Terms of the trade

​Turf management (Lawn Mowing): Using commercial lawn mowers, whose blades are sharpened on a regular basis, a 2 3/4 inch cut is achieved. Not only should grass be cut to this length to achieve maximum growth potential for your lawn, but it is important  the machines are operated by experienced staff who know how to bring a finished and professionally manicured appearance to your lawn.

Frequent Blade Sharpening: Useful in the reduction of the spreading fungal disease.

Blowing: Sidewalks, walkways and decks are cleaned of any grass and debris generated by turf clippings. This method is also used during spring and fall clean ups, to “blow” away debris caught under shrubs, fence lines, around building foundations and in stairwells.

Aeration: An  aerating machine is used to core (extraction of a plug of soil)  2 – 3 inch plugs from your lawn which will provide the following benefits: oxygen, water, and fertilizer gaining access to the root system. Your grass has a root system which is 2-3 inches in length, which is why this is a desirable size for each plug. Removing the plugs provides a natural decomposition of fertilizer and reduces harmful thatch.

Lawn Dethatching: Thatch is a layer of slowly decomposing grass, dead roots and other yard debris that has accumulated on the lawn areas. The accumulation of thatch over time prevents water and other nutrients from getting through to the root system of your lawn. In most states, this would be recommended in the spring time, due to the cool season grasses such as Kentucky Blue Grass. After dethatching, fertilizing, seed and water is recommended to penetrate the soil with the beneficial nutrients the lawn has been lacking due to the thatch.

Edging: This prevents the encroachment of weeds and invasive grasses onto bedding areas. This is the precise outlining of edging, along with proper trimming, along the base of trees, sidewalks and other obstacles giving your lawn the manicured look that is desired.

Hydroseeding: An alternative to sod, Hydroseeding is a mixture of water, seed, and fertilizer along with a protective mulch which is applied using a “spray on” method using a hydroseeding machine. At a cost of about 1/3 of sod, hydroseeding does take patience; however, in a few weeks you will have a new lawn at a more affordable price. This method is typically used in larger areas where laying of new sod would be very costly.

Medina Lawncare is one of the few landscape companies in Chicago which owns proper hydroseed equipment. Applied by our experienced technicians, your  hydroseeded lawn will flourish because our staff is skilled at the mixing of the correct seed to mulch ratios giving you the best results possible.

Brick Pavers: In use for over 2,000 years, Pavers were first installed in ancient Rome and are still very popular today.  Paving stones are usually interlocking and held together by sand, and are durable and can withstand traffic, wear and surface pressure while remaining a bit flexible. They are not prone to cracking and can be easily replaced if necessary. Paving stones come in a variety of textures and color.

Retaining walls: Built to hold or retain soil, this is an ideal way to provide useful areas in which you can enhance your property and correct a sloping grade, with style, and implement a planting bed or garden. A retaining wall can be constructed from a variety of materials including brick, lumber, or concrete just to name a few. A retaining wall is a small engineering feat, if you are uncertain about it’s construction Medina Lawncare  can remove the guess work and create one for you.

Trees: Carefully pruning and thinning (to remove all dead wood and allow new growth) can add years to the healthy life of a tree. From it’s installation, to it’s removal and grinding of it’s stump Medina Lawncare is licensed, bonded and insured to handle such tedious and painstaking tasks. Wether it’s a small 2″ caliper (the circumference of the trunk) to a 2 ft. caliper, let an expert with the proper equipment, install, prune and “fell” your trees.

Seasonal Container Gardens: Container gardens are just what they’re name suggest, a lush lovely and colorful garden, rich in texture and shape, that accentuates a lovely landscape. Container gardens are growing in popularity, as they create focal points and can be changed with the seasons. Spring, Summer and Fall are most popular; however, consider adding container gardens thru the winter months to add opulence to your snow covered landscape.

Shrub Trimming: Not all shrubs are created equal, it is very important that you know the species of shrub you are trimming as some shrubs require trimming at certain times of the year, while others need trimming after they “bloom”. The best rule of thumb is to remember to trim shrubs within one month after they finish blooming. Again, if your not quite ready to take on those shears, call Medina Lawncare and we can assist you with this task.

Sod Installation: The process by which your lawn is renovated. Before sod arrives the removal of the dead lawn is achieved by using a sod cutter. Then depending on the grade of your lawn area, (grade is the level of the dirt at which it meets the sidewalks, walkways or property, which should be a half inch below walks, driveways and patios) top soil is added if needed along with sod and seed starter fertilizer. Measured by square foot, sod is then installed, rolled over with a sod roller so that it adheres with the soil, and then it is watered. It is important to keep freshly installed sod hydrated, and free from foot traffic, lawn furniture and pets for a minimum 3-4 weeks, or until sod has adhered to the ground. A “tugging up” on the edges with light force will determine if this has been successfully achieved. Medina Lawncare takes pride in successful lawn adaptation through sod installation, please report any oddities with your newly installed sod to Medina Lawncare upon their discovery. We install it, we don’t grow it!

Lot Clearing: Removal of unwanted growth, scrub brush and trees.

Spring and Fall Clean Ups: See video on Medina Lawncare’s Home Page for useful information and demos.

Weed Control: Licensed by the Department of Agriculture, Medina Lawncare is environmentally responsible. Our first method of prevention is to layer organic mulch in plant beds that will decompose over time and add nutrients to the soil, while retaining  moisture for the roots of shrubs, annuals and perennials while keeping weeds at bay. A line trimmer is used to cut back weeds. The proper application of weed control chemical will be applied to stubborn areas when necessary. Actually, some “weeds” like clover provide nutrients like nitrogen for the soil, which is beneficial to your lawn, so if you can bear to see patches of clover or other sparce, but native species on your lawn, you are thinking green!

Grub Control: Larvae which is hidden under your lawns surface will hatch around late June and into the early summer. The time to act is late spring, especially if it has been a wet spring and fall that will support a grub population of about five grubs per sq ft. Applying a proper grub control at the time of egg hatching, or when grubs are small enough to be affected, is critical. Again, this does require the use of a chemical, but it will save your lawn from an infestation that almost always destroys your lawn. The organic alternative is to reduce water on your lawn, water only when grass looks stressed. Nematode worms can also be applied to the lawn late July or early August, and let nature take it’s course. Death to the host takes place within 24  – 48 hours. Nematodes carry a bacteria which breaks down the internal structure of the grub through enzymes. Medina Lawncare is not in the Nematode business, sorry.