Snow removal can be a challenge during Alaskan winters, but if you own a business, it’s a critical part of reducing slip and fall liability.

Here are three things Kelly Lawn & Landscaping wants all business owners to know about reducing slip and fall liability through winter storms:

• It’s Required By Law: Keeping your customers safe isn’t just good for business — it’s also required by law. According to safety codes, business owners need to keep their premises free of hazards, which could include ice and snow. Keep in mind this also pertains to your parking lots and walkways, not just the space right outside your entrance.
• Advanced Preparation Is Key: Alaskans are used to wintery conditions, but that doesn’t make them any less likely to get hurt as a result of a slip and fall. In order to prevent slip and falls from happening in the first place, you need to know the snow will be removed in a timely manner. The team at Kelly Lawn and Landscaping watches weather patterns to identify when storms will approach and prepares all of their equipment in advance for rapid snow removal.
• You Need A Reliable Team: Many business owners rely on a single individual with a plow to handle their snow removal, but that could mean waiting hours or even days to resume operations following a big storm. While Colby Kelly began his lawn care business as an individual, he now has a fleet of over 40 employees ready to operate loaders,  plow trucks, de-icing trucks,  sanders and shovels. When a storm comes, someone from the Kelly Lawn and Landscaping team will be there to restore your parking lot back to safe conditions in as little time as possible.

1. Save Time

There’s no denying that cleaning up your fall leaves can be very time-consuming, especially if you have a large property with a lot of trees. Professional lawn companies not only have the latest equipment to help them get the job done faster, but they also have years of experience, allowing them to work as efficiently as possible.

2. Protect Your Lawn

While you may be tempted to simply let those leaves accumulate in your yard or gradually clean small patches of your grass at a time, doing so could ultimately have a severe impact on your lawn. By preventing sunlight from reaching your grass, a thick layer of leaves can contribute to fungus, snow rot, and other diseases that could harm or even kill your grass. The sooner your leaves get cleaned up, the easier it will be to keep your grass alive.

3. Save On Spring Cleanup

In addition to protecting your grass, hiring a professional lawn care service to clean your fall leaves will help you avoid some extra spring cleaning. After being buried under the snow for several months, those accumulated leaves will turn your yard into a soggy mess in the spring. Removing the leaves now will help your lawn look much better and reduce your cleaning needs once warmer weather returns.

• Build Strong Roots: If there’s a deficient amount of nutrients in your dirt, your grass won’t be able to grow sturdy roots. When you apply fertilizer, you’re providing your plants with a healthy diet that results in a healthier overall root system.
• Winterize Your Yard: Spreading fertilizer throughout your yard doesn’t just make your grass greener in the spring. After talking with your lawn care team about the health of your grass, you’ll want to give your turf the strength to survive the cold weather conditions in Alaska.
• Fight Off Weeds & Disease: When your grass doesn’t get the nutrients it needs to thrive, weeds will make their way onto your property and try to take over. Adding fertilizer to your property allows for the root system to fight weeds off and even resist diseases.
• Boost Your Curb Appeal: If your grass looks unhealthy, it’s a sign you could use some fertilizer. By fertilizing your lawn on a regular basis, you’ll be able to guarantee your grass stays bright and green from season to season, despite weather conditions.

While it may be tempting to cut your grass short to avoid mowing it as frequently, Kelly Lawn and Landscaping recommends leaving a little on the top. If your mower blades are too low to the ground, your grass can become stressed, which may not encourage a healthy appearance. Instead, raise your blades so you only mow the top third of the grass, which will help promote better roots and continued growth.

2. Aerate To Give Grass Oxygen

Over time, your grass can become compacted — especially if your lawn spent a typical Alaskan winter under the weight of snow. Use an aerator to pull plugs from your soil so grass and other plants can access the oxygen they need to maintain proper health.

3. Sharpen Your Blades

If you’ve been using your lawn mower since the spring, chances are you could be dulling your blades. A dull blade can tear the grass, which can open your lawn up to disease and pests. A sharp blade, however, will allow your grass to get a crisp shave every time.

4. Change Your Mowing Pattern

Mowing in the same pattern can lead to compacted grass, which can stunt its growth and promote weed development. To help avoid these problems, change up your direction every time you mow.

5. Water Strategically

It’s a common misconception that a healthy lawn needs to be watered consistently, but Kelly Lawn and Landscaping says too much water can actually lead to weeds, fungus, and decomposition. You should aim to get about 1 to 1.5 inches of water in your soil a week, and it should be able to reach deep so your roots can get water.

While do-it-yourself lawn care can be an inviting way to get outdoors and save money, it can also be time consuming. If you want to save yourself the hassle but need an affordable lawn care company in the Anchorage area, turn to the experts at Kelly Lawn and Landscaping.

Summer is really your property’s time to shine, and professional lawn care services will ensure that your yard is the most beautiful on the block. Here are three benefits of working with a lawn company this summer:

• Curb Appeal: Most people hire professional lawn care services to maintain their home’s exterior appearance, thereby improving its curb appeal. A well-manicured lawn, fresh flowers, and neatly trimmed bushes and trees will create a warm and inviting look, which is especially helpful if you’re trying to sell.
• Open Space: A well-kept yard is a must have if you enjoy spending time outdoors. It’s also the perfect setting for a number of outdoor activities, from enjoying a Fourth of July barbecue with friends and family to watching the kids play on the trampoline.
• Healthy Lawn: Regular grass care is important. Without it, your grass will die, leaving behind unattractive brown stubble. The manner in which you care for your lawn today will have a strong influence on its condition in the future. It’s worth it to make your lawn the best it can be every summer, when sunlight and water are both in abundance and contribute to its longevity.

Professional lawn care services are just what your yard needs to enjoy a refreshed look for summer, and Kelly Lawn and Landscaping is just the company to provide them. In addition to residential lawn care services, we also offer a wide variety of services that will enhance the look of your commercial property.

• Property Value: By following a basic grass care plan — like watering your lawn, cutting the blades at the appropriate height and applying fertilizer — you’ll increase your property value. Whether you’re getting ready to sell your home or you’d like to get an appraisal, maintaining a vibrant, healthy lawn will protect your investment for years to come. Also, don’t forget that vegetation and ground cover will improve drainage, thus keeping your topsoil from washing away.
• Pest Control: An important part of grass care is keeping yard debris off your turf at all costs. When you remove limbs, leaves, and fallen trees from your property, you’re protecting your grass from becoming damaged. As an added bonus, removing all of that debris will eliminate the food source and habitat that encourages pest problems.
• Curb Appeal: No one wants to see a yard without any grass in it. Whether your property is covered in stones and rocks or there are patches of dirt all over your lawn, your yard could be an eyesore for your family and neighbors. To keep your lawn looking healthy and your home in pristine condition, contact Kelly Lawn and Landscaping to set up a grass care plan for your property.

Call Kelly Lawn and Landscaping at (907) 441-8923 to discuss the right grass care plan for your home.

Kelly Lawn and Landscaping offers clients a wide range of services, including spring and fall clean-up, weekly mowing, aeration, fertilizer programs, pruning, and hedge trimming. Whether your home sits on a small lot or you have acres of land to maintain, Kelly Lawn and Landscaping provides the services you need. Their service packages are flexible and affordable, and they’ll work out a landscaping plan that meets your yard’s specific needs. Take advantage of their services with a one-time appointment, or sign up for regular lawn care so you never have to worry about those time-consuming tasks again. You’ll be able to enjoy a beautiful, lush lawn.

Kelly Lawn and Landscaping is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating earned through consistent, reliable work. Their team is comprised of hard-working professionals who take their work seriously, and they’ll go out of their way to meet — and even exceed — your expectations. Their clients are always a number one priority, and if you’re not satisfied with their service, then neither are they.

Today, their landscaping professionals are here to explain how to fertilize your lawn so it looks its best when summer arrives:

•Know What Type Of Grass To Use: Grass in Alaska is made up of hardy, cool-season varieties, which means that it thrives in cooler weather. Red fescue and Kentucky bluegrass are good options for an Alaskan lawn.
•A pH Test On The Soil: The pH level in the soil determines how efficiently grass will use the fertilizer. The results of a pH test will help you figure out which fertilizer is best for your lawn. Try to get your soil as close to neutral as you can. Alaskan soil is usually acidic — scattering lime will help bring the pH closer to neutral.
•Fertilize At The Correct Time: Grasses in Alaska flourish in 60°F to 70°F weather. Even if it’s sunny, the ground temperatures don’t start rising until mid-late April. In general, start fertilizing your lawn in late May until late August or early September.

If you don’t have time for spring lawn care, contact Kelly Lawn and Landscaping to help you out with all of your residential or commercial lawn and landscaping projects.

Kelly Lawn and Landscaping in Anchorage, AK, has been a leading landscaping company serving area residents and businesses since 1999. Over that time, Kelly Lawn and Landscaping has become known for their spring lawn care services that remove organic debris from your property in order to allow your lawn to flourish.

The company’s spring cleanup starts with the removal of accumulated leaves and branches. Then, the landscaping professionals dethatch your tamped down lawn so water and nutrients can once again reach the soil. Finally, the debris is conveniently bagged and placed at the end of your driveway or hauled away for a fee.

Once your lawn undergoes a spring cleanup, it can finally be ready to return to a healthier state for the rest of the spring, summer, and fall. Besides spring cleanup, Kelly Lawn and Landscaping offers a number of other premium lawn care services, including weekly or bi-weekly mowing and trimming, weeding, pruning and hedge trimming, edging, aeration, and more.

What separates the lawn care services of Kelly Lawn and Landscaping from other landscaping companies is that Kelly’s team of 30+ employees doesn’t subscribe to a one-size-fits-all solution for their clients. That means your landscaping professionals are going to give your lawn the special attention, products, and services it needs to look great year-round.