Fixit: Tips for choosing a lawn care company

Last update: May 15, 1999 - 11:00 PM

QI've seen lots of advertisements for lawn care companies and I notice that more and more people are using them. I'm considering hiring a company. What should I know to find and hire a good one?

AThere has been a tremendous increase in the number of residential lawns being handled by lawn care companies. Before signing on with a service, be sure to check it out and completely understand the service. Start by asking the following questions:

Fertilization program: How many pounds of nitrogen will be applied? When? How about phosphorus and potassium? Typically, unless soil tests indicate otherwise, the ratio of these chemicals should be around four parts nitrogen, one part phosphorus and two parts potassium (4-1-2). Request a soil test. It is critical for determining the correct fertilizer for a healthy, beautiful lawn.

Also, insist that the company sweep the sidewalks and driveway of dry fertilizer that scatters during application. When pellet fertilizer is applied and the lawn is quickly watered, the fertilizer binds to the soil and is harmless to the environment. On hard surfaces, however, the first rain or watering will cause the spillover fertilizer to flow into the watershed. That causes explosive algae bloom in nearby lakes and streams, rendering them unsightly, smelly and unusable.

Chemical applications: What will be used for broadleaf weed, insect and disease control? Who will diagnose the problems and how will they be verified? What will be used for grassy weed control? What if shrubs or flowers are damaged by herbicides? How will responsibility for damage be handled or proven? What should be done if neighbors object to the chemicals?

Flexibility: Not all lawns require the same level of management. Is the company willing to change its standard program according to your specifications? Will it delay an application until the weather is more suitable if you request it?

Communications: With whom will you discuss problems? Who will assess them? Who will apply the treatments? Who will check on quality control? What training have these people had?

Reliability and responsiveness: Check out the company by asking other customers if they are satisfied. Do your friends or neighbors use that company and believe it to be responsive and reliable?

Guarantee: Will the company refund all your money or just the last application if you are not satisfied? What would it require as proof of damage to your lawn or shrubs?

Cost: Compare prices charged by various companies, and consider the cost of doing the work yourself. You will find it is much cheaper to do it yourself. You will still have to be highly involved in caring for your lawn if you want to keep it healthy. Professional lawn care companies handle a large number of lawns and cannot always catch lawn problems in the early stages or apply chemicals and fertilizers under optimum conditions.

-- University of Minnesota Extension Service

-- Send your questions to Fixit in care of the Star Tribune, 425 Portland Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488, or call 612-673-9033, or e-mail fixit@startribune.com. Past columns are available at http://www.startribune.com/fixit. Sorry, Fixit cannot supply individual replies. Fixit appears every day except Friday.

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