Middle Georgia’s growing season runs long. The combination of red clay soil, hot summers, and enough rainfall to keep things green means lawns and landscapes grow aggressively from March through November. Bermuda and centipede grass dominate the region, each with their own mowing schedules, fertilization needs, and disease risks. The clay soil creates its own problems: it compacts easily, drains poorly, and shifts enough to crack hardscape installations if not properly prepared. For homeowners across Macon, Warner Robins, and the surrounding counties, landscaping is not a luxury but a maintenance requirement, and the difference between a company that understands Middle Georgia soil conditions and one that does not shows up within the first season. The five companies below serve different parts of the region, were verified through their own business websites, and confirmed to be currently operating. They range from full-service landscape architecture firms to maintenance-focused operations, giving homeowners options at different price points and service levels. All were confirmed to maintain active operations as of [YEAR]. When choosing a landscaper, verify that they carry liability insurance and, for larger projects involving hardscape or irrigation, confirm they hold appropriate contractor credentials. Ask for references from projects completed in Middle Georgia’s clay soil specifically.
Irrigation is a critical consideration for Middle Georgia landscapes. Despite receiving approximately 45 inches of rain annually, the distribution is uneven: summer months can bring both severe thunderstorms and multi-week dry spells that stress lawns and plantings. A properly designed irrigation system is the difference between a lawn that survives and one that thrives. Many newer subdivisions in Warner Robins and Perry were built with irrigation stub-outs, making system installation straightforward, while older Macon properties may need more extensive planning. The region’s clay soil also creates specific grading and drainage challenges for hardscape projects like patios, retaining walls, and walkways, as water that does not drain properly will eventually undermine even well-built structures. Soil amendment with compost or expanded shale can dramatically improve clay soil structure over time, making it more workable and better drained for both plant health and hardscape stability.
1. T. Lake Environmental Design — East Dublin / Macon
T. Lake is a full-service landscape architecture, land planning, and landscape contracting firm headquartered in East Dublin with an additional location in Macon. They provide service throughout Middle Georgia and beyond, with projects ranging from Mississippi to South Carolina. The company is vertically integrated, offering everything from large-scale conceptual design and site permitting through construction, maintenance, and landscape enhancements. They employ professional business strategies including Six Sigma and LEAN methodologies. Their client base includes commercial, institutional, and residential properties.
Services: Landscape architecture and design, land planning, site permitting, landscape construction, landscape maintenance, irrigation, hardscape installation, commercial grounds management.
Address: East Dublin, GA (also Macon office)
Phone: Listed on website
Website: https://www.tlake.com
Hours: Mon-Fri, appointment based
2. D.I.M. Landscape — Forsyth / Macon / Warner Robins / Perry
D.I.M. Landscape is a professional landscaping company serving residential and commercial clients across Middle Georgia from Forsyth to Perry. They employ a full team of designers, project managers, and landscape technicians. The company maintains the athletic fields at Mercer University Baseball, which speaks to the precision of their turf management. They offer a broad service range from basic lawn maintenance to full landscape design, outdoor lighting, irrigation systems, and hardscape construction including outdoor living spaces.
Services: Lawn maintenance (mowing, edging, pruning, chemical care, mulching), landscape design and installation, sodding, flower bed design, tree and shrub installation, outdoor lighting, irrigation systems (spray and drip), hardscape construction, outdoor living spaces, athletic field maintenance.
Address: Middle Georgia (Forsyth to Perry service area)
Phone: Listed on website
Website: https://dimlandscape.com
Hours: Mon-Fri, appointment based
3. Paulk Landscaping — Cochran / Middle Georgia
Paulk Landscaping is headquartered in Cochran, Georgia, and is one of the largest landscape companies in Central Georgia despite being family-owned. Owners Casey and Matt Paulk bring formal education from the University of Georgia’s School of Landscape Architecture. The company offers a full range of landscape services including turf and lawn care, landscape design, and landscape maintenance. They are particularly well-known for their design-build services and also handle specialty landscaping including irrigation and landscape lighting.
Services: Landscape design-build, turf and lawn care, landscape maintenance, irrigation installation and repair, landscape lighting, specialty gardens, commercial and residential landscaping.
Address: Cochran, GA (serves Middle Georgia)
Phone: Listed on website
Website: https://paulklandscaping.com
Hours: Mon-Fri, appointment based
4. Cutting Edge Landscaping — Macon / Central Georgia
Cutting Edge Landscaping positions itself as one of Middle Georgia’s premier landscaping companies. They handle both residential and commercial properties throughout Central Georgia. The company offers full-service landscaping from initial planning through final installation and ongoing maintenance. They have worked alongside commercial contractors on large-scale projects and maintain a reputation for detail-oriented residential lawn care. Their service range covers design, installation, lawn maintenance, sprinkler systems, and landscape lighting.
Services: Landscape design and planning, landscape installation, lawn maintenance, sprinkler system installation and repair, landscape lighting, commercial landscaping, residential lawn care.
Address: Macon, GA (serves Central Georgia)
Phone: Listed on website
Website: https://cuttingedgelandscaping.org
Hours: Mon-Fri, appointment based
5. Southern Eco-Scapes — Macon / Milledgeville / Warner Robins
Southern Eco-Scapes is a locally owned and operated landscaping company serving the entire Middle Georgia area including Macon, Milledgeville, Gray, Forsyth, Eatonton, Greensboro, Byron, Fort Valley, Centerville, and Warner Robins. They specialize in residential property maintenance contracts that include weekly lawn mowing, plant maintenance, and premium landscape care. The company emphasizes personalized service and consistent quality across their accounts.
Services: Weekly lawn mowing, plant maintenance, landscape care, landscape design, seasonal color installation, mulching, edging, pruning, residential property maintenance contracts.
Address: Middle Georgia (serves Macon through Milledgeville corridor)
Phone: Listed on website
Website: https://southernecoscapes.com
Hours: Mon-Fri, appointment based
FAQ
How much does landscaping cost in Middle Georgia?
Basic weekly lawn mowing for a standard residential lot in the Macon area runs $30 to $60 per visit depending on lot size. Monthly maintenance packages that include mowing, edging, and blowing typically run $120 to $240. Full landscape design and installation projects vary widely: a basic foundation planting with shrubs and mulch might run $1,500 to $3,000, while a comprehensive landscape overhaul with hardscaping, lighting, and irrigation can run $10,000 to $30,000 or more. Sod installation for centipede or bermuda grass typically costs $0.50 to $1.00 per square foot installed. Irrigation system installation runs $2,500 to $5,000 for a typical residential lot. Tree removal or planting is usually quoted separately from landscape projects. When comparing landscaping estimates, ask whether the quote includes soil amendment (especially important in Middle Georgia’s clay soil), mulch, edging material, and a maintenance plan for the establishment period after planting.
What type of grass grows best in Middle Georgia?
Bermuda grass and centipede grass are the two dominant warm-season grasses in the region. Bermuda is more durable and handles traffic well, making it the standard choice for active yards and athletic fields, but it requires more maintenance including frequent mowing and fertilization. Centipede is lower maintenance and tolerates the acidic red clay soil well, but it does not handle heavy foot traffic as well as bermuda. Zoysia is a third option that provides a dense, carpet-like lawn but grows slowly and costs more to establish. Fescue and other cool-season grasses are not recommended for Middle Georgia’s heat. Overseeding bermuda lawns with ryegrass in October provides green color through the winter months when bermuda goes dormant and turns brown, though this is a cosmetic choice rather than a necessity.
When is the best time to plant or sod a lawn in Middle Georgia?
For warm-season grasses like bermuda, centipede, and zoysia, the ideal planting or sodding window is late April through June, when soil temperatures are consistently above 65 degrees and the grass has the full growing season ahead to establish roots. Fall sodding is possible but riskier because the grass has less time to root before winter dormancy. Avoid planting in the heat of July and August unless irrigation is readily available, as new sod can dry out quickly in Middle Georgia’s summer heat. For landscape plantings, fall (October through November) is actually the best time in this climate because cooler temperatures reduce transplant stress and winter rains help establish root systems before the stress of the following summer. Spring planting is the second-best option but requires careful watering through the first summer. Trees planted in Middle Georgia’s clay soil benefit from wider but shallower planting holes that encourage root spread, as roots tend to circle and girdle in the dense clay if the hole is too narrow. Mulching around new plantings with 2 to 3 inches of pine straw or hardwood mulch helps retain soil moisture during dry spells and moderates soil temperature swings that stress root systems. Avoid piling mulch against tree trunks (volcano mulching), which traps moisture against bark and promotes rot and disease.