When your South Carolina lawn doesn’t exude Southern charm, it’s time to call in the pros. Hand your dying lawn over to a lawn care company so you can relax with some sweet tea in hand. Can TruGreen bring your Columbia lawn back to its former beauty?
We did the research for you so you can make the best decision for your yard. In this TruGreen Columbia review, we cover everything you need to know about your local branch. Though LawnStarter has an affiliate relationship with TruGreen, this TruGreen lawn care review is fair and unbiased.
If you’re fighting a losing battle with your lawn, TruGreen might have the solution. Equipped with more than 45 years of experience, TruGreen serves residential and commercial properties with science-based lawn care. Let’s take a closer look at what TruGreen Columbia can do for your lawn’s health and curb appeal.
Table of Contents:
- Overview
- Treatment Plans
- How it Works
- Other Services
- How to Order
- Customer Reviews
- Benefits of Lawn Care Services
- Highlights
- Final Word on TruGreen Columbia
- Buyers Guide to Choosing a Lawn Care Company
- FAQ About Lawn Care
- DIY Lawn Care
TruGreen Columbia At a Glance
TruGreen is a national lawn care company with a local branch in Columbia. Take a quick look at the popular lawn services TruGreen performs and those it doesn’t.
| Basic Lawn Treatments | |
| Fertilization | ✓ |
| Soil amendments | ✓ |
| Weed control | ✓ |
| Aeration | ✓ |
| Overseeding | ✓ |
| Planting grass seed for a new lawn | ✗ |
| Sod installation | ✗ |
| Mulching | ✗ |
| Lawn mowing | ✗ |
| FAQ | |
| Does TruGreen offer eco-friendly options? | ✓ |
| Does TruGreen serve commercial properties? | ✓ |
| Does TruGreen give instant quotes online? | ✓ |
| Does TruGreen have an online portal for scheduling, billing, etc? | ✓ |
TruGreen Lawn Care Plans
Lawn care isn’t a one-and-done process. TruGreen specializes in customized treatment plans to provide regular service when your lawn needs it most. Though the various plan options have different costs and application frequencies, all plans come with:
- Healthy Lawn Analysis: A TruGreen technician will evaluate lawn usage, climate, soil type, and grass type to customize the treatment plan to your lawn’s individual needs.
- Healthy Lawn Guarantee: Not satisfied with the treatment you just received? Call back, and TruGreen will resolve the problem at no extra charge.
- TruExpert Certified Specialists: TruGreen-certified specialists are trained to understand the science behind their work so they can care for your lawn with confidence.
We researched TruGreen’s lawn care plans in Columbia by entering local addresses into the company’s online ordering system. TruGreen recommended the following plans for Columbia lawns, and we’ve listed them below from most expensive to least expensive. Your first application will be 50% off, and you can choose to pay for the whole year at once or one treatment at a time.
- TruNatural Lawn Care Plan
- TruComplete Lawn Care Plan
- TruHealth Lawn Care Plan
- TruMaintenance Lawn Care Plan
If you don’t see the package plan you’re looking for, give your local TruGreen branch in Columbia a call.
TruNatural Lawn Care Plan
The TruNatural Lawn Care Plan improves the overall health of your lawn with eco-friendly, 100% natural fertilizer. Conventional weed control is available upon request at no additional charge.
TruComplete Lawn Care Plan
Are there soggy puddles on your lawn after every irrigation or rainfall? Does your turf have a thick layer of debris between it and the soil? It may be time to aerate your lawn to improve drainage and remove the debris layer (aka thatch).
The TruComplete Lawn Care Plan is the only TruGreen plan that covers aeration services. After the aeration treatment, your technician will determine whether your lawn would benefit from new grass seed.
- Aeration (plus overseeding if needed)
- Fertilization
- Pre-emergent and targeted weed control
- Lime soil amendment
TruHealth Lawn Care Plan
The TruHealth Lawn Care Plan offers protection, nutrient enrichment, and increased soil quality to keep your lawn looking fuller and greener. It comes with the following services:
- Fertilization
- Pre-emergent and targeted weed control
- Lime soil amendment
While this plan does not include aeration, it’s one of the more affordable options that offer basic but essential lawn care services.
TruMaintenance Lawn Care Plan
The TruMaintenance Lawn Care Plan is TruGreen’s most affordable annual package plan. This plan offers protection through weed control and slow-release fertilizers. It includes the following:
- Fertilization
- Pre-emergent and targeted weed control
Overview
| Service | TruNatural | TruComplete | TruHealth | TruMaintenance |
| Healthy Lawn Guarantee | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Healthy Lawn Analysis | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| TruGreen Certified Specialist | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fertilization | ✓(Organic) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Aeration | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Overseeding | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Lime Soil Amendments | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Weed Control | ✓(Available upon request) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Day of Lawn Care: What to Expect
Once you sign up for a lawn care plan with TruGreen, a technician will schedule your first service. You’ll receive notifications the day before and the day of the appointment through email, text, and push notifications if you have the mobile app. You’re not required to be home, but if you’d like to be, let TruGreen know ahead of time so the technician can schedule accordingly.
Before your first treatment:
- Download the TruGreen app to track the driver in real time.
- Unlock your gates.
- Bring pets and children inside.
When the technician arrives, they will:
- Perform one or more treatments depending on the plan(s) you’re signed up for.
After the appointment is over:
- Your technician will leave a service summary at your door or send it via text or email. It’s also available on TruGreen’s website and mobile app.
- Your technician will plant a TruGreen sign on your lawn.
- Wait an hour or two for liquid treatments to dry before letting your family and pets into the treated area.
- Water your lawn with 1 inch of water within 48 hours of the treatment to deliver nutrients to the roots.
- Complete a survey on the website or app to give feedback on your service and service provider.
Other TruGreen Services
Are grubs destroying your lawn? Try adding one of TruGreen’s popular services to an existing plan. You also can book these plans individually without an annual lawn care plan in place.
Keep in mind that TruGreen doesn’t offer lawn mowing. When you need someone to mow the lawn, turn to LawnStarter.
TruGreen recommended the following services for Columbia homes when we entered local addresses into its online ordering system. Don’t see the service you’re looking for in the list below? Call your local TruGreen for further options.
Mosquito Defense
TruGreen’s mosquito control program uses a science-based approach to limit these pesky insects from swarming your space. The treatment lasts about one month and you should start seeing results within 24 hours of application. The company’s experts advise that you wait for one to two hours after treatment to resume using any treated areas.
Tree and Shrub Care
As you tend to your lawn, don’t let the surrounding trees and shrubs fall too low on your list. TruGreen’s tree and shrub care includes fertilization (for enhanced growth and color) and protection against diseases, insects, and mites.
Fire Ant Control
The hot and humid climate in Columbia makes just the right conditions for fire ant problems. A TruGreen certified specialist will evaluate the scope of the issue and suggest either targeted granular bait for existing mounds or a broadcast treatment that will help prevent future infestations. This pest control service protects for up to one year.
Soil Amendment and Analysis
Is your yellow turf not responding to fertilizer? There may be a problem with the soil’s pH level. A TruGreen specialist will return your soil to the proper pH balance by applying the appropriate soil amendment over the lawn. The amendments will help your grass roots to absorb nutrients and grow healthier.
Grub Prevention & Control
TruGreen’s grub prevention and control services will help rescue your lawn if you’re grumbling over grubs in your soil. Your TruGreen technician will apply treatment before the egg hatching season and monitor for these larvae throughout the year.
Not sure if you have grubs? These pests eat grass roots, so if you can easily pull out chunks of turf, grubs may be the culprit. Slice three sides of a square into the ground with a shovel and pull back the sod flap to reveal small, white, curled-up beetle larvae.
How to Get an Instant Quote and Order Service Online
In a few clicks, you can get a quote from TruGreen directly. You’ll input the address you need service at, provide basic contact information, and select treatments you’re interested in.
Step 1: Go to TruGreen’s website. Select “See pricing” at the top right-hand corner.
Step 2: Pick all of the services you’d like for your lawn. Once you’ve selected all that apply, just hit “continue.”
Step 3: TruGreen will then ask for your property details, name, email, and phone number. It will apply the approximate square footage of your lawn to the service quote. TruGreen might get in touch with you after this step via phone call or email.
Step 4: You’ll be taken to a page with all the available services for your address. Check them out and click the boxes to the left to add them to your shopping cart.
Do you have a question about TruGreen’s services? Call your local branch in Columbia for more information.
TruGreen Lawn Care
120 Centrum Drive
Columbia, SC 29063
(803) 781-4870
Step 5: Next, you’ll be asked to enter your payment information. TruGreen accepts most major debit and credit cards.
Note: If TruGreen can’t calculate your lawn size, it will prompt you to use an aerial tool to measure your lawn using satellite imaging. Follow the tutorial and then outline your front yard, back yard, and side yards to receive your quote. Only outline treatable areas.
TruGreen Columbia Customer Reviews
Customer reviews are an important part of choosing a company, no matter what it is you’re looking for. That’s why we’ve put together some positive and negative reviews of TruGreen’s local branch in Columbia. See what real customers are saying about their lawn care so you make an informed decision.
Positive Review: “TruGreen has been treating our lawn for several years now, and it looks great every summer. So much simpler than remembering when to apply different treatments and weed protection — and doing so evenly — very worth the cost!” – Barbara S. (Google Reviews)
Positive Review: “This is my first time using TruGreen’s lawn service. They are punctual and friendly. I like the fact that I can call them after a lawn treatment if I still see weeds. The weeds in South Carolina are very resistant so I call TruGreen all the time. I really like the service that I’m receiving.” – Tonya A. (Yelp Reviews)
Negative Review: “When trying to talk to my local agent I was always directed to the corporate help desk. I was never able to talk to the person who was performing the service. Also, there was always a different technician servicing my property. And they never did an evaluation of my lawn before starting service, which they advertise as part of their services. I am extremely disappointed with TruGreen and am looking for another lawn care service. I rate them as a 0.” – Rick R. (Google Reviews)
Benefits of Lawn Care Services
Still on the fence about lawn care? Sometimes lawn care jargon like aeration and overseeding can sound like gibberish, but these treatments can have a big impact on your lawn’s health. Let’s take a look at how TruGreen’s services can boost your lawn.
Benefits of Fertilization
Fertilizer keeps your lawn healthy by supplementing the soil with the essential nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. When your soil is deficient in these nutrients, your turfgrass weakens and struggles to grow, causing it to become more susceptible to pests and disease damage.
Here’s what the three essential nutrients can do for your lawn’s health:
- Nitrogen gives your lawn its color and thickness
- Phosphorus aids in your lawn’s healthy root development
- Potassium strengthens the grass so it can resist stressors like heat and drought
Benefits of Aeration
Over time, the soil in your lawn compacts, making it difficult for your turf’s roots to receive water, air, and nutrients. Core aeration removes plugs of soil from the ground to relieve compaction and allow the good stuff to reach the roots.
Aeration also helps to:
- Improve root growth
- Reduce thatch, the buildup of organic matter over the soil. Too much thatch blocks air, water, and nutrients from reaching the soil and invites pests and diseases.
- Improve drainage
- Prepare the soil for overseeding
Benefits of Soil Amendments
We’ve covered why nutrients are important for soil, but pH balance should also be top of mind. Why? Because when soil pH is too low or too high, the grass roots are unable to uptake available nutrients.
Soil amendments help improve the physical nature of the soil, such as lime (raises pH, reduces acidity) and sulfur (lowers pH, increases acidity). By returning the pH to a balanced level between 6.0 and 7.0, your turf will have a much better chance for healthy growth.
Benefits of Weed Control
There’s more to weed control than just having an aesthetically pleasing lawn. Removing problematic weeds prevents disease and pests and increases valuable nutrients. Lawn care companies will typically offer chemical and manual weed control.
Benefits of Overseeding
Overseeding thickens up thin, patchy lawns. If your grass has been stressed recently by drought, pests, or diseases, add more grass seed to bring it back to its former glory. Don’t forget to address the original problem first––seeds can’t cure your lawn on their own.
TruGreen Highlights
TruGreen is a nationally acclaimed lawn care company that serves residents and businesses in the U.S. and Canada. It has over 300 branches and more than 2.3 million customers. TruGreen is a BBB-accredited business and is the official lawn care provider of the Professional Golf Tour.
Take a look at these other TruGreen highlights and see what sets them apart from lawn care companies in the area.
Decades of Experience
TruGreen was founded in 1973 under the name ChemLawn before changing to TruGreen in 1979. From there, it’s grown into a nationwide company serving homeowners and businesses. The company has had four decades to craft its lawn care plans and hone its science-based approach.
Recurring Plans
Are you the forgetful type who can’t remember what treatment you need to perform at what time of year? With TruGreen’s treatment plans, you won’t have to mark “fertilize lawn” or “aerate lawn” in your calendar. Choose a plan that covers everything you want, and TruGreen will get it done at the ideal time.
Mobile App
You already have apps for movies, banking, food, and pets on your phone. Why not add another for your lawn? With TruGreen’s app, you can:
- Manage account details
- Access billing
- Manage service requests
- Receive live service notifications
Trained Experts
Each TruGreen specialist completes the company’s rigorous TruExpert Certification Program to deliver tailored, science-based lawn care. The training program requires TruGreen specialists to receive annual recertification so that they can remain up-to-date on industry standards.
Final Word on TruGreen Columbia
Columbia’s local TruGreen branch offers custom plans at multiple price points along with stand-alone services. If you’re looking to improve your turf for a backyard barbecue, calling up TruGreen might be a good place to start. After all, you don’t want the mosquitoes to turn you into barbecue.
While we saw a range of reviews from happy and unhappy customers, the general consensus is that TruGreen is a trusted lawn care company with a science-based approach to lawn care. TruGreen’s experts are familiar with the local conditions and threats that lawns face in Columbia.
Looking for lawn mowing, edging, or trimming? LawnStarter connects you with local pros who will handle the job.
Buyers Guide to Choosing a Lawn Care Company
Everyone has their criteria for picking service companies to work with. If you’re struggling to decide on a company, here are some factors to consider.
Services Offered
Have you ever returned from the grocery store and realized you forgot a crucial ingredient? Don’t let that happen for lawn care services. Create a shopping list of everything your lawn needs and check which companies in your area provide them all.
Price
Good lawn care doesn’t have to break the bank. Companies like TruGreen offer treatments at various price points, but even then, you can shop around for the best deals. But buyer beware: the lowest price won’t always be the best (nor will the most expensive). Weigh both reviews and cost to get the most bang for your buck.
Company Size
Big companies usually have a wide range of services and service areas. Their large employee base means more availability and little to no customer waiting lists. However, some customers don’t like talking to a different representative every time they call or not recognizing the service worker treating their yard.
A small business may suit you better if you want a more personal touch. You can be proud of supporting a local lawn care company while getting to know someone else in the community–you might even know them already! Remember that the smaller the business, the more limited its resources likely are. They might not be able to cover all the services you need or schedule you immediately.
FAQ About Lawn Care
When Should I Fertilize My Lawn?
It depends on your grass type, but fertilizer works best when your grass is actively growing. Submit a soil sample to your local soil testing lab to see which nutrients your lawn is missing and how often you should fertilize.
Fertilize warm-season grasses after they green up in mid-spring or early summer. Cool-season grasses benefit most from fertilizer in fall.
Do I Need to Bag My Grass Clippings After I Mow?
It depends. Grass clippings have nutrients, and allowing them to stay on your lawn lets your lawn receive those healthy nutrients. You’ll also save time by leaving the clippings on your lawn since you won’t have to bag them.
On the other hand, if you notice any signs of lawn disease, you should bag those clippings so the disease doesn’t spread. You can also bag grass clippings if you simply don’t like how they look on your lawn.
What Are the Benefits of Having a Healthy Lawn?
Having a healthy lawn can have personal and environmental benefits. Some customers feel a sense of accomplishment while enjoying their dense lawn, which contributes to less stress and a boosted immune system. In addition, healthy lawns can reduce erosion and runoff, have a cooling effect, and increase oxygen generation.
How Often Should I Water My Lawn?
Most established lawns require 1 inch of water per week. Water your lawn once or twice a week, but no more. Here’s why:
Watering less often and for long periods encourages a deep and healthy root system. Watering too often and for short periods promotes a shallow and weak root system.
DIY Lawn Care
Prefer to do it yourself? Maintaining a healthy lawn can be a big feat but with the right resources and tools, it’s doable. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, make sure you clear a space for your supplies and invest in some quality equipment. Check out these resources on simple lawn care to get you started:
If DIY lawn care is a tall order for you, hiring a professional should put you at ease. You’ll have more time to soak up the sun at Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park instead of sweating in your lawn. Give your local TruGreen experts a call. And remember, if you’re on the lookout for mowing, trimming, and edging, LawnStarter is the best place to start.
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