MICHAEL GEIST'S YARD WORKS
University of Georgia turfgrass certified. Estate-level lawn and landscape services for Central Florida's most discerning homeowners.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Most companies cut grass. We manage turf systems. Every decision we make—from cultivar selection to mowing height to fertility timing—is grounded in turfgrass science, soil biology, and years of hands-on field experience across Central Florida's unique growing conditions.
Michael Geist is the owner-operator of Michael Geist’s Yard Works, based in Oviedo, FL and in business since 2005. Yard Works is licensed and insured. He holds University of Georgia certifications in turfgrass management and sports field management plus UF/IFAS BMP certification, does the first visit and at least one follow-up on every job, and runs the only dedicated reel-mowing service in the Orlando market.
“Michael is one of the most knowledgeable in the business and has never led me down the wrong path.” — Google review
“His knowledge was incredible about what our lawn needed and how to remedy the problem.” — Google review
★★★★★ Rated 5.0 on Google from 40 reviews · Read all reviews · Call (407) 687-3322
CREDENTIALS
Michael Geist completed two University of Georgia turfgrass certificate programs: the Principles of Turfgrass Management Certificate (120 hours, developed with NALP) and the Sports Turfgrass Management Certificate (140 hours, athletic fields and golf turf). He also holds the University of Florida IFAS Florida Golf Course Best Management Practices (BMP) Certification.
That is more than 260 hours of formal turf science, the same principles used on golf courses and athletic fields, applied to Central Florida home lawns.
SOIL BIOLOGY
The foundation of every great lawn is what you can't see. Our programs are built on soil biology—feeding the microbiome with quality screened compost and organic matter that transforms soil structure from the ground up.
Healthy soil means stronger roots, better water retention, improved nutrient uptake, and turf that performs through Florida's summer heat and winter dormancy. We don't just treat symptoms. We build the system.
REEL MOWING
Zoysia, Bermuda, and other premium warm-season turfs weren't designed for rotary mowers. We reel mow because it's what these grasses actually need—a clean, scissor-cut action that promotes lateral growth, density, and that carpet-like finish you see on golf courses. St. Augustine is the exception: we always rotary-mow it at 3.5–4″.
The difference is visible within weeks. Tighter canopy. Richer color. A lawn that looks and feels like a putting green.
IRRIGATION
We specify Hunter Hydrawise smart controllers and Hunter MP Rotators for every irrigation conversion. Why? Because matched precipitation rate technology delivers water uniformly across every zone—eliminating dry spots, preventing runoff, and, by Hunter's rating, reducing water waste by up to 30%.
Hydrawise controllers adjust automatically based on local weather data. Your lawn gets exactly what it needs, exactly when it needs it. No guesswork. No waste.
SOD INSTALLATION
Every pallet of sod we install comes directly from certified growers of the specific cultivar we're putting down. CitraZoy comes from a certified CitraZoy farm. Empire from a certified Empire grower. ProVista from a licensed ProVista producer.
No substitutions. No mystery pallets. Certified genetics mean you know exactly what's going into your ground—and exactly how it will perform for years to come.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Every plant we install is selected for Central Florida's specific conditions—sun exposure, soil type, drainage, mature growth habit, and long-term maintenance requirements. We don't install to impress this season. We install to perform for years.
If a homeowner requests something that isn't zone-appropriate, we explain the risk clearly. Our job is to give you a landscape that thrives—not one that looks good for 90 days and struggles through its first summer.
FERTILITY PROGRAMS
Zoysia gets a Zoysia program. St. Augustine gets a St. Augustine program. Every turf species has different nutritional needs, different application windows, and different sensitivities. We follow University of Florida IFAS guidelines because the science already exists—we just apply it correctly.
Our programs account for soil pH, organic matter content, seasonal growth patterns, and pest pressure specific to each cultivar. The result is turf that's fed for performance, not just color.
Ready to see what university-trained horticulture and estate-level care looks like on your property?
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