Yard and Landscape Maintenance: DIY or Hire a Pro?

April 01, 2021

Every year it’s the same. Spring finally arrives. The birds sing, the bees buzz, the flowers bloom, your grass begins to grow… and the yard work begins! Yup, time to dust off the mower and the clippers and get to work before things get out of hand.

If you are the DIY green-thumb sort and love spending your weekends tending to your yard, we tip our hats to you. Spring is probably your favorite time of year. But if you are like many busy homeowners, yard work is just that: work! This is precisely why we offer residential maintenance services—we want you to be able to sit back and simply enjoy your beautiful landscape.

Besides freeing up your time, though, there are a number of good reasons to let the pros take care of your yard. A professionally installed landscape is an investment and it only stands to reason that you would want to protect that investment with regular maintenance beyond a simple weekly mow.

Here’s what regular landscape maintenance looks like and why it matters:
1. Complete lawn care tailored to the specific needs of your lawn.

This is going above and beyond mowing, edging, weeding, watering, and fertilizing. Here is what else your lawn needs to thrive and give you that lush green turf you are after.

• Annual soil assessment and amendment as needed.
• Correct application of the right combination of nutrients at the right time.
• Expert diagnosis and problem-solving of common (and not-so-common) ailments from disease to pest control and everything in-between.
• Seasonal adjustments of irrigation and mowing height.

2. Finely-tuned irrigation services for optimal water usage and application.

It is one thing to just turn your system on or off at the start or end of the season, but taking a few extra steps will make a big difference to ensure everything is operating as it should and prevent problems down the road. We offer Premium Water Management Services that include the following:

Spring start-up with a backflow test and report sent to your local water purveyor. Inspect and test all your sprinkler heads and repair or adjust as needed. Program your controller throughout the season to adjust for changes in precipitation from spring through summer and fall. Winterization to clear out your system and prevent freeze damage.

3. Proper shrub and tree pruning for plant health, appearance, and containment.

The reason behind regular pruning of trees and shrubs is equal parts plant health, aesthetics, and safety. The after-effects of harsh winter storms illustrate this point: well-manicured trees and shrubs largely fare better with less limb damage or even uprooting. Unless you are an arborist, we recommend hiring a professional—it’s far too easy to make the wrong cut!

• Remove dead, broken, or diseased branches, for both health and safety, and to promote a healthy branching structure.
• Make aesthetic cuts to improve the visual appearance, while preserving the natural shape and overall health of the plant.
• Cut back plants to keep walkways clear and maintain an optimal distance from buildings and windows.

4. Ongoing care and feeding of ornamental beds to maintain form, function, and aesthetic appeal.

Much like your lawn, your garden and landscape beds need regular care and maintenance beyond weed removal and watering. Attending to the basic needs of your plants on a regular basis throughout the seasons will help ensure their lasting beauty and minimize the need to replace dead or barely surviving plants.

• Stop weeds and moss before either gets a foothold.
• Maintain bed edges to preserve their shape and prevent your lawn from creeping in.
• Prune your ornamental flowers, plants, and shrubs for both health and aesthetic appeal, and to prevent overcrowding.
• Apply the proper nutrients to promote growth, maintain health, and help prevent pests and disease.
• Adjust irrigation seasonally and as plants grow (sprinkler heads may need to be adjusted).
• Apply mulch to help control unwanted pests, maintain moisture, and protect your garden during temperature extremes.

5. Maintain your water features and lighting with regular inspections.

As with any part of your home, water features and outdoor lighting last longer and perform better with regular inspections, cleaning, and maintenance. Depending on your water feature, you may need to take measures to winterize. Lighting updates may also be warranted as parts age and new technology offers additional savings.

• Maintain water quality for clarity, prevent foam or algae, and ensure a healthy environment for fish and plants.
• Keep your water features clear of debris so filters do not become clogged.
• Inspect and clean lighting fixtures, and repair any loose connections to ensure they function properly.
• Update fixtures and/or systems as they become outdated for better performance and cost savings.

Whether you are caring for your yard and landscape yourself, or you are hiring a pro, the final piece of advice we have for you is this: remember, every yard is unique. The conditions in your own yard will never be identical to the conditions in someone else’s yard, not even your next-door neighbor. This is why we take a personalized approach to every yard we service. In fact, we start with a complimentary visit to your home and will consult with you to create a comprehensive service plan customized to the needs of your outdoor living area. From irrigation to lighting and water features, to pruning, plant health, and even seasonal flower care, everything your landscape needs is included in your personalized plan. If this is the year you decide it’s time to hire out the yard work, sit back, and relax, then contact Landscape East & West today.