1.  Follow-up on referrals. Asking neighbors, friends and family members if they can recommend a good lawn service company is a great place to start, but it is important to research the company a little more before settling on which one to go with. Besides asking for additional references, look up the company on the Better Business Bureau website. If they have a history of customer complaints, it will show that. Check especially for numerous unresolved complaints that suggest a history of not meeting expectations rather than just a few disgruntled customers. Also make sure the company is properly licensed and insured.

2.  Ask satisfied customers detailed questions. Request information for former or current customers you can call or email rather than just relying on written testimonials. You want to be able to ask these people about whether the company was dependable, showing up when they were supposed to and finishing all the jobs that were agreed upon. Ask for specific reasons why they like this lawn service to get a better idea of what working with them will be like. It is also a good idea to ask about how well they are able to communicate with company employees and if they feel like they are always made aware of all the details, including cost, before the work is started.

3.  Find out what services they offer. The different lawn care services each company does varies by the company. The majority will mow and edge the lawn and will usually also trim lawn weeds. Some do fertilizing, liming, and applying treatments like pesticides and fungicides. Other possible services include dethatching and lawn aeration in addition to basic care for bushes and hedges like trimming, shaping and mulching around the base. Keep in mind everything you are interested in, so you can choose a company that offers them.

4.  Get a list of all services, what they each include, how frequently they are done and what they cost. Not only do the offered services vary by company, but so do the details of each one. Some mow, edge, trim weeds and haul away all debris and materials each time for one set fee. Others provide these services separately at different costs. When looking at monthly rates, find out how frequently each job occurs. If they only mow every other week for that rate and your lawn needs to be mowed every week some months, you will either have to do it yourself or pay extra for the additional visits.

5.  Focus on value not price. The company that quotes the lowest prices doesn’t always cost the least. Besides having to pay more for services that aren’t included, some companies may try to talk you into unneeded lawn care or more frequent than necessary services. Quality work that is consistently done on-time and professionally is worth a few extra dollars and fewer headaches rather than suffering through poor quality work that gets done late or sometimes never. Having a good working relationship with a reliable professional lawn company that consistently does quality work is always worth it.

What is a garden lawn roller used for?

A lawn roller is used to flatten or even out a lawn. It is also an important tool when putting in new sod or grass seeds, either for a complete lawn or to replace damaged or dead patches. Many professionally-maintained golf courses and athletic fields regularly aerated and smoothed by a lawn roller. A level grass turf mows more easily and uniformly, giving a nice crisp and even look to the lawn.

Are there different types of lawn rollers?

In general, rollers all look similar but have differences in size, weight and construction materials. They are typically made from steel or polyethylene, but can be made from concrete. Typically the drum of the smaller ones has an 18-inch diameter and the large ones are around 24 inches. The length varies from as short as 2 feet to around 6 feet. Filled with water (sand is another common filler and soil can be used as well), the smallest weigh about 200 pounds, but the larger ones weigh in at over 1000 pounds. Manual rollers are the smallest ones, which also include some that will convert to being pulled behind a lawn mower. A tractor is need to tow the larger sizes.

How to use a garden lawn roller?

Begin by following the instructions on how to properly fill and attach the roller. It is best to use the material recommended by the manufacturer. Water is a favorite since it is so easy to remove when you are done rolling. Always be sure to empty the barrel because it can be damaged if the contents freeze in there.

If it is a tow roller, tow the roller over the ground in long and straight rows, checking to make sure that everything is evening out. If you are just working on a few bumps or depressions in a lawn, it is best to use a hand roller with short strokes over the top. Particularly large bumps may need to be watered and then re-rolled. You can also dig around them to remove dirt to make the smoothing process work better in an established lawn. Holes can be filled in a similar way before rolling. After laying seed or sod, roll the new grass to create good connections between the soil and the seeds or roots to promote quicker growth and deeper roots.

Should I do it myself or hire a professional?

That is entirely up to you and your project. Garden lawn rollers are not hard to use, but if you do not have a tractor to pull one or it is a bigger job than you want to tackle, hiring a professional makes sense. Call around to get several estimates.

If you are interested in buying one, small hand rollers range in price from about $100-$130. The larger ones will be around $500 with the medium-sized, 3-4 foot range, from $200-$300. Renting a medium roller is about $20 for a day or $60 for a week. If you plan to use the soil roller a lot, purchasing one makes a lot of sense. Get a hand roller if you will mostly be doing touch-ups. Go for a larger one for bigger projects and if you already have the something to tow it with.

You may also be interested in a lawn aerator. or lawn aeration.