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Make Your Life Easier: Lawn Services

Cross "mow the lawn" off the to-do list.

By Sherri Dalphonse Published Sunday, August 01, 2004

Envy your neighbor's green lawn but don't have time to seed, weed, and fertilize? Hire a lawn service. These firms are top-rated for quality by Washington Consumers' Checkbook magazine. Ask your neighbor for recommendations, too--maybe he doesn't really have a green thumb.

Before signing a contract, have a few firms visit and give you an estimate. Companies can approach the same lawn differently. Do they offer conflicting advice about aeration, lime, and other treatments your lawn may or may not need?

If in doubt, send your Cooperative Extension office a sample of soil and grass for its opinion. In the District, call 202-274-7115. To find local offices and other information in Virginia, see ext.vt.edu; in Maryland, see agnr.umd.edu/ces.

We've listed where a company is based, although most work in neighboring areas, too. For the complete article on choosing a lawn-care company, see checkbook.org; nonsubscribers to Checkbook can download the article for $10.

Agro-Lawn Systems; Vienna;703-938-8846

Better Lawn Service; Arlington;703-538-5004

Complete Lawn Care; Laytonsville;301-948-5069

Craig's Lawn Care; Fairfax Station;703-385-1641

Davey Tree Expert Co.; Gaithersburg; 301-869-6884

Fairway Lawn Care; Silver Spring; 301-681-3000

Four Feet to the Yard; Silver Spring;301-718-8088

Greenturf; Gaithersburg;301-990-9256

Kart Landscape& Lawns; Rockville; 301-424-0238

Lawn Doctor; Merrifield; 703-698-7474

Lawnmate Quality Lawn Care; Annandale; 703-256-9595

Lawns Unlimited; Poolesville; 301-972-7191