How Much Does Lawn Care Cost in Lexington, KY? (2026 Guide)
Mowing, aeration, cleanup, mulching — what does it actually cost to hire a local landscaper in Lexington? Here are the real numbers, what drives them up or down, and how to get the most out of your budget.
One of the most common questions we get from new clients is some version of: "How much is this going to cost me?" It's a fair question, and we'd rather give you a straight answer than make you fill out three forms before you see a number.
Here's what lawn care and related services typically cost in Lexington and the surrounding Central Kentucky area — based on local market rates, what our competitors charge, and what we see on actual jobs.
Lawn Mowing: $30–$85 Per Visit
Most residential lots in Lexington fall somewhere in the $40–$65 range per visit. The spread comes down to a few variables:
- Lot size is the biggest driver. A compact urban lot near the University of Kentucky runs differently than a half-acre in Beaumont or a full acre in Versailles.
- Terrain and obstacles — slopes, decorative beds, trees, and fences all add trimming time.
- Frequency — weekly clients get better per-visit pricing than bi-weekly. Turf that isn't mowed often enough grows taller between cuts, which slows us down and can harm the grass.
For larger properties around one acre, expect $60–$100 per cut. Estates on two or more acres are quoted individually.
Average across Central Kentucky: around $48–$50 per standard residential visit.
Core Aeration & Overseeding
Aeration is one of the highest-return services for Fayette County lawns, where clay compaction is a constant issue. A standard core aeration on a typical Lexington residential lot runs $100–$175. Overseeding with premium Tall Fescue adds $75–$150 depending on coverage area and seed rate.
Done together in early fall — the ideal window for Central Kentucky — aeration and overseeding is typically a $175–$300 package for a standard residential property. It's the single best thing you can do for a thin or struggling lawn.
Spring & Fall Cleanups: $100–$500
Cleanup pricing is highly property-specific, but here are the general ranges we see in Lexington:
- Spring cleanup (smaller property): $100–$200. Includes leaf and debris removal, bed clearing, final mow, and debris haul-off.
- Spring cleanup (larger or heavily wooded property): $200–$350.
- Fall cleanup: $200–$500 for most properties. Fall is more labor-intensive — the leaf volume is much higher and many properties need multiple visits as trees drop at different times.
Properties with large tree canopies (think older neighborhoods like Chevy Chase or established subdivisions with mature oaks) tend toward the higher end. We offer multi-visit fall packages for high leaf-volume properties.
Mulching: $65–$120+ Per Cubic Yard Installed
Mulch pricing includes the material, delivery, and installation labor. In the Lexington market:
- Standard hardwood mulch installed: $65–$80 per cubic yard
- Premium dyed or color-enhanced mulch installed: $90–$120+ per cubic yard
A typical suburban foundation bed might need 4–6 cubic yards, putting a mulch job at $260–$480 for standard material. Add steel bed edging and the job looks substantially sharper — and edging holds mulch in place better through rain.
We apply at 2–3 inches — enough to suppress weeds and retain moisture without piling against plant crowns, which causes rot.
Shrub & Plant Installation
When you're adding plants to a bed, you're paying for the plant itself plus the labor to dig, amend the soil, plant, water in, and clean up:
- Perennial flowers: $10–$30 per pot installed
- Shrubs: $25–$85 each installed (varies widely with shrub size and species)
- Small trees (up to 10 ft): $125–$700 installed
- Large trees (10–20 ft): $400–$1,300 installed
Species choice matters here. A two-gallon native shrub costs far less than a specimen ornamental tree. We always recommend plants proven to perform in Fayette County's limestone-influenced soil and transition-zone climate.
Stump Grinding: $3.00–$3.25 Per Inch of Diameter
Stump grinding is priced by the diameter of the stump at ground level. A 10-inch stump runs about $30–$33; a 24-inch stump around $72–$78. Multiple stumps on the same property get a better per-stump rate since the equipment and setup cost is spread across the job.
What Drives the Final Number
Beyond the service itself, a few things consistently push pricing up:
Access. Properties with narrow gates, steep slopes, or tight spaces between structures take longer and sometimes require smaller equipment — both of which increase cost.
Property condition. A lawn that hasn't been maintained in years takes significantly more time on the first visit. Overgrown grass, heavily weeded beds, and accumulated debris all add labor.
Frequency and contract. Weekly maintenance clients typically pay less per visit than one-time or irregular customers. Season-long contracts allow us to schedule more efficiently, and we pass that savings back.
Location within our service area. We cover five counties — Fayette, Jessamine, Scott, Woodford, and Clark. Properties farther from our central Lexington base may have a slightly higher minimum to account for drive time.
How to Get an Accurate Quote
The only way to get a number we'll actually stand behind is to walk the property. Lot square footage is a starting point, but the grade, the trees, the gate widths, the bed complexity — all of it matters. Our estimates are free, on-site, and typically scheduled within a week.
We'll give you a written, itemized quote with no obligation — and no surprise charges when the work is done.
Need help with your lawn or landscape in Central Kentucky? Lexington Landscaping Co. serves Lexington, Nicholasville, Georgetown, Versailles, and Winchester.
Get a Free Estimate →
