Lawn Care

Anyone with a lawn to be envied would tell you it's not an easy job keeping it green and lush. More often that not, weeds, dry brown spots and diseases will thwart your best efforts. Some individuals would choose to set about the task of caring for their lawn themselves. And some would hire a professional. Here are some things to consider when choosing a lawn service:

• Business Ethics - Choose lawn service contractors that are ethical. From the onset, they should have proper insurance on hand in case employees are injured on your property. Also, they should maintain permits and occupational licenses that are required by the law.
• Technical Skills - Your lawn service contractor should possess a good working knowledge of tuft grass, plants, insect and disease problems, environmental laws, materials, supplies, equipment and methods that is required for them to do a quality job.
• Equipment - Your lawn service contractor should have the right equipment as well enough of it for the job at hand. The appearance of the equipment in use should also be a very good indicator - is it well-maintained; are the proper safety devices in place?
• Business Know-How - Sound business practices help assure long-term service for you. Good business management and fair prices are the cornerstone of a successful and reliable lawn service contractor. Always ask for references before you decide on any lawn service contractor.

Shrubs

Consider shrubs planted en masse to form a backdrop for your garden borders, not only for beauty but protection from prevailing winds, screening for privacy, or hiding eyesores or service areas.

Many gardeners plant shrubs for hedges closer than is usually advised, but still keeping in mind the size at maturity. In the meantime, you can fill in the gaps with tall annuals, bulbs, or perennials that will be ready for uprooting and division in 2 or 3 years --enough time for your shrubs to become established.

There is a big difference between pruning a shrub to renovate it and pruning it every year or two as part of general maintenance and care. Renovation pruning requires removal of most or even all of the above ground growth. This removes all the over-aged woody stems to stimulate new growth. For example, you can do this with lilacs, boxwood, blackberries and raspberries. If the shrub is in good condition, prune only as needed for maintenance. On smaller trees and shrubs, some routine pruning is useful almost every year. The secret to keeping the pruning job simple is to prune frequently, a little bit at a time, rather than waiting until the shrub gets too big for its space or develops an awkward growth habit.