Maintenance/Lawncare

I would like my property serviced on a specific day of the week. Can you accommodate me?

We base the scheduling of our clients on the following: Open availability for existing or new route; Route density and efficiency; Location-- with the price of fuel and labor, we route just like UPS and Federal Express.

I'm having an event or party, can you pay special attention at my property?

Yes. Please let us know 7-10 days ahead and we will provide weekly service the day before your party. With 14 days notification we can also provide a detail crew service, mulch, pruning and seasonal color so that your property will look its best before your big day!

What size mowers do you use?

The size of the mower used is based on the size of each given area of lawn. A good landscape company will have many different size mowers with deck sizes from 21" to 52" or larger. The right machine is as important as the qualifications of its operators.

How often do you sharpen your mower blades?

We sharpen blades weekly and rotate a sharp set every 2 days.

Do you catch or recycle the grass clippings?

Wherever and whenever we can we recycle the clippings back to the turf as grass blades, and leaves being 80% water and nutrients, are the very best compost for building long-term highly organic soil. We use mulching kits on our mowers so there is no side discharge of grass clippings into your bed areas. Our commitment to you is that you will always have a high quality appearance.

At what height do you cut the lawn?

This can vary based on the type of turf grass you have at your property, the time of year and the amount of rainfall. As a general guideline, it is recommended to take off 1/3 of the leaf blade when mowed. We complete a service report after each visit that will detail the height your lawn was mowed.

Why is mowing at the right height and alternating patterns of cut so important?

The right height will cause less damage to the blade of grass so the plant is under less stress. This in turn will allow for better vigor, which in itself will help shade, fend off weeds and protect against insect damage.

Do you provide shrub pruning?

Yes, we do. It is one of the most sought after services that we offer at Barrett Landscaping as we hand prune. We do not encourage the use of gas shears as a way to maintain the shape and height of your shrubs. This is because plants require air circulation to survive. Constant use of gas shears causes the plant to have dense foliage on the outer part, which prevents air circulation and eventually leads to sections of the plant dying off.

When and how should my shrubs be pruned?

The following is a basic guideline for pruning. Generally, summer blooming shrubs should be pruned in late winter/early spring as this allows enough time for the plant to generate new buds before summer. Spring blooming shrubs should be pruned by fall so they can generate new buds before late winter/early spring. Some ornamentals and vines require dormant pruning in late winter. When present, damaged or diseased shrub-limbs and branches should be removed. Prune whenever possible for plant health and to keep the natural shape of the plant. We highly recommend hand pruning over shearing.

Do you provide commercial grounds maintenance service?

Yes, we do and we have done so for over 9 years. We are best suited for small commercial clients such as hotels, business offices, restaurants, etc.

What types of maintenance plans do you offer?

We provide three yearly maintenance plans based on the number of times we service your property within the year. We offer a 51, 39 and 26 visit agreement. Initial clean up may require an upfront investment in order to get the property to a manageable state.

How often should I water?

Turf grass should be watered 3/4" - 1" per week. Shrubs and trees should receive deep watering 1-2 times per week. Annual and perennials should be watered 2-3 times per week. This answer is for established landscapes.

What type of program do you offer for fertilization and control of weeds?

As different people have different expectations of how they want their lawn to look and also what they want to spend, we offer two programs. At Barrett Landscaping, we think of the programs as good and very good. Both meet or exceed the basic needs of warm season turf.