Landscaping and lawn care questions and answers for Pennsylvania homeowners
Updated · KeystoneProGuide editorial team
Does a landscaper need a license in Pennsylvania?
There is no general landscaping license. A company that sprays pesticides needs state pesticide licences, and one that builds patios, walls or drainage must register as a home improvement contractor. What Pennsylvania requires sets out each rule.
Does a lawn care company need a license to fertilize?
Not for plain fertilizer. The Department of Agriculture says a provider using fertilizers that contain pesticides, such as weed and feed or pre-emergent products, must have a pesticide license.
What does Pennsylvania's fertilizer law ask of homeowners?
Since its revision in July 2022, the law applies to anyone who fertilizes a lawn. The Department of Agriculture lists the rules: follow the label limits, keep a 15-foot buffer from streams, ponds and wetlands, and never apply before heavy rain, on frozen ground or on pavement.
When is the best time to seed a lawn?
Late summer to early fall in most of Pennsylvania, according to Penn State Extension. Seedlings then get two cool growing seasons before their first summer, and weeds are less of a problem than in spring. Penn State does not suggest seeding later than mid-October.
How short should grass be cut?
Penn State says most lawns should be mowed at 2 inches or above. The Department of Agriculture adds that you should avoid removing more than 1 inch of blade at a time. Clippings can stay on the lawn if you mow often enough.
How much should I water the lawn?
The EPA's WaterSense program says a landscape typically needs about one inch of water a week, rain included, and that the amount varies with place, weather and plants. It advises against watering in the middle of the day and says to stop a sprinkler once water starts to pool. Watering too often can leave roots shallow.
Do I need a soil test?
If you plan to fertilize or lime, yes. Penn State says a soil test is the only way to know how much phosphate, potash and lime a lawn needs. Kits come from Penn State Extension county offices for a nominal fee.
Is aeration worth doing every year?
Penn State Extension says core aeration relieves compaction and can significantly reduce thatch, and that it should be done in cool weather. Dethatching is needed only when thatch is an inch or more deep, and Penn State says it is not necessary every year.
Who calls 811 before a landscaper digs?
The landscaper. Pennsylvania One Call says a homeowner should not call on a contractor's behalf, because the contractor is not protected by the homeowner's notice. Ask the company for its One Call serial number. If you dig yourself, the call is free and must come at least three business days before you start.
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall?
Under the state's residential code regulation, not for a wall of 4 feet or less that supports no extra load, unless a local law or ordinance says otherwise. Taller walls and walls in Philadelphia have stricter rules, so check with your municipality first.
Can a landscaper still plant Japanese barberry or burning bush?
Not legally, apart from approved varieties. The Department of Agriculture lists both, along with Callery pear and several privets and honeysuckles, as Class B noxious weeds, which cannot be sold, transported or planted in Pennsylvania.
Why do people recommend native plants?
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources says native plants are adapted to local soils and climate, persist through frost and drought, feed birds and pollinators and, once established, need less water and fewer soil amendments.
Should I bag my leaves?
Penn State Extension says shredding leaves into the lawn with a mower or piling them into leaf mold is better than removing them from the property, and that a layer of shredded leaves up to about half an inch is good for the lawn.
What is a rain garden?
A shallow, planted basin that catches water from a downspout or driveway and lets it soak in. Penn State says to site one at least 10 feet from the foundation and to test drainage first: if a test hole takes more than 24 hours to drain, choose another spot.
Will spotted lanternflies kill my landscape plants?
Usually not. Penn State Extension says heavy feeding has contributed to the death of grapevines, tree-of-heaven and black walnut saplings, but that the insect is not known to directly kill other plants and is primarily a nuisance in home landscapes. Penn State stresses that not every tree in an infested area needs treatment.
What does lawn care cost?
Angi, a cost survey, puts mowing at $50 to $205 a visit and fertilizing at $71 to $380, with a national average of $300 for lawn care. The cost guide compares several publishers and covers patios, walls and drainage.
How do I choose a company?
Decide what work you want, then check the credential that goes with it: the pesticide license number for treatments, the home improvement registration for hardscape. How to choose a landscaper walks through the checks, and local businesses are on the landscapers directory page.
Sources
- Contractor Licensing, Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry
- Frequently Asked Questions: Home Improvement Contractor Registration, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
- Homeowners and Applicators, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
- Fertilizer FAQs, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
- Lawn Management through the Seasons, Penn State Extension
- FAQs Homeowners, Pennsylvania One Call System
- 34 Pa. Code § 403.62. Permit requirements and exemptions., Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania Code)
- Controlled Plant & Noxious Weed Lists, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
- Landscaping with Native Plants, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
- Leaves Are Treasure, Not Trash, Penn State Extension
- How to Make a Rain Garden, Penn State Extension
- Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide, Penn State Extension
- How Much Does Lawn Care Cost? [2026 Data], Angi
- Watering Tips (WaterSense), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency