In dry climates like Arizona, where water conservation is increasingly important, many homeowners are exploring alternatives to traditional lawns. Companies such as RM Artificial Grass Phoenix have seen growing interest in low-maintenance, eco-friendly turf solutions that reduce environmental impact without sacrificing curb appeal.

This takes a lot of effort, and there are many tools and products available to make this easier, but many of these options come with dire environmental effects. Lawns are increasingly understood as an environmental issue on every level, so working to mitigate the environmental impact of your lawn is an essential part of lawn care in the modern world. Let us take a quick look at how to reduce your environmental impact while maintaining a perfect green lawn.

What is the Problem with Lawns?

Lawns have major issues. The largest of these is the lack of biodiversity: a lawn is a large area with pretty much no variety in the plants and insects living there. Technically, most lawns are classified as biodiversity deserts because there are so few creatures living there. That is fixable, though, and we will cover that below.

The other major problem with lawns is their water consumption. The grass is thirsty, and large lawns use a huge amount of water, which is increasingly a problem in states like California, where lawns cause water shortages for surrounding communities.

Fertilization

Commercial fertilizers might make your lawn look great, but they have devastating environmental impacts. Chemicals from fertilizers are washed away into local waterways, where they cause incredibly fast algal growth. The algae use up all the nutrients, and everything else in the water dies. Fish, plants, insects… everything. This leads to waterways in crisis, filled with dead fish.

Fortunately, there are alternatives you can find at bestofmachinery. Most fertilizers focus on adding nitrogen to your lawn, but there are plants that do that all on their own. Simply plant micro clovers among the grass of your lawn, and these will work as a natural fertilizer without any of the issues!

Fortunately, there are alternatives. Most fertilizers focus on adding nitrogen to your lawn, but there are plants that do that all on their own. Simply plant micro clovers among the grass of your lawn, and these will work as a natural fertilizer without any of the issues!

Irrigation

Lawns need water. A lot of water. They are causing major water shortages in states such as California, and this is only getting worse as we come to understand the effects of climate change more. Fortunately, lawns do not need clean drinking water: rainwater is fine. If you set up a rainwater barrel under your gutters, you can collect water to use on your lawn without needing to use the drinking water supplies!

In response to hosepipe restrictions and water shortages, as well as to save money and energy on water usage, many are switching over from traditional lawns to artificial grass alternatives. While there are environmental concerns surrounding modern fake grass solutions, they can often save money in the long run on water usage as they don’t require regular maintenance, and they also remove the need for use of chemicals and pesticides in the garden.

If you’re thinking of switching to an artificial turf in your garden space, you want to make sure that you’re selecting a high-quality, long-lasting range that won’t need to be replaced. UK supplier Grass Warehouse suggest a turf with dense, tightly packed fibres that will bounce back into shape over time, and one that is UV-protected so that it will maintain its colour long-term.

Conclusion

Lawn care does not have to be environmentally disastrous. You just need to put in the time and the energy to look after your lawn with the minimum possible environmental impact. It might not be the easiest option, but it is an important thing to prioritize. Looking after the environment is essential, particularly as the effects of extreme weather events continually get worse and more frequent. If you are going to maintain a large lawn, it is essential that you ensure you look after it responsibly, rather than just dumping pesticides, fertilizers, and drinking water supplies all over it. Social and environmental responsibility is for everyone!

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Making your grass healthy and green throughout the year isn’t as easy as it may look. We’ve all been envious of one of our neighbors’ green lawns and we’ve asked ourselves: how do they manage to make their grass so perfect? It isn’t rocket science but it isn’t that easier either. That’s why we’ve put together this guide that will show you 8 things you should consider when hiring a lawn care company! Keep reading:

1. Ask Your Neighbors

If someone in your neighborhood is already using a local lawn care company and you’ve seen good results, as them for their contact! There is no better way to find a good company than by seeing the results yourself firsthand! Ask your neighbor some questions about the company’s lawn care plan, pricing, and customer service. Let them show you some before photos so you can see what the state of their lawn was in before, and how much it has improved using the company’s services.

2. Read Reviews Online

A good way to get instant feedback on a lawn care company is by checking the internet for reviews. I love reading reviews on a company’s Google maps page, Facebook page and even Yelp. One thing that you have to keep in mind is that people that leave reviews are either those that have had a really good experience or a very bad one. These reviews usually don’t provide the whole story, but it does give you a sneak peak of what you may be getting yourself into. Always be cautious of a lawn care company that has many negative reviews, this is a huge red flag and you could be getting yourself into hot water by using their services. Always do you due diligence and research before cashing out a lot of money on lawn care.

3. Check if They are a Licensed and Insured Company

Every professional in whatever their expertise may be, should be licensed and have proper insurance. A lawn care company that is licensed means they have dedicated many years, done courses, training seminars, and have experience in taking care of grass. This is the company you want to do business with! Another important point is to make sure that the company you are going to hire to take care of your lawn has insurance. If someone gets injured on your property you will most likely be liable, and think about a scenario when the mower chucks a rock through your window. If they do not have insurance, you will be paying up for the costs to fix it!

4. What Services do They Offer?

There are some lawn care companies that provide only certain types of lawn care, so make sure you are hiring the right one that will do the job you require. For example, some companies specialize in lawn aeration only, while others do not. There are many companies that provide shrub and tree care, if this is what you need then ask about it! Ask as many questions as you need to insure that you are hiring the right company to do the job. While you’re at it, ask the company to do an evaluation on your lawn and give you some tips on what you should do to make it look it’s best.

5. Check out Their Equipment

A professional lawn care company will have the latest equipment, and make sure it is well maintained and in working order. A professional can tell you what a difference it makes cutting grass with a sharp blade than will a dull one. Dull blades make grass look ragged and brown at the edges. A sharp blade gives a clean cut and helps preserve moisture in the grass. Ask the company how often they sharpen their mower blades and see what they tell you. A good company should sharpen their blades every 1-2 days or every 10 mowing hours.

6. Make Sure their Customer Service is Top-Notch

If you want to deal with a reliable company that will answer all of your questions and provide you with the lawn care service you deserve, make sure to pay attention to their customer service before you sign any papers and hire them. Look for companies that answer quickly to emails and calls, and make sure they are up-to-date with the latest lawn care technology. If you would like to save yourself the headache in the long run, then make sure to pay attention to the type of customer service they provide in the beginning, before your hire them.

7. Do You Need to Sign a Contract?

In the world of lawn care, contracts are very common so do not be surprised when a lawn care company asks you to sign a lengthy contract. If I would be choosing lawn care for my own home, I would see if there is a possibility to work without a contract, or at least a trial period. You don’t want to lock yourself in with a company you may not be happy with in the long run. See what they say and remember a good company that stands behind their service will always accommodate a trial period for a new customer.

8. Ask if They Use Pesticides and Chemicals

If you have pets and children in your home, this should be a major concern to you. Before choosing a local lawn care company ask them if they spray the grass or use granular. Remember that a professionally trained company that properly applies lawn care products to your lawn should be safe for your family. A company that sprays lawns excessively with various weed control products may be doing more harm than good. Companies that use granular products are usually safer and something we would personally prefer versus spraying.

Now that you know all the basics to hiring a professional lawn care company, it’s time to pick up the phone and hire a company that will take your lawn from looking ragged to looking it’s best! Lawn care professionals can and will help increase your home’s curb appeal and in return possibly increasing your home’s value!

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The cold weather will be gone before you know it and you’ll soon be back to taking care of lawns and landscapes. With that in mind, now is the time to start marketing your lawn care services, if you have not already. Most people are looking forward to the spring and summer as a time when life may start to resemble normalcy again and people are already thinking about their yards and the work that needs to be done. Getting the word out about your business now and lining up your clients ensures you won’t miss a beat come spring. To make the most of your marketing resources now, keep the following tips in mind.

Reach Out to Past Customers

Now is about the time when your customers are starting to receive seed catalogs and other springtime marketing in the mail, so reaching out to your past customers and reminding them it’s time to schedule lawn care isn’t completely ill-timed. A friendly postcard or email reminding them to get in touch with you helps you maintain top of mind awareness and lock in customers.

Although you may have seen a downturn in business last year, it is important to let your customers know that you are still in business, and ready to help improve their lives. For example, it’s possible that many of your customers who opted to care for their own lawns last year because they were home more realized that they couldn’t achieve the same results. Reaching out with a message that acknowledges the struggles of DIY lawn care, and how you can help, is likely to help you recapture some of the business lost in 2020.

Any communication with your current and former customers should provide an incentive for scheduling service early (such as a discount or a free add on service) and create a sense of urgency. The grass might be buried under the snow right now, but it won’t be for long, so now is the time to act.

Maximize Your Social Media Presence

Customers aren’t just searching Google to find local lawn service providers. They are checking out social media — and looking at what others have to say. Effective marketing requires a robust social media presence. You can use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other platforms to build your brand and engage customers starting now. Try sharing lawn and garden tips, photos, and information that customers can use themselves, and turn your business into a trusted resource for the community.

Highlight Safety

Safety and hygiene are at the top of mind for most people these days and there may be some who are reluctant to hire a lawn service out of concerns related to COVID-19 and social distancing. Your marketing, therefore, should highlight your safety protocols and what your company is doing to keep both customers and your team safe. Inform customers that you follow all CDC recommendations, including wearing facial coverings when required, maintaining social distance, and following hand washing precautions. Now is also a great time to begin using new technology, or expanding how you use technology, to keep customers safe. Consider offering virtual consultations, for instance, FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype, to discuss jobs with customers. Contactless payment options, communicating via text, and other electronic communication tools should be used to limit face-to-face interactions and help your customers feel safer.

Focus on Benefits

After a year of uncertainty, your landscaping company marketing should focus on your reliability, and the quality of your services. Make it clear that customers can count on you, and that you can solve their problems. Remember that many people are busier than ever, wearing multiple hats as they manage their careers, educating their kids, and the stress of the pandemic. Highlighting what you can take off their plates can get their attention and spur them to pick up the phone.

Another benefit to consider highlighting is the improvement to outdoor spaces. Again, with your customers spending more time than ever at home, outdoor spaces have taken on new importance. Show how you can make spaces functional, attractive, and safe for families, both now and once life returns to normal. After all, it’s only a matter of time before we can gather again, and your clients are going to want comfortable, well-maintained spaces to do that in.

2020 required a great deal of creativity and plenty of pivots. Undoubtedly 2021 has some additional surprises in store, but by developing your marketing plan now, and building authentic relationships with your customers, you can bounce back from last year and come back stronger than ever.