When looking for outdoor services, many people confuse groundskeeping and landscaping. While both involve maintaining outdoor areas, the goals, tasks, and scope are different. Knowing the difference can help you choose the right service for your property, whether you’re a homeowner or managing a commercial space.
What Is Groundskeeping?
Groundskeeping is focused on keeping outdoor areas clean, safe, and well-maintained. It’s an ongoing service that often includes basic care tasks.
Common Groundskeeping Tasks:
- Lawn mowing and edging
- Leaf removal
- Trash pickup and debris removal
- Tree trimming and shrub pruning
- Watering and irrigation monitoring
- Seasonal storm cleanup
- Weed control
Groundskeepers usually work on a set schedule, performing routine maintenance to keep outdoor areas neat and functional. This is especially common in parks, schools, office complexes, and apartment communities.
What Is Landscaping?
Landscaping usually means changing or designing the look of outdoor spaces. It includes planning and installing plants, structures, or features to improve appearance.
Common Landscaping Services:
- Design and layout planning
- Planting trees, flowers, and shrubs
- Installing sod or artificial turf
- Building patios, walkways, or retaining walls
- Landscape lighting
- Mulching and soil grading
- Seasonal plant changes or upgrades
Landscaping is more about creating or redesigning the outdoor space. It’s often done as a one-time or seasonal project, followed by maintenance.
Main Differences Between Groundskeeping and Landscaping
Let’s break it down clearly.
| Feature | Groundskeeping | Landscaping |
| Purpose | Maintenance and upkeep | Design and visual improvement |
| Type of Service | Routine and ongoing | One-time or project-based |
| Tasks | Mowing, trimming, and cleanup | Planting, hardscaping, designing |
| Focus | Cleanliness and function | Aesthetics and layout |
Which One Do You Need?
It depends on your goals:
- If your yard is already designed but needs regular upkeep, you need groundskeeping.
- If you’re building a new yard or want to improve how it looks, choose landscaping.
- Some properties may need both—landscaping to build the space, then groundskeeping to maintain it.
Why It Matters
Choosing between groundskeeping and landscaping depends on your goals—are you maintaining an existing space or transforming it into something new? Groundskeeping focuses on keeping a property tidy, healthy, and presentable through routine tasks like mowing, trimming, and seasonal clean-up. Landscaping, on the other hand, involves design, construction, and installation—things like building retaining walls, planting new gardens, or regrading your yard.
Understanding the distinction helps you avoid miscommunication with service providers and ensures you’re investing in the right type of work. Before you hire anyone or start a project, think about the outcome you want. Are you looking to refresh and manage what’s already there, or do you want to redesign the entire space? Also consider how much time, effort, or budget you’re willing to commit to ongoing care.
Choose Bestway Lawn Care for Year-Round Property Support
Bestway Lawn Care is your trusted source for both groundskeeping and landscaping services. Whether you need lawn care in Clearwater or Largo, our team delivers dependable results. From yard cleanup in Gulfport to lawn maintenance in Palm Harbor, we keep your property clean, safe, and attractive year-round.
Looking for licensed lawn care, an insured landscaper, or storm cleanup in Clearwater, Largo, or Palm Harbor, FL? Bestway is here to help. Bestway Lawn Care is ready to assist with both residential and commercial needs.
Contact us today for professional service in landscaping services in Florida.
