Best 10 Lawn Care Companies in Merced, CA

Maintaining a great-looking lawn takes a good deal of effort. Routine weeding and mowing are only a fraction of the care you put into your lawn. Fortunately, you can find many quality lawn care service professionals in Merced. These experts provide services like aeration, overseeding, weed control, and fertilization to enhance the health and appearance of your lawn.

Understanding Merced's Climate

Merced is in the Hot-Dry climate zone, enjoying long, warm summers but freezing winters. The area has an average high temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit and an average low of roughly 53 degrees Fahrenheit. The area averages 12 inches of rain per year, with July as the driest month and January as the wettest.

Lawn health is linked to your local climate in multiple ways. Drier, hotter months call for increased watering to keep your lawn from turning brown and stunted, whereas wetter months can deplete soil nutrients even as grass flourishes. 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

You should consider these factors when choosing a lawn care company in Merced and working with them on a plan for your lawn care needs.

Services Offered

A full-service lawn care service provider will offer a variety of services to help keep your lawn healthy through all seasons. These services typically include the following:

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

Some lawn care companies specialize in only a certain few treatments. Discuss your lawn's specific needs with a company representative before committing.

Reputation and Experience

One of the first details you should research about a lawn care company is its years of experience and reputation. Newer companies may be reputable but more difficult to evaluate due to having fewer reviews. You can read customer ratings and reviews from third-party sources, such as Yelp, Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau, and Trustpilot, to research the overall customer experience.

Environmental Practices

You may also care about a company's environmental practices. Some companies use strong chemical pesticides and herbicides that can have negative environmental consequences and be hazardous for people and pets. Others pride themselves on using natural and organic lawn care products. These can be environmentally friendly when used properly.

Pricing

The cost of lawn care in Merced varies depending on the plan you purchase. If you only want or need a one-time service, a single visit may make more financial sense. However, this doesn't include any follow-up care. If you want a hands-off, year-round option, an annual plan will be more expensive but include regular visits and lawn maintenance.

Potential DIY Solutions

Homeowners who prefer DIY lawn care solutions can buy fertilizer and grass seed from local lawn and garden centers. Heavy-equipment rental shops usually have walk-behind aerators that you can rent for a daily rate.

The downside of DIY lawn care is the heavy time commitment and lack of professional guidance. Full-service lawn care costs more but includes professional evaluation and recommendations to help your lawn look its best. DIY subscription lawn care falls somewhere in the middle of the other two options. A DIY subscription company will send you customized lawn care products unique to your lawn care needs, which you're responsible for applying to your lawn.

Lawn Care Service Costs in Merced

Comprehensive lawn care costs $72–$163 on average in Merced. However, your cost will vary depending on the services you need and your lawn size.

See the table below for average cost by service:

Sources

• CDC WONDER
• U.S. Department of Agriculture