Get matched with top lawn irrigation specialists in Keosauqua, IA

In most municipalities, landscaping companies require a business license to operate legally, and some require additional licenses, like general contractor licenses. You can use Angi's our contractor licensing tool to confirm if a company in your area holds the necessary licensing. Equally as important as the license is insurance. Before hiring any lawn care company, you should confirm that it is fully insured. This measure protects you from lawsuits, and it also protects the employees in the case of an injury or unemployment.

You can thicken new grass by using fertilizer, watering it 1 to 1½ inches per week, mowing when it is at an optimal height, and preventing weeds. You should fertilize your grass while you plant the grass seed, or soon afterward. Use an herbicide to prevent weeds or spot spray with herbicide to kill existing weeds.

Lawn aeration and dethatching are meant to solve the same problem, loosening up compacted soil so that the root systems can grow and receive more water, oxygen, and nutrients. Aeration is the gentler option and often the preferable one. Dethatching completely tears out the thatch layer of the lawn and can inadvertently yank out healthy grass if done incorrectly. Aeration loosens the soil and only removes small cores of it.

If maintained correctly, natural grass should last between five and 15 years, or up to several decades, depending on your home’s climate conditions. You can extend your grass’ lifespan by treating it well, including regular mowing, weeding, watering, and preventative pest control. Consider hiring a local lawn care service to provide everything your grass needs to live a long, healthy life.