(BPT) How do you know if you need a professional? Here are five signs.

Your Lawn Looks Unhealthy

You see brown grass, patchy growth and weeds. You’ve tried everything from various lawn products to altered watering techniques, but nothing works.

Lawn care professionals have the expertise and education to get to the root of your yard problems. A trained lawn care professional can evaluate factors including the pH balance of your soil, the presence of non-native grasses or problems created by over- or under-fertilizing your lawn.

You Want a Patio

Hardscaping – installing elements of landscape architecture, from pathways to retaining walls – requires a skilled hand, careful consideration of the best materials, plus knowledge of placement and installation.

A landscape professional will know what materials work best for your region and landscape design, and can assess your yard to consider issues that could impact your new feature. With a complex project, a landscape architect or designer can further assist you on planning and implementing your vision.

Your Tree Looks Sick

If a tree in your yard has dead branches, bark splitting, fungus, defoliation or has had improper pruning, it’s time to call an arborist.

Consulting an arborist will help determine issues with your trees and the best course of action. Arborists are trained and certified to ensure proper pruning and maintenance. They can recommend the best trees for your yard, where to plant them and how to get them off to a healthy start.

You Want a New Landscape

You love seeing colorful flowers and lush greenery at the local garden store, but don’t know where to start. What will work best with your existing trees and plants? Where should you plant? What will grow best with your climate and soil type?

A landscape professional is trained in proper plant selection and understands what flowers and greenery grow best in specific soil conditions, plus how to achieve a balance of colors and variety. When working with a landscape professional, they’ll help you consider layering plant sizes and textures to create a beautiful outdoor space.

You Have Big Plans

You’ve invested time and energy into your yard, and you want to protect that investment. Perhaps you want an irrigation system or landscape lighting, water feature or another upgrade. A landscape professional can help bring your vision to life. They can assess the cost, timing and aesthetic considerations, and how it will impact your existing design.