Fresh Cut Pros Blog

Why We Don’t Bag Grass — And Why You Shouldn’t Either At Fresh Cut Pros, we don’t bag grass clippings during routine lawn mowing — and unless you’ve got a specific reason, you shouldn’t either . When we mow your lawn in Shorewood, Joliet, Plainfield, Minooka, or Channahon, we’re doing more than just keeping it short. We’re feeding it. Those clippings? They’re loaded with nitrogen and moisture — two things your lawn already needs to grow. Mulching grass clippings (not raking or bagging them) helps return organic matter to the soil, which improves its health and texture over time. It also keeps your lawn from drying out as quickly, reduces the need for fertilizer, and saves you money in disposal costs or yard waste bags. The myth that clippings cause thatch buildup is outdated. Thatch comes from dead roots and stems, not clippings — especially when we’re mowing weekly and not letting the grass get too long between cuts. But When Should You Bag? There are a few scenarios where we ...

Our Fertilization & Weed Control Program: Why It's Not the Same Stuff Every Time A lot of homeowners assume lawn fertilization is just dumping the same bag of magic, smelly dust every few weeks. Not how we do it. At Fresh Cut Pros , our 6-application program is timed to the season and the actual conditions in Joliet, Shorewood, Plainfield, Minooka, and Channahon . We’re feeding the lawn when and how it needs it, suppressing weeds before they show up, and adapting to the weather — not running on autopilot. What the Program Looks Like (In Plain English) Round 1 (Early Spring) : Get things going with a nitrogen boost + soil support to improve water uptake early.  Round 2 (Late Spring) : Pre-emergent + weed control. This round is critical. If we miss it, especially around curbs and edges, you’ll see crabgrass. Round 3 (Early Summer) : Blanket spray for broadleaf weeds + micronutrients + nitrogen. This is where lawns start to pop. Round 4 (Late Summer) : Granular ferti...

Why We Sell Our Mowers After 3 Years And Why You Might Want to Buy One At Fresh Cut, we run Wright Stander commercial mowers —36" and 52", both with Kawasaki engines. These aren’t homeowner toys. These are the same machines that knock out hundreds of lawns every year, maintained like aircraft, then sold off before they become a problem. What We Run: 36" & 52" Wright Standers We don’t mess with seated zero turns. We run standers only —they’re faster, more maneuverable, and better for our clients' properties. 52" Wright Stander X – Kawasaki FX691V, 22HP (give or take) 36" Wright Stander Intensity – Kawasaki FS600V, 18.5HP Push mowers , trimmers , blowers also come up for sale each winter. Why We Sell at the 3-Year Mark Three years is our cutoff. Not because the mower’s failing—because it’s the smart window to sell . After year three, parts start wearing faster, repairs hit harder, and resale value starts dropping. So we flip while ...

How Much Does Shrub Trimming Cost in the Joliet Area? If you’re in Joliet, Shorewood, Plainfield, Minooka, or Channahon and wondering, “What does shrub trimming cost?”—you’re not alone. It’s one of the most searched lawn care questions in our market. Let’s give you the real answer - $400-$700 . Now that I've told you that read more to find out why!  Average Cost of Shrub Trimming For 90% of our clients, shrub trimming falls between $400 and $700 per service. Some light jobs land closer to $250, while larger properties or overgrown landscapes (think “hasn’t been trimmed in 2 years”) can go well beyond $700. Pro tip: If you haven’t trimmed in a year or two and want a big size reduction, expect the first visit to cost around double. You didn’t pay for maintenance last year—so this one’s pulling double duty. Our Shrub Trimming Program Our twice-a-year program is designed for consistent curb appeal and plant health.   🌿 One visit in early summer   🍂 One visit...

  What Is 30-0-10 Fertilizer Used For? (And Why You Keep Googling It) If you've been poking around the internet wondering what is 30-0-10 fertilizer used for? —you’re not alone. According to [whatever keyword tool I use then wrote down in a note], this is one of the most searched lawn care questions. And frankly, we don’t totally know why. But let’s break it down. What Does 30-0-10 Mean in Fertilizer? The numbers refer to the N-P-K ratio : 30% nitrogen (N) for top growth and rich green color 0% phosphorus (P) which is typically used for root development 10% potassium (K) for stress tolerance and disease resistance In Illinois, phosphorus is restricted and generally only used when seeding , which explains the “0.” So if you’re maintaining an existing lawn in Joliet, Shorewood, Plainfield, Minooka, or Channahon, this blend makes sense for spring or early summer. Is 30-0-10 a Good Spring Fertilizer? Yes—especially for lawns already established. That 30% nitrogen means a strong...