What a lawn care plan should include (and what it usually doesn't)

The short answer

A lawn care plan should put four things in writing: the work done on each visit, the seasonal jobs, how often the crew comes, and the price. Most plans from mowing crews leave out fertilizer and weed-control treatments, irrigation repairs and one-off projects like new sod or beds, so those get quoted separately or come from a different company.

The trouble is that "lawn care" means two different businesses. One kind mows, edges and cleans up. The other applies fertilizer and weed, insect and disease treatments. University of Wisconsin Extension notes that most lawn care companies focus on the treatment side, while some do strictly mowing and seasonal cleanup. Know which one you're buying before you compare prices.

Three levels of service

Clemson University Extension sorts lawn companies into three levels:

• Partial lawn care: one kind of service, such as mowing only or treatments only.
• Total lawn care: mowing, setting the irrigation schedule, cultivation work, and diagnosing and treating pests.
• Total landscape management: care for everything planted on the property, including turf, shrubs and trees.

More service costs more. A low monthly price from one company and a higher one from another may be quotes for different levels, not a cheaper version of the same work.

What a mowing and upkeep plan should cover

Mowing and edging, at a stated frequency

Kansas State University's mowing guide says to follow the one-third rule: never remove more than a third of the grass height at one time. That means mowing follows how fast the grass grows, not the calendar. In peak season a lawn may need cutting more than once a week, and less at other times of year.

For Bermuda, Oklahoma State University's lawn calendar lists cutting heights of 1.5 to 2.5 inches for a medium or low maintenance lawn and 1 to 1.5 inches for a high maintenance one. Lower cuts mean more frequent mowing. Your plan should say how many visits you get, or how the schedule changes through the season.

Seasonal cleanups

Spring cleanup clears winter debris before growth starts. Fall cleanup clears leaves before they mat down on the grass. Ask how many cleanups the plan includes and roughly when they happen.

Beds, mulch and watering checks

Higher-level plans often add bed care, a mulch refresh and a look at the sprinklers. OSU's calendar puts a Bermuda lawn's projected peak water need at about 1 inch a week in summer, so a broken head or a zone that never runs shows up fast. Know whether "irrigation check" means someone looks at it or someone fixes it.

What it usually doesn't include

Fertilizer and weed control

In Oklahoma, applying a pesticide for pay is "commercial application" under the state's Pesticide Applicators Act, and that includes weed killers and insect control on a lawn. The law makes it unlawful to do that work without an applicator's license from the State Board of Agriculture for that category. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture's license form lists the category for lawns and landscape plants as 3A, Ornamental and Turf, Outdoor.

A mowing crew without that license can't spray your lawn for pay, so treatments often come from a separate company. If someone offers to spray your lawn, ask to see the license.

Repairs and new work

Sprinkler repairs, regrading, new sod, new beds and drainage fixes are projects, not upkeep. A plan might find the problem. Fixing it gets its own quote.

What to get in writing

Clemson and Wisconsin Extension both say to get the agreement in writing, and Clemson says not to accept a contract over the phone. Before you sign, make sure it answers:

• How often will you visit? A monthly price doesn't tell you the number of visits.
• What happens when it rains? Ask about the policy for weather delays and missed visits.
• What's included in the price, and what's extra?
• Does it renew automatically? If so, Clemson suggests asking for a written confirmation each year.
• How do I cancel? Ask whether there's a penalty and how and when you have to cancel.
• What if I'm unhappy with a visit? Ask how they handle work that isn't right.

Wisconsin Extension also suggests comparing the full scope of work, including the number of visits, rather than the bottom-line price alone.

Your part of the deal

Even a full plan leaves some things to you. Between visits, watering usually falls on the homeowner, and Wisconsin Extension points out that if basic care like mowing and watering slips, even professional treatments may not work.

Common questions

Does a lawn care plan include fertilizer and weed control?

Often not. Mow-and-maintain plans usually cover mowing, edging and cleanups. In Oklahoma, spraying weed or insect control for pay requires a state applicator's license, so treatments are often a separate service from a separate company.

How often should a lawn service mow in summer?

As often as the grass needs to keep each cut under a third of its height. Kansas State University notes that can mean more than once a week during fast growth. Your plan should state the visit schedule.

Should a lawn care contract renew automatically?

It can, but you should know about it. Clemson Extension suggests asking whether service renews each year and, if it does, getting a written confirmation annually along with the cancellation terms.

What's the difference between lawn care and landscape maintenance?

Lawn care usually means the grass: mowing or treatments. Landscape maintenance covers more of the property, such as beds, shrubs and mulch. Clemson calls the broadest level total landscape management.

How our plans compare

Our lawn care plans come in three levels. Base covers mowing and edging, seasonal cleanups and an agreed service schedule. Plus adds bed maintenance, mulch refresh and irrigation checks. Premier adds priority scheduling and seasonal color. Fertilizer and weed-control treatments are not in the listed plan scope, and irrigation repairs are scoped separately. We agree on visit frequency after reviewing your lawn, and the schedule goes in your written quote.

You can also book recurring mowing or a single seasonal cleanup without choosing a plan. Tell us about your yard and we'll put the work and the price in writing.

Sources: Clemson University HGIC, Selecting a Lawn Care Service (HGIC 1222) · University of Wisconsin Extension, Tips for Hiring a Lawn Care Service (PDF) · Kansas State University, Mowing Your Lawn (MF1155) · Oklahoma State University Extension, Bermudagrass Lawn Management Calendar (L-441) · Oklahoma Statutes Title 2, §2-3-81 definitions · Oklahoma Statutes Title 2, §2-3-82 license requirements · Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Pesticide License Application (PDF)