10 Secrets Your Lawn Service Might Not Share

Lawn care generally refers to maintaining the health, color and vitality of existing lawns through the years. Some services that fall under lawn care are pest control, weed control, fertilization, soil testing, aeration, seeding, deep root feeding for trees and shrubs and irrigation.

1. I Gained My Lawn Care Skills by Tending to My Own Yard..

A significant number of American households—around 85 million or 72%—actively engage in yard work, from mowing to gardening, according to the National Gardening Association. However, an increasing number of people are opting for professional lawn care services. In 2012, approximately 27 million households hired lawn services, marking a notable 20% increase from 2010, when economic conditions were more strained. The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) reports that the average American household spent $700 on basic lawn care services like mowing and leaf cleanup, and an additional $400 on treatments such as fertilizers and weed control.

Here’s a critical point: Starting a lawn care business is relatively simple. Often, all it requires is a mower and a business license, with minimal formal training needed. So, how can you be sure that the lawn care professional you hire is truly knowledgeable?

Kathryn Hahne, who oversees the SmartScape landscape water conservation program in Tucson, Arizona, advises homeowners to inquire about any certifications their lawn service might have. Certifications from national industry organizations or local/state programs, while not a guarantee of excellence, do indicate a level of formal education. Additionally, some states require certification for those applying pesticides or fertilizers.

It’s also essential to verify that the company is properly licensed and insured. This helps ensure that you won’t be held responsible for any accidents or damages that occur during the service. Katherine Hutt from the Better Business Bureau highlights a rise in complaints about lawn services, though the increased number of consumers checking the BBB’s database suggests that people are becoming more diligent in their research.

Before making a decision, consider consulting Master Gardeners or county extension agents. While they cannot recommend specific companies, they can provide valuable advice on lawn care and offer guidance on selecting a reputable lawn service provider.

2. The More You Rely on Us, the More You’ll Need Our Services.

Golf-course greens are meticulously maintained with daily mowing, fertilizers, and weed killers to achieve a pristine, ultra-short length of just an eighth of an inch. However, your lawn doesn't need this level of care, and striving for a golf-course look can be more costly than many homeowners are willing to spend.

Critics argue that lawn services often mow too frequently and keep the grass excessively short. This approach has several drawbacks: it exposes weeds to sunlight, promotes their growth, puts unnecessary stress on your lawn, leads to uneven grass growth, and can make the grass grow more quickly, resulting in more frequent mowing and higher costs for you.

Andrew Ziehler, president of Ziehler Lawn and Tree Care in Centerville, Ohio, and chair of PLANET’s lawn-care specialty group, notes that shorter grass invites weeds because it’s less dense and lush.

Barbara Bromley, a horticulturist with Rutgers University’s cooperative extension program in New Jersey, advises that whether you’re mowing yourself or using a service, you should never cut more than one-third of the grass height in a single mowing. For those who prefer a shorter lawn, she suggests cutting when the grass is 1½ inches high if you want it at 1 inch. For cool-weather grasses in northern regions, cutting back to 3 inches means waiting until it reaches 4½ inches before mowing again. In warmer southern climates, aim to cut warm-season grasses to about 2 inches. To achieve the correct height, set your mower to its highest setting.

Ziehler adds that while many lawn care companies follow these recommendations, homeowners often request a shorter cut, influenced by what they see on TV.

3. Why Your Lawn Care Bill Might Be Higher Than Your Neighbor’s.

As the season progresses, many homeowners receive enticing offers from lawn care companies promising special rates or claiming they won’t be outdone on price.

Several factors influence lawn care costs, with lawn size being a major determinant. Features like pools and large flower beds can reduce the amount of grass, making one yard different from another. However, informed homeowners can find ways to save.

One strategy is to pay for the entire lawn care service upfront before the season begins. Sometimes, lawn care companies offer special neighborhood pricing, aiming to attract more business by providing a discounted rate to multiple homes in the same area. Seasonal promotions, coupons, and bonuses are also common, with some companies offering free services to new customers. Be cautious of automatic renewal clauses when signing up for such deals, as advised by the Better Business Bureau.

Additionally, many companies offer discounts for bundling services. For example, combining mowing and fertilizing services might reduce the overall cost. However, discounts are less common for winter snow removal, which is typically billed separately. Opting for fewer fertilizer applications may not always lead to savings, as each case varies.

4. We Don’t Conduct Soil Tests

Soil tests are highly beneficial for maintaining a healthy lawn, providing insights into soil pH, nutrient deficiencies, and overall soil quality. Barbara Bromley, a horticulturist in New Jersey, recommends testing your soil every three to five years to avoid problems and ensure optimal lawn health.

However, many lawn care services do not routinely perform these tests. James Murphy, a turf management expert at Rutgers University, explains that many services rely on general knowledge and guesswork to determine fertilizer needs, rather than conducting precise soil tests.

Andrew Ziehler of Ziehler Lawn and Tree Care acknowledges that while not all lawns require individual testing, services often use local soil conditions as a guideline. In newly developed neighborhoods, for example, soil properties are usually consistent across homes. Soil tests are not a standard offering because many customers resist paying the $20 to $40 cost, not seeing its value until issues arise. A soil test can be particularly useful if a lawn struggles to stay green or before reseeding to ensure proper nutrient levels for new growth.

5. We’re Giving You Extra Fertilizer…

There’s ongoing debate about the appropriate amount and type of fertilizer for lawns. Excessive fertilizer can wash into storm drains and waterways, leading to algae blooms and reduced oxygen levels that harm aquatic life. For instance, Maryland has enacted restrictions to address these issues, banning phosphorus and limiting nitrogen in most lawn fertilizers, and prohibiting application from November 15 to March 1.

This trend is affecting other regions as well. Scotts, a leading lawn and garden product company, has removed phosphorus from most of its products after research indicated that most home lawns have sufficient phosphorus. This move highlights the environmental push for minimizing fertilizer use.

Despite this, many lawn care services recommend frequent fertilization. They often suggest applying fertilizer four to five times a year, aligning with recommendations from state universities. Scotts, catering to DIY consumers, also supports these guidelines.

Critics argue that this frequency is excessive. Mike McGrath, former editor of “Organic Gardening” and host of “You Bet Your Garden” on NPR, suggests that fertilizing should be limited to twice a year. Overuse of fertilizer can promote weed growth and create a thick layer of thatch—a mix of dead and living grass between the soil and the growing grass. Excess thatch can impede air and water flow to the roots and harbor harmful fungi.

For lawns in cooler climates, McGrath recommends one fall feeding and a lighter spring application. Warm-climate grasses, such as zoysia and Bermuda, benefit from two summer feedings. McGrath emphasizes that lawns don’t need heavy chemical treatments and warns that lawn care professionals might overapply fertilizer to meet their service quotas.

6. Sometimes Less is More for Your Lawn.

Instead of paying hefty fees to lawn care services for fertilizing, why not take matters into your own hands and potentially save money? Mike McGrath suggests a simple and effective method: leave your grass clippings on the lawn after mowing. These clippings naturally break down and release nutrients, supplying about half of the nitrogen your lawn needs throughout the year. McGrath emphasizes, “Grass clippings are composed of 10% nitrogen, which is exactly what your lawn requires.”

For those who prefer organic approaches, composting offers a budget-friendly alternative. You can create compost from common yard waste like leaves and coffee grounds, or even take advantage of free compost offered by some municipalities. Commercial compost and mushroom soil are also good options. By spreading a half-inch layer of compost over your lawn, you’ll provide a slow-release source of nutrients that requires less frequent application and enhances the soil’s ability to retain moisture.

Although using compost is beneficial, finding a lawn care company that offers this service can be difficult. Leanne Spaulding from the U.S. Composting Council highlights that compost not only costs less in the long run but also improves the lawn’s resilience to drought. However, Andrew Ziehler counters that professional lawn services are more efficient in applying the right amount of fertilizer, avoiding the pitfalls of DIY attempts where you might miscalculate the necessary quantity.

7. Chemicals Can Have Unseen Consequences.

Lawn care companies offer a variety of treatments beyond basic maintenance, including weed control, disease prevention, and soil conditioning. However, resorting to chemicals at the first sign of trouble isn’t always the best solution. Rutgers University’s James Murphy advises homeowners to thoroughly investigate brown patches in their lawns before turning to chemical treatments. Often, the root cause might be something other than disease, and a more careful approach could be more effective.

Overusing chemicals can lead to unexpected problems. A case in point is DuPont’s herbicide Imprelis, which was introduced in 2010. Shortly after, customers reported that the product was harming trees, particularly conifers. This led to a costly legal settlement, with DuPont agreeing to pay $1.175 billion to resolve the issue. The company admitted that it didn’t foresee the damage, which underscores the risks associated with relying too heavily on chemical solutions for lawn care.

8. Organic Lawn Care Might Not Be What You Think.

The term "organic" can be misleading in the lawn care industry, as it lacks a clear, standardized definition. Many customers might mistakenly believe that "organic" equates to "pesticide-free," but this isn't always the case.

For lawn care professionals offering organic services, the term often means that pesticides are used sparingly, rather than being the first line of defense. Even some methods that seem natural, such as using corn gluten meal or citronella for pest control, are still classified as pesticides by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Many lawn care companies now promote "integrated pest management" (IPM), a strategy that assesses whether a pest or weed needs to be controlled and, if so, the best method to use. While some companies prefer to avoid chemicals, others might resort to them if natural solutions, like ladybugs, fail to do the job.

Ziehler mentions that more companies are adopting IPM, but the approach varies by provider. His company offers an organic treatment plan that excludes preemergent herbicides, weed control, and insect control. However, this service costs 60% more than their standard package, and only a small percentage of customers choose it. There's also a mid-tier option that uses biodegradable fertilizers along with selective weed and insect control, but it still comes at a premium price. While interest in these options exists, the higher cost often deters customers.

Some experts suggest that natural methods like aerating the soil can help manage weeds effectively. This process involves removing small plugs of soil, which improves air circulation and allows grass roots to spread more easily.

9. The Mulch We Use Might Contain Questionable Materials.

Mulch, a popular garden material, serves both aesthetic and practical purposes, such as retaining soil moisture and preventing weed growth. However, the mulch you buy might contain more than just wood.

The Mulch and Soil Council, an industry group, estimates that Americans use millions of cubic yards of mulch annually. Despite its benefits, mulch is an unregulated product, which means it can sometimes contain harmful materials, such as pesticide-treated wood or remnants of old railroad ties. These contaminants can introduce toxins into your yard, potentially endangering pets and children.

If you notice mulch with straight edges or unusual shapes, it might not be pure wood, but rather ground-up plywood or laminate, according to Robert LaGasse, the executive director of the Mulch and Soil Council. He advises homeowners to be cautious when buying mulch, especially from sources that offer unusually low prices, as this could indicate lower-quality or contaminated materials.

To ensure you're getting safe mulch, look for products certified by the Mulch and Soil Council. Although this certification is voluntary and not all bags carry the seal, it indicates that the manufacturer adheres to certain quality standards. The Council is also working on a program to certify bulk mulch, commonly sold at nurseries, although this will focus on the producers' practices rather than the mulch itself.

10. We Often Overdo It with Mulch.

A common mistake among lawn care companies is overloading tree bases with too much mulch, a practice known as creating "mulch volcanoes." This approach is frowned upon by both master gardeners and industry experts like LaGasse, who caution that it’s the wrong way to apply mulch.

Excessive mulch can create a habitat for pests like voles, which can damage tree bark, especially on young trees. Moreover, thick layers of mulch can prevent water from reaching the roots, particularly during the growing season. If mulch is piled against a house, it can also provide a pathway for termites to reach your foundation.

Ziehler notes that improper mulch application is a recurring issue, but one that professional gardeners typically avoid. The Mulch and Soil Council recommends applying mulch in a layer between 2 and 4 inches thick, extending it to the edge of the tree's canopy, where the roots are most active.

McGrath warns against using more than two inches of mulch, as this could lead to dehydration of the plant. Additionally, mulch should be kept at a distance from light-colored houses or cars, as a fungus that thrives in mulch can shoot tar-like spores, potentially causing cosmetic damage that may not be covered by homeowner insurance.