Mike is a passionate lawn care technician with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He thrives on providing excellent lawn care services to residential and commercial clients in his local community. Mike’s dedication to his work stems from a lifelong love of the outdoors and nurturing living things.
Mike’s Beginnings in Lawn Care
Mike’s career in lawn care began in his teenage years when he started mowing neighborhood lawns to earn extra cash. He quickly realized he had an aptitude for lawn maintenance and enjoyed the satisfaction of leaving a freshly manicured lawn behind after a hard day’s work.
After high school, Mike decided to turn his hobby into a profession by pursuing formal training in horticulture and turfgrass science. He earned an associate’s degree from a local technical college, gaining valuable knowledge about:
- Soil health
- Irrigation
- Pest and weed control
- Proper mowing techniques
- Fertilizer application
- Sustainable lawn care practices
Armed with the expertise from his education, Mike launched his own lawn care business at age 20.
Providing Professional Lawn Care Services
As a full-time lawn care specialist, Mike provides the following services for clients:
- Lawn mowing and trimming – Mike cares for lawns small and large using commercial-grade riding and push mowers. He trims grass around fences, trees, and other obstacles for a polished look.
- Hedge trimming – Mike expertly shapes and maintains hedges and ornamental shrubs with gas-powered trimmers and shears.
- Fertilizer application – Based on soil tests, Mike determines the ideal organic or synthetic fertilizer to apply to nourish the lawn throughout the growing season.
- Weed control – Mike monitors lawns closely and uses targeted herbicides to eliminate broadleaf weeds and crabgrass infestations.
- Pest management – Mike controls damaging insects like grubs using the most effective treatments to eradicate pests and prevent future outbreaks.
- Leaf removal – Each fall Mike helps clients dispose of fallen leaves through raking and use of debris-removal equipment.
- Lawn renovation – For troubled lawns, Mike performs renovation services including aeration, overseeding, and sod installation to restore lush turfgrass.
No matter the service, Mike always employs best practices and environmentally responsible products for optimal results.
Mike’s Expertise with Various Grasses and Plants
Over his many years as a lawn pro, Mike has become well-versed in caring for all types of grasses and plants found in his region.
Cool-Season Grasses
- Kentucky bluegrass – As a high-maintenance grass, Mike provides this classic turfgrass with ample irrigation, fertilization, and mowing to maintain its beauty.
- Tall fescue – This hardy grass thrives with Mike’s regimen of proper feeding, weed control, and fall overseeding.
- Perennial ryegrass – Mike cares for this popular sod by monitoring disease and mowing frequently at the correct height.
Warm-Season Grasses
- Bermudagrass – To bring out Bermuda’s lush green color and density, Mike provides ample nutrients, aerates regularly, and adjusts mowing height through the seasons.
- Zoysiagrass – One of Mike’s favorites, zoysia is a low-maintenance grass that he keeps green and healthy with strategic mowing, watering, and fertilizing.
- St. Augustine – This thick grass requires Mike’s expertise to properly prune unwanted growth and provide the right amount of nutrients.
Trees, Shrubs, and More
Mike also helps clients care for:
- Flower and vegetable gardens
- Trees and ornamental shrubs
- Privacy hedges
- Landscape beds filled with perennials, annuals, and mulch
He provides services like pruning, disease/pest control, mulching, and fertilizing tailored to each plant’s needs.
Mike’s Wealth of Lawn and Garden Knowledge
When it comes to lawns and gardens, Mike has a vast breadth of knowledge and experience. Here are some examples of the topics Mike has expertise in:
Soil pH
- The ideal pH range for most lawns is 6.0 to 7.0. Mike tests soil pH and applies lime or sulfur to correct imbalances.
- Mike follows the 1/3 rule, never cutting more than 1/3 of the blade length to avoid lawn stress.
Fertilizer Types
- Mike knows how to select and apply the right organic or synthetic fertilizer formulation based on soil, climate, and turfgrass variety.
Pest Identification
- Mike can accurately identify lawn pests like grubs, chinch bugs, and brown patch to determine the proper control method.
Shade-Tolerant Plants
- Mike helps clients choose attractive ornamental plants suited for planting in shady areas.
Pruning Methods
- Mike employs proper pruning cuts and timing when shaping trees, shrubs, and hedges.
Lawn Alternatives
- Mike can install low-maintenance, eco-friendly alternatives to turfgrass like native groundcovers.
Irrigation Systems
- Mike optimizes irrigation schedules and inspects systems for problems to maximize efficiency.
Winterizing Practices
- To prepare lawns and gardens for winter dormancy, Mike helps with key fall preparation tasks.
Mike continuously expands his knowledge by attending industry conferences, reading trade magazines, and networking with other lawn care pros. He brings this wealth of expertise to every client’s landscape.
Mike’s Dedication to Sustainable Lawn Care
Mike is a firm believer in sustainable lawn care practices that protect the environment while still producing a healthy, appealing lawn. Some of the ways Mike cares for lawns sustainably include:
- Using organic fertilizers that slowly release nutrients into the soil
- Selecting grass varieties suited for the local climate
- Letting grass clippings decompose on the lawn to return nutrients
- Recommending limited herbicide use and targeted spot spraying
- Aerating compacted soil to allow better water, air, and root penetration
- Adjusting mowing heights seasonally to encourage deeper roots
- Providing proper mowing, watering, and fertilizing to avoid excess growth
Mike stays up-to-date on the latest green products and methods and tailors his recommendations to each client’s specific needs and preferences. He finds caring for lawns sustainably very rewarding.
Mike’s Advice for DIYers
For homeowners looking to improve their DIY lawn care skills, Mike has some key tips:
- Test your soil – Understanding your soil pH and nutrient levels provides the foundation for proper lawn maintenance.
- Sharpen mower blades – Clean, sharp blades cut grass cleanly versus tearing it, creating a healthier lawn.
- Mow high in summer – Allowing grass to grow taller in peak heat reduces stress and promotes deeper roots.
- Water deeply and infrequently – Deep watering encourages deeper root growth compared to frequent shallow watering.
- Overseed thin areas – Rake up bare or thin patches and overseed to thicken up the lawn.
- Apply pre-emergent for weeds – StopPING crabgrass before it sprouts in spring is more effective than killing mature plants.
- Learn your grasses – Understand whether you have cool season grasses like fescue or warm season grasses like zoysia and care for accordingly.
- Research unfamiliar problems – If dealing with a new weed or pest, consult online guides or local nurseries to identify it before treating.
- Start a compost pile – Enrich your soil quality naturally by composting leaves, grass clippings and other organic matter.
Mike welcomes DIYers to consult him about challenges they are having in their lawns or gardens. He is always happy to share his knowledge and point people in the right direction.
Mike’s Passion for Gardening
While Mike’s professional focus is on lawn care, he also enjoys gardening in his personal time. Mike has an impressive home vegetable garden where he produces tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, herbs, berries, and much more for his family to enjoy.
Gardening is Mike’s creative outlet outside of work. He finds planting, nurturing, and harvesting homegrown fruits and veggies extremely rewarding. Mike is constantly trying new plant varieties, staking techniques, and companion planting methods to maximize his garden’s output.
Mike also maintains attractive flowering gardens around his home. He combines annuals and perennials to ensure season-long color in beds and containers. Mike has a particular affinity for daylilies and iris of all shades and grows many varieties.
When not in his own yard, you can find Mike volunteering in community gardens around town. He enjoys sharing his gardening knowledge to help others learn to grow their own food and flowers.
Conclusion
At the heart of Mike’s business is a passion for lawn and garden care and a commitment to equipping clients with thriving green spaces they can enjoy. With an expert like Mike handling your lawn and garden needs, you can trust you’re receiving conscientious service informed by years of experience and dedicated education in the field. If you’re in need of professional lawn services, look no further than Mike.