Be Mindful Of The Economy In Your Bids – Also The Power Of Word Of Mouth

May 19th, 2010

I recently heard about a home owner in my area that was getting quotes to re-landscape his front yard. He called two “big landscaping companies” that had a very professional look and feel. Both companies gave detailed quotes with line by line pricing on each part of the landscaping job.

By the time the home owner was done going through the two bids he realized that the landscaping project was going to cost him $10k. Like most people in this economy he was not willing or able to pay cash for a $10k landscaping project.

So he started talking with his neighbors and they referred a landscaper they had used. He called up the landscaper and when he came over to give the bid he could tell wasn’t a huge landscaping company and was more in touch with those of us not living in million dollar homes in the hills.

Well he gave a bid, not as detailed as the other two big landscaping companies but still line by line he bid out the job and the total came to $2k. Guess which landscaper he chose to use? Here is the kicker, I have seen the landscaping job the smaller guy did and it looks phenomenal.

You are probably in the situation where you are not a huge landscaping company yet, but take a lesson from this guy and be mindful of the economy we are in. People are looking to save money. You should still try to make good money on every job you do but don’t get greedy.

Lawn Care Tips – Tending Your Lawn

April 25th, 2010

Tending your lawn

Lawn care can be a big chore for anyone, and everyone just wants to see the finished product of a beautiful lawn. However, for many this dream is never realized because of common errors. I will discuss some of these errors to help you avoid them. First, a common mistake for many is cutting the grass far too short. When the grass gets cut too short; it will have problems regrowing, and thus weeds will invade. If the weeds invade then your lawn will look terrible. Do not get tempted into cutting your grass too short.

Another mishap that many of us run into is over watering our lawns. While lawns do need an average of about an inch of water per week; most lawns will receive this through regular rainfall. If you live in an area were there is hardly any rainfall then perhaps some watering is in order, so long as you don’t go too far over one inch per week. Finally, one of the most vital aspects of the lawn is one where we make the most errors.

The soil of your lawn must be tended to very well. You may be doing everything else right, and for some reason your lawn just refuses to grow. If this is the case then you need to get your soil tested professionally. By getting your soil tested an expert will be able to tell you if it is unhealthy. If you soil is unhealthy then it may in fact be contributing to the destruction of your lawn rather than the growth of it. Remember to not cut too short, not water too much, and always tend to your soil.

Lawn Care Tips – Don’t Over Water Your Lawn

April 21st, 2010

Over Watering Can Damage Your Lawn and Landscape

During the heat of summer, it is not unusual for people to feel they must water their lawn more than in spring or fall. While it is true that summer is hotter, and the water is absorbed faster, it does not mean you should overburden your grass or plants with water.

Water your grass only 3 times a week. This is sufficient. Many people can actually get away with only watering it twice a week. Over watering will also produce dead, brown grass, just as under watering will.

When you water your lawn or landscape plants do so in the early morning hours or in the evening. This is critical for your plants. Watering during the peek of the day can actually burn your plants. The heat from the sun will also cause the water to evaporate faster which causes the plants to absorb less from your watering.

Only water your lawn for about a half hour at a time. Grass roots are semi shallow and will absorb the water quickly once it hits the ground. Any additional water is just a waste for your lawn and will run up your water bill. Cutting down on watering time is also an environmentally friendly practice.

Do not over fertilize your lawn. Fertilize your lawn only as directed by the product you use or by a professional lawn company recommends. Over treatment will kill the lawn and can possibly cause damage to your soil.