Professional lawn mowing in Rochester costs $16 to $72, with the city average at around $38. Regular mowing helps keep your lawn in good shape and on par with the rest of your surroundings.
From Lincolnshire to Crimson Ridge, mowing stimulates your grass to grow thicker and taller. Let’s discuss the cost of mowing your Rochester lawn and the factors that affect it.
Table of Contents:
- Average Lawn Mowing Cost
- Lawn Mowing Cost Estimator by Size
- Other Factors That Affect Cost
- Related Services
- DIY vs. Professional Mowing Cost
- Cost by Location
- FAQs
- Hire a Pro for Mowing Your Lawn
Average Lawn Mowing Cost
| City Average Cost (Per Visit) | $38 |
| Typical Price Range (Per Visit) | $16 – $72 |
| Extreme Low Cost | $12 |
| Extreme High Cost | $85 |
Keeping your Rochester lawn in good shape doesn’t cost a fortune. The average cost of mowing a lawn in Rochester is around $38, but expect to spend between $16 and $72, depending on various factors, such as:
- Size of your lawn
- Grass type
- Lawn shape and accessibility
- Lawn health
Lawn Mowing Cost Estimator by Size
The size of your lawn plays a crucial role in determining the mowing cost. For an average-sized home with a yard of 11,000 square feet, the cost of mowing ranges from $20 to $33.
Even if your backyard is less than 5,000 square feet, most landscapers will still charge you a minimum fee of $22 to cover travel expenses and time.
Here’s a table with the mowing cost for different lawn sizes:
| Lawn Size | Average Overall Cost |
| ⅛-acre lawn (5,445 sq. ft.) | $16 – $20 |
| ¼-acre lawn (10,890 sq. ft.) | $20 – $33 |
| ½-acre lawn (21,780 sq. ft.) | $33 – $45 |
| ¾-acre lawn (32,670 sq. ft.) | $45 – $58 |
| 1-acre lawn (43,560 sq. ft.) | $58 – $72 |
Other Factors That Affect Cost
Besides the size of your lawn, here are other factors that affect cost:
Grass Type
Rochester’s warm summers and cold winters are ideal for cool-season grasses (you can read a detailed guide on the best grasses for Minnesota to get an idea of their features and maintenance needs). Cool-season grasses need weekly mowing from spring to fall, though they may stop growing if temperatures rise above 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, each grass type has different growth patterns, thickness, and maintenance, all of which affect the mowing cost. Here’s how grass type affects mowing frequency:
| Grass Type | Mowing Frequency |
| Kentucky bluegrass | Moderate |
| Fine fescue | Low |
| Tall fescue | High |
| Perennial ryegrass | Low/moderate (depending on mowing height) |
Grass Height
Longer grasses take more time and effort to mow. Most landscapers charge extra if your grass is over 12 inches because excess grass clippings can clog the mower and require additional labor for cleanup. Here’s the ideal mowing height for the common grasses in Rochester:
| Grass Type | Mowing Height (Inches) |
| Kentucky bluegrass | 2 – 3 |
| Fine fescue | 1 – 3 |
| Tall fescue | 1.5 – 3 |
| Perennial ryegrass | 1.5 – 2.5 |
Lawn Shape and Accessibility
Mowing sloped or uneven lawns is difficult. If your lawn has challenging terrain or is surrounded by obstacles like flower beds or trees, it’ll cost more to mow.
Lawn Health
A healthy lawn is easier to mow. On the other hand, mowing a lawn with diseases, pest infestations, and nutrient deficiencies is more expensive because it demands additional care.
Cost of Labor
Landscaping companies in Rochester usually charge a flat fee of $16 to $72. However, some charge an hourly labor rate of $32 to $68, depending on the size, shape, and condition of your yard.
Related Services
There’s more to keeping your lawn vibrant and healthy than mowing. Here are other services to transform your backyard from ordinary to extraordinary:
Edging
Edging, also known as curbing, refers to creating an attractive boundary between your grass and flower beds, sidewalk, driveway, or any section of your lawn. It enhances curb appeal, keeps mulch in place, and prevents weeds. Most Rochester landscapers edge for free. However, if you want to install edging, expect to spend between $3 and $5 per linear foot.
Trimming
Trimming trees and shrubs, besides grass, is necessary to keep your lawn looking its best. Pruning enhances appearance, stimulates new growth, and prevents the disease from spreading to healthy parts of the tree or shrub.
Professional tree pruning in Rochester costs around $486, depending on the number of trees and their condition. Dead trees and stumps can spoil the appearance of your otherwise beautiful backyard. Removing dead trees costs around $752, while stump removal can set you back $296.
Professional shrub trimming costs about $375, depending on the number of shrubs and their condition.
Leaf Removal
Fall in Rochester is lovely, with a pleasant climate and beautiful foliage. However, trees shed their leaves excessively, and removing them is necessary to keep your grass healthy and attractive. A thick layer of leaves blocks sunlight, air, water, and other nutrients from reaching your turf. It also attracts pests and lawn diseases.
Landscapers in Rochester usually include leaf removal in their lawn care packages. However, if there are too many leaves, expect professional leaf removal to cost about $300. You can also rake leaves yourself.
Aeration
Aeration allows air, water, and other nutrients to reach the roots easily by creating holes. If your soil is compacted, you should aerate your lawn for healthy grass growth. Lawn aeration in Rochester costs $39 to $86.
Dethatching
Thatch is a layer of living and dead plant material that settles between the grass and soil. It’s an organic fertilizer for your turf if it’s within the limit. However, if it’s too much, it attracts pests and diseases and prevents nutrients from reaching the soil.
Most lawn care professionals will dethatch your lawn when mowing, so it won’t cost you any extra. However, if they charge you for dethatching, expect to spend between $28 and $140, depending on the size of your lawn.
Fertilization
Fertilizer gives your lawn the nutrients it needs to grow green and healthy. The average cost of fertilizing your Rochester lawn is $290. However, it can vary depending on the type of fertilizer and size of your yard.
You should fertilize your lawn two to four times a year to keep it in good shape. Since this task isn’t frequently occurring, you can DIY and save some money (see our fertilization guide for step-by-step instructions). Make sure to test the soil and use a spreader to apply fertilizer.
Overseeding
If your lawn is thin or has bare spots, overseeding the grass can help. It’s sprinkling grass seeds over an existing lawn. Overseeding costs $490 to $1,250, depending on the size of your yard.
Late summer to early fall is the best time to plant grass seed or overseed in Rochester.
Sod Installation
Sod is pre-grown grass that is installed on prepared soil for instant coverage. If your lawn has many bare spots or is severely affected by pests or disease, installing sod can be an excellent choice. However, installing sod in Rochester can set you back $1,075.08 to $4,880.35 or even more, depending on the size of your lawn.
If you DIY, you can save a lot on labor, but it takes a lot of time and effort.
Weeding
Weeds are invasive plants that compete with your grass and deprive it of sunlight and other nutrients. We recommend hand-pulling weeds as soon as they show up. However, if you didn’t and there are too many of them, expect to spend between $51 and $385 for professional removal.
Pest Control
Pests can wreak havoc on your lawn if you don’t get rid of them on time. The cost to eliminate pests can vary significantly depending on the type and severity of the infestation. Most homeowners rely on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to prevent pests and combat existing infestations.
Yard Cleanup
If your lawn is cluttered with fallen leaves, branches, and other debris, a yard cleanup service can help. Pros charge between $46 and $143, depending on the size of your yard and the cleanup service required.
Sprinkler System Installation
Proper watering is crucial for a lush, green lawn. Installing an automated sprinkler system gives your lawn the right amount of water at the right time. The cost of installing a sprinkler system ranges from $1,430 to $4,691.
DIY vs. Professional Mowing Cost
Lawn mowing is a time-consuming and tiring task that’s best left to the pros. However, if you want to save some money or enjoy working outdoors, you can DIY. You can rent a lawn mower from your local home improvement store, but we recommend purchasing one because mowing is a recurring task, and you’ll save more in the long run by buying a mower.
Here are the prices of different lawn mowers:
| DIY Equipment | Price Range |
| Electric push mower (corded and battery-powered) | $108 – $836 |
| Gas push mower | $188 – $431 |
| Zero-turn mower | $2,750 – $9,912 |
| Mulching mower | $130 – $2,198 |
| Robot mower | $665 – $17,042 |
| Riding mower | $1,108 – $4,755 |
If you want your lawn to look its best, you’ll also need a trimmer to edge your yard. Here’s a detailed guide on the best trimmers to buy.
The cost of lawn mowing in Rochester ranges from $16 to $72, while if you DIY, expect to spend about $285 to purchase an average gas push mower and $50 for an edger. DIY mowing is more affordable but requires a lot of time and effort.
Cost by Location
Rochester is a large city, and the cost of mowing can vary depending on the neighborhood. If you’re close to downtown, expect the labor costs to be higher. The price will be lower in city outskirts like Millie Meadows and Windermere Woods.
FAQs
How often should I mow my lawn?
We recommend mowing your lawn once a week during the growing season. Avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass when it’s actively growing to prevent damaging the stems.
How fast does grass grow after mowing?
During the growing season, the grass grows about an inch a year. However, the growth rate can vary depending on the growth type.
What does a mowing service include?
Lawn mowing service typically includes edging around borders, leaf cleanup, and dethatching. Double-check your contract to ensure it covers everything you want to be done.
Hire a Pro for Mowing Your Lawn
Regular mowing helps keep your lawn in good shape. LawnStarter lawn pros in Rochester charge about $38 for mowing, with most homeowners paying $16 to $72.
Note: LawnStarter may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.
Main Photo Credit: ungvar / Adobe Stock Free / License
