[Paulz]

We are closing in Collier on 8/19 and moving down late September. Is there anything outside on basic mowing that is required in the first 4-5 weeks? Also, is mowing weekly durning this time of year?

[kittygilchrist]

welcome to TV...!
must do: get donuts for the sprinkler heads and have the grass cut around them. otherwise the grass grows over the heads and they are extremely hard if not impossible to find.
assuming you will be here to close make sure your irrigation system is set up appropriately by contacting either home warranty ofc or your landscaper, who will do a walk around, adjust sprinkler heads and show you how the irrigation works.
my opinion is every 2 weeks will do for mowing.

I recommend Stellar for lawn service and a neighbor to check on the yard to report any issues to you.

[redwitch]

During the summer, you need to cut weekly (weather permitting), about 3 inches high; winter is biweekly. Donuts are definitely a good idea.

If you're going to be a snowbird, Stellar may not be the way to go. They're really good for us frogs, but seem to be hit or miss if you're not home. That, plus having to pay in advance for services always puts me off. Check with your neighbors and see who they have. It's always best if a cutter takes care of several homes on the same street.

Do not rely on neighbors to watch your home or yard -- if something goes wrong, your insurance company will go after them to pay for damages if it was more than a casual check by neighbors/friends/families or hold you entirely responsible for not being duly diligent in having your home checked weekly.

[mulligan]

Most important...water your lawn daily for the first month.

[asianthree]

lawn needs to be feed oursin november when we closed looked like it was dead within 6 weeks had deans come in at two months took a month to come back

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by redwitch

plus having to pay in advance for services always puts me off.

Yes that is a very strange way of doing business, can you name other services that DEMAND payment in advance?

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I have to mow at least weekly. I fertilized this spring and it's gotten to where I need to mow about every 5 days now.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

Yes that is a very strange way of doing business, can you name other services that DEMAND payment in advance?

Colleges.

[asianthree]

deans bills as services are done..even mow

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

Yes that is a very strange way of doing business, can you name other services that DEMAND payment in advance?

Colleges, cable, internet service, The Villages Amenities, I used to pay for my son's guitar lessons a month in advance. I don't think it's so unusual for services that are repeated on a regular basis.

[batman911]

Originally Posted by redwitch

During the summer, you need to cut weekly (weather permitting), about 3 inches high; winter is biweekly. Donuts are definitely a good idea.

If you're going to be a snowbird, Stellar may not be the way to go. They're really good for us frogs, but seem to be hit or miss if you're not home. That, plus having to pay in advance for services always puts me off. Check with your neighbors and see who they have. It's always best if a cutter takes care of several homes on the same street.

Do not rely on neighbors to watch your home or yard -- if something goes wrong, your insurance company will go after them to pay for damages if it was more than a casual check by neighbors/friends/families or hold you entirely responsible for not being duly diligent in having your home checked weekly.

I do not believe Stellar requires advance payment. You can pay them monthly but will not receive the 2 month bonus unless you pay for a full year.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

Yes that is a very strange way of doing business, can you name other services that DEMAND payment in advance?

Where did you get the idea that Stellar DEMANDS payment in advance?

[Markam]

If your lawn is in good condition at the time of closing, weekly mowing is about all you need for at least 5 weeks.

Even though we have been having plenty of rain lately, the advice to make sure your irrigation system is working is sound. It probably has a feature that will not allow it to activate if there has been recent rain.

I second the motion to eventually install 'donuts' around your sprinkler heads. They are available at Home Depot and Lowes. It isn't anything that has to be done in the first 5 weeks.

If you are not going to be here full time (AKA: "frog") you will need a service to mow and chemically treat your lawn anyway. I cut my own grass but use Stellar for chemical treatment and found them to be OK, although I do have to call them for problems once in a while. They are responsive, courteous and fairly knowledgeable. My lawn is better than most in the neighborhood. Their number is 352-553-2597. They just might cut your lawn on a week-to-week basis until you move in - or know someone who will.

Cheers

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Where did you get the idea that Stellar DEMANDS payment in advance?

here!

Originally Posted by Stellar

Jimbo2012,

I would be happy to shed some light on this ongoing issue of customers paying in advance. Let's step back and look at this situation from the perspective of a business. So many companies make the mistake of billing monthly; they work hard all summer, sweat for all the residents, endure the heat of the summer for 6 to 8 months...
Marty Rouse/ Owner

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

Colleges, cable, internet service, The Villages Amenities, I used to pay for my son's guitar lessons a month in advance. I don't think it's so unusual for services that are repeated on a regular basis.

Snow plowing. (Thank Gawd that's over & done with.) We had to pay for our Coolaroos installation in advance.