Best 5 Lawn Care Companies in Portland, ME

Understanding Portland's Climate

Portland is in the Cold climate zone, enjoying cool summers but fairly cold winters. The area sees an average high temperature of about 52 degrees Fahrenheit and an average low of roughly 39 degrees Fahrenheit. There's an average of 48 inches of rain per year, with July as the driest month and October as the wettest.

Local climate greatly affects lawn health. Your grass might appear greener and more lush in wetter months, but excessive rain can deplete soil nutrients. Drier months necessitate increased watering to keep your lawn from drying out and browning. The local climate will have a big influence on when you fertilize, seed, and aerate your lawn.

What To Consider Before Choosing a Lawn Care Company

Consider these key factors when selecting the right lawn care service and treatment schedule for your home.

Services Offered

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

• Core aeration
• Fertilization
• Overseeding
• Pest control
• Soil amendment and pH control
• Weed killing

Reputation and Experience

One of the first details you should research when choosing a lawn care service provider is the company's years of experience and reputation. A newer company may be reputable but more difficult to evaluate due to having fewer reviews. Read customer ratings and reviews from third-party sources, such as Yelp, Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, and Google Reviews, to research the overall customer experience.

Environmental Practices

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

Pricing

The amount you spend on lawn care in Portland varies depending on the plan you choose. One-time services generally cost less but don't include follow-up lawn maintenance visits. On the other hand, an annual plan will be more expensive but allow you to be more hands-off. These plans include seasonal visits and are great for keeping your lawn healthy throughout the year.

Potential DIY Solutions

If you prefer DIY lawn care, you can get the supplies and equipment you need from local retailers. Lawn and garden stores sell grass seed and fertilizer, and you can often rent walk-behind aerators from heavy-equipment rental shops for a daily rate. DIY lawn care is a large time commitment, however, and you won't get the specialized knowledge a professional lawn service can provide. Full-service lawn care companies can evaluate the health of your lawn and soil and prescribe the right treatment to restore your yard to its full potential. Some companies have DIY subscription plans depending on your lawn care needs, in which the company provides customized lawn care products that customers are responsible for applying to their lawns.

Lawn Care Service Costs in Portland

On average, you can expect to pay around $74–$167 on full-service lawn care prices in Portland. However, you may pay less if you only need one service, such as lawn mowing. See the table below for average cost by service: