Anyone use one of the franchise lawn services? (1 Viewer)

[CrossEyed2]

We had a beautiful new lawn put in last spring (2015), but then an extremely dry summer and two kids running around on it has created all kids of dead areas. Was thinking about hiring someone to get it back to where I can maintain it easily myself. 

Has anyone used any of the franchise lawn services? Do any of them do a good job?

 

[McGarnicle]

The results I've seen are great, but I'm concerned about all the chemical runoff. I've got 5 kinds of grass and tons of weeds but I keep it mowed and edged and it looks fine. For bare spots you can fill in with sod or wait until the fall and reseed. To prevent bare spots you need to water. Not sure where you live, but this time of year you may need to water frequently depending on rainfall.

The lawn services typically add fertilizer and weed killer. If you have a quality soil and healthy grass, just mow high with a mulching mower and stay on top of the watering. Thick, healthy grass will choke out weeds.

 

[ChiefD]

No. There are plenty of local companies that do a better job and are family owned. Google is your friend. Look at reviews and talk, to your neighbors.

 

[CrossEyed2]

The results I've seen are great, but I'm concerned about all the chemical runoff. I've got 5 kinds of grass and tons of weeds but I keep it mowed and edged and it looks fine. For bare spots you can fill in with sod or wait until the fall and reseed. To prevent bare spots you need to water. Not sure where you live, but this time of year you may need to water frequently depending on rainfall.

The lawn services typically add fertilizer and weed killer. If you have a quality soil and healthy grass, just mow high with a mulching mower and stay on top of the watering. Thick, healthy grass will choke out weeds.

There aren't large bare spots, more like lots of tufts of grass all surrounded by small areas of dead spots all throughout the lawn. If it was just a few large bare spots, I'd probably just do it myself. 

 

[mr roboto]

No. There are plenty of local companies that do a better job and are family owned. Google is your friend. Look at reviews and talk, to your neighbors.

Why aren't franchises family owned?  Most franchisees are local small business owners too

 

[McGarnicle]

There aren't large bare spots, more like lots of tufts of grass all surrounded by small areas of dead spots all throughout the lawn. If it was just a few large bare spots, I'd probably just do it myself. 

Aerate & reseed in the fall imo. Also if you're somewhere like the south with poor/acidic soil, find a reputable company to test & amend the soil. You might need lime. And if you can have them topdress with a quality organic compost, that would be ideal.

 

[CrossEyed2]

Aerate & reseed in the fall imo. Also if you're somewhere like the south with poor/acidic soil, find a reputable company to test & amend the soil. You might need lime. And if you can have them topdress with a quality organic compost, that would be ideal.

Northeast. And it was brand new topsoil when the lawn was seeded last year.