(1)  The key to a good lawn is building a healthy root system.  Choose a service that uses slow release granular fertilizer.  This will feed your lawn slowly over time and lead to a thicker and healthier lawn.

(2)  In Atlanta and North Georgia, summer disease such as brown patch cause severe damage to lawns, especially fescue.  Consider adding disease applications to your basic program and you will see much better results that a normal program.  Try it for one year to see the difference for yourself.

(3)  Mow at the recommended height for your type of grass weekly during the growing season.  Mow at 1-2 inches for the warm season Bermuda and Zoysia, and your highest deck setting for Fescue at 3-4 inches.

(4)  Water less frequent, but for longer periods of time.  The rule of thumb is to water 2-3 times per week until the water reaches the root zone.  You should water in the early morning hours just before daylight.  This allows the morning and afternoon sun to dry grass blades and reduces  disease and conserves water that would normally be evaporated in mid-day sun.

(5)  In Atlanta we have extremely heavy clay soils.  Plan to core aerate your warm season grass each spring and over seed each fall for fescue.  This process opens the soil to water, fertilizer and oxygen.  Aerating pulls ‘plugs’ from the soil that allows your roots to penetrate and expand deeper into the soil.

(6)  Use a well known and reputable company who you can always find in in the future, or be able to easily contact for any reason.  You want an established company with an office that you can go to if you ever need personnel contact.  Check out the address of the contractor and see how long they have been in the area.

(7)  Ask the contractor for customer references who have had work performed similar to yours.

(8)  Always verify Worker’s Compensation and Liability Insurance before contracting with a company.

(9)  Comparsion shopping should be based on reputation, reliability, experience and price ‘value’, not just the lowest price of all proposals presented.

(10)  Do not help contractors or their workers and do not lend them your tools.  If a worker is hurt while you are assisting (e.g., holding a ladder) or is hurt using one of your tools, you may be liable via a ‘tort claim’ by the worker or contractor.