The easiest time to switch lawn care companies is between late fall and early spring, before the first application of the new season. In Cincinnati and Dayton, the first treatment usually goes down in March or April, and crabgrass pre-emergent needs to be down before the soil reaches 55 degrees consistently, usually by the end of April. Choosing over the winter means the new program starts on time.

The season ends with the late fall feeding, between late October and early December. After that, the lawn is dormant, and there is time to compare programs without missing anything.

Why late fall to early spring is the time to switch

• Nothing is lost. Once the late fall feeding is down, there is nothing left to apply until spring.
• The first spring treatment is time sensitive. It usually goes down in March or April and includes crabgrass prevention, which needs to beat the 55 degree soil mark.
• The schedule runs from there. Each treatment typically follows the previous one by 6 to 8 weeks, so a late start pushes the whole year back.
• Seeding plans need to be known in advance. If any part of the lawn was seeded in the fall or will be dormant seeded over winter, the new company has to skip pre-emergent on those areas or the seed will not germinate.

Signs it may be time for a new lawn care company

• The lawn greens up fast after each visit, then struggles between treatments
• The whole lawn gets sprayed for weeds even when only a few are present
• The program is the same package every lawn on the street gets
• Service calls between visits cost extra
• There are no notes or tips after a visit, so there is no way to know what was done
• It is hard to reach anyone with a question

What to compare between lawn care companies

What to compare	What to look for
Fertilizer type	Controlled release, organic-based fertilizer that feeds the roots and soil, rather than a quick release synthetic used up in a week or two
Number of applications	Around five controlled release feedings a year. Some programs apply fertilizer up to 10 times, which no lawn needs
Weed control method	Spot treating only the weeds present, rather than blanket spraying the whole lawn
Customization	A program built around the property, the homeowner’s expectations and the budget
Service calls	Free return visits if something is not right between treatments
Pet and kid re-entry time	A clear answer on how long to stay off the lawn, and why
Grub control material	A product that does not harm bees, and whether it also covers armyworms
Care around the property	Product blown off driveways and sidewalks so it stays out of storm drains
Research and licensing	Programs based on turfgrass research and applied by licensed technicians
Communication	Notes after each visit with tips to get the most out of the service

Questions to ask before hiring a new lawn care company

1. What kind of fertilizer do you use, and how fast does it release?
2. How many applications are in the program, and when does each one happen?
3. Do you spray the whole lawn for weeds, or only the weeds that are there?
4. How long do kids and pets need to stay off the lawn after a treatment?
5. Do you charge for a service call if something goes wrong between visits?
6. Is the program customized to my lawn, or is it a standard package?
7. Do you offer fall aeration and seeding, and grub control?
8. Are your technicians licensed?

How lawn care pricing usually works

Lawn treatment programs are usually priced on the square footage of the property. The fairest way to compare two companies is a free lawn analysis and a written quote for the same lawn, with the number of applications and what each one includes spelled out.

A good company should also be willing to work out a program that fits the property, the homeowner’s expectations and the budget.

What happens to the lawn after a switch

A switch from a quick release synthetic program to an organic-based one changes how the lawn grows. Growth becomes steadier rather than a quick flush after each visit. The change can also be gradual: an organic-based program can keep some traditional weed control at first and taper it off over time.

A few habits help any new program work:

• Mow high, at 3 to 4 inches, through the growing season
• Leave the clippings on the lawn as free organic matter
• Water deeply and infrequently, in the morning
• Aerate and overseed in the fall until the lawn is thick

The lawn care tips page covers mowing and watering in detail, and the winter lawn care checklist covers the months before the switch.

A checklist for a smooth switch

• Get a written quote with the full application schedule before spring
• Tell the new company about any fall seeding or planned dormant seeding
• Share any history of grub damage or lawn disease
• Ask about re-entry times for kids and pets
• Before any aeration, mark sprinkler lines, invisible fence and buried wires

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to switch lawn care companies?

Between late fall and early spring, after the late fall feeding and before the first spring treatment in March or April. That way no treatment is missed and crabgrass prevention goes down on time.

Will switching lawn care companies hurt my lawn?

Not if the switch happens between seasons and the new company knows about any recent seeding. Moving to an organic-based program can also be done gradually.

How many fertilizer applications does a lawn need?

Around five controlled release feedings a year, from March to early December, deliver the 4 to 5 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet a Dayton or Cincinnati lawn needs in a season.

Should a lawn care company charge for service calls?

It varies. Some charge for return visits, and some come back at no charge if something is not right between treatments. Ask before signing up.

What should I ask before hiring a lawn care company?

Ask about fertilizer type, the number of applications, how weeds are treated, pet re-entry times, service call charges, customization and licensing.

How are lawn care programs priced?

Most are priced on the square footage of the lawn. A free lawn analysis and written quote is the best way to compare.

Why homeowners switch to PureLawn

PureLawn is a local, family owned lawn treatment company serving Cincinnati and Dayton since 2006. Matt Maurer runs the Dayton location and Chad Craft runs Cincinnati, and referrals are still the number one source of new customers.

• Fewer chemicals: weeds are spot treated, about 1 gallon of weed mix a year on an average 7,000 square foot lawn compared with an estimated 28 gallons for a blanket spray. The PureGreen program is 100% chemical free.
• Organic-based fertilizers: custom blended for Southwest Ohio soils, with no manures.
• Free service calls between visits, and invoices with tips after every visit.
• Programs based on Ohio State turfgrass research, applied by licensed technicians and customized to each lawn and budget.
• Bee-friendly grub control that also covers armyworms.
• Customers stay: annual retention is over 90%. PureLawn has won Angie’s List Super Service Awards and is a member of the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation, the Ohio Lawn Care Association and the BBB.

See why PureLawn is different, compare the lawn treatment programs, or read the PureLawn FAQs. Service areas include Wyoming, Dry Run, Mason, West Chester, Troy, Springboro and more of Southwest Ohio.

Get a free lawn quote or call (937) 703-1221 to be set for spring. New customers get $25 off their first lawn treatment.