Top-rated landscapers in Georgia

Georgia runs from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the barrier islands, so a yard in Blairsville and a yard in Brunswick need different plants, different grass and different care. This guide covers what changes across the state: climate, soil, lawn grasses, the statewide watering rules, and what to check before you hire a pro.

Climate and planting zones

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature, which is why plant tags use it to say what survives the winter. On the USDA's updated map, GPB reported that many areas of South Georgia moved from zone 8b (15 to 20°F) to 9a (20 to 25°F), much of Middle Georgia moved from 8a (10 to 15°F) to 8b, and parts of North Georgia moved from 7b (5 to 10°F) to 8a. No part of the state moved to a colder zone.

Zones only cover winter cold. Summer heat, humidity and rainfall matter just as much in Georgia, so plant tags and a local nursery are worth checking before you buy. To find your exact zone, enter your ZIP code on the USDA map.

Soil: red clay, sand and mountain loam

Georgia has three very different soil regions, according to the New Georgia Encyclopedia:

• Piedmont (much of north and middle Georgia, including the Atlanta area): the famous red clay. Its color comes from iron oxides left behind by long-term weathering. The weathered layer, called saprolite, erodes easily when trees and other plants are removed.
• Coastal Plain (south of the fall line): a mix of red clay, sands and gravels. The Lower Coastal Plain, including the coastal islands and the Okefenokee Swamp, has sandy, nutrient-poor soils.
• Blue Ridge Mountains (far north): loamy soil, a mix of clay, silt and sand, that the Encyclopedia describes as acidic, well drained and brown.

The fall line, the edge between the Piedmont and the Coastal Plain, runs through Augusta, Macon and Columbus, according to the Encyclopedia's Piedmont article. On clay lots, keep bare ground covered during projects so it doesn't wash away, and if water pools after rain, see our guide to yard drainage solutions.

Lawn grasses that grow well in Georgia

UGA Extension's bulletin Lawns in Georgia: Selection and Species covers five main lawn grasses. Which one fits depends on where you live and how much sun the yard gets:

UGA puts the southern limit for tall fescue at about Griffin, although it can hang on in shaded or protected spots further south. For timing, see when to fertilize your lawn and when to aerate your lawn.

Best time of year for lawn and landscape projects

• Warm-season lawns (bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass): UGA Extension's Fulton County office says "May through July is the best time to seed or sod a new warm-season lawn."
• Tall fescue: UGA recommends seeding between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15. Spring seeding is possible, but summer heat makes it harder for young fescue to survive.
• Trees and shrubs: "The best time to plant is typically in the fall," when the soil is warmer and daytime temperatures are moderate, according to UGA. Spring plantings get less time to root before summer heat.
• Before you plant: UGA suggests starting with a soil test through your county Extension office.

Watering rules

Under the non-drought outdoor water use schedule from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), you can water lawns, trees, shrubs and other plants every day, but only between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m., if your water comes from a system permitted by EPD.

Some watering is allowed at any hour, including:

• New or replanted plants, seed and turf during installation and for 30 days after
• Drip irrigation and soaker hoses
• Hand watering with a hose that has an automatic shutoff, or with a handheld container
• Personal food gardens
• Water from a private well or surface water on your own property
• Hydroseeding, and installing, maintaining or calibrating an irrigation system

Your water provider may have its own schedule on top of this, so check with them before setting a sprinkler timer. Our guide to the best time to water your lawn covers how much to water.

Before you dig: call 811

Planting trees, setting fence posts, building a retaining wall or installing a sprinkler system can hit buried gas, power or water lines. Georgia 811 is free, and its guide to how it works says the homeowner or excavator should contact 811 at least three business days before digging starts. Georgia law requires notice for mechanized digging. For hand digging it isn't required by law, but Georgia 811 encourages it.

What landscaping costs

Prices depend on lot size, access, materials and the time of year, so get written quotes. As a starting point, these are the typical national ranges from our cost guides, each with its sources:

• Landscaping: about $4.50 to $17 per square foot. See how much landscaping costs.
• Lawn care: monthly plans run about $100 to $500, and mowing about $44 to $71 per visit. See lawn care costs.
• Tree removal: most removals cost about $385 to $1,070. See tree removal costs.
• Sprinkler system: about $1,600 to $3,600 installed. See sprinkler system costs.
• Paver patio: about $8 to $25 per square foot installed. See paver patio costs.

Hiring a landscaping pro in Georgia

• Get two or three written quotes that list the work, materials, plant sizes and timeline.
• Ask about pesticide licensing. The Georgia Department of Agriculture defines a pesticide contractor as any person or company paid to apply pesticides to someone else's land. Lawn and ornamental pest control falls under its Category 24 (Ornamental and Turf Pest Control). If a lawn care company sprays weed or insect control, ask for its Georgia license.
• Ask who calls 811 before any digging, and who handles permits.
• Check recent reviews and photos of similar work.