Frequently Asked Questions

Many big-box lawn products have inadequate nutrient values or simply don't work well. Once you add up the time spent buying and applying product — plus storing bulky spreaders and sprayers — DIY often costs more than it saves. We know exactly what your lawn needs, use the best materials at the proper rate, and time each application for maximum effect.

Our lawn care services include a lawn analysis, balanced slow-release fertilizer, weed control, grub control, insect control, tree and shrub treatments (Japanese Beetle control is a popular one), aeration, seeding, sod installation, and compost application. We have decades of education and experience backing our program tailored specifically for Central Iowa conditions.

Pre-emergent treatments stop weeds before they ever germinate, rather than killing them after they appear. They're especially important for controlling hard-to-kill annual weeds like crabgrass and foxtail. Combined with post-emergent treatments, pre-emergents are one of the most effective ways to keep your lawn weed-free.

Lawn treatments require precise timing throughout the growing season for maximum effect. We build a proven program for your lawn and handle getting it what it needs, when it needs it — so you don't have to track the timing yourself. Most lawns require 5 visits per season, with multiple treatments occurring during those visits.

Core aeration mechanically removes small plugs (cores) of soil from your lawn using a commercial aerator. This relieves soil compaction and improves the movement of water, oxygen, and nutrients down to the roots, resulting in a healthier, more vigorous lawn.

Central Iowa has some of the best natural soil in the country, but much of that topsoil is removed during home construction, leaving hard, compacted clay behind. Aeration opens up that compacted soil so your grass can breathe and access what it needs. It's one of the single best things you can do for your lawn.

In Ankeny and the rest of Central Iowa, spring and fall are the best times, because grass recovers quickly during those favorable growing conditions. These are also the best times to grow grass from seed, which is why we often pair aeration with overseeding. Aeration season fills up fast, so reach out early.

Overseeding is spreading new grass seed to thicken your lawn and fill bare spots. When done during or after aeration, the seed falls into the aeration holes for better seed-to-soil contact — which is exactly what's needed for strong germination.

No. Avoid "spike" or box-store aerators, which can actually harm your turf. We use only the best commercial core aerators, which pull numerous large plugs to genuinely let your lawn breathe.

We provide complete irrigation services throughout Ankeny: new irrigation installation, certified backflow testing, spring start-up, ongoing maintenance, and fall winterization. As a Certified Rachio Pro, we can also install or upgrade your controller to a top-rated, user-friendly WiFi controller you can manage from your smartphone.

Most Iowa cities, including Ankeny, require all backflow devices to be tested and inspected annually. The backflow preventer protects the public water supply from contamination. We're backflow-tester certified, so we'll properly test your device and promptly provide the required report to your water purveyor.

Our service areas — Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, and Polk City — aren't typically out of frost/freeze danger until late April or early May. You can water before then, but turning the water on too early risks freeze damage to your backflow preventer and the piping coming out of your home. If a late freeze threatens, the risk can be reduced by draining the backflow device or wrapping it in a towel or blanket.

Winterizing is essential in Iowa to prevent freeze damage. The process shuts off water to the outside, purges all water from the system, and protects your backflow device. If it's not done properly, you can face costly repairs to the system and sprinkler heads the following year.

The three key services are spring start-up (checking heads, coverage, and setting an efficient schedule), annual backflow testing, and fall winterization. Routine attention keeps your system running at peak efficiency, conserves water, and helps lower your water bills.

Smart controllers automatically adjust watering schedules based on weather conditions to prevent waste while keeping your lawn healthy. You can monitor and adjust your system anytime, from anywhere, right from your phone.

Our team specializes in perimeter landscaping, paver patios, landscape beds, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits, walkways, plantings, edging and retaining walls. We also offer landscape design, ongoing maintenance (from single visits to year-round care), landscape renovation and refreshes, and seasonal spring and fall clean-ups.

We aim to be straightforward from the moment we bid the job through completion. We'll walk you through the plan before starting so we're on the same page, use only the best materials and workmanship, and clean up the site each day and at the end — leaving no mess for you.

Both. We handle full design-and-build projects as well as smaller maintenance needs, single-visit clean-ups, and routine seasonal care. If your yard just needs a refresh, we can help with that too.

Yes — using only the best materials and workmanship, our landscaping and hardscaping services are built to last.

Our hardscaping services have both a workmanship and material warranty. We provide a workmanship warranty spanning 5 to 25 years, depending on the project. This covers issues like settling, sinking, or major cracking that may be caused by improper installation. The products we use often have a manufacturer warranty which covers the structural integrity of stones and pavers for 10 to 50 years, or a lifetime, depending on the manufacturer.

Landscape lighting accents your home, business, and landscaping while making your property safer at night. It's a great way to highlight a tree or pillar, brighten a walkway or entrance, and extend the use of your patio after sunset. Benefits include increased curb appeal, enhanced property value, and improved safety.

We use only energy-efficient LED lights because they last longer, look great, and are far safer than old incandescent bulbs. Newer options even offer Bluetooth compatibility, so you can change colors and dim the brightness from your smartphone or tablet.

Yes — whether you want path lighting, accent lighting, hardscape lighting, or uplighting to showcase trees, pillars, or architectural features, we have an option to fit your home or business.

We make the whole process effortless. We create custom LED Christmas light sets that fit your home or business perfectly, install them, remove them once the season is over, then service and store the lights for you so they're ready next year.

Yes. We offer many colors and color combinations to match your style and personality.

With professional-grade products you won't be buying new lights every year or running to the store for missing pieces. Plus, you skip the ladders, tangled cords, and rooftop work — and never have to deal with taking lights down after the holidays.

The holidays arrive fast, and scheduling fills up. We recommend booking your consultation in summer or early fall so your display is ready in plenty of time.