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10 best lawn care companies in San Diego, California
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 San Diego. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
A beautiful lawn adds value to your home. Well-kept landscaping makes a great first impression on guests and homebuyers, and it signifies overall property care. Hire one of the best lawn care companies in San Diego to keep your yard looking healthy year-round.
Lawn care demands constant attention throughout the year, and certain maintenance must recur regularly to ensure your grass and shrubs stay healthy. This can be especially tricky in San Diego, where high temperatures pose a risk to your lawn’s health.
Find the best local lawn care company for you in San Diego
Look for lawn care companies in San Diego 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.
Purchase Green Artificial Grass
Services offered
Highlights
- Helps educate customers
5160 Mercury Point Suite A, San Diego, CA 92111
(619) 908-1979
www.purchasegreen.com/locations/san-d...
Green Turf Pro
Services offered
Highlights
- Helps educate customers
Le Perv Landscape Inc
Services offered
Highlights
- Helps educate customers
Juniper Landscape Company - San Diego CA | Designers & Lawn Care
Services offered
Highlights
- Helps educate customers
K5 Landscaping
Services offered
Highlights
- Helps educate customers
The Home Depot
Services offered
Highlights
- Helps educate customers
Power Mower
Services offered
Highlights
- Free quotes
- Good customer service
Rain Professional Landscape Services
Services offered
Highlights
- Helps educate customers
Turf Solutions
Services offered
Highlights
- Helps educate customers
Ruff & Ready Landscape Construction
Services offered
Highlights
- Helps educate customers
More providers
Below are additional lawn care companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Artificial Grass Liquidators
ProLawn Turf - Artificial Grass & Putting Greens
Robles Tree Service and Landscaping
G.T. Maintenance Sprinkler Repair
What services does my lawn need in San Diego?
Your lawn may require different services each season to keep it healthy and vibrant. Some services will recur throughout the year, while others will only be needed annually. Here are the most common services your lawn may need in each season:
- Year-round: For continued growth, mow, fertilize and water your lawn a few times a year. How often you need to do this depends on whether your yard goes dormant during the winter months.
- Spring: Spring's arrival means removing fallen twigs and leaves around the yard. Aerating soil is key for the air, water and nutrient flow vital to lush grass. You'll also want to distribute fertilizer to spur new growth, and overseed patches that are sparse during this time.
- Summer: Summers can be hot in San Diego, so frequent watering is a must. Consistent mowing encourages stronger, more drought-resistant grass. To keep pests at bay, apply appropriate pesticide treatments as necessary. Summer is also a good time for spreading fertilizer to recover nutrients lost during the spring.
- Fall: Seeding bare patches helps your lawn become denser in spring. Removing leaves is essential because a heavy layer of them can suffocate grass and cause mold. Aerating soil and spreading winterizing fertilizer allows your lawn to remain robust through winter's cold months.
- Winter: Although the mild winters in San Diego don't severely threaten most plants, rodents tend to gnaw on bark when food is scarce during cold months. Wrapping trees provides some protection. All winter long, you should prune away dead limbs and coat plants with dormant oil to avoid future pest problems.
Facts about San Diego
Average Low in January
Average High in July
Average Daily Sunlight
How do you choose the best lawn care company in San Diego?
To hire the ideal lawn care provider in San Diego, read customer feedback online and seek referrals from people in your area. When vetting a company, weigh its rates, skills, offerings and credentials by considering the following.
Make sure the company is licensed and insured
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 California are licensed through the California Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State License Board (CSLB). A C-27 Landscaping Contractor’s License is required for projects with costs of more than $500, including labor and materials.
For pest control services, lawn care professionals in California should also have earned a Qualified Applicator License or certificate from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Companies that use pesticides and herbicides are also typically required to be licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Verify a provider's credentials, and confirm their adherence to regional rules and ordinances.
Find out what services they offer
Many lawn companies have distinct specialties. When researching local companies, find out about what services each one offers. You’ll find that some focus more on general maintenance, such as mowing, 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.
Ask about service packages
Lawn care companies offer a variety of different packages. Getting recurring maintenance, or signing a contract with one company for a full season or year, is often less expensive than purchasing one-off services. Think about your lawn's specific needs and which companies have suitable packages. Keep an eye out for seasonal specials some providers advertise.
Look into green options
If using particular chemicals gives you pause, many lawn care professionals can use environmentally-friendly techniques instead. When comparing companies, check if they offer natural substitutes and if their products are green-certified.
Questions to ask your lawn care provider
When researching lawn maintenance services nearby, pose these questions to potential providers.
What services do you recommend for my lawn?
Landscapes vary in size and health. A specialist can help you pick suitable services for your needs and devise a custom upkeep routine.
How often do you recommend services?
Lawn care services differ in how often they need to be done. Routine maintenance appointments for services such as mowing will typically take place once a month, while fertilizing can occur two to four times a year. Winterizing your lawn usually takes place once a year. The frequency of these services is based on your local climate and advice from your lawn care professional.
How long do services typically take?
The time it requires to service your lawn will depend on the treatments you request, the condition of your lawn and the size of the area. For example, mowing a small yard may only take a few minutes, while hand-pulling weeds on a large property can take hours.
When will I start seeing a benefit from services?
How long it takes to see results varies based on which lawn care services you ask for. Instant improvements happen after services like manual weed removal and snow removal. Services like fertilizing, aerating and seeding gradually affect your lawn's health over a few days or weeks.
Do I need to be home when services are being provided?
You do not need to be home to receive lawn care services, but some companies will ask for your presence during their first visit to discuss the service plan. In subsequent visits, the service professional may send you a text or email with photos to show you that their lawn care tasks are finished.
Is it safe for my children and pets to be on the lawn after services?
Most lawn care is safe for both children and animals, but if chemicals are applied, kids and pets should remain away from the lawn during treatment and a few hours afterward. The exact amount of time they need to stay off the lawn depends on the agents used and your lawn pro's advice.
Best lawn care for you
Experts Ready to Help
Our methodology for selecting lawn care companies
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.
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