Frequently Asked Questions

Answer:

In 2025, the average landscaping cost per hour in the U.S. typically ranges from $50 to $100, depending on factors such as the region, project complexity, and the landscaper's expertise. That said, many professional landscaping companies — including local providers like Molloy Lawn & Landscape in the Greater Boston area — structure their pricing around monthly plans, seasonal packages, and per-service flat rates rather than straight hourly billing. This approach gives homeowners more predictable costs and easier budgeting.

What Do Landscaping Packages Typically Cost?

For homeowners who want consistent, professional care throughout the season, bundled service plans are often the most cost-effective option. At Molloy Lawn & Landscape, pricing is structured as follows:

Hourly vs. Package Pricing — Which Is Better?

Hourly pricing is flexible for small or one-off tasks, and you pay only for the time worked — but it can be harder to predict the final cost, and unexpected delays can increase your total. Package or flat-rate pricing, like what Molloy offers, removes that uncertainty. You know exactly what you're paying each month for a defined scope of services — which is especially valuable for ongoing lawn maintenance.

What Affects the Price of Landscaping?

Key factors include location, the complexity of the project, the experience and qualifications of the landscaper, and the type of services needed. Basic lawn maintenance is generally at the lower end of the pricing range, while hardscaping, landscape design, and custom installations require specialized skills and materials, pushing rates higher.

💡 Pro Tip: Molloy Lawn & Landscape offers an Instant Quote Tool on their pricing page for select services — including mowing, fertilization, aeration & overseeding, and mosquito/tick control — so you can get real numbers without a sales call. You can reach them directly at (617) 333-6900 or visit molloylandscape.com/pricing.

Answer:

The cost of professional weed control varies based on your lawn size, the type of treatment used, how severe the weed problem is, and whether you choose a one-time visit or an ongoing seasonal program. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect to pay in 2025.

💰 Average Cost by Treatment Type

On average, professional weed control costs $49 to $200 per treatment for an average-sized lawn. For flower beds weeded by hand, expect to pay $35 to $140 per hour, with a minimum one-hour charge.

Non-selective herbicides kill all plants they contact, while selective herbicides target specific weeds and cost slightly more — typically $75 to $200 per treatment. Depending on your landscaping, lawn professionals may use a combination of both.

📐 Cost by Lawn Size

Weed control is almost always priced by square footage. The average cost for weed control on a quarter-acre lot is around $100, with prices ranging from $65 to $165. For very small areas, costs can be closer to $35, while treating an acre or more can run as high as $615.

Medium yards ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 square feet typically incur weed removal costs averaging between $75 and $150 per treatment.

📅 One-Time vs. Seasonal Program Pricing

A single treatment addresses weeds you can see today — but without follow-up, new weeds will emerge. That's why most professional lawn care companies structure weed control as part of a multi-visit seasonal program.

Customized treatment plans combining pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides typically run $30 to $225 per month depending on the provider, lawn size, and region. Many weed removal companies offer subscription plans that save on the overall cost of repeated treatment — expect a yearly savings of 10% to 15%, and these annual subscriptions often include a warranty should weeds emerge at any point during the year.

🏡 What Molloy Lawn & Landscape Charges in Massachusetts

Rather than billing per visit, Molloy Lawn & Landscape bundles weed control into comprehensive seasonal programs — which is the most cost-effective and results-driven approach for New England lawns:

Lawn Care Treatment Plan — starting at $278/season — includes weed control across 5 visits and 7 applications, plus soil testing and season-long grub control

Standard Services Plan — starting at $297/month — pairs weed control with fertilization, mowing, mulching, and spring/fall cleanups in one predictable monthly rate

Home Care 365 — starting at $400/month — adds winter services for true year-round property care

Every new client starts with a complimentary Molloy Master Plan, a customized action plan for your specific property. Call (617) 333-6900 or visit molloylandscape.com/pricing to get started.

💡 DIY vs. Professional — Is It Worth It?

For those considering DIY options, herbicide expenses can range from $91 to $119 — a potentially cost-effective solution for weed removal in small yards. However, applying the wrong product, at the wrong time, in the wrong amount can damage your lawn or simply fail to work. Selective weeding requires experience — hiring a local weed control professional ensures effective and safe removal, and lawn care professionals also know how to treat recurring infestations and prevent future weed growth, helping you maintain a healthier, more attractive lawn long-term.

Answer:

Timing your fertilizer applications to Massachusetts' distinct seasons is the single biggest factor in getting a thick, green lawn. Because the state's climate supports cool-season grasses — like Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, and perennial ryegrass — the fertilization window follows a rhythm that's very different from warmer states. Here's what local lawn care professionals recommend.

🌱 Early Spring (Late March – Mid-April): Wake the Lawn Up Carefully

Resist the urge to fertilize the moment the snow melts. Lawn care experts advise resisting the urge to heavily fertilize as soon as spring arrives — applying too early can push leafy top growth before roots are ready, and actually invite more weeds than grass. Focus on cleanup, mower prep, and a soil test first.

☀️ Late Spring (May – Early June): First Main Application

May and June are the months recommended by the University of Massachusetts for spring fertilization. A single nitrogen application using 1 to 1.5 pounds of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer per 1,000 square feet is the target. A slow-release nitrogen fertilizer gives grass the nutrients it needs to grow strong coming out of winter.

🌞 Summer (June – August): Maintain, Don't Overload

Many homeowners skip summer fertilizing, but it's actually important for building reserves. Massachusetts summers can be very hot and dry, but your lawn still needs continued feedings — two applications from June through August help keep things maintained, and the grass stores those nutrients in its roots until cooler temperatures return.

🍂 Early Fall (Late August – September): The Most Important Window

This is the critical period for Massachusetts lawns. Fall is the ideal time for growing new grass — whether your lawn is well-established and just needs a touch-up, or is bare and needs a full makeover. The best fall plan is to fertilize when seeding, then again about 4–6 weeks out. Cool nights and still-warm soil create perfect conditions for root development before the ground freezes.

❄️ What to Avoid

Never fertilize during a drought or extreme heat without irrigation. And always stop fertilizing before the first hard frost — applying too late pushes tender new growth that won't survive winter.

How Many Times a Year Should You Fertilize in Massachusetts?

Many lawn care professionals in Massachusetts recommend fertilizing six times a year, with each application designed for a specific stage of the growing season — because Massachusetts weather changes fast, and lawns need consistent nutrients to keep up. A common professional schedule runs five feedings between spring and fall, beginning in mid-to-late April, with subsequent feedings every 6 to 8 weeks through October.

📅 Massachusetts Fertilization Schedule at a Glance

Molloy Lawn & Landscape takes the guesswork out of this entirely. Their Lawn Care Treatment Plan — starting at $278/season — covers five visits and seven applications timed specifically to the Massachusetts growing calendar, including weed control and soil testing. For homeowners who want a set-it-and-forget-it approach, their Standard Services Plan (starting at $297/month) bundles fertilization into a full-season program. Call them at (617) 333-6900 or visit molloylandscape.com to get a quote.

Answer:

The honest answer is that truly permanent weed elimination is rarely a one-and-done event — weeds are persistent, and new seeds blow in constantly. But the right combination of products and timing can get your lawn as close to weed-free as possible, season after season, without harming the grass. Here's how it works.

🎯 The Most Effective Solution: Selective Herbicides

The best way to kill weeds without harming your grass is to use a selective herbicide that specifically targets broadleaf weeds. It will kill the unwanted dandelions or thistles while leaving your turf alone.

The key word here is selective. Selective herbicides are specifically designed to target certain types of weeds while leaving others alone — some kill grassy weeds, while others kill broadleaf weeds. Non-selective herbicides are more powerful, but they will kill everything they touch, including your grass and other desirable plants. They are best for spot applications in places where you don't want any vegetation, such as the cracks in your sidewalk or driveway.

📅 Pre-Emergent vs. Post-Emergent: Know the Difference

These two types of herbicides work at completely different stages of the weed lifecycle — and using both together is what creates long-lasting control.

Pre-Emergent Herbicides — Stop weeds before they start Pre-emergent herbicides prevent weed seeds from sprouting by forming a barrier in the soil. This proactive approach needs to be timed correctly — applying the herbicide before temperatures rise and weeds begin growing again. In Massachusetts, this means applying in early spring before soil temperatures hit 55°F, which is when crabgrass and other problem weeds begin to germinate.

Post-Emergent Herbicides — Kill weeds already growing Post-emergent herbicides can be sprayed directly onto existing weeds, killing them and preventing them from recurring. For best results, these herbicides tend to be more effective when applied to actively growing weeds, as weeds are more susceptible under these conditions than when dormant.

🌿 Common Massachusetts Lawn Weeds & What Targets Them

In Southeastern Massachusetts, some of the most common broadleaf weeds found in lawns include dandelions, white clover, plantain, and speedwells — each competing with your grass for nutrients. Broadleaf weed control post-emergent herbicides are specifically designed to target these weeds without harming fescue or bluegrass, and can be applied multiple times if weeds reappear.

For crabgrass specifically, a pre-emergent applied in early spring before seeds germinate will prevent seeds from sprouting. If crabgrass does appear, a post-emergent herbicide specifically designed to target this weed can be used without harming fescue or bluegrass.

🌱 Why a Thick, Healthy Lawn Is Your Best Weed Defense

No herbicide program works in isolation. A dense, well-fertilized lawn is the most natural weed suppressor available — weeds struggle to take hold when grass fills in every bare patch. That's why weed control and fertilization are almost always paired together by professional lawn care companies.

⚠️ What to Avoid

Roundup / glyphosate on turf — this is a non-selective herbicide that will kill your grass along with the weeds

Vinegar or salt solutions — horticultural vinegar can partially kill many kinds of weeds, but it will also kill anything it touches to some degree — including desirable plants — so be careful

Applying herbicides in extreme heat — scorching summer temperatures stress both weeds and grass, reducing herbicide effectiveness and risking turf damage

🏡 Let the Pros Handle It in Massachusetts

Weed control is most effective when it's part of a structured, season-long program timed to your specific grass type and local growing conditions. Molloy Lawn & Landscape includes weed control as part of their Lawn Care Treatment Plan (starting at $278/season), which covers five visits, seven applications, soil testing, and season-long grub control — all calibrated for New England lawns. Call them at (617) 333-6900 or visit molloylandscape.com to learn more.

Costs depend on the scope of the project. After our consultation, we provide a detailed estimate tailored to your budget and needs.

Yes, we do. We offer professional mulching to refresh and protect garden beds, sod installation to give you an instant healthy lawn, and fall cleanups to keep your property looking great and prepared for winter.

Absolutely. We manage commercial landscapes of all sizes from office parks and retail centers to multi-family properties with the same care and attention we give to our residential clients.

With over 60 years of experience, we combine time-tested expertise with a family-driven approach. Our clients stay with us because we’re reliable, responsive, and committed to making your property look its best year-round.