Lawns require many macro and micro nutrients to stay healthy. They also grow best at a certain ph (soil acidicy) level. When a lawn service business markets a six step application program for a green lawn how does the customer know if that is really what they should be getting? More applications is always better, right? That’s why they cost more. Or is it just to boost the company’s profitability?

By taking a soil sample and getting it tested by the state cooperative extension (NJ link) you will know exactly what should be done that year to make the lawn it’s healthiest. It is possible to overfertilize. That’s where the term fertilizer burn comes from. Too much fertilizer at once and it will kill the grass. That’s one reason frequent applications are preferred. They also prevent the grass from growing too quickly. Imagine a three year old kid on Halloween with a huge bag of candy. Binge feeding is never healthy. Plus frequent visits allow more inspections for weeds, damaging insects, and diseases.

Soil tests also provide accountability. If there are nutritional problems that show up, a follow up test the next year will determine whether or not the lawn company properly addressed those issues. Think of a well fed person with high colesteral. They never know they have a problem until they take a test or have a heart attack. If the average customer is already spending hundreds of dollars on lawn applications, a yearly soil test may be their best purchase.

How can being accountable not help build loyalty?