Are Your Corners Being Cut?

You’ve noticed that your landscape is looking a little blah.  You see your landscapers out there, maybe cutting the grass or trimming some shrubs, but do you really know that they’re doing? Are they doing what’s expected of them and not cutting corners?  Fortunately, there are several ways to tell if your landscapers are not doing a thorough job.

Your lawn is dull or brown.

If your lawn is not bright green, your landscaper may not be fertilizing when he should or using as much fertilizer as he should.  Some try to cut costs by cutting back, but for fertilizer to be able to give your lawn the nutrients it needs, it must be done as directed by the fertilizer company.

Browning can also be an indication that you have a broken sprinkler head or your irrigation system needs to be updated.  Although there’s an initial investment in an updated system, you will save water and money in the long run.

 

There are visible trash and debris.

Any reputable landscaper will pick up trash when they see it, not just during your spring clean up.  Unfortunately, businesses with high-traffic areas tend to have litter, and if not picked up on a regular basis by a landscaper who takes pride in his work, your company’s exterior will be shabby and unattractive.  It is important to note that if the amount of trash is excessive, it may incur an additional charge for cleanup.  But having a great-looking, well-manicured property is well worth any extra time spent cleaning it up.  A clean, professional property is a welcoming one!

 

The emergence of weeds.
If you begin to see weeds popping up, your landscaper may be neglecting weed prevention applications, which, like fertilizers, must be applied at the right intervals and in the right amounts.  The general rule is that any weed 2” or shorter should be sprayed and anything over should be hand pulled.  So if you’re seeing them over 2”, your landscape contractor may not be putting in the time to pull them by hand.  Weed control is one of the reasons why it’s important to have year-round maintenance of your property; even with applications of weed prevention weeds can emerge.  Mice and rats like to feed on weeds and on tall grass so it’s best to keep the weeds in check.  

 

Edging looks messy.

The edging along walkways and plant beds should always look crisp and clean and to keep this manicured look, a landscaper must redo the edging regularly.  Edging creates a barrier between your grass and garden beds.  It keeps mulch and plants from creeping into your turf and vice versa by blocking their roots and also helps to prevent soil erosion.  Edging also creates a cue for humans to not tread into your flower beds.  Edging can consist of concrete bricks, stones, or be plastic artificial edging, or your landscaper will do a clean, sharp cut using a mechanical edger.  

 

Shrubs are overgrown.  

Shrubs should remain well-trimmed and neat, but not just for aesthetic reasons.  Overgrown shrubs can be homes to pests, can block walkways which create a hazard, and if they become too overgrown, it’ll require a drastic rejuvenation pruning, which will leave you looking at an unsightly stump until it grows back in.  Shrubs should be trimmed 1-2” twice a year to remove any new growth and to maintain their shape.  Shrubs that look overgrown and misshapen are being overlooked.  

 

Tree limbs are too low.

If your landscape contractor neglects the care of your trees, diseases may go unnoticed until it’s too late to save the tree.  Dead limbs can create a hazard to people and structures if they fall or if there are low-lying branches that need to be cut.  Dead limbs are invitations for insects to move in, and before you know it, you have an infestation.  Many insects will not only kill the tree but can also spread to other trees, shrubs, or hedges.  Your trees are one of the most important assets of your property.  They provide shade, help cool the buildings and the property, give us oxygen, cut down on erosion, and add beauty and serenity to your landscape.   

 

There are dried grass clippings on your turf.

If you can see them, your landscaper is not cutting your grass often enough and it’s getting too long between cuttings.  Your grass should be cut weekly at 3-4” of length to remain lush and healthy.

 

Your landscaper is not putting in the time.