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Elite Lawn & Landscape Celebrates Recent Awards Across the Midlands

Posted on by Jonathan Gamboa

At Elite Lawn & Landscape, we believe great work is about more than maintaining lawns and creating beautiful outdoor spaces. It’s about building relationships, serving our neighbors, and being part of the communities we call home.

That’s why we’re incredibly grateful to have received several recent awards and recognitions throughout the Midlands. From Columbia to Irmo and Chapin, these honors reflect the trust our clients and community continue to place in our team.

Free Times Best of Columbia 2026 Winner

We’re proud to once again be recognized as a Free Times Best of Columbia winner for 2026.

Being recognized by the Columbia community means a great deal to us. Elite Lawn & Landscape is now in our sixth year of serving the Midlands, and we’ve been blessed to grow from where we started into the team we have today.

That growth wouldn’t be possible without our clients. Every property entrusted to us, every referral to a friend or neighbor, and every person who has supported Elite along the way has played a part in our story.

It also wouldn’t be possible without our team. From our maintenance and installation crews to our office staff and leadership team, we’re grateful for the people who show up every day and represent Elite in our community.

Named Best of Irmo-Chapin Life 2027

We’re also honored to have been named Best of Irmo-Chapin Life 2027.

Irmo and Chapin are important parts of the area we serve, and receiving this recognition from the community makes it especially meaningful.

To everyone who voted for Elite Lawn & Landscape, trusted us with your property, or recommended us to a neighbor: thank you.

Awards are exciting, but the trust behind them matters even more. We’ll continue working to earn that trust on every property and every project.

Best Business at the Irmo Okra Strut Parade

Our team also had the opportunity to participate in one of Irmo’s longstanding community traditions, the Irmo Okra Strut Parade, where Elite Lawn & Landscape was awarded Best Business.

We had a great time being part of the parade and connecting with the Irmo community.

A special thank-you goes to DJ Ronny Lane for helping us stand out with his DJ and Cold Spark setup, and thank you to everyone who came out and supported the parade.

Winning Best Business made an already great community event even more memorable for our team.

More Than Awards

We’re grateful for every award, but what they represent means much more to us than the plaques, graphics, or titles themselves.

They represent our clients who choose to trust us with their homes and properties.

They represent our team members who work hard every day in the heat, cold, rain, and everything South Carolina weather throws at them.

They represent a community that has supported Elite Lawn & Landscape and allowed us to continue growing.

And above all, we thank God.

Our faith is at the foundation of who we are as a company. The cross in our logo isn’t there to show the world who we are, but to show the world who He is: a loving, faithful, and forgiving God.

We wouldn’t be where we are today without His grace, and as Elite continues to grow, we want to continue using the opportunities we’ve been given to serve our clients, our team, and our community well.

Thank You, Midlands

To everyone who has voted for us, hired us, referred us, followed us, encouraged us, or supported Elite Lawn & Landscape over the years: thank you.

We’re proud to serve Columbia, Lexington, Irmo, Chapin, and surrounding communities throughout the South Carolina Midlands, and we’re looking forward to what comes next.

Local. Professional. Reliable.

EliteLawn.us

Fire Pit Season Is Coming: Is Your Backyard Ready?

Posted on by Jonathan Gamboa


The temperatures may still feel like summer here in Columbia, South Carolina, but cooler evenings are right around the corner. And that means fire pit season is coming.

There’s something about fall that makes the backyard one of the best places to be. Cooler weather, football weekends, friends and family gathered together, and a fire going as the sun goes down.

If you’ve been thinking about adding a fire pit or upgrading your outdoor living space, now is the time to get started.

More Than Just a Fire Pit
A professionally designed fire pit can become the epicenter of an entire outdoor living area.

Depending on your space and how you want to use it, a fire pit project can include:

  • A fire pit
  • Paver patio
  • Seating areas
  • Retaining or sitting walls
  • Landscape beds
  • Outdoor lighting
  • Walkways and other hardscape features

Instead of simply placing a fire pit in the yard, we can help create a space that feels like a natural extension of your home.

Built for Fall Nights in the Midlands
One of the best parts about living in South Carolina is how much of the year we can spend outdoors.

As the heat of summer begins to fade, a fire pit gives you another reason to enjoy your property. It creates a natural gathering place for family nights, entertaining friends, watching football, or simply relaxing outside at the end of the day.

And with the right design, it’s an outdoor feature you can enjoy well beyond the fall season.

Don’t Wait Until the First Cold Night

The best time to start planning for your fall outdoor space isn’t when cold weather arrives, it’s before it gets here.

Designing the space, selecting the materials, getting your project scheduled, and completing the installation all take time. Starting now gives you a better opportunity to have your new outdoor space ready when those cooler evenings arrive.

Let’s Build Your Backyard Gathering Place

Whether you have a complete outdoor living project in mind or just know you’d love a fire pit in the back yard, Elite Lawn & Landscape can help you figure out what works for your property.

Fire pit season is coming. Let’s get your backyard ready!

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

Check out our FaceBook page for photos of projects like these and more!

Six Years of Elite: Thank You, Columbia

Posted on by Jonathan Gamboa

Six Years of Elite: Thank You, Columbia

Six years ago, Elite Lawn & Landscape began with a goal of providing quality landscaping services while building a company rooted in hard work, integrity, service, and faith.

Today, as we celebrate our sixth year serving the Midlands, we want to take a moment to simply say thank you.

Best of Columbia — Again!

We are incredibly grateful to once again be named a Free Times Best of Columbia winner in 2026.

Awards like this mean so much to us because they are made possible by the people we serve. Every homeowner, business owner, property manager, referral partner, and member of our community who has trusted Elite has played a part in our story.

Your support has allowed a local company to continue growing, creating jobs, serving our community, and doing work that we’re proud to put our name on.

Six Years of Growth

Like any business, the past six years have brought both victories and challenges. Through all of it, we’ve been blessed to continue growing and building a team of people committed to doing things the right way.

Our Maintenance and Install teams are out in the field every day caring for properties and transforming outdoor spaces. Our Office Staff keeps everything moving behind the scenes, and our Leadership Team continues working to make Elite better for both our clients and our employees.

We couldn’t do what we do without them.

And while we’re proud of the landscapes we maintain and the projects we build, Elite has always been about more than the finished product. We want to build a company that takes care of its people, serves its community, and leaves things better than we found them.

Above All, We Thank God

Our faith isn’t something we want to hide.

The cross in the Elite logo isn’t there simply to tell the world who we are. It’s there to point to who He is: a loving, faithful, and forgiving God.

We recognize that everything we’ve been able to build over these six years is ultimately a blessing. Through the good seasons and the difficult ones, God has remained faithful.

We wouldn’t be here as individuals or as a company without His grace, and our prayer is that the people we encounter through Elite experience His love through the way we work, serve, give, and treat others.

Thank You for Being Part of Our Story

To our clients, employees, families, partners, friends, and everyone throughout the Midlands who has supported Elite Lawn & Landscape over the past six years: thank you.

We don’t take your trust for granted.

We’re grateful for where we’ve been, excited about where we’re going, and looking forward to continuing to serve Columbia and the surrounding communities for years to come.

Thank you for six incredible years, and thank you for continuing to choose Elite Lawn & Landscape.

Book a FREE consultation today!

Custom Stone Landscape Borders: A Cleaner, Longer-Lasting Upgrade

Posted on by Jonathan Gamboa

Small details can make a big difference in how finished a landscape looks. One upgrade that has become increasingly popular with our clients is custom stone landscape borders.

These borders create a clean, defined edge around landscape beds while providing a sturdy alternative to many traditional edging options. Whether you’re refreshing an existing bed or completing a larger landscape project, a stone border can completely changed the finished appearance of the property.

Why choose a landscape border?
A clean, finished appearance.

A defined border creates separation between your lawn and landscape beds, giving the entire property a more polished look. Instead of mulch simply meeting the edge of the grass, stone provides a distinct transition that frames the landscaping.

Help Keep Mulch Where It Belongs

One of the practical benefits of a raised stone border is helping contain mulch or pine straw within the bed. This can reduce material washing or spilling into the lawn and helps beds maintain a cleaner appearance.

Built For Durability

Unlike lightweight plastic or other temporary edging materials, a properly installed stone border provides a substantial, long-lasting edge that can stand up to everyday landscape maintenance and the elements.

Customizable For Your Property

Stone borders aren’t limited to one style or application. They can follow straight lines, curves and existing landscape beds, allowing the finished border to complement the design of the home and property.

A Small Upgrade With A Big Visual Impact

You don’t necessarily need to redesign your entire landscape to improve your home’s curb appeal. Adding a stone border to existing beds can give older landscaping a more intentional, finished appearance while adding useful structure to the beds.

At Elite Lawn & Landscape, we can incorporate custom stone borders into new landscape installations or use them to upgrade existing landscape beds.

Interested in adding custom stone borders to your property?

Contact Elite Lawn & Landscape for a free estimate and let us help you find the right option for your outdoor space.

Why a Year-Round Commercial Landscape Maintenance Plan Makes Sense

Posted on by Jonathan Gamboa
Team trimming bushes in front yard

Managing a commercial property comes with enough surprises, your landscape budget shouldn’t be one of them.

A year-round commercial landscape maintenance plan takes the guesswork out of caring for your property by combining essential services into one predictable monthly payment. Instead of paying for each service individually as the seasons change, you’ll know what to expect every month while keeping your property looking professional year-round.

What’s Included?
Every property is different, but a commercial landscape maintenance plan can include services such as:

  • Weekly/ scheduled mowing
  • Hedge and shrub trimming
  • Pine straw or mulch application
  • Seasonal cleanups
  • Leaf pulverization
  • Additional landscape services based on your property’s needs

    Because each plan is customized, you only pay for the services that make sense for your property.

Predictable Budgeting
One of the biggest advantages of a maintenance plan is knowing your landscaping costs ahead of time.

Rather than facing unexpected invoices for seasonal work, we calculate all the services your property is expected to need throughout the year. After a small startup deposit, the remaining balance is divided into 12 monthly payments.

That means:

  • Easier budgeting
  • No surprise seasonal bills
  • Consistent professional maintenance
  • A property that always makes a great first impression.

A Better Experience for Property Owners and Managers
Whether you manage an office complex, HOA, retail center, church, or industrial property, your landscape reflects your business.

Routine maintenance helps protect your investment while ensuring your property remains safe, attractive, and welcoming throughout every season.

Let’s Build a Plan That Fits Your Property
No two commercial properties are exactly alike, which is why every maintenance plan is customized around your property’s needs and your budget.

If you’re looking for a simpler way to manage your commercial landscaping, we’d love to help.

Contact Elite Lawn & Landscape today to schedule your free consultation.

Elite in Action

Posted on by Jonathan Gamboa

At Elite Lawn & Landscape, we’re about more than creating beautiful outdoor spaces. We believe in serving our community, investing in our team, and taking pride in every project we complete. Here’s a look at what we have been up to recently.

Serving Our Community
Last weekend, our team had the opportunity to participate in a local community event, meeting neighbors, sharing great conversations, and grilling up hotdogs for families throughout the neighborhood.

Events like these remind us that landscaping isn’t just about properties, it’s about people.

Supporting Our Own
Recently our Project Manager, Steve learned that one of our hardest working members was facing transportation challenges.

Our team rallied together by launching a GoFundMe campaign, and because of the generosity of so many people, we were able to help him get into a vehicle.

Our favorite moment was seeing him smiling ear to ear and proudly holding his Bible while in his new vehicle, a reminder that kindness, generosity, and faith can really make a difference in someone’s life.

Another Property Transformed
Every week brings new opportunities to help homeowners love where they live.

Here’s one of our recent landscape transformations:

Thank You
Thank you for trusting Elite Lawn & Landscape to serve your homes and our community.

We look forward to sharing more stories, projects, and updates with you in the months ahead.

Book a free consultation today

Why the Cross

Posted on by Jonathan Gamboa

It’s a question we’ve been asked more than once:
“Why is there a cross in your logo?”

The answer is simple.

Because everything begins there.

At Elite Lawn & Landscape, the cross isn’t just part of our brand, its the foundation of who we are and the values we strive to live out each day.

Our goal has always been about more than creating beautiful landscapes. We want to serve people with integrity, treat every customer with respect, and honor God in the way we conduct our business.

The cross reminds us that grace is greater than our failures, hope is stronger than our fears, and through Jesus Christ, every life can be made new.

You’ll also notice the light shining from behind the cross. To us those rays represent the hope of Christ breaking into darkness. They serve as a daily reminder that no matters where someone has been or what they’re facing, there is always hope through Him.

As Jesus said:
”I am the light of the world. Whoever folllows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
—John 8:12

These beliefs shape how we approach our work, our relationships, and our commitment to serving our community.

Whether we’re designing an outdoor living space, maintaining a landscape, or simply answering a phone call, our prayer is that our actions reflect the values represented by the cross in our logo.

Thank you for allowing us to serve your families and our community.

Should you invest in landscaping before selling your home?

Posted on by Jonathan Gamboa

When preparing to sell a home, many homeowners focus on kitchens, bathrooms, and fresh paint. While those updates are important, the exterior is what creates the first impression.

Buyers begin forming opinions the moment they pull into the driveway. A well-maintained landscape communicates that the home has been cared for, while an overgrown or neglected yard can raise concerns before they even walk through the front door.

The good news is that increasing curb appeal doesn’t always require a major renovation. Strategic landscaping improvements can help your property attract more buyers and leave a stronger first impression

Refresh Your Mulch
Fresh mulch instantly makes planting beds look clean and maintained.

Benefits include:

  • Better Curb Appeal
  • Weed Suppression
  • Moisture Retention
  • Healthier Plant Beds

Trim and Shape Existing Plants
Overgrown shrubs can hide your home’s best features.

Simple pruning can:

  • Showcase Windows and Entryways
  • Improve Sight Lines
  • Create a Cleaner Appearance
  • Make the Property Feel Larger

Repair or Upgrade the Lawn
A healthy lawn is one of the first things buyers notice.

Focus on:

  • Bare Spot Repair
  • Proper Mowing Height
  • Irrigation Adjustments

Add Color Strategically
Seasonal flowers or flowering shrubs provide visual interest without overwhelming the landscape.

Good options include:

  • Hydrangeas
  • Salvia
  • Calibrachoa
  • Annual Color Near Entrances

Invest in Functional Outdoor Living Spaces
Buyers today aren’t just looking at the inside of a home, they’re imagining how they’ll use the entire property.

Some of the best hardscaping investments include:

  • Patios
  • Walkways
  • Retaining Walls (when they solve grading or drainage issues)
  • Outdoor Kitchens
  • Fire Pits
  • Seating Walls
  • Landscape Lighting

While not every project returns dollar-for-dollar, attractive and functional outdoor living spaces often help a home stand out in a competitive market and may contribute to a faster sale.

You don’t need a complete landscape renovation to improve your home’s marketability. Small, intentional upgrades can dramatically improve curb appeal and help buyers feel confident before they ever step inside.

Whether you’re planning to list your home next home or simply want to protect your investment, maintaining your landscape is one of the smartest improvements you can make.

Ready to improve your curb appeal? Our team can help you prioritize the updates that provide the greatest impact for your budget, creating a landscape that is beautiful today and appealing to tomorrow’s buyers.

Outdoor Living Spaces in Columbia, SC: Patios, Retaining Walls, Fire Features and More

Posted on by Jonathan Gamboa

Your backyard has the potential to become much more than an open area behind your home. With thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship, it can become a place where family gathers, friends connect, and memories are made for years to come.

At Elite Lawn & Landscape, we help homeowners throughout Columbia, Lexington, Irmo, Chapin, and the Lake Murray area transform ordinary outdoor spaces into functional and beautiful outdoor living environments. Whether you’re looking for a custom paver patio, retaining walls, fire feature, or a complete backyard renovation, our team has the expertise to bring your vision to life.

Why Invest in an Outdoor Living Space?

Outdoor living spaces continue to be one of the most popular home improvement projects because they provide benefits that extend far beyond aesthetics.

A professionally designed outdoor area can:

  • Increase usable living space
  • Improve curb appeal
  • Enhance property value
  • Create an ideal setting for entertaining
  • Provide a relaxing retreat for family and guests
  • Reduce maintenance challenges through smart design

The right combination of hardscape features can completely change how you use and enjoy your property.

Custom Paver Patios

A paver patio serves as the foundation of many outdoor living spaces. Unlike traditional concrete, pavers offer durability, design flexibility, and long-term beauty.

Whether you envision a cozy sitting area or a large entertainment space, our team can design a patio that complements your home and lifestyle. With numerous colors, textures, and patterns available, every patio can be customized to fit your unique vision.

Retaining Walls That Add Beauty and Function

Retaining walls are one of the most versatile hardscape features available. They can help manage slopes, prevent erosion, create planting areas, and define outdoor spaces.

In addition to their practical benefits, retaining walls add visual interest and structure to a landscape design. When properly engineered and installed, they become a lasting investment that enhances both the appearance and functionality of your property.

Fire Features for Year-Round Enjoyment

Nothing brings people together quite like a fire feature.

Custom fire pits and outdoor fireplaces create a natural gathering space while while extending the usability of your outdoor area throughout the year. Whether you’re enjoying a cool South Carolina evening with family or entertaining guests, a fire feature can become the focal point of your backyard.

Designing a Backyard Built Around Your Lifestyle

The best outdoor living spaces are designed around how you plan to use them.

Some homeowners prioritize entertaining, while others want a peaceful retreat for relaxation. Our design team works closely with each client to understand their goals, evaluate their property, and create a plan that balances beauty, functionality, and budget.

From small backyard upgrades to complete outdoor transformations, every project receives the same attention to detail and commitment to quality.

Transform Your Outdoor Space with Elite Lawn & Landscape

Creating an outdoor living space is about more than installing features. It’s about designing an environment where you can relax, entertain, and enjoy your property for years to come.

If you’re considering a patio, retaining wall, fire feature or complete backyard renovation, Elite Lawn & Landscape is here to help.

Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation and discover what’s possible in your outdoor space.

Lawn Watering Tips

Posted on by Jonathan Gamboa

Are you looking for lawn watering tips? As temperatures rise to Famously Hot levels, South Carolina homeowners assume watering more often is the answer. In reality, frequent shallow watering can encourage weak root systems in your lawn. Instead, you should water deeply and less frequently. This encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, helping your lawn stay healthier during South Carolina’s hottest months.

A good rule of thumb is to water early in the morning and provide enough water to soak the soil several inches deep. Avoid watering during the heat of the day when much of the moisture is lost to evaporation. I know we have all heard the wives tale about watering in the sun will fry your grass by water droplets magnifying the sun rays, but this is not accurate at all! You want to avoid watering in the evening, as having water sit on your lawn for extended periods of time can lead to fungus and disease.

If you are noticing brown spots, thinning turf, or stress that never seem to dry out, the issue may be more than just watering alone. Drainage problems, irrigation coverage, soil conditions, and disease can all produce similar symptoms. If you need help determining what’s really going on with your lawn, our team is happy to help!

Contact Elite Lawn and Landscape to schedule a consultation today!

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