LAWN CARE SERVICES

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Lawn results start with the soil. We deliver results through gathering field samples and sending them to a lab for nutrient analysis. Once we have the results of the desired analysis back we then review them with our client and develop a roadmap to success. This is done when your account is established and at three year intervals and is also available to residential clients.

After a consultation we will determine the appropriate method to establish a new lawn for your project and conditions. Lawn installation often requires grading fresh topsoil to correct drainage problems or to simply set a slope from a building or other landscape elements.

• Hydroseeding is generally the most cost effective technique when more than 2,000 square feet are required. Prices vary based on availability of water nearby, add-ons and type of seed or slope it is to be used on and the season. Hydroseeding will generally require site work initially to remove the existing lawn or weeds to create a clean palette for a fresh lawn. Once the seedbed is fully prepared we will schedule a time to spray the area with a mixture of seed, fertilizer, tackifier agents, herbicides, soil additives, lime and hydromulch which provides the media that protects the seed from the elements while germinating and carries those pawn care products listed above.

• Sod Installation is instant gratification. When a new lawn is needed in a hurry for an event, property resale or client budget we will specify a sod installation. Many times we will remove the old lawn with a sod cutter and haul it away and depending the installation we will deliver it ourselves or have the sod farm drop it off at the jobsite. Our crew will be there to offload the rolls and start the installation after an application of starter fertilizer. Many yards can be newly installed in two days depending on size after removal of the old lawn and prep work on day one. Once everything is cut into the final shape we will roll it out. We will require irrigation prior to installing sod.

We use two methods for renovating a lawn depending on the existing conditions of the lawn.

Our primary renovation service includes a custom combination of dethatching, core aeration, overseeding and topdressing with certified organic compost. Our expert Lawn Care staff will efficiently perform the work in the correct order to obtain maximum impact. We primarily use this process on lawns that have thinned and have been left with little care when the quickest improvement possible is desired without a complete rip and replacement being done. Prices vary based on steps necessary and square footage. Check out our article on our Lawn Renovation Process for more insight into this wonderful way to pamper your property!

Slice or Slit Seeding is the process of cutting a rows of continuous cuts into the prepared soil and dropping seed directly into the soil at the right depth from behind. Slice seeding is used for it's very high germination rates and high efficiency which transfers into great results. A patchy lawn is no match for Slice seeding.

We can get premium results for your property in the spring and even the dead of summer with available irrigation but the best time of the year to renovate a lawn is Mid-August through Mid-September but don't worry if you miss it because we can get great results right up until Mid-October! The fall is the primary growing season for all plants with warm days and cool nights, increased natural rainfall and without the competition from weeds like in the spring because most are annuals and have died back already.  

If your lawn has been damaged from insects, stressed by summer heat or excess foot traffic from work around your home look to our lawn experts for your next upgrade.

Sustainable landscaping - Micro-Clover, No-Mow Lawns and Wildflower Meadows 

Recommended as a yearly practice for good lawn care, Dethatching is traditionally done in the spring by many but can be done at any time, especially late summer into the fall when annual weeds have scaled back growth, lawns are on the rebound from lack of water and heat stress with less competition from creating space between the healthy blades of grass. We use this process of "hard raking" by machine to clear out as much dead material in the thatch layer as possible to allow the sun, heat and water to help with any germination from overseeding or added nutrients from Compost or fertilizer. Contact us if you would like a custom quote for this service.

Core Aeration is the preferred method of breaking up soil to allow for the exchange of air and gasses within the soil while allowing seed or nutrients from compost or fertilizers to enter the soil. If done yearly, this routine will improve your stand of turf in the Merrimac, MA area and can be used with gypsum treatments to break up heavy loam or clay in the soil over time.

Usually used in combination with Core Aeration, we use this underrated tool in the Landscaper's toolbox to thicken and repair lawns as well as a way to slowly add or change the composition of a lawn's grass cultivars to better suit its micro climate, sun/shade exposure, desired level of effort to maintain or expected usage. As us for a free consultation to see if this would benefit your lawn.

It has been said that adding compost to your soil is like getting a blood transfusion, breathing new life into an old lawn and we couldn't agree more! The traditional method of topdressing was to use a shovel and "fling" the material at the lawn then work it with hand tools but we have evolved. The modern way of applying a topdressing of organic compost is to use a specialized topdressing machine to mechanize the process of spreading the compost over the lawn. At Valley Outdoor Design, LLC we have the right tools and knowledge to make the job go smoothly. Schedule an appointment with our lawn care specialists for a no cost consultation and put our "Outdoor Passion" to work for you!

Lime is a soil amendment that is the primary way of changing a soil's pH or acid-alkaline balance and can be added to your lawn or garden beds at any time during the season though many use a fall application as a baseline. We like to use a spring/fall schedule of lawn applications here in the Newburyport, MA area since our soil is so acidic. Depending on soil testing results we may use Dolomite Lime or Fast Acting Hi-Calcium Lime combined with Humic Acid to help build the soil structures. We also have the ability to spray liquid lime when it is necessary to change the soil pH in short order when necessary or if we are tank mixing for Hydroseeding. Other soil treatments are available. Contact us for a free quote.