% of the U.S.
- Normally, Tuckahoe gets approximately 10.9 inches of snow a year.
- Tuckahoe is in the Mixed-Humid climate zone.
Choosing a Tuckahoe Lawn Care Company
When you are choosing a company, you first should make sure that the one you are choosing is reputable. If a technician will need to apply chemicals like pesticides at any point, they will need to be licensed through the Virginia Department of Agriculture. If your technician will be performing landscaping services, such as mowing or tree care, you can look to see if they meet all of the landscaper licensing requirements for Virginia. After you've verified a company's licensure, you can see if they are a member of an organization like the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), an optional association that encourages members to collaborate and provides education regarding best practices in the industry. You can also search for reviews online and browse 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."
Once you've discovered the best companies near you, you'll need to figure out which ones can provide the specific combination of services that you think you'll need. Many Tuckahoe lawn care companies offer both fixed plans and "a la carte" options where you can make your own service package.
After you've chosen which companies you want to contact, you can ask them for a free inspection and estimate. With GPS technology, some companies can estimate your property size and give you a quote over the phone. The estimate will be based mainly on the specific services you need and the size of your lawn.
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Homeowner Responsibilities
When you hire a lawn care company in Tuckahoe, there are things you can expect before, during, and after services. Some of these are:
- Before Treatments: Any full-service company that you choose will ask you to make sure that your lawn is accessible on the day of treatment. For example, you will need to make sure all gates stay 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 tell you. If you've picked a subscription company, it is important to provide any needed information and put in your order in advance.
- During Treatments: If you've opted for a subscription company, you will be the one doing the treatments 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 perform services. Your company might ask that you be home the first time they visit. However, you generally do not need to be at home for lawn care treatment to take place. You'll be informed by the company (either in writing or electronically) what services they performed and when.
- After and Between Treatments: It is important to remember that it might take weeks to see the effects of treatments like weed control and overseeding. In the meantime, your lawn care professionals might recommend watering your lawn 24 hours after some treatments. They will also inform you when it is safe for pets and family to be on your lawn. In the unlikely event that something goes wrong with your lawn care, many subscription and full-service companies have products and services that are backed by guarantees. In most cases, any type of lawn care service will continue regularly unless you cancel.
Picking the right lawn care company in Tuckahoe can help you be confident and well-informed regarding 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 Tuckahoe to discover which one is best for you.
