Frequently Asked Questions

We serve Bloomington, Normal, Peoria, and Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, along with the surrounding communities, for both residential and commercial properties.

Yes. We handle mowing, fertilization, and weed control as well as landscape design, hardscaping, patios, retaining walls, and irrigation systems, all under one company.

Most Bloomington-area lawns need mowing every 7 to 10 days during peak growing season (typically April through October).

Routine residential mowing typically runs $35 to $75 per visit, and full-service lawn care (mowing, fertilization, and weed control) usually falls between $100 and $300 per month. Exact pricing depends on your lawn's size and condition. Call F&W Lawn Care & Landscaping for a free quote.

Smaller projects like bed refreshes start around a few hundred dollars, while full hardscape builds (patios, retaining walls, outdoor living spaces) typically run $3,000 to $15,000 or more. We provide free estimates based on your specific project.

We offer both. Many customers choose a season-long mowing and fertilization plan, while others bring us in for specific projects like a spring clean-up, a fall aeration, or a one-time landscaping build.

Spring and early summer are our busiest seasons for landscaping builds, so booking a few weeks ahead helps secure your preferred timeline, especially for larger patio, retaining wall, or outdoor living projects.

A typical Illinois lawn care schedule starts with a spring clean up and pre-emergent application in April, followed by regular mowing and fertilizer rounds every 6 to 8 weeks through summer. Fall brings aeration, overseeding, and a final fertilizer round to strengthen roots, and the season wraps up with a clean up and irrigation shutdown before winter.

Hardscaping, such as retaining walls, patios, and driveways, is usually the most expensive part of a landscaping project because of the materials and labor involved. Large trees, irrigation systems, and lighting installations also add significant cost, while plants, mulch, and seasonal color tend to be the more affordable pieces.

The 1/3 rule means never cutting off more than one third of the grass blade's height in a single mow. Removing more than that stresses the lawn and weakens the root system, so it is better to mow more often during fast growth periods than to let grass get tall and scalp it down all at once.

Fall is the best window for core aeration in McLean County. Cool season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue recover fastest when the soil is still warm but air temperatures have started to drop, typically September through October. Aerating at this time also sets up fall seeding for stronger root development before winter.

Early to mid-September through early October is the ideal seeding window for Bloomington area lawns. Warm soil and cooler nights help seed germinate quickly, and the new grass gets several weeks to establish before winter dormancy sets in.

Illinois doesn't issue a general landscaping license, but some parts of the work are regulated. Companies that apply fertilizer with weed control or other pesticides need a commercial applicator license from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and many cities require permits or registered contractors for things like irrigation tie-ins, retaining walls and electrical work. When you hire a landscaper, ask about licensing for the specific services you need and proof of insurance.

For most homeowners, yes. Professional crews have the equipment and experience to do the job right the first time, which matters most for patios, walls and drainage that are expensive to redo. Routine services like mowing, fertilization and clean-ups give you back your weekends, and a well-kept landscape adds curb appeal and value when it's time to sell. A free quote lets you compare the cost against doing it yourself.