How short should grass be cut?

Most lawns do best when no more than a third of the blade is removed in a single cut, which usually means a taller setting than homeowners expect. Taller grass shades out weeds and holds moisture.

When is aeration worth doing?

When soil is compacted, water pools, or thatch has built up. It is typically done in the growing season for your grass type and paired with overseeding.

Lawn Care

Lawn care is usually sold in two forms. Maintenance covers mowing, edging and cleanup on a schedule. Treatment covers the agronomy: fertilization, weed control, aeration and overseeding.

The two are often quoted by different companies, and the results depend on both. A perfectly mowed lawn on compacted soil will still thin out, and a well-fed lawn cut too short will still struggle.

A roofer on a ladder working on a suburban home while another tradesperson carries tools across the lawn

Availability

Hire Best Pros is not connecting people with lawn care professionals yet. This page is here as background reading while we work on it. Everything we do cover today is listed in our service directory.

What people usually need

Weekly or biweekly mowing and edging
Fertilization and weed control programs
Core aeration and overseeding
Grub and lawn pest treatment
Spring and fall cleanup
New lawn seeding and sod installation

What to weigh before hiring

What a plan actually includes

Ask how many visits a season the plan covers, what happens if growth outpaces the schedule, and whether cleanup of clippings and beds is included or extra.

Treatment products and safety

If you have children, pets or a well, ask which products are used, how long to stay off the lawn afterward, and whether lower-impact options are available.

Grass type and local climate

Cool-season and warm-season grasses need work at opposite times of year. A provider who cannot tell you what grass you have is unlikely to time treatments well.

Common questions

How short should grass be cut?: Most lawns do best when no more than a third of the blade is removed in a single cut, which usually means a taller setting than homeowners expect. Taller grass shades out weeds and holds moisture.
When is aeration worth doing?: When soil is compacted, water pools, or thatch has built up. It is typically done in the growing season for your grass type and paired with overseeding.