Do we need premium landscape maintenance services for our property?
If you have invested in a landscape design that includes specialty plantings, hardscaping, and other personalized design elements – yes.
Yes, because you will want to protect your investment. To keep your outdoor spaces attractive, healthy, and vibrant, hiring a company whose personnel possess a high level of expertise in design and horticulture is imperative.
How do you identify the right type of landscape maintenance company to take on the task? What should you look for? That’s a tough question because what you don’t see makes all the difference in what you do see.
Exceptional Landscape Maintenance Services Produce Exceptional Gardens
You can’t see the detailed workmanship and horticultural expertise that goes into top-notch landscape maintenance services. But you can see the results of the refined workmanship involved.
Look for the best garden on your street. Most likely it’s the one that is getting the personalized attention it needs to develop its maximum potential.
Implementing a personalized landscape maintenance plan makes the difference between a garden that flourishes in all seasons and one that doesn’t live up to its potential.
This is how Surrounds President Barry Schneider describes top-level landscape maintenance in action:
“The moment one of our foremen steps onto the property they are scanning the landscape. The foremen are looking for the right green color, for blooms and buds that are full and healthy. If something doesn’t look right, they will check for insects and diseases. They will check to see if there is too much moisture in the soil or not enough.”
A specialty landscape crew isn’t just there to do a maintenance task and leave. They want to be sure the plants are happy. And if not, they will do something about it.
Unlock the full potential of your lawn and gardens!
What’s the difference between a conventional landscape company and one whose staff understands design, horticulture, and landscape systems? To find out, click the button below.
Beyond Basic “Mow, Blow & Go”
For basic yard maintenance, you have many good choices and the stakes are low if you choose poorly. Many Northern Virginia landscaping contractors reliably provide mowing, trimming, and weeding services.
However, a more complex landscape will likely include water features, irrigation, lighting systems, and a variety of perennial plants. Your garden care crew must fully understand how to identify perennials because they can easily be mistaken for weeds during spring clean-ups by an unskilled landscape crew.
A premium landscape maintenance services plan will provide comprehensive services that include holistic plant care and turf care, as well as mechanical and electrical systems inspections.
Proactive Garden Care Services
Here’s an example of how proactive garden care can benefit: During a service visit, a Surrounds foreman noticed something odd about a cluster of apricot drift roses. They were covered with buds—but the plants had poor color and none of the buds had bloomed. They discovered a disease in the rose plant that was taking energy away from the buds. So they treated the roses. A week later they were flourishing. They corrected the problem before the homeowner even noticed it.
This example also demonstrates the benefit of having landscape maintenance experts who know what they are looking at. Surrounds garden managers are Landscape Industry Certified or have a College degree in horticulture—or both. This high standard of care, diagnosis, and treatment is built into the monthly landscape maintenance contract.
Choosing a Landscape Maintenance Provider
It’s important to ask good questions before signing a contract for landscape maintenance services. If your property needs more than basic mowing and trimming you will want to know:
- Who will be in charge of my account?
Communication should be easy. One point of contact is best. That’s why Surrounds has combined the roles of account manager and site foreman. This eliminates a layer of separation between the client and the company. - Will the same crew come to my property on each visit?
Yes is the answer you’ll want to hear. A dedicated crew “learns” your property and will always take care of it exactly as you wish. They will know how it should look when it is at its best; and will notice if something is amiss. - What services will be performed at each visit?
Your service contract should list all details, exceptions, and pricing. In addition, you should request a written report after each service visit. The report should list tasks completed and observations about the condition of plants and garden systems. - What about pesticide and insecticide use?
All plants should be inspected on each visit and treated if necessary. Surrounds employs an “integrated pest management” (IPM) system. That is, we spot-treat individual plants or defined areas rather than blanket the property. We do only what is necessary based on observation and horticultural expertise. - Will irrigation systems be inspected on each visit?
The answer should be yes. Regular inspections ensure that your turf and plants are getting the correct amount of moisture throughout the growing season as weather conditions change.
Premium Landscape Maintenance Services for Gardens Large and Small
Bad things happen to gardens all the time. There are soil issues, changing moisture conditions, insect infestations, and disease. These issues could damage or even kill beautiful trees and plants without regular expert inspection.
In addition to the “living” part of your landscape, there may be water features, lighting and audio systems, and hardscape maintenance. There is a great benefit to having one company manage all aspects of your landscape.
Whether large or small in size, investing in premium landscape maintenance services is worth it to the person who wants to get all the beauty and value out of their property. It’s for the person who truly enjoys a healthy, thriving outdoor environment. A well-maintained garden is a pleasure and worth the investment because it enriches your life.
Schedule a consultation with one of our garden managers to discuss how Surrounds can bring out the best in your landscape and gardens.
To prepare yourself for that discussion, consider downloading our eBook: Choosing the Right Kind of Landscape Maintenance Firm. It is full of valuable information to help you understand the fundamental differences between landscape maintenance companies.