Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Tulsa Lawn Care Tips - How Much Do You Cut When Mowing?

Landscaping, lawn care, gardening...many Tulsa homeowners may enjoy these outdoor hobbies, but to others, one aspect of outdoor work has been merely a chore - mowing the lawn. It was a chore we maybe grew up doing that stole our Saturday afternoons. But to have a beautiful, green, lush lawn, we have to take care of it, and an important part of lawn care is mowing. And maybe, just maybe, many don't like mowing because they haven't seen the fruits of the labors, so to speak. They haven't seen the added benefits of properly mowing not just to cut the grass, but to help it thrive.
 
That's why although mowing your lawn can seem basic, questions often surface regarding this traditional lawn care practice.
 
At what height should you mow your lawn to help it stay green and beautiful? Actually, while different varieties of grass prefer different heights, it’s generally safe and better for the grass to cut only the top third when you mow. Why is this? Root systems grow deeper with taller grass because it allows for more shade, so the soil doesn’t dry out as fast, especially in the heat of summer. A healthier root system will help the grass to be stronger and more resistant to weeds and drought.
 
Grass that is cut at the right height actually can decrease weeds too by blocking out sunlight for weeds to grow.  Experts say that lawns should be mowed higher in the summer and slightly lower in the fall and toward winter when there is more rain.
 
Proper mowing helps grasses to thrive because it cuts off the damaged or oldest parts of the blade, encouraging grass to grow thicker, which, in turn, also helps to prevent weeds. Mowing your lawn at a taller height instead of scalping it will help it to stay green, lush, and healthy, ultimately making it easier to maintain, and giving you more free time on the weekend to enjoy your Tulsa home.
 

Monday, August 12, 2013

How to Hire the Right Tulsa Lawn Care Company


Hiring a professional Tulsa lawn care specialist or landscaper can seem like a daunting task, but asking just a few questions and doing a little research can help you get the perfect outdoor environment. A landscaper’s experience, proof of credentials, awards received, offering complete landscaping services, and having diversity in landscaping skills are all good indications that you have hired the right company.

When lawn care professionals have extensive experience, they can be flexible if any issues do arise. If unexpected dilemmas occur, maybe because of the topography of the landscape, weather, or a change in the project itself, the experienced landscaper can quickly adapt to these issues to save you time and money. With a proactive-approach, the lawn care specialists can possibly even foresee these issues and solve them before they happen. Larger projects, like outdoor environments, should especially be handled by a seasoned lawn care and landscaping professional. More than just basic mowing, these larger projects require a deeper skill set and good planning and foresight to effectively budget materials and time. Experience can be one of the best teachers, so hire a landscaping professional who has been “taught” the ropes of landscaping through a wide array of projects.
Choosing a professional lawn care expert or landscaper with diverse landscape design skills or one who offers a variety of landscaping services may be your best choice when hiring a landscaper. Hiring multiple contractors, one for your lawn care, another to build your outdoor fireplace, may prove to be quite a hassle. Having one landscaping company to handle all of your outdoor needs, from basic lawn mowing and maintenance to complex outdoor environment projects can lessen the confusion of workers on your property, making your home more secure. A landscaping company offering a variety of services also allows projects to run more smoothly with one team of professionals all on the same page with your project, thus saving you time and money.
Next, a seasoned landscaper should be able to give his client adequate proof of his credentials, even having their achievements showcased in local publications or having received awards. You can ask the landscaping company if they have a licensed Landscape Architects on staff and available to work on your project.  Make sure the landscaping company has a good Better Business Bureau rating.  They should be licensed and insured to work on your particular project.  Many licensed landscape design/build specialists are also members of local Home Builders Associations and other organizations that also assure you they are active members of their community and care deeply about the quality of their work. These credentials, as well as their community reputation, may give you a good indication that they will indeed build you a durable, long-lasting outdoor environment.

Obtaining the perfect lawn and landscape can be easier and far less stressful with the right landscaping company. To ensure you get the most professional service, choose landscapers with experience, expertise, and a diverse set of skills.