Lawn Care

Reno Lawn Dethatching

thatch.jpg

Key Takeaways

Reno lawn dethatching promotes:
  • Healthier Lawns: Dethatching encourages a lush, green lawn by removing excess thatch that blocks water, oxygen, and nutrients from reaching the roots.
  • Effective Maintenance: A small amount of thatch is beneficial for moisture retention and protection against the sun, but too much can harm your lawn.
  • Optimal Timing: Mid to late spring is the best period for dethatching in cool climates to allow quick lawn recovery.
Check out our yard cleanup services.

If anyone that has not heard of de-thatching or your lawn guy just tells you to get it done yearly, there are some basic ways you can check to see if your lawn needs to be de-thatched before you go spending a lot of money to have it done. Although de-thatching a lawn can be done by a hand de-thatching rake, I would never recommended doing this unless you want to have an aching back after wasting a day. The most prominent way lawn care services de-thatch is by using a motorized de-thatcher also called a power rake. Obviously the ultimate goal for de-thatching is to provide you with a more healthy, lush, and green lawn. So how do I know if my lawn needs De-Thatching?

The most effective way to see if your lawn has excessive thatch is to take a shovel and cut out a small 6"x6" square of turf and examine if the area between the root system and the blades of grass. If this area has over a 1/2" of brown matted build up of thatch as shown in the picture, than it is time to de-thatch your lawn. A small amount of thatch is actually good for the lawn which help retain water and protect your grass from the harsh summer sun. If the build up is too much than it will prevent water, oxygen, and nutrients from getting to the roots. The best time to have de-thatching done for our cool climate is during mid to late spring when the lawn is actively growing and can quickly recover from the stress of de-thatching. More tips can be found once you determine if your lawn needs to be de-thatched.

If you are debating between having your lawn aerated or de-thatched this season, take the quick five minutes to do this test and see if you have an above average thatch layer. Both aerating and de-thatching can be done at the same time and most lawn care companies in Reno like ours, offer more affordable packages if you choose to do both. I have found a good de-thatching video if you want a better idea of how it works.

Customer Service

Key Takeaways

Cory's Lawn Service enhances:
  • Customer Interaction: Prioritizes responsive and personalized customer service.
  • Service Quality: Guarantees high-quality lawn care tailored to individual needs.
  • Expertise and Reliability: Offers professional advice and dependable service schedules.
Check out our lawn care services.

I read an article today on the 8 rules to good customer service, which made me think if Cory's Lawn Service was keeping to these 8 rules? This is a area of a business that is probably the most key for success, because if you don't go out of your way for your customers then your customers will go out of their way find someone who will. I realize there are hundreds of lawn care trucks driving around in Reno everyday, so why should someone choose Cory's Lawn Service to take care of their property instead of the other guy? Before reading this article I prided myself on our over all customer service, and I still do, but I can see there are still some obvious ways we can improve to help our customers. (Quick Story) A few years ago my wife and I were picking out our Christmas Tree from a lot. I have never really thought about desiring good customer service at a tree lot because its a once a year purchase and half the time I forget where we got I tree the year before. Anyway, after selecting our tree I realized I did not have any cash and told the tree guy we would be back to pick up the tree once we went to the ATM. Right then the guy loaded our tree up in my truck and said, "Just bring the money by later this week whenever convenient. You guys have a nice evening". Since that day, I have continued to return to the same Christmas tree lot year after year and recommend my friends there as well.

So, how can a lawn care service provided a similar type of wow reaction? How can we stand out above the crowd? How can we better serve our customers? This is where the lawn care business can not just be about mowing the lawn and getting the job done, because honestly the next door neighbors kid can do that for a lot cheaper. It means, consistently thinking about small things that customers enjoy that you necessarily don't get paid for. It means, owning up to your mistakes and fixing them. It even means, taking the extra time to chat when Mr. Johnson comes outside to pay you.

Although nobody is perfect, as a business owner it is a priority for us to be thinking and applying these steps daily. If you are a current customer who is reading this I want to know if there are ways we are excelling or lacking in our customer service? Let us know your thoughts, good or bad.

Reestablishing The Lawn Care Blog

Cory Bettinghouse

Key Takeaways

Lawn care insights offer:
  • Comprehensive Education: Detailed lawn care tips and information for enhanced property maintenance.
  • Local Business Insight: Insights into the operations, services, and community contributions of a Reno-based lawn service.
  • Customer Service Excellence: Emphasis on outstanding customer service driven by happy employees and accountability.
Check out our lawn care services.

Well it has been over 9 months since Cory's Lawn Service has last blogged, and it is time to get back on the horse and try again. The purpose of this blog is going to be about lawn care, obviously. I want to provide my customers, and anyone else who wants to read, with information and tips about lawn care in Reno. I also want to discuss about Cory's Lawn Service as a local business in Reno, what we are doing, what service we are providing, and what things we are working on  to better serve our customers and community. Since starting Cory's Lawn Service in 2006 I have gone from knowing nothing about lawn care or owning a small business to currently having over 100 repeat customers yearly. Over the years I have sought out the tricks of the trade, advise from other local landscape companies, and learned some good old fashion trial and error. Ultimately I have learned to strive for outstanding customer service which translates first to having happy employees and owning up to my mistakes. I believe that it is specifically because of our customer service, that we have repeat customers year after year. Using this blog is another way that I want to continue our excellent customer service by letting people know what things they can do to help their lawns along with other valuable information, discussions, and tips.

Thank you for taking the time to check out Cory's Lawn Service blog. I know according to the calender we are still at the tail end of winter, but we look forward to the upcoming mowing season, along with helping you with anything that you might need done around your property. I am so appreciative of the customers year after year that trust and enjoy the work we do.

What Is Dethatching?

Key Takeaways

Dethatching enhances lawn health:
  • Improved Nutrient Access: Dethatching allows water, nutrients, and air to better reach the soil and grass roots.
  • Enhanced Grass Growth: Removing thatch promotes healthier and thicker lawn growth by preventing overcrowded roots.
  • Disease Prevention: By removing excess thatch, dethatching helps prevent lawn diseases by reducing the environment that pests and diseases thrive in.
Check out our yard cleanup services.

I had some people ask me about what the benefits of dethatching you lawn are. I found a great WEBSITE that will help with some tips of how to prevent thatch, what it does, and when you should have it done. If you are interested in this service for your lawn in Reno, I would be more that willing to assist.

Lawn Care Tips

Key Takeaways

Insightful lawn care insights:
  • Regular Maintenance: Consistent care is crucial for a healthy lawn.
  • Seasonal Adjustments: Adapting lawn care techniques for changing seasons enhances lawn health.
  • Professional Services: Expert services can significantly improve lawn quality and appearance.
Check out our lawn care services.

Moving into a new home? Have a damaged lawn? Here are a few tips to restoring your lawn.

Clean it up!

Removing all your weed and brush buildup will improve the quality of appearance and help your lawn grow to it’s full potential.

The best time to clear weeds and brush is the spring or fall, when your lawn is thriving. This allows for the lawn to recover quickly and look its best. In preparation for your clean up, mow the entire lawn. Short grass will make de-weeding and surface preparation easier. It will also improve seed germination rates because more seed will make contact with the soil and seedlings will have greater exposure to the sun.

Take care of depressions and holes

Depressions in your lawn can be caused by poor grading, uneven settling, or the decomposition of buried tree stumps, logs, or roots. Mark any irregularities with a flag or stick so you can find them easily when you are ready to level them.

To level small bumps, raise the sod with a sharp spade and remove the necessary amount of soil beneath it. Cut out at least a 2 by 2-foot section of sod. If you lift smaller patches of sod, they will likely dry out and die. While the soil base is exposed, mix in some compost and fertilizer. Watersoak the area using a hose and press the sod back into place. Keep the area watered to prevent lawn brownout.

Fertilization

Apply the fertilizer recommended by the results of your soil. Use a slow-release fertilizer, putting down more fertilizer than necessary will damage your lawn. The excess fertilizer may eventually pollute waterways. If you did not test your soil, apply a slow-release fertilizer with an Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium ratio of 3-1-2. Apply about 1/2 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn.

Microbes and Organic Material

Microbes digest grass clippings, dead grass roots, and stems, providing nutrients your grass. A topdressing of compost mixed with topsoil will add organic matter into the soil without hurting the lawn. Be sure to aerate your lawn after your application. Topsoil and compost can be found at your local nurseries and landscape centers.

These tips should help you on your path to a beautiful lawn! If you don’t have the time, we would be happy to help. Give us a call at (775) 686-0123.