Karen Reid-Renner is a busy professional living on the east side of Bloomington. She used to spend her weekends mowing, watering, and re-seeding her yard—doing everything the DIY blogs said to do. But her grass still looked lifeless and patchy, and weeds kept creeping back.
Frustrated, she finally gave us a call. We diagnosed the soil issue on the spot and scheduled service for that same week. Two weeks later, the lawn was already bouncing back.
We’ve helped dozens of homeowners just like her who hit their limit with DIY fixes that never quite work. If you’re seeing the same problems over and over, here’s how to know it’s time to bring in a local expert.
1. Bare Patches Keep Spreading
Last summer, a client on Maple Street had cricket damage and compacted soil that left dead zones stretching across the yard. They’d tried watering and re-seeding for months without results.
We aerated the soil, treated for pests, and seeded with a shade-tolerant blend. Within weeks, green shoots started returning.
Common causes of persistent bare spots:
- Compacted soil blocks root growth.
- Grubs, chinch bugs, or other pests.
- Water pooling or poor drainage.
- Mowing too short or infrequently.
If you’ve patched the same spot more than twice and it still doesn’t recover, it’s time to get it diagnosed.
2. Weeds Return No Matter What You Do
Dandelions and crabgrass are normal, but when they return faster than you can remove them, your lawn’s defenses are down.
One client near the IU campus fought Clover for months. Pulling wasn’t enough. We adjusted their fertilizer schedule, used pre-emergent treatment, and started monthly service. By the end of the season, weeds were down 90%.
Curious what those weeds are?
See our full Indiana Weed Guide.
3. You’ve Got Water Pooling After It Rains
After a storm, water should soak into your lawn, not collect in puddles that kill grass or attract mosquitoes.
At a home near the Showers Building, a low spot near the driveway caused major runoff and standing water.
We installed a French drain, reshaped the slope, and added native plants to redirect excess rain. James Bowling and Jordan led the crew on this one and handled every detail.
Pooled water near your gutters or driveway?
Read our gutter cleaning guide.
4. Yellow Stripes or Uneven Color
When you start seeing inconsistent color patterns, it’s usually not just about watering.
We helped a family in Spencer, IN, whose lawn showed alternating green and yellow stripes. The mower deck was uneven, and the soil lacked iron. We corrected both, and within two weeks, the lawn color leveled out.
Tip: Start with a soil test and mower calibration before wasting money on more seed or water.
5. You’re Doing the Work—But Still Don’t Like How It Looks
This is the most common reason people finally call us.
Daila Hargitt tried five companies before she reached us. Most didn’t respond at all. We picked up on the second ring.
“They gave me a quote the same day and mowed two days later. The results were immediate and impressive. I appreciated how quickly they followed through, unlike other companies I tried.” — Daila Hargitt
Time is your most valuable asset. If you’re investing weekends in your lawn but still not happy with the results, it might be time to rethink the approach.
Why Homeowners Call Anthony’s Lawncare
- We show up. We answer. We’re local.
- Quotes are clear and same-day when possible.
- We know Bloomington, Spencer, Ellettsville, and the soil challenges here.
- Over 600 local lawns have been improved since 2016.
If any of these five signs sound like your yard, we’d be glad to take a look. You’ll get a clear recommendation based on what’s actually going on with your lawn—no hard sell.
Reach out when you’re ready. We’ll walk you through what’s next.
About the Author
My story is about rolling up my sleeves and making dreams grow. From La Porte, Indiana, with a passion for creativity (honed at IU’s Film, Television, and Media program), I started Anthony’s in 2011 with more grit than gear – a minivan, a push mower, and a can-do spirit. Landscaping, home improvement, junk hauling – I tackled it all, building my business one sweat-soaked summer day at a time. Sure, I had stints in auto body shops between 2014 and 2016, but the call of the outdoors was too strong. In 2016, Anthony’s Lawn Care and Landscaping was born, officially housing my award-winning landscaping and tree removal ventures.
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