Top Washington D.C. Lawn Care Companies of 2019

In case you’re wondering, “where to find a Washington D.C. lawn care service near me?” Since finding a top-rated lawn mowing service can be tough, we offer a list below that ranks the best D.C. lawn care services based on our review of online customer satisfaction. WikiLawn.com is in no way affiliated with these, nor have we used them ourselves.

Metro Jaws is a premier handyman and lawn care company in the District. Tony Jones has years of experience when it comes to satisfying the needs of clients in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Tony Scott has a great reputation as a lawn care professional.  Having served hundreds of clients in his career, Tony has learned a thing or two on making a good impression.  He will always do his best and offers a money back guarantee.  If you’re not happy with the work, he’ll fix that (but don’t worry, that rarely happens).  Additionally, h only uses lawnmowers that will not damage your lawn.

Lopez Landscaping is select with their clientele.  They only take on jobs that they know they can do a great job at, which if you ask us, is a great quality in a landscape professional.

Moe and Shawn have been mowing lawns since high school and have definitely learned a thing or two along the way.  They’ll make the criss-cross lines in your yard just like you like it.  And they will make your edges perfectly trimmed so they stand out super nicely.

A Year Round Washington D.C. Lawn Care Guide

Washington, D.C. has a unique climate because it is right between the colder climate zone and the warmer, southern climate zone. Residents have cold winters and warm summers. That makes lawn care different than other cities.

Don’t fret; we have you covered. This simple guide to taking care of your Washington D.C. lawn covers the basics and what you need to know beyond just grass cutting. Take a look and make sure you aren’t missing a step!

Lawn Mowing in Washington D.C.

Everyone knows that lawn mowing is part of lawn care, but most don’t realize there is a right and wrong way to mow your grass. Here are some tips to make sure you aren’t doing more harm than good!

• Sharpen your mower blades. Dull blades shred and rip your grass, which can cause it to be more disease-prone. If you’re afraid of sharpening yourself, ask a lawn service professional for assistance.
• Don’t bag your clippings. It might be tempting, but leave those grass clippings on your lawn because they decompose fast, adding nutrients back into the soil.
• Mow in a varying pattern. If you keep lawn mowing in the same direction, the grass blades will lean that direction. Change it up!
• Never cut more than ⅓ of the grass height. Doing so adds extra stress to your grass, which can cause it to go dormant.

Metro area residents should be grass cutting their lawn during the spring, fall, and summer. During spring and fall, you should mow every 7 to 10 days. In the summer, you might need to mow weekly or twice per week, depending on the growing conditions.

In the summer, you want to raise your mower’s blade to a higher height. Letting your grass grow taller means your soil can retain more moisture, leading to greener grass. The roots have more time to grow and access water down deep down.

The recommended summer height varies for all types of grass. Make sure to check the height recommended for your grass.

• Zoysia – 1.5 to 3 inches
• Bermuda Grass – 1 to 2 inches
• Kentucky Bluegrass – 3 to 3.5 inches
• Fescues – 3 to 3.5 inches
• Perennial Ryegrass – 1.5 to 2.5 inches

Core Aeration

Core aeration sounds like a crazy process, but it is one of the best preventative methods you can use to ensure your lawn stays healthy. Aerating loosens up the ground when the soil is compact. Compact soil makes it harder for grass to grow because the roots are unable to access the air, water, and oxygen necessary.

The process is simple. Use a pitchfork or an aerator to poke holes throughout your lawn. You pull up plugs of soil from your yard. Doing so allows water and air to access the roots easier.

Fall tends to be the best time to aerate because your grass has access to all the vital components needed to survive. You could also aerate in the spring. Aerating is one of the top services that homeowners hire professionals to do.

Overseeding

When your lawn starts to look a bit shabby and patchy, it is time to overseed. Overseeding is often called reseeding, and it’s a fancy word for adding more grass seed to your lawn. A hot summer or rough winter can cause damage to your lawn, cause bare spots.

You can reseed whenever you want, but Metro area residents should reseed in late summer or early fall. During this time, the nights drop to 50 to 60 degrees, but the days are warm. Fall brings more moisture which is necessary for germination. Fall means there is a two to three months before winter temperatures drop, which gives your grass time to establish.

Here are some overseeding tips!

• Cut your grass a half inch shorter than average.
• Make sure you rake the areas well where you want to lay grass seed. Doing so ensures the grass seeds come in contact with the soil.
• Cover the grass seed with straw to prevent birds from eating the seeds before they germinate.
• Water deeply after spreading the seeds. Keep the ground moist, but not soaked, for a few days. Plan to water two or three times per day.

Grass Types in the Washington Metro Area

D.C. has a mixture between warm and cool season grasses. It is a good idea to check out what your neighbors have so that you can determine what grows well in your particular neighborhood. Also, knowing your turf will help make your grass cutting more precise. There are a few good choices.

Zoysia Grass

Zoysia grass is a warm-loving grass that can tolerate colder temperatures and extended periods of drought. This grass type tolerates some shade, but it prefers to spend its time in the direct sunlight.

Don’t plant Zoysia if you prefer to not spend time on lawn maintenance. Zoysia needs attention, especially in the beginning stages before it is well-established. However, once established, Zoysia resists weeds and pests, so its worth your time.

Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass is a popular warm season grass in the United States because it tolerates the cold better than other varieties. It can be planted more north than other types. Bermuda grass tolerates heavy wear and foot traffic, and its drought resistant! It will go dormant in the winter and return when the warm weather comes back.

Bermuda grass tends to be invasive and spreads everywhere, so be cautious when you plant it!

Kentucky Bluegrass

Kentucky bluegrass is the most popular cool season grass in the United States. You’ll find it across the northern portion of the country, as well as areas in the transitional zone, such as D.C.

Bluegrass has a fine leaf texture that homeowners love. Another benefit is that this grass type handles droughts well and tolerates heat, so it does well in the summertime.

Fescues

You can grow both tall and fine fescues in the D.C. area. Fescues tolerate droughts well, and they also tolerate shade. This grass type is great for lawns with a lot of trees or shady areas in general. You can mix fescue with other grass types.

Perennial Ryegrass

Ryegrass isn’t shade-tolerant; they must be planted in yards with direct sunlight. Ryegrass is drought tolerant and fast growing, germinating in as little as three days. Many people plant ryegrass as an overseeding turf because it germinates so quickly that it’ll be well-established before wintertime. 

Sunpatiens

‘Compact Pink Candy’

Impatiens x hybrida

Globe Amaranth

‘QIS White’ & ‘Pinball Snowtip Lavender’

Gomphrena globosa

Taking Care of Your Washington D.C. Lawn

Taking care of your lawn isn’t complicated! Once you have the right grass planted, you will need to remember to aerate and overseed once (or twice) per year. If the tasks are too numerous for you, you should hire a lawn service professional to start off. Lawn mowing is a weekly activity for a portion of the year, but the mower can hang in the shed for the winter. Your lawn will be the envy of the neighbors once you have a solid plan for your lawn care.