Frequently Asked Questions

John G. Sears & Son Landscaping got its start in 1931, and we're marking 95 years of serving Cape Cod homeowners and businesses. Few landscaping companies on the Cape have been at it as long, or built up as much trust doing it.

We're headquartered in South Yarmouth, MA, and work throughout Cape Cod — Hyannis, Barnstable, Dennis, Harwich, Chatham, Brewster, and the towns around them. Reach out to check whether we cover your specific area.

Yes — John G. Sears & Son has always been family-owned and family-run. We've worked with Cape Cod families across generations, and we put the same care into every job as if it were our own yard.

Yes — we're fully licensed and insured. That means both your property and our crew are covered on every job we take on.

We do — homeowners and commercial properties alike, including resorts, hotels, HOAs, and property management companies across Cape Cod. We've got the equipment and know-how to take on jobs of any size.

Yes — every one of our services comes with a free, no-obligation estimate. Someone from our team will come look at your property, walk through what you need, and give you a straightforward recommendation. Call (508) 398-8151 or request one through our website.

It comes down to your property's size, what kind of service you need, and how complex the job is. We hand you a detailed, upfront quote before any work starts, so nothing catches you off guard. Get in touch for a free estimate specific to your property.

Yes — we set up seasonal agreements for lawn care, maintenance, and other recurring work. A contract like that keeps your property looked after all year and locks in priority scheduling. Ask about our seasonal packages when you call for a quote.

We take credit cards and direct bank transfers — you'll get a secure payment link sent to the email address we have on file.

Book as far ahead as you can, especially for spring cleanups and summer lawn work. Spring is our busiest stretch on Cape Cod, and the schedule fills up fast — usually by late March or April. Reaching out early is the best way to lock in your spot.

We work year-round on Cape Cod — spring and fall cleanups, summer lawn maintenance, beach raking from spring into fall, and snow removal once winter hits. Whatever the season, John G. Sears & Son is on it.

Some jobs, like mowing, can go ahead in light rain, but others might need to move. If weather's going to affect your appointment, we'll let you know and get you rescheduled as soon as we can.

Most Cape Cod lawns do best with mowing every 7 to 10 days through the active growing season, spring into early fall. Heavy rain or heat can shift that schedule. As a rule, we never take off more than a third of the blade in one cut — going shorter stresses the grass.

On Cape Cod, we generally recommend an early-spring fertilization — late April into May — to get growth going, and a second round in fall, September into October, to build up roots before winter. We time our treatments to the Cape's climate to get the best results.

Aeration means punching small holes through the soil so air, water, and nutrients can get to the roots more easily. Most Cape Cod lawns only need it once a year, best done in fall. Thin or patchy grass, soil that's hard or compacted, or water pooling after rain are all signs it might be time.

Bare patches usually trace back to heavy foot traffic, pests, disease, or poor soil. We'll figure out the cause and recommend a fix — overseeding, sodding, soil amendment, or some mix of the three. Fall tends to be the best window for overseeding the cool-season grasses common here.

Watch for large dead branches, a significant lean, a hollow or decaying trunk, heavy pest or disease damage, or roots that are causing structural damage — all signs a tree might need to come down. If you're not sure, we can take a look and tell you the safest path forward. When in doubt, treat it seriously; a damaged tree can pose a real safety risk.

Stump grinding grinds a leftover tree stump down below ground level using specialized equipment. It's not always mandatory, but we recommend it — stumps left behind draw pests, become trip hazards, can keep sprouting new growth, and eat up yard space you could otherwise use. We handle both grinding and full stump removal across Cape Cod.

Most trees and ornamental shrubs do well with an annual pruning. When exactly depends on the species — flowering shrubs generally get pruned right after they bloom, while shade trees are best handled in late winter before new growth kicks in. We can look at what you've got and work out the right schedule.

Yes — we handle snow removal for residential and commercial properties across Cape Cod, including driveway plowing, walkway clearing, and ice management. Setting up a contract before winter hits is the best way to guarantee priority service when storms roll through.

Beach raking and sand grooming is one of our specialty services for commercial waterfront properties, resorts, and hotels on Cape Cod. We use professional equipment to clear debris and groom the beach area so it looks clean and polished for guests. It's available from spring through fall.

Yes — we carry a range of landscape materials, from mulch and loam to stone and gravel. We also run a nursery and tree farm stocked with trees, shrubs, and plants suited to Cape Cod's climate. Get in touch or stop by our South Yarmouth location for details.

We can — our design team works with you to build a custom plan around your vision, property, and budget. We handle the whole project from concept through full installation, hardscaping, planting, irrigation, and lawn installation included. Contact us to set up a design consultation.

Yes — we design and install irrigation systems for both residential and commercial properties across Cape Cod. A system installed correctly keeps your lawn and plants healthy all summer while using less water. We also handle maintenance along with seasonal start-up and shutdown.

Our hardscaping work covers patios, walkways, retaining walls, steps, driveways, and more, using materials like natural stone, pavers, and brick. Whether it's a backyard patio or a new front walkway you're after, our team can design and build it to last.