Growing Central Florida
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Quick answer: Most Orlando homeowners spend between $3,000 and $25,000 on landscaping, depending on scope. Routine lawn care runs about $35 to $65 per mow or $1,500 to $3,500 a year for a full program. A new sprinkler system runs $2,500 to $5,500, St. Augustine sod installation $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot, and a paver patio or pool deck $15 to $30 per square foot. Planting and bed work runs $2,000 to $8,000. Fully designed yards reach $30,000 and up. Free written estimates: (407) 863-3647.
Landscaping costs around Orlando swing widely because the work does too. A biweekly mow on a flat Orange County lot is a different budget than a designed backyard with a paver pool deck, new irrigation, and tropical planting beds. This guide breaks down real 2026 price ranges for the five things Orlando homeowners ask about most: lawn care, irrigation, sod installation, landscape design and planting, and hardscape. We serve the whole Central Florida metro, from Winter Park and Winter Garden to Kissimmee, Apopka, and Oviedo, and the ranges below reflect what local homeowners actually pay.
Orlando Landscaping Cost Overview
Here is the quick picture by category before we dig into each one:
| Service | Typical Orlando Range |
|---|---|
| Lawn mowing | $35–$65 / visit |
| Full-season lawn care program | $1,500–$3,500 / year |
| New sprinkler system | $2,500–$5,500 |
| St. Augustine sod installation | $1.50–$3.00 / sq ft |
| Planting and bed installation | $2,000–$8,000 |
| Paver patio or pool deck | $15–$30 / sq ft |
Lawn Care Costs in Orlando
Orlando lawns are warm-season grasses, mostly St. Augustine (Floratam is the local favorite), with some Bahia, Zoysia, and Bermuda. Because the growing season runs year-round here, mowing never fully stops, though it slows to biweekly in the cooler months. Most homeowners pay $35 to $65 per visit, with larger Winter Garden and Oviedo lots landing higher. A full-season program that bundles mowing, fertilization, weed control, and pest treatment typically runs $1,500 to $3,500 a year. Chinch bugs and fungus are the big threats to St. Augustine, so pest and disease control matter more here than mowing alone.
| Lawn Service | Typical Orlando Range |
|---|---|
| Mowing (weekly or biweekly) | $35–$65 / visit |
| Fertilization and weed control (per visit) | $60–$120 |
| Chinch bug and fungus treatment | $75–$200 |
| Cleanup and bed refresh | $200–$500 |
Orlando’s sandy soil drains fast and holds little fertility, so steady feeding keeps St. Augustine thick and green. See our Orlando lawn care service for details, or compare turf options in the grass and watering guide.
UF/IFAS Extension recommends mowing standard St. Augustine cultivars like Floratam at 3.5 to 4 inches and names the southern chinch bug its major insect pest, which is why pest treatment earns its own line in an Orlando lawn budget.
Irrigation and Sprinkler Costs in Orlando
In Central Florida’s sandy soil, a working sprinkler system is essential year-round, even with our heavy summer storms, because sand dries out fast between rains. A new system for a typical lot runs $2,500 to $5,500, usually $450 to $800 per zone, with six to eight zones on an average property. Florida law requires a working rain sensor or shutoff, and the St. Johns River Water Management District sets watering-day restrictions, so a smart controller that follows the schedule is worth the upgrade. Many Orlando neighborhoods also offer lower-cost reclaimed water for irrigation.
| Irrigation Service | Typical Orlando Range |
|---|---|
| New sprinkler system (6–8 zones) | $2,500–$5,500 |
| Drip irrigation for beds | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Rain sensor or shutoff (code required) | $75–$200 |
| Smart controller upgrade | $200–$500 |
| Repairs and zone adjustments | $100–$400 |
A properly zoned system on the district schedule is the best way to keep a Florida lawn healthy without wasting water. Learn more about our Orlando irrigation and sprinkler service.
As of July 2026, the St. Johns River Water Management District has a Phase III Extreme Water Shortage order in effect (Order 2026-017), limiting irrigation to one day per week, Saturday for odd-numbered addresses and Sunday for even, with no watering between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and no more than three-quarters of an inch per zone. Under a schedule that tight, dialed-in zones and a smart controller stop being upgrades and start being how the lawn survives.
Sod Installation Costs in Orlando
When a lawn thins from shade, pests, or wear, full sod installation is the fix, and St. Augustine is the standard choice. Orlando’s sandy soil usually needs grading and a starter topdressing first. Installed St. Augustine sod runs $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot, including prep; the material alone is $0.40 to $0.75. A 2,000-square-foot front yard typically lands between $3,000 and $6,000 installed.
| Installation Service | Typical Orlando Range |
|---|---|
| St. Augustine sod, installed | $1.50–$3.00 / sq ft |
| Zoysia or Bahia sod, installed | $1.75–$3.50 / sq ft |
| Grading and topdressing | $0.50–$1.25 / sq ft |
| Mulch and bed installation | $60–$120 / cu yd installed |
Matching the grass to the light is everything in Florida, since St. Augustine handles partial shade better than Bahia or Bermuda. Plan a full yard with our Orlando landscape design service.
Landscape Design and Planting Costs in Orlando
Central Florida’s climate lets you plant tropical and subtropical material that would never survive up north, from palms and crotons to bougainvillea and firebush. A full front-yard refresh with beds, plants, and mulch runs $2,000 to $8,000, while a complete designed landscape with trees, palms, and lighting runs well into five figures. Florida-Friendly plant choices cut water use and upkeep, and grouping plants by water need keeps the irrigation bill down.
| Design and Planting Service | Typical Orlando Range |
|---|---|
| Front-yard bed refresh with plants | $2,000–$8,000 |
| Palm installation (per palm, installed) | $150–$1,500 |
| Shade or accent tree, installed | $250–$1,200 |
| Landscape lighting | $2,000–$6,000 |
A good design balances tropical look with Florida-Friendly upkeep so the yard stays sharp through summer storms and dry springs. Start a plan with our Orlando landscape design service.
Hardscape Costs in Orlando
Hardscape, which means patios, pool decks, walkways, and outdoor kitchens, is where Orlando landscaping budgets climb the most, and pavers are the local favorite for pool surrounds. A paver patio or pool deck runs $15 to $30 per square foot installed; poured concrete is cheaper at $8 to $18, and travertine is higher at $20 to $40. Summer kitchens and fire features push a backyard well into five figures.
| Hardscape Feature | Typical Orlando Range |
|---|---|
| Paver patio or pool deck | $15–$30 / sq ft |
| Concrete patio | $8–$18 / sq ft |
| Travertine deck | $20–$40 / sq ft |
| Retaining or seat wall | $30–$60 / sq ft of face |
| Outdoor kitchen | $5,000–$20,000 |
Solid base prep and proper drainage matter even on flat sandy lots, where shifting sand can settle a poorly built patio. See our Orlando hardscaping service for materials and design options.
What Drives Landscaping Cost in Orlando
Several local factors push a project up or down the range. Sandy soil drains fast and holds little fertility, so lawns need steady feeding and beds need amendment and mulch. Year-round growth means more mowing and trimming visits than colder climates. Pest and disease pressure from chinch bugs and fungus makes a treatment program valuable on St. Augustine lawns. Water restrictions from the St. Johns River Water Management District shape irrigation design and scheduling. And in newer communities like Lake Nona, Winter Garden, and Horizon West, HOA landscape standards can dictate plant material, lawn condition, and upkeep that affect the bill.
Feeding is also regulated: Orange County bans nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer from June 1 through September 30, so full-season programs concentrate feeding in spring and fall.
Best Time to Landscape in Orlando
Orlando’s warm climate lets work happen nearly year-round, but timing still matters. Spring and early summer are best for new sod and warm-season planting, when grass roots fastest. Fall and winter, our dry season, are ideal for hardscape, irrigation, and tree work, and for planting cold-hardy material before the next growing season. Mowing and bed upkeep continue all year. Booking the dry season often locks in better scheduling before the spring rush.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does landscaping cost in Orlando?
Most Orlando homeowners spend between $3,000 and $25,000 depending on scope. Simple lawn care and cleanups sit at the low end, while designed yards with a paver pool deck, irrigation, and tropical planting reach $30,000 and up. We provide free written estimates so you see each line item.
How much does lawn mowing cost in Orlando?
$35 to $65 per visit is the going rate for mowing a standard Orlando lot. Crews come weekly in the growing season and biweekly in cooler months. A full-season program that adds fertilization, weed control, and pest treatment runs about $1,500 to $3,500 a year.
How much does a sprinkler system cost in Orlando?
$450 to $800 per zone is the working number for a new Orlando sprinkler system. An average lot lands at $2,500 to $5,500 total. Florida code requires a working rain sensor on every system, and many Orlando-area neighborhoods offer lower-cost reclaimed water for irrigation, which trims the monthly bill.
How much does St. Augustine sod cost in Orlando?
$1.50 to $3.00 per square foot covers installed St. Augustine sod in Orlando, soil prep included. A 2,000-square-foot front yard usually lands between $3,000 and $6,000. Grading and topdressing Central Florida’s sandy soil is the main cost driver, since sand needs building up before sod can root well.
How much does a paver patio or pool deck cost in Orlando?
$15 to $30 per square foot buys an installed paver patio or pool deck in Orlando. Poured concrete runs less at $8 to $18, and travertine runs more at $20 to $40 per square foot. Solid base prep in sandy soil is essential to keep pavers from settling.
What grass grows best in Orlando?
St. Augustine, especially Floratam, is the most popular lawn grass in Orlando. It earns that spot by handling Central Florida heat and partial shade. Zoysia, Bahia, and Bermuda also work here: Bahia suits large low-maintenance lots, while Zoysia delivers a finer look on sandy soil.
What is the best time to landscape in Orlando?
Spring and early summer are the best window for sod and warm-season planting in Orlando. The dry fall and winter months are ideal for hardscape, irrigation, and tree work. Mowing and bed upkeep never stop in Central Florida, so the warm-season market runs 12 months a year.
Why does Orlando’s sandy soil affect landscaping cost?
Sandy soil drains fast and holds little fertility or water, so every Orlando yard needs ongoing input. Lawns need steady feeding, beds need amendment and mulch, and irrigation runs more often than on heavier soils. Those recurring line items are built into any realistic Central Florida landscape budget.
Do you serve Orlando suburbs like Winter Park, Winter Garden, Kissimmee, Apopka, and Oviedo?
Yes, all 5 of those suburbs are inside our regular Orlando service area. We serve homeowners across the Central Florida metro, including Winter Park, Winter Garden, Kissimmee, Apopka, and Oviedo. Every location gets the same pricing and the same free written estimates as homes inside the city.
Are landscaping estimates free?
Yes, every estimate is free, written, and itemized, with zero obligation attached. The line-item pricing lets you compare options before committing a dollar. Call (407) 863-3647 to schedule a visit anywhere in the Orlando area, and the written quote arrives with no strings on it.
Plan Your Orlando Project
How can I improve curb appeal on a budget in Orlando?
Concentrate spending where it shows: a refreshed bed line, fresh mulch, and two or three anchor plants near the entry change more than scattered upgrades. Choose Florida-Friendly plants that handle sandy soil without constant irrigation, and phase larger work. Free written estimates itemize each piece so you can stage the project by budget.