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NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                 Contact: Vicki Bendure, APR
                                                                                                                                (540) 687-3360 or
                                                                                                                                 Lisa Schaumann
                                                                                                                                 (540) 687-5099

CAN LESS GREEN STILL MEAN MORE GREEN THIS SPRING IN THE BACKYARD? 
April Is National Lawn Care Month and PLANET Gives Homeowners Tips About When  to Do It Themselves and When to Hire a Professional

HERNDON, Va., February 18, 2008 — The start of spring gets many people thinking about lawn and landscaping projects, but stormy economic times mean that people are looking for ways to cut costs around the house. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t know how to prioritize their lawn projects to help them understand where to spend their money most effectively, and they may not know what they can do themselves and when they should hire a professional.

“What people should focus on first is making sure that their lawns and plants, trees, and shrubs are healthy,” said Jim Martin, CLP, president of the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). “In the spring, do a walk-through of your yard, look at the plants, trees, and shrubs and make sure they look green and healthy.” He continued, “If you are concerned that the lawn is patchy and brown or that you may have diseased plants, trees, or shrubs, you may want to call a professional lawn care company to make an assessment and offer solutions.”

Spring provides an opportunity for homeowners, whose yards are healthy and in good shape, to save some money by doing a basic yard clean-up themselves.

“People can make a big impact in their yards without spending a lot of money just by cleaning out leaves from under shrubs and bushes, cutting in bed edges, mulching, and planting annuals in beds and pots,” said Jason Cupp, CLP, president-elect of PLANET.

For homeowners who want to engage in bigger projects around the yard, hiring a professional is a smart move. Many homeowners don’t have the skills, expertise, or the tools to take on more complicated projects. PLANET offers homeowners advice about when to hire a professional and when to dust off the wheel barrel.

Hire a professional for:

• Landscape design & installation — Most people, with the exception of very experienced gardeners, do not feel comfortable designing a landscape — so people generally turn to professionals for design and installation help.
• New lawn installation or major repairs — Installing a new yard or repairing a damaged yard is difficult and time consuming. Professional companies have the equipment, training, and the skills to do this task, and to do it safely. It is important to the value of a home that the lawn is in good condition.
•  Irrigation, aeration, and lighting projects — Projects such as installing irrigation systems, aerating a lawn, and installing outdoor lighting are usually done by people with professional grade equipment and expertise.

Do it yourself for:

• Light Maintenance — Some people opt to have lawn care and landscaping companies mow, weed, prune, and trim hedges on a regular basis. However, homeowners with an interest in gardening or who are looking to save money can do some of their own maintenance.
• Seasonal sprucing up — Homeowners can add a lot to their curb appeal by planting seasonal annuals, and by mulching and cleaning up plant beds.

To find a PLANET professional in your area, visit LandcareNetwork.org/findaprofessional,or call the PLANET office at (800) 395-2522.

PLANET is the association of members who create and maintain the QUALITY OF LIFE in communities across America. With more than 4,200 member companies and affiliates, these firms and their employees represent more than 100,000 green industry professionals. For more information on PLANET visit LandcareNetwork.org or call the PLANET office at (800) 395-2522.