Here in Walled Lake, Michigan, spring is arriving slowly but surely, flower by flower, bud by bud. This is an exciting time of year for people who love gardening and enjoy spending time outside. But it also comes with added responsibilities and chores.
For some, this is not a problem. They just pull out their gardening tools, check the string on the weed eater, sharpen the blade on the lawn mower, and happily shop for new plants. But for others, it presents the question—Do I have the time or the inclination to do this myself or do I want to hire a lawn care service to do the job?
This can be a tough call. Balancing a job and family responsibilities is tough. Even finding downtime to rest is a challenge. To many people, the thought of spending what little free time they have caring for their yard isn’t terribly appealing. And that makes perfect sense.
If this describes you, then you need to select a lawn care service that will meet your needs. As you already know, the climate in SE Michigan includes long cold winters and short springs, which means that any company that works in lawn care and maintenance in Wall Lake should have a specific set of skills—not just mowing and weed eating—but preparing plants for temperature changes and knowing when to apply fertilizers and when to withhold them.
So, this is not a one-size fits all decision, and it helps to have a checklist to get started with. Below are seven tips to help you choose the right lawn care service for your home.
EXPERIENCE AND MAN POWER MATTERS
There is no substitute for experience in this industry. Snappy uniforms and fancy equipment are not going to make up for the expertise that comes with years of experience. So don’t be shy about asking how long the company has been in business. (For instance: J&S Landscaping has been providing lawn care and maintenance in Walled Lake and surrounding areas for over ten years).
If they are a new service and you’re considering whether or not to give them a test-drive, then ask who they worked for before, for how long, and what they did. Don’t be afraid to ask for references.
Ask how big a crew they employ and how they go about making sure that their landscaping crews are prepared to do their jobs. Also ask for certifications and what greenhouses they work with.
THE RIGHT LAWN CARE SERVICE CALLS YOU BACK
Ask any service you contact if they have a policy that governs how soon they return customer calls. If they are vague about this, then move on to someone who will give you a straightforward answer. Important issues like a fallen or damaged tree will need a quick response and flexibility on their part. You shouldn’t have to struggle to get a hold of your service if you have questions or need to make a change to your agreement.
WHEN YOU ONLY HAVE A HAMMER, THEN EVERYTHING LOOKS LIKE A NAIL
Effective landscaping services have a lot of tools in their arsenal. You want someone who has a broad understanding of horticulture, chemistry, and biology. And when they don’t have the answer, they know where to look for answers. The right lawn care service will recognize that the health of your yard is contingent on using not just fertilizers and pesticides, but caring for the soil, the grass itself, and surrounding trees and plants. Lawn care done right will include the use of the right equipment and the right additives. If you question them, and they only seem to have a limited set of solutions available, consider looking elsewhere for your landscaping service.
JACK OF ALL TRADES
The right lawn care service won’t just be focused on mowing and fertilizing the green space that is your yard. They will offer tree and plant care too. And if you’re in the market for new plants or you’re thinking about putting a walkway or raised bed, they will either be able to do the work for you or they’ll know exactly who to call.
THEIR SCHEDULE SHOULD HAVE ROOM FOR YOU
When you ask when to expect them and how often they will come out, they should be able to look at their calendar and tell you. Be sure to ask if there’s a policy that governs exceptions—like bad weather days or illness. If there isn’t one, then pass them by in favor of someone who will give you a clear answer. Any reputable company involved in lawn care and maintenance in Walled Lake should have a schedule and a contingency plan.
QUALITY LAWN CARE DONE RIGHT COMBINED WITH REASONABLE RATES
It’s important to remember that companies who offer the lowest prices aren’t necessarily the ones who offer the best service. The right lawn care service will balance quality and price in order to give you the best of both. When you evaluate providers, ask for written, detailed quotes. If something isn’t clear, don’t be shy about asking for more details.
NATURAL SOLUTIONS TO NATURAL PROBLEMS
Pests are a part of outdoor life—whether it’s bugs, rodents, or birds. You can’t and shouldn’t eliminate them all from your environment. Controlling pests should not always include poisoning and killing them. This is important to your health and that of the environment, too. Ideally, your landscaping service should offer a variety of environmentally-friendly solutions to repelling or eliminating spiders, wasps, and other pests.
NEED LAWN CARE AND MAINTENANCE IN WALLED LAKE? HOW ABOUT US?
J&S Landscaping offers lawn care and maintenance in Walled Lake and all surrounding communities. We are reliable and come to your residence on a regular schedule, based on what’s convenient for you. As we’ve already mentioned, we’ve been in business for over ten years and many of our employees have been with us for much of that time. They’ve been carefully trained and take pride in the work they do for us and our clients.
J&S Landscaping also provides a variety of other services that include snow removal, power washing, and hardscaping. Our contracts can include those services if you’re interested in employing us to them for you regularly.
J&S Landscaping is a member of the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association. We provide top-notch lawn care and support for plants, trees, and shrubs. And everything we purchase and plant for you has a one-year guarantee.
J&S Landscaping is certified by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute to install paver patios & walkways, brick paver driveways, retaining walls and more. We are an authorized contractor for Belgard and we’re so confident of our work that we certify our installations for two years. All of our crews are carefully trained, certified, and bonded.
Call today to learn more about what our company can do for you!
