What Does Yard Work Include? A Real-World Guide to Landscaping Services
Apr, 17 2025
Yard work can be confusing if you’ve never broken it down. There’s a lot more to it than just grabbing the mower once a week. For most people, it feels like as soon as you check one thing off the list, there’s another job waiting outside—the weeds don’t take days off.
Bare minimum, yard work includes mowing, edging, and cleaning up debris like sticks or leaves. But honestly, that's just scratching the surface. Mulching flower beds, pruning shrubs, aerating the lawn, and even fixing up walkways often get lumped in, especially if you hire a landscaping service. Plenty of folks don’t realize how many little jobs pile up: deadheading plants, pulling weeds, spreading fertilizer, and watering are all part of a tidy, healthy yard. Each task keeps your space looking decent and stops small problems from snowballing into expensive repairs later.
By the way, there’s no shame in not knowing what counts as yard work. The list can run long, especially when seasons change and jobs shift from leaf cleanup to snow shoveling. If you start thinking about it now, you can skip the panic later when everything starts growing like crazy in spring.
- What's Considered Yard Work?
- Lawn Care: More Than Mowing
- Garden Beds and Plant Maintenance
- Tackling Trees, Shrubs, and Hedges
- Hardscape Upkeep and Seasonal Jobs
- Tips to Make Yard Work Easier
What's Considered Yard Work?
Most people think yard work just means mowing the lawn, but there's a lot more on the checklist. In reality, anything that keeps your outdoor space healthy, clean, and good-looking falls under this category. If you’ve ever pulled weeds on a hot Saturday morning or raked up a mountain of leaves, you know that yard work comes in all shapes and sizes. Landscaping services stretch way beyond the lawn.
- Lawn mowing and edging: Not just pushing around a mower—edging gives your yard those crisp, clean lines around the sidewalks and driveway.
- Weeding: Pulling dandelions and other weeds before they take over your flower beds or the cracks in your driveway.
- Trimming shrubs and hedges: Cutting back overgrown bushes for safety, shape, and plant health.
- Leaf and debris cleanup: Bagging leaves in the fall, picking up branches after a storm, and sweeping walkways to keep things tidy.
- Mulching: Spreading mulch in flower beds or around trees for moisture control and weed suppression.
- Pruning trees: Improving branch growth, removing dead limbs, and keeping power lines clear.
- Fertilizing and soil care: Adding nutrients to help your lawn and plants thrive.
- Watering and irrigation checks: Making sure your grass and plants aren’t dying of thirst, especially during dry spells.
Depending on the time of year, yard work might also include seasonal jobs like planting in spring, snow shoveling in winter, or aerating the lawn in fall. If you’re hiring landscaping services, some jobs might be included as part of a standard package, while others (like tree removal or hardscape repair) usually cost extra.
| Common Yard Work Task | How Often |
|---|---|
| Mowing | Weekly (growing season) |
| Weeding | Every 1-2 weeks |
| Leaf Cleanup | As needed (mostly fall) |
| Pruning/Trimming | 2-3 times per year |
| Mulching | Once or twice a year |
Ever notice how it feels like there’s always something new to do? That’s because yard work isn’t a one-and-done deal. It’s ongoing, and each job—big or small—plays a part in the bigger picture of lawn care and outdoor upkeep.
Lawn Care: More Than Mowing
When people hear lawn care, they usually picture mowing and maybe grabbing the weed whacker. That’s just step one. Real yard work goes deeper if you want to avoid patchy spots and brown grass.
First up, proper mowing isn’t just about how often you do it, but how high you cut. Mowing too short stresses the grass, letting weeds and bare patches take over. The sweet spot for most cool-season grasses is 2.5–3.5 inches tall. Changing up your mowing pattern actually helps too, so the grass doesn’t develop weird lean or ruts.
Next, there’s edging and trimming—those finishing touches around driveways, fences, and trees. Sloppy edges make the whole yard look tired. Edging keeps roots and grass from sneaking into flower beds, and it just looks tidy. Most landscaping services have this as part of their weekly routine.
Don’t forget about feeding the lawn. Grass is hungry, especially in spring and fall. Use a slow-release fertilizer so you don’t burn the grass or get those ugly stripes. Too much fertilizer does more harm than good.
- Aeration: Every year or two, poke holes in the lawn to help water and nutrients soak in. It also breaks up compacted soil.
- Overseeding: Toss grass seed over thin or dead spots to fill them in. This is best right before a rainy spell or in early fall.
- Watering: One deep soak per week is better than a bunch of shallow sprinkles. Most lawns need about an inch of water weekly—including rain.
- Weed Control: Deal with weeds before they flower and spread seeds. Pulling by hand is satisfying, but weed-and-feed products make things easier for big yards.
If you’re curious about time and effort, check out what typical lawn care season looks like:
| Task | How Often | Best Season |
|---|---|---|
| Mowing | Weekly | Spring–Fall |
| Edging | Every 2–3 weeks | Spring–Fall |
| Aerating | Once per year | Fall |
| Fertilizing | 2–4 times per year | Spring & Fall |
| Overseeding | Once per year | Fall |
Good lawn care gets easier when you stick to a schedule. And if you ever doubt whether you should tackle some jobs yourself or hire it out, remember—one bad fertilizer spill can stain your yard for a whole year. Sometimes it’s smarter (and cheaper) to let the pros handle the tough stuff.
Garden Beds and Plant Maintenance
When it comes to yard work, keeping your garden beds in shape is a big chunk of the job. It’s not enough to dump some dirt and hope for the best—good garden beds need regular tending or they’ll turn into a mess of weeds and dying plants in no time.
First off, you’ve got to weed often. Pulling out weeds by hand or using a hoe stops them from choking out your favorite flowers and veggies. Most landscaping services will do a pass on weeds every visit because they spread fast. If you’re doing it yourself, try to get them before they flower or seed, so you don’t fight the same battle all season.
Next up: mulch. Mulching isn’t just for looks—it holds in moisture, keeps plant roots cooler, and blocks sunlight to stop new weeds popping up. Most folks use wood chips, but shredded leaves or pine needles work too. For best results, lay down two or three inches each spring after the last frost, making sure not to pile mulch against plant stems.
Plant maintenance means trimming, deadheading, and sometimes dividing perennials. Snipping off dead or faded blooms (deadheading) keeps many plants blooming longer and looking tidy. By the way, ignoring this step can mean fewer flowers next year. For bigger plants, splitting them every few years gives them room to thrive and keeps your beds from getting overcrowded.
Fertilizer matters, but more isn’t always better. Overfeeding can burn roots or make plants grow leaves at the expense of flowers. Base your picks on what you’re growing—roses love their own slow-release blend, while veggie beds might need a shot of balanced fertilizer in early spring.
- Water early in the morning if you can. It stops mildew and leaf scorch.
- Get a rain gauge; most plants want about an inch of water a week.
- Use sharp pruners for trimming—dull tools hurt plants and slow healing.
Here’s something most people miss: check for bugs and diseases while you’re out there. Catching a problem early saves a lot of hassle and keeps plants from dropping leaves or turning brown. If you see holes, spots, or weird color changes, snap a photo and look it up—don’t just spray something at random.
For anyone wondering if all this work is worth it, a well-kept bed can boost home value and makes everything look cared for. Surveys in 2023 showed homes with attractive landscaping—including mulched beds and healthy plants—sold for up to 8% more than others on the same street. Even just spending an hour on the garden beds can make the whole yard pop.
| Task | How Often |
|---|---|
| Weeding | Every 1–2 weeks |
| Mulching | Once per year |
| Deadheading | Weekly (during bloom) |
| Fertilizing | 2–3 times per season |
| Dividing Perennials | Every 3–4 years |
Tackling Trees, Shrubs, and Hedges
Trees, shrubs, and hedges pull your yard together, but they can turn messy or even risky fast if you don’t keep up with them. Most pros include trimming, pruning, and clearing dead branches with their landscaping services. Clipping back hedges, shaping shrubs, and giving trees a quick health check might not sound like much, but it makes a world of difference in curb appeal and safety.
Why worry about regular pruning? For starters, dead or tangled branches can cause serious headaches. Branches that grow too close to your roof can rip up shingles, attract critters, or clog gutters. Even a small dead limb can fall in a storm and damage property—or worse, hurt someone. That’s why it’s on every yard work list worth its salt.
Here’s what usually counts when tackling these green giants:
- Tree pruning: Cutting out dead wood, suckers, or crossing branches (often once or twice a year, depending on the tree).
- Shrub trimming: Keeping them the right size and shape, which also encourages healthy growth.
- Hedge shaping: Creating clean, even lines so your hedges don’t turn into tangled messes—this one’s huge for a neat front yard.
- Removing debris: After a windstorm or at the end of a season, some major cleanup is usually needed.
According to the International Society of Arboriculture, regular trimming can actually help trees and shrubs fight off disease. And get this—well-maintained trees can bump up your property value by up to 15%. Here’s a quick look at how yard work on trees and shrubs stacks up when you do it yourself vs. hiring a service:
| Task | DIY Time (per task) | Pro Time |
|---|---|---|
| Trim Shrub | 30-45 min | 15-20 min |
| Prune Small Tree | 1-2 hrs | 30-40 min |
| Shape Hedge (10 ft) | 1+ hr | 20-30 min |
If you’re looking to cut down on hassle, get good gear: sharp pruners, a strong ladder, and some thick gloves. And never get lazy about safety—if a limb looks dicey or near power lines, that’s a clear sign to call a pro.
Hardscape Upkeep and Seasonal Jobs
Yard work doesn’t stop with the grass and plants. Hardscape upkeep is all about taking care of patios, walkways, driveways, retaining walls, and even decks. These parts of your yard get hammered by weather, foot traffic, and sometimes even accidental bumps with the lawnmower. Ignore them for too long, and you’ll wind up facing cracked stones, weedy pathways, or a deck that feels more like a splinter hazard than a hangout spot.
If you want your outdoor spaces to last (and look good), you’ll need to sweep and power wash surfaces, pull weeds from cracks, and re-level or replace pavers that have shifted. Small jobs, like tightening screws in railings or sealing wood decks, can save you big headaches down the road. Fertilizer or grass seed won’t help if your pathways are crumbling.
When it comes to yard work, don’t forget about the changes that each season brings. In spring, you’re looking at raking leftover debris, touching up mulch, clearing blocked drains, and checking for frost damage. Summer calls for more watering, mowing, and weeding. Fall is when every tree decides to drop its whole wardrobe, so leaf removal and gutter cleaning skyrocket. And winter? Even if you don’t have to shovel much, preventing slips with salt or sand and clearing snow keeps everyone safe.
Here are some hardscape and seasonal tasks most landscaping pros recommend tackling every year:
- Power washing driveways and patios (spring and fall)
- Raking leaves and cleaning gutters (fall)
- Applying sealer to wood decks (late spring or early summer)
- Shoveling and de-icing walkways (winter)
- Inspecting retaining walls and paver paths for cracks or movement (spring)
A 2023 survey by the National Association of Landscape Professionals found that nearly 75% of homeowners noticed a big jump in curb appeal after regular power washing and leaf clearing. Little jobs can have a surprisingly big payoff.
| Task | Best Time | How Often |
|---|---|---|
| Power Wash Hardscape | Spring/Fall | 1-2x/year |
| Clear Gutters | Late Fall | Every Fall |
| Apply Deck Sealer | Late Spring | Every 2-3 years |
| Remove Leaves | Fall | Weekly in season |
| De-ice Walkways | Winter | After snowfall/ice |
As the pros at Yardzen say,
“Ignoring hardscape issues always costs more in the long run. Regular checks and a yearly wash are the best way to protect your investment.”Don’t give weeds or cracks a chance to settle in—stay on top of it, and you’ll notice the difference, guaranteed.
Tips to Make Yard Work Easier
If yard work feels like an uphill battle, you’re not alone. The trick is working smarter, not harder. A few easy changes can cut your time outside in half, and honestly, save your back.
- Get the right tools: Don’t bother with cheap mowers or dull shears—they’ll double your work. Battery-powered trimmers and blowers are lighter and faster than old gas ones, plus quieter. A quality ergonomic rake or shovel really makes a difference when you’re out there for hours.
- Set a schedule: Regular, short sessions crush those marathon weekends. Mow, trim, and weed every week or two. Mid-morning is best because grass is dry but it’s not sweltering yet.
- Mulch the garden beds: Two inches of mulch keeps weeds down and holds soil moisture. Saves you tons of watering and weeding, making you look like a landscaping pro with less effort.
- Mix in low-maintenance plants: Yes, those fancy roses are awesome, but stuff like hostas, daylilies, or ornamental grasses can survive almost anything. They fill up space and need way less care.
- Automate where you can: Smart sprinkler systems run while you sleep, delivering the right amount of water and helping you avoid brown patches. Some have weather sensors, so you don’t waste water before or after rain.
- Use proper mowing techniques: Set your mower blade high (about 3 inches). Taller grass shades out weeds and helps roots grow strong. Don’t bag every time—grass clippings can be left as free fertilizer for your lawn.
Here’s a quick comparison of weekly vs. monthly yard tasks the average homeowner faces. You’ll notice spreading out tasks really lightens the load.
| Task | Weekly Frequency | Monthly Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn Mowing | 1-2 times | 4-8 times |
| Weeding | 1 time | 4 times |
| Trimming/Edging | 1 time | 2-4 times |
| Mulching Beds | 0 | 1 time |
| Pruning | 0 | 1 time |
One last thing—if you’ve got kids, pay them for easy jobs like raking leaves or watering. Doubles as chores and family time, and you get a little break. Or do what I do and rope in your spouse, just don’t tell Natalie I said that.