Maintaining an attractive lawn within a landscape requires attention to every aspect of turfgrass culture. While North Carolina is an attractive place to live, it presents unique challenges to growing a quality turf. Many people forgo turf maintenance themselves and hire a lawn maintenance service. Selecting one that will fulfill expectations and provide quality service can be accomplished only if a person has an understanding of the different types of services offered and the options available.

There are three basic types of lawncare service—partial lawncare, total lawncare, and total landscape maintenance. Cost and the services offered should be considered when selecting a company. Naturally, the more services a company provides the more it will charge, but there are common denominators to help make the selection.

Partial Lawncare

This type of lawncare service is used by many homeowners and commercial property managers who want to achieve healthy, attractive lawns. Generally, firms that offer this limited service only apply chemicals to the turfgrass—mainly herbicides and fertilizers. But some may offer complete pest management options, including all weed, insect, and disease control. The home- or property-owner is responsible for mowing, irrigation, and other cultural practices such as aerification and reseeding. Ultimately, success depends on the homeowner or manager performing routine turfgrass maintenance according to recommendations made by North Carolina State Extension publications. These recommendations can be obtained from a local county Extension office or at the TurfFiles website.

People who use a partial lawncare service may find that the actual amounts of fertilizer the service applies to the turfgrass are not disclosed. Fertilizer should be applied at rates similar to those recommended by NC State Extension. For a high-quality lawn, applications should be made at the higher application rates in accordance with the calendar Extension has developed for the specific type of turfgrass being grown.

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a philosophy of dealing with pest problems that uses a variety of approaches. While sound IPM strategies rely on a combination of approaches, pesticide application is often necessary to produce a high-quality turf in North Carolina due to the high weed, insect, and disease pressures that affect turfgrasses. Here, as with most IPM strategies involving pesticide use, a key phrase is “less is better.” A lawncare technician should be able to identify the target pests to be treated, as well as the environmental conditions that favor their development. In addition, they should apply pesticides at the correct rate and time of year. For example, pre-emergence herbicides are often applied in mid- to late-winter to prevent the emergence of crabgrass and other weeds. Exactly when to apply herbicides and at what rate are based on many years of research. One or two pre-emergence herbicide applications are preferable to four or five post-emergence herbicide applications. In many areas of North Carolina growing cool-season turfgrasses, summer disease problems can be anticipated. Treating these diseases preventively actually means using lower pesticide rates rather than waiting until the disease problem has become severe.

Make certain the lawncare service technicians or their supervisor have been licensed by the state of North Carolina and can provide a current copy of their pesticide applicator’s license, as well as the label of the pesticide product they are applying. A license is required for anyone who applies or supervises the application of pesticides as part of a company’s services. Many people mistakenly believe that commonly used herbicides such as Roundup (glyphosate) are not part of a pesticide program. But these products are also regulated under state guidelines similar to the guidelines for insecticides and fungicides.

Selecting a partial lawncare company can be as simple as checking with neighbors, friends, or online reviews of those who have used a service to find out how the company has performed in your area. Most lawncare companies use similar approaches in terms of pest control and fertilizer application strategies. But the quality of the service can vary widely, based on the technician’s dedication to detail.

Total Lawncare

Commercial property managers, businesses, and homeowners often hire companies that provide total lawncare to manage all the turfgrasses on a particular property. Usually these firms mow, trim, fertilize, and apply pesticides. Irrigation system operation and maintenance also may be part of their service. The extent of the services a company provides is usually based on a written contract. The quality of turf produced is totally the firm’s responsibility.

Selection of a total lawncare company should be made on the basis of bids, with maintenance specifications determined by the client. Turfgrass management practices should follow those recommended by NC State Extension. Extension publication AG-679, Tips on Writing Turf Contracts and Landscape Maintenance Specifications, provides information on writing specifications for these contracts. Firms should be able to provide a reference list of previous and current jobs, and the client should investigate the performance of the company under consideration.

Total Landscape Maintenance

Some companies provided complete care of the landscape for particular properties. Clients who use these services are interested in more care than total lawncare companies provide and usually have no capacity to provide any portion of the landscape care or management. A landscape maintenance company’s services might include lawn care, maintenance of trees and shrubs, planting and care of annual flowers, upkeep of other landscape plantings, irrigation scheduling and maintenance, snow and ice removal, and leaf and debris removal. These firms are responsible for the total appearance and upkeep of the landscape. A landscape maintenance service company should be chosen much as a total lawncare company is chosen—with bids and written contracts.

Here are some guidelines for selecting a turfgrass maintenance company:

• Expect a consultation that will include a survey of the landscape by the lawn applicator, agronomist, or horticulturalist. A description of services and treatments should be included, and the price should be determined.

• Make certain the program will meet local needs for fertility, mowing, and pest management. NC State Extension recommendations should be followed for maintenance practices. Find them online at the TurfFiles website.

• Look for a lawn maintenance firm with capable personnel who can promptly and courteously answer your questions. Ask the contact person how much training and experience they have with North Carolina turfgrasses. Some companies hire people with no previous experience or educational background in lawn care, pesticide application, agronomy, or horticulture and without proper licensing. Many people relocate from cool-season turfgrass areas and are not familiar with North Carolina’s turfgrasses and pests or with the maintenance required. It takes years of training for an individual to correctly identify turfgrass and weed species, as well as destructive insect and disease problems, and to thoroughly understand turfgrass cultural practices.

• Ask if all personnel or their supervisors are licensed in North Carolina for pesticide applications. This is critical because many of these materials may be harmful to humans, pets, and nontarget landscape plants if applied incorrectly. Applying the correct pesticide at the correct rate and for a specific pest problem is an essential component of any safe, effective pest management program.

• As with all commercial businesses, some lawn service companies are better than others. Do your homework and explore specific companies’ reputations within the community. Some have better maintenance programs than others and more satisfied customers. Ask the companies for references you may contact to verify results.

Contracts may be written or verbal, on a yearly or monthly basis, very detailed or very minimal. If there is significant money involved, a written contract is highly recommended to protect both parties. Make sure you understand the pricing system and know what services are included. Look at the cost of the total program. Compare prices for fertilization, pest management, and cultural practices such as mowing (if included), aerification, and reseeding.

Have the salesperson or applicator explain pesticide applications to you. More is not always best. Be wary of companies whose service provides preventive controls for all pests on a year-round basis. Heavy pesticide applications may adversely affect beneficial predators that normally keep disease organisms and damaging insects in check.

Finally, be careful of oversell. There is no such thing as a weed-free, trouble-free lawn. A high level of turf quality can be achieved but not as easily as is sometimes portrayed. North Carolina’s climate and soil conditions require keen attention to cultural details. For example, plants can experience water stress and therefore be prone to pest problems within a matter of days. Find out if you can expect service when requested within a reasonable time if problems arise once the contract begins.

Lawn and landscape maintenance companies can help to provide high-quality turfgrass and landscapes in North Carolina. Keep in mind that a partial lawn maintenance program is no better than the care given by the client outside the maintenance contract. If not mowed and irrigated correctly, even lawns that receive proper fertilization and pest management will not produce the desired high-quality turfgrass.