How Much Does Lawn Fertilization and Weed Control Cost in 2026 for a Lush, Green Lawn?
Imagine stepping out on a sunny Saturday morning, coffee in hand, and being greeted by a lush, vibrant lawn that stretches perfectly from edge to edge — a testament to the care you’ve invested in it. If you’re Googling lawn care prices, you probably just want a straight answer. So let’s start there.
In Southeast Virginia, professional fertilization and weed control typically costs between $420 and $735 per year for a residential lawn. That covers a full-season program with seven treatments from early spring through late fall on a lawn between 4,000 and 11,000 square feet, which is the range most homes in our area fall into.
Think of this not just as an expense but as an investment in your property’s value. A well-maintained lawn can significantly boost curb appeal and, in turn, enhance property values. Additionally, the convenience of professional care saves you the time and hassle of doing it yourself, which could be seen as costing less than one dinner out per month.
That works out to roughly $60 to $105 per visit.
Here’s why most lawn care companies won’t put their prices on their website: they’re afraid you’ll see the number and leave. We think the opposite is true. You deserve to know what you’re getting into before you pick up the phone. We hate hidden fees as much as you do, and believe in transparency to build trust. If our pricing isn’t the right fit for you, that’s okay. We’d rather you make an informed decision than feel blindsided later.
So let’s break all of it down.
The Actual Numbers: What You’ll Pay Based on Your Lawn Size
Below, you’ll see our prices, what’s included, and why local conditions matter. Most homeowners in Hampton, Newport News, Chesapeake, Suffolk, York County, Smithfield, Carrollton, Portsmouth, and the surrounding areas have lawns between 4,000 and 11,000 square feet. Here’s what a complete 7-treatment annual program costs at Meadow Lawn and Pest based on lawn size:
Up to 4,000 sq ft — $59.97 per treatment / $419.79 per year
5,000–10,000 sq ft — $67.47–$97.47 per treatment / $472.29–$682.29 per year
11,000–15,000 sq ft — $104.97–$134.97 per treatment / $734.79–$944.79 per year
16,000–20,000 sq ft — $142.47–$164.97 per treatment / $997.29–$1,154.79 per year
21,000–25,000 sq ft — $172.47–$202.47 per treatment / $1,207.29–$1,417.29 per year
26,000–30,000 sq ft — $209.97–$239.97 per treatment / $1,469.79–$1,679.79 per year
31,000–35,000 sq ft — $247.47–$277.47 per treatment / $1,732.29–$1,942.29 per year
36,000 sq ft–1 acre — $284.97–$337.20 per treatment / $1,994.79–$2,360.40 per year
Over 1 acre — custom quote required
If you’re not sure how big your lawn is, don’t worry. We measure it using satellite imaging and on-site measurements during your free inspection. We only measure turf, not your driveway, patio, or flower beds, so you only pay for what we’re actually treating.
What Exactly Are You Paying For?
Price without context is meaningless. A $400 annual program could be a great deal or a terrible one depending on what’s included. Here’s what our 7-step program covers:
Pre-emergent weed control goes down in early spring to stop weeds before they ever break the surface. If you’ve got a Bermuda lawn, you’ll also get a fall pre-emergent application because Bermuda has different timing needs than Fescue.
Post-emergent treatments handle the weeds that show up throughout the growing season. No lawn is weed-free year-round, but consistent post-emergent treatments keep them under control.
Seasonal fertilization provides the nutrients your lawn needs at the right times. We use blends formulated for Virginia’s coastal climate, because what works in Ohio or North Carolina doesn’t necessarily work here.
Free retreats between your scheduled visits are included if weeds come back. This is not a marketing gimmick. Weeds don’t read calendars. If they show up between treatments, we come back and handle it at no extra charge. In fact, fewer than 8% of our lawns require a retreat, demonstrating the effectiveness of our service and reinforcing your confidence. Our goal is to deliver a lush, healthy lawn with minimal disruptions.
A free soil test before we start, so we know what your soil needs. This is one of the most overlooked steps in lawn care. Without a soil test, you’re guessing, and guessing with fertilizer is how people end up with patchy, underperforming lawns while spending the same money.
A detailed lawn inspection to assess your grass type, identify problem areas, and build a treatment plan specific to your lawn, not a generic template.
And every treatment is applied by VDACS-registered technicians, with multiple team members holding Certified Turf Professional credentials through Virginia Tech’s CTP program.
What Can Make Your Price Go Up (Or Down)
Your base price is driven by lawn size, but a few other factors can affect your total investment in lawn care. Let’s talk about them. To help you self-assess whether additional services might benefit your lawn, consider these questions: Do you see more than 30% bare spots in your lawn? Are there persistent weed problems that seem unaffected by regular treatments? If you find yourself answering ‘yes,’ it might be time to explore extra services tailored to your lawn’s unique needs.
Your grass type matters. Fescue and Bermuda have different nutritional needs and treatment timing. Fescue is common in shadier Virginia yards; Bermuda thrives in full sun. Your quote reflects which grass you have, and sometimes a lawn has both, which adds complexity.
Your lawn’s current condition plays a role. If your lawn is in rough shape with heavy weed infestation, large bare patches, or compacted soil, you may benefit from additional services beyond the standard program. We identify all of this during the free inspection so you know exactly what you’re dealing with before we start.
Pest problems can undermine everything else. Grubs, chinch bugs, and other lawn pests can destroy even a perfectly fertilized lawn. If our inspection turns up pest issues, we’ll quote that separately. We won’t just fold it into your bill without telling you.
Aeration and overseeding is the big one people overlook. Virginia’s clay-heavy soil compacts over time, which chokes out water and nutrients before they reach your grass roots. Core aeration and overseeding runs $279.99 for an average-sized lawn and can dramatically improve your results, especially for fescue lawns in the fall. This is optional, but if your lawn has compacted soil, fertilizer alone won’t fix the real problem.
The Hidden Cost Trap: Why ‘Cheap’ Programs Often Aren’t
Some companies advertise low per-treatment prices but only include four or five treatments a year. In Southeast Virginia, with our long growing season, high humidity, and aggressive weed pressure, that’s not enough. Imagine your lawn looking decent in April only to be overrun by weeds by June. That vision of a yard overtaken by unwanted growth can turn a seemingly good deal into a homeowner’s nightmare. Taking action now can prevent this from happening and keep your lawn lush and healthy. Your choice of a comprehensive seven-step plan ensures consistent care that adapts to our challenging conditions.
Others charge $50 to $75 every time they come back for a service call between scheduled visits. That “affordable” program quietly becomes hundreds of dollars more expensive than you budgeted.
Many don’t include a soil test or a real lawn inspection. Without that baseline data, they’re applying the same generic program to every lawn on the street, which is like a doctor prescribing medication without running any tests first.
We’re not saying every competitor is doing it wrong. But we are saying you should ask these questions before you sign up with anyone, including us: How many treatments per year? Are retreats included or extra? Do you soil test? Are your technicians certified? Get clear answers, and you’ll make a much better decision.
Here’s something we wish every homeowner knew before signing up for the lowest bid: a lot of what looks like a deal isn’t.
Why Southeast Virginia Lawns Are Different
After Hurricane Isabel, Mark in Chesapeake saw his Bermuda lawn overrun with salt-loving weeds, a challenge that tested the resilience of his grass and required specialized care. If you’ve ever talked to someone from the Midwest or New England about lawn care and thought that doesn’t sound like what I’m dealing with, you’re right. Hampton Roads faces a unique set of challenges.
We sit in the transition zone, which means we deal with both warm-season and cool-season grass types and the climate stress that comes with both. Our coastal location adds high humidity, occasional salt exposure, and weather patterns that can shift rapidly. A treatment timed for a national calendar might completely miss the window for our area.
We’ve spent nearly two decades learning what works in this part of Virginia. That experience shows up in treatment timing based on actual soil temperatures here, product selection that accounts for our humidity and summer heat stress, and weed control strategies targeting the invasive species that are actually common in Hampton Roads, not just whatever is in a generic spray mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the first treatment cost? New customers pay $19.97 for the first treatment on lawns up to 30,000 square feet. That includes a free soil test and a full lawn inspection. It’s designed to let you experience what we do before committing to a full season.
Can I pay per treatment? Yes. Most of our customers actually pay as they go, per treatment. You don’t have to pay for the full season upfront.
Are there any hidden fees? No. The prices above include all seven treatments and unlimited free retreats. The only additional costs would come from optional services you choose — like aeration and seeding, grub control, or specialty weed treatments for things like Dallis Grass or Sedge. And we always give you pricing before we do any additional work.
What if I’m not satisfied? We retreat affected areas at no charge. If problems persist, we dig deeper to find the real cause — whether that’s irrigation issues, soil compaction, or pests. We don’t just throw another application at it and hope for the best.
When should I start treatments in 2026? Ideally, late February or early March before soil temperatures reach 55°F. Historically, this occurs around March 10-15, making it crucial to get pre-emergent down to stop spring weeds before they germinate. Reaching out in January or February to get on the schedule is the smart move.
Do you offer discounts for larger properties? Properties over one acre get custom pricing based on their specific conditions and access. We also offer multi-service discounts if you combine lawn care with pest control.
The Bottom Line
Professional lawn fertilization and weed control in Southeast Virginia costs most homeowners between $420 and $735 a year for seven treatments, with free retreats and a soil test included. Your final price depends on lawn size, grass type, and current condition.
We know that’s real money. You deserve to know exactly where it goes before you spend it. Whether you end up working with us or someone else, we hope this information helps you make the right choice for your lawn and your budget. Ready to take the next step toward a greener lawn? Call our office at 757-238-8901 now for a free inspection and your first treatment at only $19.97. No pressure. No surprises. Just the truth about what your lawn needs.
If you want to see what we’d recommend for your specific lawn, we’ll come out, inspect it, test your soil, and give you a clear price — all at no cost. And your first treatment is just $19.97.
No pressure. No surprises. Just the truth about what your lawn needs.