# What's Included in Professional Lawn Care? A Complete Guide
If you're considering hiring a professional lawn care service in Chelsea, Westover, Sterrett, or Inverness, you might be wondering: "What exactly do I get for my money?" Lawn care services can vary widely, so it's important to understand what's included—and what's not.
This guide breaks down the most common professional lawn care services, what to expect, and how to choose the right provider for your Shelby County home.
## Core Lawn Mowing Services
The foundation of any professional lawn care service is regular mowing. Here's what's typically included:
### Basic Mowing Package
**Included:**
- Weekly or biweekly grass cutting
- String trimming around obstacles (trees, fences, flower beds, mailboxes)
- Edging along driveways, sidewalks, and walkways
- Blowing off clippings from hard surfaces (driveway, sidewalk, patio)
**Not Typically Included:**
- Bagging grass clippings (usually an add-on service)
- Fertilization or weed control
- Shrub trimming or pruning
**What to expect:** A professional crew will arrive on a consistent schedule (e.g., every Tuesday), mow your lawn to the proper height for your grass type, trim edges for a crisp appearance, and blow debris off hard surfaces.
**Alabama-specific note:** In Shelby County, most services mow April through November. Warm-season grasses go dormant in winter, so mowing isn't needed December through February.
### Mowing Height and Frequency
**Warm-Season Grasses (Bermuda, Zoysia):**
- Ideal height: 1.5 - 2.5 inches
- Frequency: Weekly (peak season), biweekly (slower growth periods)
**Cool-Season Grasses (Fescue):**
- Ideal height: 2.5 - 3.5 inches
- Frequency: Weekly (spring/fall), biweekly or as-needed (summer/winter)
**Pro tip:** Insist that your lawn care provider follows the "one-third rule" (never cutting more than one-third of grass height in a single mowing). This prevents stress and keeps grass healthy.
## Additional Lawn Care Services
Beyond basic mowing, most professional companies offer these add-on services:
### 1. Fertilization
**What it includes:**
- Application of granular or liquid fertilizer 4-6 times per year
- Customized nutrient blend based on grass type and season
- Timing aligned with Alabama's growing seasons
**Benefits:**
- Promotes thick, green grass
- Strengthens root systems
- Improves drought and disease resistance
**Cost:** Typically $50-75 per application for an average-sized lawn
**Alabama-specific note:** Our soil tends to be acidic and low in phosphorus. Quality fertilization programs account for local soil conditions.
### 2. Weed Control
**What it includes:**
- Pre-emergent herbicide (spring) to prevent crabgrass, goosegrass, and other annual weeds
- Post-emergent herbicide (as needed) to kill existing broadleaf weeds
- Spot-treatment for persistent problem areas
**Benefits:**
- Reduces weed competition with grass
- Maintains uniform lawn appearance
- Prevents weeds from spreading
**Cost:** Often bundled with fertilization ($75-100 per application)
**Common weeds in Shelby County:** Crabgrass, henbit, chickweed, dandelions, clover, nutsedge
### 3. Aeration
**What it includes:**
- Core aeration removes small plugs of soil (2-3 inches deep)
- Improves oxygen, water, and nutrient flow to grass roots
- Reduces soil compaction
**Benefits:**
- Essential in Alabama's clay-heavy soil
- Promotes deeper root growth
- Improves drought tolerance
**Frequency:** Once per year (fall for warm-season grasses, spring or fall for fescue)
**Cost:** $75-150 for average-sized lawn
### 4. Overseeding
**What it includes:**
- Application of grass seed to thicken thin areas or repair bare spots
- Often combined with aeration for better seed-to-soil contact
- Post-seeding watering instructions
**Benefits:**
- Fills in thin or damaged areas
- Improves lawn density
- Reduces weed invasion
**Best timing in Alabama:** Early September for warm-season grasses, late September to mid-October for fescue
**Cost:** $100-200 depending on lawn size and seed quality
### 5. Pest and Disease Control
**What it includes:**
- Monitoring for common lawn pests (grubs, armyworms, chinch bugs)
- Application of insecticides or fungicides as needed
- Disease identification and treatment
**Benefits:**
- Prevents major lawn damage
- Treats problems before they spread
- Maintains healthy grass year-round
**Common pests in Shelby County:** Grubs, armyworms, fire ants
**Common diseases:** Brown patch, dollar spot, leaf spot
**Cost:** $50-100 per treatment (typically not needed more than 1-2 times per year)
### 6. Lime Application
**What it includes:**
- Soil testing to determine pH levels
- Application of lime to raise soil pH (if too acidic)
- Recommendations for ongoing pH management
**Benefits:**
- Alabama soil is naturally acidic (often pH 5.0-6.0)
- Grass grows best at pH 6.0-7.0
- Lime improves nutrient availability
**Frequency:** Every 2-3 years based on soil test results
**Cost:** $75-125 per application
### 7. Leaf Removal
**What it includes:**
- Raking or blowing leaves from lawn and beds
- Removal and disposal or mulching with mower
- Multiple visits during fall leaf drop
**Benefits:**
- Prevents grass suffocation
- Reduces fungal disease risk
- Maintains neat appearance
**Timing in Shelby County:** October through December
**Cost:** $75-150 per visit (or package pricing for multiple fall visits)
### 8. Bed Maintenance (Mulch, Pine Straw, Cleanouts)
**What it includes:**
- Landscape bed cleanouts (remove weeds, old mulch/pine straw, debris)
- Application of fresh mulch or pine straw
- Edging for crisp bed lines
**Benefits:**
- Improves curb appeal
- Suppresses weeds
- Retains soil moisture
**Frequency:** 1-2 times per year (spring and/or fall)
**Cost:**
- Bed cleanout: $75-150
- Pine straw installation: $4-6 per bale
- Mulch installation: $50-75 per cubic yard (including material)
## Specialized Services
Some lawn care companies (including NextGen Pros) offer additional services:
### Pressure Washing
**What it includes:**
- Cleaning driveways, sidewalks, patios, decks
- Removal of dirt, mold, mildew, algae, and stains
- Appropriate PSI and cleaning solutions for each surface type
**Benefits:**
- Restores curb appeal
- Prevents surface degradation
- Removes slippery mold and algae
**Cost:** Varies by surface type and square footage
### Landscape Lighting
**What it includes:**
- Installation of low-voltage LED landscape lights
- Illumination of pathways, trees, architectural features
- Timer or smart controls
**Benefits:**
- Enhances nighttime curb appeal
- Improves safety and security
- Highlights landscape features
**Cost:** Varies widely based on number of fixtures and complexity
### Irrigation System Maintenance
**What it includes:**
- Spring start-up and fall winterization
- Inspection for leaks, broken heads, and coverage issues
- Adjustments to watering zones and schedules
**Benefits:**
- Prevents water waste
- Ensures even lawn coverage
- Identifies problems before they cause damage
**Cost:** $75-150 per visit
## What's NOT Typically Included
To avoid surprises, here's what most basic lawn care packages don't include:
- Tree and shrub pruning
- Major landscape design or installation
- Soil grading or drainage solutions
- Irrigation installation or repair
- Pest control beyond lawn pests (e.g., mosquito or tick control)
- Flower planting or seasonal color installation
- Sod installation or major lawn renovation
These services are usually available as add-ons or separate projects.
## How to Choose the Right Lawn Care Provider
### 1. Understand Your Needs
**Basic maintenance only?** Choose a mowing-only service.
**Full-service lawn health?** Choose a company offering mowing + fertilization + weed control.
**Comprehensive outdoor care?** Choose a company with landscaping, pressure washing, and bed maintenance.
### 2. Ask These Questions
- **What's included in your standard package?**
- **How often will you visit?**
- **What happens if I'm not satisfied with a service visit?**
- **Do you offer contracts or pay-per-service?**
- **Are you insured and licensed?**
- **Can you provide references from Chelsea area customers?**
### 3. Look for Local Experience
Alabama's climate, soil, and grass types are unique. Choose a provider who:
- Understands warm-season grass care (Bermuda, Zoysia)
- Knows Alabama's seasonal challenges (pollen, humidity, red clay)
- Has experience in Shelby County neighborhoods
### 4. Check Reviews and Reputation
- Google reviews
- Nextdoor recommendations
- Facebook community groups
- Better Business Bureau rating
### 5. Evaluate Communication and Reliability
Professional lawn care companies should:
- Respond to inquiries promptly
- Communicate schedule changes in advance
- Text or notify you when service is complete
- Address concerns quickly
## What to Expect from NextGen Pros
At NextGen Pros, we serve homeowners in Chelsea, Westover, Sterrett, and Inverness with:
**Lawn Mowing Services:**
- Weekly or biweekly mowing
- String trimming and edging
- Blowing off all hard surfaces
- Consistent schedule and communication
**Additional Services:**
- Pressure washing (driveways, sidewalks, patios, decks)
- Bed cleanouts
- Pine straw and mulch installation
- Seasonal cleanup
**Our Commitment:**
- Show up on time, every time
- Text you when we're done
- No contracts—earn your business each visit
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
**Interested in professional lawn care for your Chelsea area home?**
**Call us at (205) 600-3687** for a free estimate. We'll assess your property, explain exactly what's included, and create a customized plan that fits your needs and budget.