13 WTHR IndianapolisAngie's List: Lawn care

This week we begin an exciting new partnership with Angie's List, the nation's premier provider of consumer reviews. Today - news you can really use right now for a healthy lawn.

We've certainly had plenty of April showers. But don't let that fool you. Last year's drought damage is still causing lots of lawn and garden trouble. Recent rains won't help what's already gone down.

We visited with Chip Cochrun, who says the drought of 2010 got the best of his Brownsburg lawn. He called in Brian Franco of Franco Landscaping.

"We didn't get any rain until November which was way too late," Brian said. "What happens now is that all the grass that was alive at that time went dormant because of the drought and never came out of dormancy and now it went into winter and it's gone too long without any livelihood."

Indianapolis-based Angie's List asked its highly rated lawn care and landscaping companies for healthy lawn advice. First off, if you haven't already, rake. Get rid of all the old leaves, grass and growth as they block the sun.

For drought damage, take a plug of your lawn to a nursery and have them show you what it really needs. They may recommend a crab-grass fighter called a pre-emergent.

"Pre-emergents kill crabgrass but they also kill anything else that's trying to grow at the same time, " Brian said. "Try to get some grass to grow in those dead areas. We want to make sure we re-seed first before pre-emergent gets put down."

A word of warning from Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List: "Be leery of anyone suggesting they can make miracles happen overnight because your lawn takes time. If you have a lawn that is in poor condition it might take a year or two for the lawn to really show improvement."

The drought's impact is just now surfacing for Chip, along with many others in central Indiana.

Meanwhile, the partnership between Angie's List and Channel 13 is just starting to sprout.

Angie's List is an amazing company with more than 500 local employees on the Indianapolis east side. One of their buildings is a former fire station. In the weeks ahead you'll learn more about how Angie's List can work wonders for your budget.

More lawn tips:

A healthy lawn doesn't just look good, but it also can increase your home's value by up to 14 percent.

Angie's List says smart choices now will help your lawn stand up better through the rest of the year.

Spring is an important time for your lawn. Neglect it now and you'll pay the price for the rest of the year. You don't have to go over the top with your landscaping, but you do need to pay attention to the basics.

A common issue for lawns this spring will be damage from the 2010 drought. As we move into warmer weather and the lawns begin to come out of winter dormancy, those damaged areas will begin to stand out and could take one to two years to full correct.

Angie's List, the nation's premier provider of consumer reviews, asked its highly rated lawn care and landscaping companies for healthy lawn advice.

Identify your lawn:

There are two types of grasses: Warm-season and cool-season grasses and each requires specific treatments on specific schedules.

3 Tips to Spring Lawn Care:

• Clean up the yard: If you still have leaves or debris in your yard, remove as soon as possible. Leaves left on the yard prevent it from receiving the sunlight it needs. Rake up thatch as well because thatch can block nutrients from reaching grass roots.

• Seed, weed, and feed: If you have any bare spots on your lawn, now is a good time for seed. Spring is also an ideal time to apply pre-emergent herbicides, which are used to prevent crabgrass and other annual weeds from germinating. Your lawn may also benefit from fertilizer at this time. If you are unsure about the health of your lawn, take a plug of your lawn to your local nursery to learn what your lawn really needs.

• Service your lawnmower: Regular maintenance on your lawnmower can help avoid ill-timed breakdowns and extend its lifecycle. A service appointment should include an oil change, sparkplugs, air filter, carburetor, cables, belts, and inspection/sharpening of the blade – dull mower blades will splinter your grass, causing it to wilt.

Hospitals and emergency rooms nationwide treat nearly 250,000 people each year who tangle with lawn mowers. Yard clean-up and mulching are lawn care jobs that many homeowners can handle, but when it comes to servicing the lawn mower or using chemicals, those jobs are best handled by a professional.

Angie's List tips to find the right lawn care company:

• Check with Angie's List to see what your neighbors have to say about the lawn care contractors in your area.

• Make sure the lawn care company meets state and local certifications or licensing requirements if warranted.

• The federal government requires those who apply certain chemicals to control weeds, insects or diseases to be certified pesticide applicators. If they can't provide documentation, find another company.

• Beware of any company or product that promises a quick cure. Remember your lawn is a growing plant. If it is weak and damaged it will take longer to recover

• Membership or certification by industry groups, such as state's landscape or nursery association, demonstrates participation in professional development programs.

• Any changes to the contract or plant list should be in writing with copies of any amendments signed by all parties.

• Good lawn care companies will offer tips and suggestions about caring for and maintaining the plants.

• Manage your expectations. Be aware that jobs may be delayed because of weather or a lack of supplies. Check that contingencies are included in the written contract.