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Michelle NatiHome improvement writer
Michelle Nati is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She has written about home impr...
Updated Jun 22, 2024
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We've ranked the top 10 lawn care companies that operate within 50 miles of Columbia. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
A well-maintained lawn elevates your home's curb appeal while creating a beautiful space for outdoor living. It also offers a strong first impression to potential visitors. Take advantage of the best lawn care companies in Columbia to create a year-round care strategy for your lawn.
Maintaining a lawn is hard work. Some services must be performed repeatedly throughout the year, as consistency is key to your lawn’s health. This can be especially tricky in Columbia, where extreme seasonal shifts pose a risk to your grass.
Look for lawn care companies in Columbia with at least 3.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB). Use the filters below to help you find the right company for your needs.
Below are additional lawn care companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Lawn care requires seasonal adjustments throughout the year. Certain services are needed yearly, while other tasks should be done every season. These are common Columbia lawn services that help preserve your lawn's color and growth throughout the seasons:
To hire the best lawn maintenance company in Columbia, read online reviews and get input from family and friends. Examine services, estimates, qualifications and know-how with these pointers when screening providers.
What licenses a lawn care company needs depends on each state. Most gardeners performing general lawn maintenance in the U.S. do not need a special license. However, landscaping companies in Maryland are licensed through the Maryland Home Improvement Commission. A Home Improvement License is required for specific landscaping tasks and services above and beyond standard maintenance tasks like mowing.
For services using pesticides, lawn care professionals must have a Pesticide Applicator's License from the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Businesses applying pesticides and herbicides are also required to have an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) license. When hiring someone, make sure you request proof of a company's licensing and verify their observance of local laws and ordinances.
Many lawn companies have unique specialties. When researching local companies, ask about what services each one offers. You’ll find that some focus more on general maintenance, such as weeding, while others focus on specific services, such as aerating and fertilizing. The products lawn care providers use may also differ — some use the standard chemicals, while others offer green alternatives.
Companies vary in what service packages they offer. Choosing to sign a contract for ongoing maintenance can cost less than scheduling individual service visits. Evaluate your needs and which providers have fitting plans. Watch for promotions at the start of a season.
If using particular chemicals gives you pause, many lawn care professionals can use environmentally-friendly techniques instead. When comparing companies, inquire if they offer natural substitutes and if their products are green-certified.
When researching lawn maintenance services nearby, pose these questions to potential providers.
Each lawn differs in its size and condition. An expert can help you choose appropriate services for your lawn and craft an individualized maintenance plan.
How often your lawn needs specific services is largely dependent on your local weather, how much land you have and if the land is mostly grass or other ground cover. Most properties need mowing about once per month throughout the spring, summer and fall. You may need to fertilize your grass two to four times per year, while winterizing a lawn is generally an annual service based on your region and lawn care professional’s recommendations.
How long it takes to service your lawn depends on factors like treatments, lawn condition and yard size. For instance, treating a tiny lawn for fleas or mosquitoes may take just minutes, while hand-pulling weeds on a large, unkempt property could take several hours.
The time it takes to see results from lawn care services will depend on the type of service you request. For example, snow removal is immediate, as is manual weed removal. However, seeding or fertilizing can take several days or weeks to show results.
You do not need to be home for lawn services, though some companies require you be present at the first visit to go over the service plan. After that, the pro can forward you a text or email with photos confirming tasks were completed.
Most lawn care is typically safe. However, if chemicals are used, children and pets should stay inside during the treatment and for a few hours afterward. The exact amount of time they need to stay off a treated lawn will depend on the chemicals used and any advice from your lawn care expert.
Experts Ready to Help
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national lawn care companies against our full lawn care methodology. We score lawn care companies based on service options, reputation and reviews, customer service and communication, and price.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top
Our editors may use AI as an input tool to tailor information in local markets. All content goes through a rigorous research and review process led by our team of writers and editors.
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