Landscaping Services: What Most Companies Really Offer
Apr, 24 2025
Think landscaping is just about mowing the lawn? That’s barely scratching the surface. Most landscaping companies these days are like one-stop-shops for all things yard-related. They offer everything from regular grass cutting to full garden makeovers—and plenty in between.
What makes a great landscaper stand out? It’s the mix of basic care and the ability to tackle bigger projects. If you’ve ever stared at your messy flower beds or patchy lawn, you know how tempting it is to call in the pros. They do more than pull weeds and trim hedges; they can install patios, plan lighting, or even help prep your yard for a party next weekend.
And here’s the thing—most landscaping companies will bundle services so you’re not juggling a dozen different people for mowing, garden design, and outdoor lighting. You can get a simple mow-and-go, a bit of seasonal planting, or go all-in with a backyard overhaul. Before you decide what you need, it helps to know what’s actually on the menu.
- Basic Lawn Care and Maintenance
- Garden Design and Planting
- Hardscaping and Outdoor Features
- Seasonal and Specialized Services
Basic Lawn Care and Maintenance
If you ask most people what landscaping services include, lawn care is the first thing they’ll mention. It’s the bread and butter of the industry. Every decent landscaping company offers it, and there’s way more to it than just mowing the grass once a week.
Here’s what usually comes with basic lawn care and maintenance packages:
- Mowing and Edging: Keeping the grass at the right height and making those borders sharp and neat every visit.
- Trimming: Hitting spots the mower can’t reach, like around mailboxes, fences, and trees.
- Blowing and Cleanup: Clearing away grass clippings from driveways, sidewalks, and patios so your place looks tidy.
- Weed Control: Spraying or pulling weeds so they don’t take over your yard.
- Fertilizing: Regular feeding to keep the lawn lush and green—spring and fall are prime times for this.
Companies tailor these services for the local climate and grass type, so what works in Florida—think fast-growing St. Augustine—might be different from what you get in Oregon with its thick fescue. They also plan schedules around your place’s needs. Weekly mowing is common in the warmer months, but crews might switch to every other week in cooler seasons.
Not everyone realizes lawn care pros do more than mow. If your yard looks thin or patchy, most companies offer dethatching, aeration, and overseeding—super useful for reviving sad-looking grass. A lot of people ask about chemicals, too. Landscapers typically use starter fertilizer, broadleaf weed killers, and sometimes pest control, all regulated and applied safely.
| Service | Typical Frequency |
|---|---|
| Mowing | Weekly (spring/summer), Bi-weekly (fall) |
| Weed Control | Monthly or As Needed |
| Fertilizing | 2-4 Times/Year |
| Aeration | Once/Year |
One tip: ask your landscaper if they sharpen their mower blades regularly. Dull blades tear grass, and that’s why some lawns turn brown at the tips. Last thing—if you like saving money, some companies give discounts for bundling several services together. So don’t be shy about asking for a custom package that fits your yard’s needs.
Garden Design and Planting
If you want your yard to look better than just "nice enough," garden design and planting is where things get interesting. This is a core landscaping service that goes beyond simply laying down mulch or plopping in a few shrubs. Most landscaping companies have either a designer on staff or someone who works with you to map out a full plan so every inch of your space makes sense.
Here's what really happens: Say you want a pollinator garden, a veggie patch, or you dream of low-maintenance plants that don’t die the minute the rain stops. The crew will talk you through plant choices, plan out the beds, and actually put everything in the ground. Some companies even offer digital renderings so you can see a sneak peek before anything gets planted.
On the practical side, companies look at sunlight, soil quality, and your home's style. No point in planting shade trees where your roof blocks the sun or wasting water on tropical plants that can't handle your climate. Professional landscapers will also work around weird slopes or odd corners so everything looks purposeful—like Mother Nature had a game plan.
Common tasks in garden design and planting:
- Choosing plants and shrubs that fit your climate and lifestyle
- Designing flower beds, borders, and foundation plantings
- Amending soil and adding compost or mulch
- Placing trees for privacy, shade, or curb appeal
- Installing drip irrigation or soaker hoses to save water
Fun fact: According to the National Association of Realtors, planting trees and a well-designed garden can boost home value by as much as 12%. Not a bad return on a weekend’s worth of digging—well, on someone else's weekend, if you hire the pros.
Worried about picking the wrong plants? Reputable landscaping companies usually offer a guarantee period—so if that maple wilts in the first season, someone typically replaces it at no cost. That's peace of mind you won't get from guessing in the garden center aisles yourself.
Hardscaping and Outdoor Features
When folks talk about landscaping, they’re often thinking of green stuff—grass, shrubs, maybe some flowers. But hardscaping is the backbone of any killer outdoor space. Most landscaping services cover everything from simple walkways to full-blown patios and firepits. This is where your yard really starts to feel like another room at home.
So, what exactly falls under hardscaping? Think about things that aren’t growing: patios, retaining walls, steps, driveways, paver walkways, fire pits, and even outdoor kitchens. These projects use materials like stone, brick, concrete, or wood. According to the National Association of Landscape Professionals, "Hardscaping often has the biggest impact on property value because it’s durable and instantly changes how a yard is used."
Hardscaping can increase the functionality of a yard by up to 40%, making more space usable year-round.
The most common hardscape projects landscapers handle are:
- Patio installation: Great for hosting or just hanging out. Companies usually offer options like pavers, concrete, or flagstone.
- Retaining walls: Not just for looks—they keep soil in place, help fight erosion, and can even manage water runoff.
- Walkways and steps: From gravel paths to custom stone steps, these make your yard safer and better looking.
- Fire pits and outdoor kitchens: These take your hangout game up a notch and are a huge trend right now.
- Driveways: A sharp-looking driveway does way more for curb appeal than you might think.
If you’re worried about green to hard ratio, most pros know how to blend hardscaping with your lawn and garden. You won’t end up with a stone desert unless you ask for it. And here’s a tip: ask about local materials—they’re usually cheaper and better suited to your climate.
| Feature | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Concrete Patio (200 sq ft) | $1,800–$3,200 |
| Paver Walkway (50 ft) | $800–$2,000 |
| Retaining Wall (50 ft) | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Fire Pit | $400–$2,000 |
Good landscaping companies will walk you through the whole process—design, picking materials, even dealing with permits. Some will show you 3D models of your future yard, so you’re not guessing what it’ll look like after the job’s done. Remember to ask how much maintenance each feature needs so you don’t end up with more hassle than you planned for.
Seasonal and Specialized Services
Landscaping isn’t a one-and-done job. Your yard changes with the seasons, and that’s where landscaping services really prove their worth. Most companies offer a wide range of seasonal add-ons and specialized help—it’s not just about keeping things looking pretty. It’s about making sure your lawn and garden survive (and even thrive) as the weather changes.
Spring and fall cleanups are easily two of the most popular services. In the spring, pros take on tasks like:
- Clearing out leftover leaves and debris from winter
- Prepping flower beds and fertilizing lawns
- Planting annuals and refreshing garden mulch
When fall rolls around, expect them to help with:
- Leaf removal (which can get overwhelming fast!)
- Trimming shrubs and trees before winter
- Winterizing your irrigation system to avoid burst pipes
If you’re serious about healthy grass, aeration and overseeding are crucial, especially in early fall or spring. These services make a big difference—think thicker, greener lawns and fewer brown patches. According to a 2023 survey from a popular industry magazine, homeowners who aerated regularly reported 30% fewer weed problems than those who skipped it. Not bad for a bit of extra work.
There’s more: A lot of landscaping services offer snow removal, pest control, and holiday lighting. You might also see companies advertising specialty lawn treatments—things like organic fertilizer, soil testing, or targeted weed control tailored to the grass growing in your region.
| Service | Best Time of Year |
|---|---|
| Aeration | Spring or Fall |
| Mulch Refresh | Spring |
| Snow Removal | Winter |
| Leaf Removal | Fall |
If you’ve got big trees near your house, ask about preventative pruning or storm prep. It’s way cheaper than fixing damage after a storm hits. Got a pool, pond, or elaborate rock garden? Companies usually offer special care packages for those too. Just ask—they’ve probably helped someone else with the same problem.