Most people use “landscaping” and “lawn care” interchangeably. You need your yard looking good, so you call someone to handle it, right?
But here’s the thing: they’re actually different services. Understanding the difference helps you hire the right people and get the results you want.
Lawn care focuses on keeping your grass healthy. Landscaping is about designing and maintaining your entire outdoor space.
If you’re searching for landscaping companies fort collins co, knowing what you actually need saves time and money. You might need one service, the other, or both.
Let’s break down exactly what each one means and when you need which service.
What Is Lawn Care?
Lawn care is all about your grass. That’s it. The people who do lawn care are focused on keeping your turf healthy, green, and well-maintained.
Typical lawn care services include:
Mowing – Regular cutting to keep grass at the proper height. Most lawns need weekly mowing during the growing season.
Edging – Trimming along sidewalks, driveways, and flower beds to keep clean lines.
Fertilization – Applying nutrients to promote healthy grass growth. Usually done 3-6 times per year, depending on your climate and grass type.
Weed control – Treating for dandelions, crabgrass, and other weeds that compete with your grass.
Aeration – Poking holes in your lawn to reduce soil compaction and improve root growth.
Overseeding – Spreading grass seed to fill in thin or bare spots.
Pest and disease treatment – Addressing grubs, chinch bugs, fungus, and other lawn problems.
Watering management – Some companies help optimize irrigation for your grass.
Notice what’s NOT on that list? Shrubs, trees, flower beds, patios, retaining walls, or design work. That’s landscaping territory.
Lawn care specialists are turf experts. They understand grass varieties, soil chemistry, and how to keep lawns healthy. But they’re not necessarily designers or hardscape installers.
What Is Landscaping?
Landscaping is the bigger picture. It’s about your entire outdoor space – the design, the plants, the structures, everything that makes your yard look the way it does.
Landscaping includes:
Design and planning – Creating layouts for gardens, pathways, outdoor living spaces, and overall yard aesthetics.
Planting – Installing trees, shrubs, flowers, ground covers, and ornamental grasses.
Mulching – Spreading mulch in flower beds for moisture retention and weed suppression.
Pruning and trimming – Shaping shrubs and trees, removing dead branches, and maintaining plant health.
Hardscaping – Installing patios, walkways, retaining walls, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, and other structures.
Water features – Adding ponds, fountains, or waterfalls.
Lighting – Installing outdoor lighting for aesthetics and safety.
Irrigation systems – Designing and installing sprinkler systems for the entire property.
Seasonal cleanup – Removing leaves, cutting back perennials, preparing beds for winter or spring.
Bed maintenance – Weeding, deadheading flowers, and maintaining planted areas.
Landscaping companies often handle lawn care too, but their expertise goes way beyond just grass. They’re thinking about the entire outdoor environment.
The Key Differences
Let’s make this really clear:
Lawn care = Your grass
Landscaping = Everything else (and sometimes the grass too)
Lawn care = Ongoing maintenance focused on turf health
Landscaping = Design, installation, and maintenance of your whole yard
Lawn care companies = Specialists in grass and turf management
Landscaping companies = Broader expertise in plants, design, and outdoor construction
Think of it this way: lawn care is like going to the barber for a haircut. Landscaping is like hiring an interior designer to renovate your whole house.
When You Need Lawn Care
You should hire a lawn care service if:
- Your main issue is the grass itself. It’s patchy, weedy, brown, or just not healthy looking.
- You want regular maintenance. Weekly mowing, seasonal treatments, and ongoing turf management.
- You’re happy with your overall yard design. The beds, trees, and hardscaping are fine. You just need someone to keep the lawn looking good.
- You’re on a budget. Lawn care is generally cheaper than full landscaping services.
- You have a simple yard. Mostly grass with minimal beds or features.
Lawn care is typically a recurring service. You sign up for weekly or bi-weekly mowing, plus seasonal treatments. It’s predictable and affordable.
When You Need Landscaping
You should hire a landscaping company if:
- You’re starting from scratch. New construction or a yard that needs complete redesign.
- You want to add features. Patios, walkways, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, fire pits.
- Your plants need attention. Overgrown shrubs, dying trees, or flower beds full of weeds.
- You need design help. You don’t know what to do with your space or how to make it look better.
- You’re planning a project. Installing a new garden, creating an outdoor living area, or major yard renovations.
- Your yard is complex. Lots of beds, mature trees, slopes, or multiple zones that need different care.
Landscaping can be one-time projects (install a patio) or ongoing maintenance (seasonal cleanups, pruning, bed maintenance).
Can One Company Do Both?
Yes, many companies offer both services.
Full-service landscaping companies often provide:
- Complete landscape design and installation
- Ongoing landscape maintenance
- Lawn care and turf management
- Everything you need for your outdoor space
This can be convenient. One company handles everything. One bill. One point of contact.
But there are also specialists:
- Companies that only do lawn care
- Companies that focus on design and installation but don’t do maintenance
- Companies that specialize in hardscaping or specific types of work
The best choice depends on your needs. Simple yard with mostly grass? A lawn care specialist might be perfect and more affordable. Complex property with extensive beds and features? A full-service landscaping company makes sense.
Cost Differences
Here’s the reality: landscaping typically costs more than basic lawn care.
Lawn care costs (typical ranges):
- Weekly mowing: $30-$80 per visit
- Fertilization program: $300-$600 per year
- Aeration and overseeding: $100-$300 per treatment
Landscaping costs (typical ranges):
- Design consultation: $200-$1,000+
- Plant installation: $500-$5,000+ depending on scope
- Patio installation: $3,000-$15,000+
- Full landscape renovation: $10,000-$50,000+
Ongoing landscape maintenance (pruning, mulching, bed care) costs more than just mowing but less than major installation projects.
What Most Homeowners Actually Need
Here’s the truth: most people need some combination of both.
Common scenarios:
The basic package: Weekly lawn mowing + seasonal fertilization and weed control. This keeps your grass looking decent without breaking the bank.
The step-up: Lawn care + seasonal landscape maintenance. Someone mows your grass and also does spring/fall cleanups, mulches your beds, and keeps shrubs trimmed.
The full service: Complete landscape maintenance including lawn care, bed maintenance, pruning, seasonal color, and periodic enhancements.
The project approach: Hire a landscaping company for a specific project (install a patio, redesign front yard), then maintain it yourself or with a basic lawn care service.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your budget, your yard’s complexity, and how much you want to DIY.
DIY vs Professional Services
Let’s be real about what you can reasonably do yourself:
Realistic DIY:
- Mowing your own lawn
- Basic weeding
- Watering
- Planting annuals
- Simple pruning
Better left to pros:
- Fertilization and chemical applications (licensing required in many states)
- Tree trimming and removal
- Hardscape installation
- Irrigation system work
- Design and major renovations
- Anything involving heavy equipment
Many homeowners do a hybrid approach. They mow their own lawn but hire professionals for fertilization, aeration, and other specialized treatments. Or they handle basic maintenance but bring in landscapers for projects and seasonal work.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
Whether you’re looking for lawn care or landscaping, ask:
What services do you actually provide? Get specifics. Some “landscaping” companies mostly just mow grass.
Are you licensed and insured? Essential for any professional service.
What’s included in your pricing? Hidden fees are annoying. Get clear quotes.
Do you guarantee your work? What happens if plants die or grass doesn’t improve?
Can you provide references? Talk to actual customers about their experience.
What’s your service schedule? How often will they come? What happens if they miss a visit?
The Bottom Line
Lawn care and landscaping aren’t the same thing, even though they’re related.
Lawn care = grass experts who keep your turf healthy and well-maintained.
Landscaping = comprehensive outdoor design, installation, and maintenance.
Most people benefit from at least basic lawn care. Whether you need full landscaping services depends on your yard’s complexity and your goals.
Don’t hire a lawn care company expecting them to redesign your front yard. And don’t hire a landscape designer just to mow your grass weekly.
Figure out what you actually need, ask the right questions, and hire accordingly. Your yard (and your wallet) will thank you.
