Johnny A asked:


I am wanting to start a lawn care business next spring. I plan on starting off residential and growing fast to Commercial and HOA’s. I am just wondering if it is a good business to get into. What is a normal day like and how much money do you make?

Ray

Chanaka Dunuwila asked:


Pet owners are rightfully worried about spraying their lawns with any number of toxic chemicals which can pose significant health risks for not only their pets but family members as well. However, there is actually very little reason to be worried at all as you will find out. There is only a small chance that improper pesticide or herbicide application will pose a health risk, and that small chance is entirely negated with proper application. With proper usage, all lawn care products are pet safe, although you can purchase specifically natural pet safe lawn care products. Either way, you’ll be protecting your pets which can be like family to you.

Proper Application and Pet Safe

As previously mentioned, commercial lawn care products are almost entirely safe when applied correctly. The problem really arises under two conditions. Firstly, volatile chemicals can release toxic gases over time, and many pesticides and herbicides include volatile chemicals for their sheer strength. Fortunately, liquid pet safe lawn care products allow you to specifically target problem areas in your yard, so you aren’t forced to spray the entire thing, severely reducing the amount of chemicals that you need to use in the first place. Also, proper application will only use a small amount of chemicals in a given area, so the pet safe lawn care products won’t be concentrated enough to release enough toxic fumes to harm humans or pets. The second risk comes from spraying toys like tennis balls. Lawn care products sprayed on toys can remain toxic for weeks, so you’ll want to remove any toys from the yard before spraying.

If you want the marketed pet safe lawn care products, then there are a number of substances which still get the job done without any harmful side effects. Naturally occurring bacteria can be implanted into your yard. For example, beneficial nematodes attack insect larvae by injecting them with toxins, and then they eat the dead larvae. When all the larvae are consumed, the nematodes die off themselves, so you are left with absolutely no harmful substances in your lawn. Your job is completely done, and you don’t need to dirty your hands at all.

You can also use essential oils derived from garlic, citrus oil, and pepper extracts to combat many problems facing your lawn. Completely natural and completely safe, you won’t need to worry about any harmful side effects from these products. Remember: with proper application and keeping toys out of the way, all lawn care products are safe to use with pets around. However, the only surefire way to protect your pets is to purchase pet safe lawn care products, so any mistakes on your part won’t make you or your pets sick.



Shane

derrick b asked:


How much does it cost to start a lawn care and landscaping business dealing with: retaining walls, mulch beds, laying out landscape designs, lawn mowing, and constructions of decks and patios. And also what would be the grand total abouts with the insurance and all the equipment i would need? Thanks!

Kristen

raulkc asked:


Can anyone tell me where one can go to learn about starting a lawn care business? I have found several sources on the web but each charge for a package or course. Do we need to have a license and if so where to go to obtain one in Texas.

Margaret

Ward D asked:


What do Chemlawn and other lawn care companies do to your lawn that can’t be done yourself? With products from Home Depot Lowe’s etc?

Ashley

anonymous asked:


Most homeowners would love to gaze out at a beautifully landscaped lawn and yard. It is not as hard to achieve an attractive outdoor living area as you might think. With the proper maintenance and lawn care, your landscape can provide a lovely backdrop to your home.

Since your lawn will be one of the biggest focal points of your landscape, proper lawn care will keep that large area lush and green. If your lawn looks good, it won’t be as difficult to make the rest of your yard look good as well. Proper lawn care to enhance your landscape is not that difficult, as long as you understand a few basic principles about how to keep your lawn healthy.

A Healthy Lawn Is A Happy Lawn

The first step in caring for your lawn and landscape is ensuring that you have a healthy soil for planting. All plants require certain nutrients in the soil they grow in, along with particular soil conditions. For example, some plants like a sandy soil, where others prefer dirt that is rich in nutrients and holds water well. Soil requirements for lawn can vary based on the type of grass you plant as well.

It is best to check with a local nursery or garden center to learn what your lawn specifically requires. You can also pick up a soil test to make sure that your ground is providing the best balance for your lawn. The healthier your soil, the lower maintenance your lawn and landscaping care will be.

Next, you want to provide irrigation for your lawn. Water is a vital element, and few climates will provide sufficient water without supplemental irrigation. Most lawns require about an inch of rain per week. If you are in doubt as to whether Mother Nature is providing enough rain, you can use a rain gauge, and water your grass when necessary.

If you do turn to irrigation, always try to water in the early morning hours, since this is the healthiest time of day for your lawn to take a drink. Keep in mind that healthy roots will require less water, so aeration is an important step in caring for your lawn and landscape. Aeration pokes holes into the ground to allow nutrients access to the roots of your plantings. It should be done every two or three years.

Lawn care is a key factor in a beautiful landscape. A lush, green lawn can be the focal point of your yard and offer space for playing and entertaining. With a little effort, you can keep your lawn healthy for a long, long time.



Sara

rapha76 asked:


I would like some advice as to what to do about my lawn so that it looks good in the spring. Right now the lawn has a lot of weeds and some bare spots. Basically, I need to grow new grass, feed what’s already there and prevent weeds in the spring but I don’t know when and what I should apply to do this. Please don’t recommend a lawn care company. I am not looking for the perfect lawn but I know there are things I could be doing to improve it. I have a spreader and I’m all ready to get to work. Thanks for your help!

Francisco

Michelle Bery asked:


For those who relish the idea of entrepreneurship, the start of your own small business can be enormously freeing – both financially and emotionally. Of course, owning and operating a successful business means initially finding a business idea that will meet a need while generating enough of a cash flow to be financially viable. A lawn care business can be a wonderful business, both in terms of the demand for its services and the possibilities for a lucrative return on investment.

Clearly, the first step in determining whether or not a lawn care business is for you, is examining your enjoyment of such work. Starting a business built on financial goals rather than your love of the business is destined for failure. If you truly love to work outdoors, to bring creativity to the table, to nurture a lawn into health and vitality, then a lawn care business will bring you much more than cash. If you love what you do on a daily basis then you will never work another day in your life; because when you do what you love it doesn’t feel like work.

One thing you should know up front before beginning a lawn care business is the non-traditional hours that will be required of you. Many of your customers will require your services over the weekend; some lawn maintenance may need to be done during early morning hours – or later when the sun has set. While you may be successful enough at some point to hire employees who can help offset the workload for you, initially it may just be you. Be prepared for some long days and weeks early on in your lawn care business as you build your customer base.

In the beginning of your lawn care business you may consider keeping your full-time job as you work after hours building your business. Once you begin receiving a steady stream of work you can leave your full-time job and concentrate solely on your new venture. In an effort to build business, it may be wise to offer a variety of services; mowing, weeding, raking, leaf blowing – all of these can keep you busy throughout the year.

If you feel that a lawn care business is right for you begin by doing a vast amount of research regarding start-up costs, proper equipment, fee schedules, and insurance. Hiring a lawyer is a wise idea as he/she can assist you setting up proper financial accounts and more.

As you begin this journey into a new career, you may find that a lawn care business is exactly what you’ve wanted to do all along.



Carol

Tyler O asked:


I am 18 and I’m getting into lawn care with two other guys. None of us have much money and between us we have a couple of mowers, a couple of blowers, and a few weedeaters. We don’t even have a trailer to haul all of this around so to start out we will have to stay local. We do have 600 business cards that we will be passing out soon though and ten clients all within our local residential area.

Help me out. What kind of things should I do?

Georgia

J L asked:


Working on a circular for a retail company that is featuring grass & lawn care supplies for spring. Any suggestions on a catchy headline?
Currently they’re using “Spring Fever Sale” but are looking for something that focuses on lawn-care.

Kathleen