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10 best lawn care companies in El Cajon, 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 El Cajon. 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 boosts your home's curb appeal while creating a beautiful space for outdoor living. It also offers a memorable first impression to potential visitors. Take advantage of the best lawn care companies in El Cajon to create a year-round care strategy for your lawn.
Maintaining a lawn is demanding. Some services must be performed repeatedly throughout the year, as consistency is key to your lawn’s health. This can be especially tricky in El Cajon, where hot summers pose a risk to your grass.
Find the best local lawn care company for you in El Cajon
Look for lawn care companies in El Cajon 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
5160 Mercury Point Suite A, San Diego, CA 92111
(619) 908-1979
www.purchasegreen.com/locations/san-d...
Green Turf Pro
Services offered
Mueller Landscape Inc
Services offered
K5 Landscaping
Services offered
Juniper Landscape Company - San Diego CA | Designers & Lawn Care
Services offered
Highlights
- Timeliness
Le Perv Landscape Inc
Services offered
Rain Professional Landscape Services
Services offered
The Home Depot
Services offered
Power Mower
Services offered
Ruff & Ready Landscape Construction
Services offered
Highlights
- Timeliness
More providers
Below are additional lawn care companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Turf Solutions
Artificial Grass Liquidators
ProLawn Turf - Artificial Grass & Putting Greens
Robles Tree Service and Landscaping
What services does my lawn need in El Cajon?
Lawn care requires seasonal adjustments throughout the year. Certain services are needed yearly, while other tasks should be done at the beginning of each season. These are standard El Cajon lawn services that help nurture your lawn's color and growth throughout the seasons:
- Year-round: To maintain a green landscape, mowing, fertilizing and watering should be done regularly throughout the year. Timing hinges on whether your grass enters dormancy in winter.
- Spring: When spring has sprung, it’s time to start cleaning up debris, such as leaves and branches. Aerating soil is a must for enhanced air, water and nutrient penetration, followed by the spreading of fertilizer to promote healthy lawn growth. Overseeding encourages thicker coverage over sparse areas.
- Summer: Hot El Cajon summers demand attentive watering throughout the hot months to help keep lawns healthy. Repeated mowing encourages drought-resistant grass, while maintaining regular pest control treatments helps ensure that yard pests won't bother you or your family. Additionally, summer fertilizer applications can help replace nutrients used up in the spring growth spurt.
- Fall: Seeding sparse patches will stimulate new growth next spring. Clearing leaves is vital, since an excess of them on the ground can suffocate your lawn and spur mold. Aerating soil and putting down winterizing fertilizer will both also help grass withstand winter's chill.
- Winter: The mild winters in El Cajon don’t pose an extreme temperature risk to your lawn. However, animals often chew through tree bark during the colder months, so you may want to wrap your trees and shrubs as a layer of protection. Also, prune dead branches throughout the winter, and apply dormant oil to plants to avoid potential pest infestations.
Facts about El Cajon
Average Low in January
Average High in July
Average Daily Sunlight
How do you choose the best lawn care company in El Cajon?
To hire the ideal lawn care provider in El Cajon, review customer feedback online and seek referrals from people in your area. When vetting a company, weigh its rates, credentials, offerings and skills by considering the following.
Make sure the company is licensed and insured
What licenses a lawn care company needs varies between states. 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 applying pesticides and herbicides are also required to be licensed through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Inquire about your contractor's permit status and verify compliance with local laws.
Find out what services they offer
Lawn care providers often have unique niches. When comparing companies in your area, discover their service offerings. Certain professionals focus on regular maintenance like mowing, while others specialize in services like aerating and fertilizing. The materials they use can vary too — some use chemical products, while some offer environmentally friendly options.
Ask about service packages
Lawn care providers differ in the types of packages they offer. You might consider signing up for a seasonal package that covers a variety of services, rather than scheduling individual service visits. Consider your needs and which companies have fitting plans. Look out for special discounts that local companies offer at the beginning of the season.
Look into green options
If you don't want chemicals used on your lawn, many landscaping companies offer natural alternatives instead. When comparing service providers, ask about green options.
Questions to ask your lawn care provider
When researching the best lawn care services nearby, pose these questions to potential providers.
What services do you recommend for my lawn?
Every yard is distinct in its size and health. A professional can help you select the services you need and design a lawn care schedule that suits your needs.
How often do you recommend services?
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 yards need mowing about once per month throughout the spring, summer and fall. You may need to fertilize your lawn annually or quarterly, while winterizing a lawn is generally an annual service based on your region and lawn care professional’s recommendations.
How long do services typically take?
How long lawn care activities take varies based on the treatment, your lawn's condition and the total area of your lawn. A mosquito spraying session on a small yard, for example, may only last a couple of minutes. However, mowing acres of overgrown grass can take several hours, or even days, depending on the size of the lot.
When will I start seeing a benefit from services?
How fast lawn services show effects depends on what treatments are being used. Snow removal and manual weed pulling offer results you’ll notice right away. But, enhancements from fertilizer, seeding and aeration take days or weeks to appear.
Do I need to be home when services are being provided?
You do not have to be home to receive lawn care services, but some companies will ask for your presence during their first visit to outline 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 complete.
Is it safe for my children and pets to be on the lawn after services?
Most lawn care is generally safe. However, if chemicals are involved, children and pets must stay indoors during treatment and for at least a few hours afterward. The exact number of hours they should keep away depends on the chemicals applied and what your lawn care professional recommends.
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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