Top-rated landscapers in Atlanta, GA

Atlanta yards sit on Piedmont red clay, in a climate whose winters have grown a little milder on the USDA's planting map. This guide covers what that means for a lawn and landscape in the city, the city's tree rules, and what to check before you hire a pro. For the statewide picture, see the Georgia guide.

Planting zone

On the USDA's previous map, north Fulton, Cherokee and Forsyth counties were zone 7b. With the updated map, UGA Extension in Fulton County reports that Fulton, Cobb, Forsyth and Cherokee counties were reassigned to zone 8. Zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature, so plants rated right at the edge of zone 8 can still be hurt in a colder than usual winter. Check your exact zone by ZIP code on the USDA map.

Red clay

Atlanta is in Georgia's Piedmont region. The New Georgia Encyclopedia describes the Piedmont's rocks as often covered by a thick layer of decomposed rock called saprolite, "which is the red clay of Georgia," and notes that it erodes easily once its plant cover is removed. In practice:

• Keep bare soil covered with mulch, straw or plants during and after a project.
• On slopes, planted beds and ground covers keep the clay covered; steep grades may need a retaining wall. See how much a retaining wall costs.
• If water stands in the yard after rain, see yard drainage solutions.

Grass for Atlanta lawns

Atlanta is north of Griffin, which UGA Extension gives as the rough southern limit for tall fescue, so both cool-season and warm-season grasses are options here:

• Full sun: bermudagrass thrives in heat but typically performs poorly in shade.
• Some shade: some zoysiagrass cultivars hold up with as little as 4 to 4.5 hours of filtered sun a day.
• Shady yards that stay green in winter: tall fescue, which UGA says is best adapted to the Piedmont. It may need summer irrigation to stay attractive.

Centipedegrass and St. Augustinegrass do best in the middle and lower parts of the state, according to the same bulletin. For a seasonal plan, see when to fertilize your lawn and overseeding a lawn.

When to plant in Atlanta

UGA Extension's Fulton County office publishes monthly lawn advice for the area. Its May update says "May through July is the best time to seed or sod a new warm-season lawn," and that cool-season lawns such as tall fescue shouldn't be seeded, interseeded or sodded until fall. UGA recommends seeding tall fescue between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15. For trees and shrubs, UGA says "the best time to plant is typically in the fall."

Trees and the city's Tree Protection Ordinance

Atlanta protects its tree canopy on private property, not only in parks. The city's Arborist Division says the Tree Ordinance prohibits destroying and removing trees except as the ordinance allows. On private property, removal is permitted either under a building permit or through an application to remove a dead, dying, diseased or hazardous tree. The Division also investigates illegal tree removal, and citations can carry recompense and penalty fees.

Before any tree comes down inside city limits, ask the tree service who is getting the permit, and don't let work start until it's issued. The Arborist Division can be reached at [email protected] or 404-330-6874. The ordinance covers the City of Atlanta; elsewhere in the metro, check your own city or county's tree rules. Not sure a tree needs to come down? See how to tell if a tree is dying.

Watering

Atlanta follows Georgia's non-drought watering schedule: outdoor watering of plants and lawns between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. any day. New plantings are exempt during installation and for 30 days after, and so are drip irrigation, soaker hoses and hand watering with a shutoff nozzle. More detail is in the Georgia guide.

What it costs

Atlanta quotes vary with lot size, slope and access. These national ranges from our cost guides are a starting point:

• Tree removal: about $385 to $1,070 for most trees, and more for very large or hard-to-reach ones. See tree removal costs.
• Tree trimming: about $430 to $640 per tree on average. See tree trimming costs.
• Lawn care: monthly plans about $100 to $500, mowing about $44 to $71 per visit. See lawn care costs.
• Landscaping: about $4.50 to $17 per square foot. See how much landscaping costs.

Hiring a pro in Atlanta

• Get two or three written quotes with the scope, materials and timeline spelled out.
• For tree work, confirm who handles the city permit before anything is cut.
• For lawn spraying, ask for the company's Georgia pesticide license. The Georgia Department of Agriculture licenses companies paid to apply pesticides on other people's property.
• Before digging, make sure someone contacts Georgia 811 at least three business days ahead. The service is free.