Lawn care questions, answered
The questions Winter Garden homeowners ask us in the driveway, answered the way we’d answer them at the curb.
Straight answers
Lawn care questions, answered
Mowing and lawn health
How short should my grass be cut?
It depends on the grass. St. Augustine wants 3.5 to 4 inches, Bahia 3 to 4, Zoysia 2 to 2.5. Cutting St. Augustine short to look tidy scalps it, so the weeds get the light. Your yard card carries the height we use.
Should the clippings be bagged?
Usually not. Returned clippings feed the lawn and hold moisture. Bagging is right when the lawn is diseased or a wet stretch let the growth get ahead, and the card says which.
Why is my lawn browning in patches?
Three things look alike from the curb: chinch bugs in the hot, dry strip by the drive, brown patch in rings during cool wet weather, and drought stress from cutting too short. Each needs a different fix, so nothing is sprayed before we know which.
My new sod died. Was it bad sod?
Almost never. Sod fails in the two weeks after it’s laid, from watering or from ground that wasn’t prepared. That’s why the watering schedule goes on your card day by day.
Fertilizer, water and trees
Why didn’t you fertilize this month?
Winter Garden and Orange County don’t allow nitrogen or phosphorus on lawns from June 1 to September 30. Those months are about cut height, water and spot weed control, and your card says so.
How often should the sprinklers run?
Deep and less often beats daily and shallow, because roots follow water down. We set the controller by season and your address’s watering days, and write the run times on the card.
Can you top my tree so it stops growing over the house?
We won’t. Topping forces weak regrowth from below the cut, so in a few years there’s more weight, held on worse, higher up. Reduction and thinning cuts give you a smaller, safer canopy.
Why shouldn’t my palms get a hurricane cut?
Green fronds feed the palm. Stripping everything above horizontal weakens it. Dead fronds and seed pods come off; green fronds stay.
Working with us
Do you need a contract?
No, and there’s no cancellation fee. Stop any week.
Do I need to be home for visits?
No. We need the gate unlocked or the code, and a heads-up about the dog. The yard card tells you what was done.
Can I send a photo instead of a visit?
Send a photo in the chat and we’ll tell you what we see. A price still comes after the free walkthrough, so it doesn’t change on the day.
Do you do hardscape, like pavers, walls and steps?
No. It’s a different trade with different equipment. We’d rather point you to someone who does it every day.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We’re happy to send proof of insurance before the first visit.
Didn’t see your question?
Ask it in the chat. Send a photo if it helps and we’ll tell you what we see.