The Best Lawn Care Companies in New York City (USA Today)
Michelle Nati
A well-maintained lawn elevates your home's curb appeal while creating a beautiful space for outdoor living. It also offers a strong first impression to potential buyers. Take advantage of the best lawn care companies in Manhattan to create a year-round care strategy for your lawn.
Maintaining a lawn is challenging. Some services must be performed repeatedly throughout the year, as consistency is key to your lawn’s health. This can be especially tricky in Manhattan, where extreme seasonal shifts pose a risk to your grass.
What services does my lawn need in Manhattan?
Your lawn needs specific care season by season. Some services are yearly, while others are seasonal. Here are typical lawn care services for maintaining lush, healthy grass all year:
Year-round: To maintain a healthy landscape, fertilizing, watering and mowing should be done frequently throughout the year. Timing hinges on whether your grass enters dormancy in winter.
Spring: When spring has sprung, it’s time to start cleaning up debris, such as leaves and branches. Aerating soil is a must for improved air, water and nutrient penetration, followed by the spreading of fertilizer to promote healthy lawn growth. Overseeding encourages improved coverage over sparse areas.
Summer: Hot Manhattan summers demand attentive watering throughout the hot months to help keep lawns healthy. Repeated mowing encourages drought-resistant grass, while maintaining regular pest control treatments helps ensure that yard pests won't bother you or your family. Additionally, summer fertilizer applications can help replace nutrients depleted during the rapid growth of spring.
Fall: Seeding bare spots helps your lawn improve in thickness in spring. Removing leaves is key because a heavy layer of them can suffocate grass and cause mold. Aerating soil and spreading winterizing fertilizer allows your lawn to stay healthy through winter's cold months.
Winter: To defend against harsh winter conditions, wrap trees and mulch their bases to insulate the roots and protect them against the cold. Throughout the winter, cut off dead branches and apply dormant oil to foliage to avert infestations.
How do you choose the best lawn care company in Manhattan?
To find the best landscaping company for Manhattan properties, investigate online reviews and ask for suggestions from people you know. Compare qualifications, expertise, services and pricing using these tips when vetting companies.
Make sure the company is licensed and insured
What licenses a lawn care company needs depends on each state. Lawn and garden providers in New York aren't obligated to carry a special certification to perform routine upkeep. The state doesn't have licensing rules for any sort of landscaping task aside from the use of pesticides. However, landscapers must be registered for New York State sales tax purposes and have a valid Certificate of Authority to perform any activities that are considered repair, maintenance or installation services.
For treatments using pesticides, lawn care professionals must have a Commercial Pesticide Applicator or Technician License through the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. Companies working with pesticides and herbicides are also required to be licensed through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Ask for your contractor's permit status and verify compliance with local laws.
Find out what services they offer
Many lawn companies have distinct specialties. When researching local companies, inquire about what services each one offers. You’ll find that some focus more on general maintenance, such as weeding, while others focus on specific services, such as aerating and fertilizing. The products lawn care providers use may also differ — some use the standard chemicals, while others offer more natural alternatives.
Ask about service packages
Lawn care companies offer a variety of different service packages. Getting recurring maintenance, or signing a contract with one company for a full season or year, is often less expensive than purchasing one-off services. Think about your lawn's specific needs and which companies have appropriate packages. Keep an eye out for seasonal specials some providers advertise.
Look into green options
If you don't want chemicals used on your lawn, many landscaping companies offer organic alternatives instead. When comparing service providers, ask about green options.
Questions to ask your lawn care provider
When vetting local lawn care options, ask prospective companies the following questions.
What services do you recommend for my lawn?
Landscapes vary in size and health. A specialist can help you choose suitable services for your needs and devise a custom upkeep routine.
How often do you recommend services?
Lawn care services differ in how often they need to be done. Routine maintenance appointments for services such as mowing will typically take place once a month, while fertilizing can occur annually to quarterly. Winterizing your lawn usually takes place once a year. The frequency of these services is based on your local climate and guidance from your lawn care professional.
How long do services typically take?
How long lawn care activities take differs based on the treatment, your lawn's condition and the total area of your lawn. A mosquito spraying session on a small yard, for example, may only last a couple of minutes. However, winterizing acres of overgrown grass can take several hours, or even days, depending on the size of the lot.
When will I start seeing a benefit from services?
How fast lawn services show effects is contingent on what treatments are being used. Snow removal and manual weed pulling provide results you’ll notice right away. But, enhancements from fertilizer, seeding and aeration take a few days to several weeks to take shape.
Do I need to be home when services are being provided?
You don't need to be home when lawn services are performed. But, some companies prefer you to be there during the first visit to discuss the service plan. For later visits, you may receive a text or email from the professional with photos demonstrating completed lawn tasks.
Is it safe for my children and pets to be on the lawn after services?
Most lawn care is generally safe. However, if chemicals are used, children and pets should stay inside during the treatment and for a bit of time afterward. The exact amount of time they need to stay off a treated lawn will depend on the type of chemicals used and any guidance from your lawn care specialist.
Our methodology for selecting lawn care companies
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national lawn care companies against our full lawn care methodology. We score lawn care companies based on service options, reputation and reviews, customer service and communication, and price.
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Posted Aug 15, 2024
Quality lawn care keeps your home looking good and your yard a safe space for recreation.
