Best 5 Lawn Care Companies in Santa Cruz, CA

Understanding Santa Cruz's Climate

Santa Cruz is in the Marine climate zone, enjoying long, warm summers but fairly cold winters. The area sees an average of 36 inches of rain annually, with the most falling in January and the least in July. The average high temperature is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, while the average low is 49 degrees Fahrenheit.

Lawn health is tied to the local climate in several ways. Hotter, drier months increase the need for lawn watering to keep it from turning brown and stunted, whereas wetter months can help grass flourish but deplete soil nutrients. Climate zone is a major factor in determining your fertilization,, seeding, or aerating schedule throughout the year.

What To Consider Before Choosing a Lawn Care Company

Consider these key factors when choosing the best lawn care service and treatment schedule for you.

Services Offered

Your local full-service lawn care professionals offer a number of seasonal services for keeping your lawn healthy and green. These often include the following:

• Core aeration
• Fertilization
• Overseeding
• Pest control
• Soil amendment and pH control
• Controling weeds

Reputation and Experience

One of the most important things to do when researching lawn care service providers is look at real customer reviews. Sources where you can learn about a company's years of experience and reputation include Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, Google Reviews, and Yelp. Remember that newer companies can be more difficult to evaluate if they have fewer reviews.

Environmental Practices

Another consideration is the lawn service's environmental practices. Many companies use strong chemical pesticides and herbicides that can cause environmental harm and be a safety hazard for people and pets. Other companies brand themselves on using products with organic and natural ingredients that are environmentally friendly when used properly.

Pricing

The cost of lawn care in Santa Cruz depends on whether you purchase an annual plan or a single visit. Annual plans provide a hands-off, year-round approach to lawn care and include follow-up lawn maintenance. On the other hand, single visits may cost less but don't include any follow-up care.

Potential DIY Solutions

If you prefer DIY lawn care, you can buy the equipment and supplies you need from local retailers. Lawn and garden shops sell fertilizer and grass seed, and you can often rent walk-behind aerators from heavy-equipment rental shops for a daily rate. The downside of DIY lawn care is that it is a heavy time commitment and must be done without professional guidance. Full-service lawn care costs more but includes professional evaluation and recommendations to get your lawn into top shape. DIY subscription lawn care falls somewhere in the middle of the other two options. A DIY subscription company sends you customized lawn care products depending on your lawn care needs that you're responsible for applying to your lawn.

Lawn Care Service Costs in Santa Cruz

The cost of lawn care varies depending on the service you need, but on average, comprehensive lawn care costs $77–$173 in Santa Cruz. The table below breaks down cost by service: