Top Landscaping Services in Lakemont, PA, 16602 | Compare & Call
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pennsylvania Bluestone a better choice than pressure-treated wood for a new walkway?
For longevity and lifecycle cost, Pennsylvania Bluestone is superior. It is a natural stone with compressive strength far exceeding wood, requiring no chemical treatments, staining, or replacement due to rot and insect damage. While the initial cost is higher, its maintenance is negligible. For fire-wise planning in this Low-risk suburban zone, bluestone also provides a non-combustible, stable surface that can serve as part of a defensible space perimeter, unlike wooden structures which are a fuel source.
What should we do about invasive weeds like Japanese Knotweed without harming our garden?
Japanese Knotweed is a high-priority invasive in Zone 6b. Treatment requires a targeted, systemic herbicide applied by a Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture-licensed pesticide applicator during the plant's late summer active growth phase. This must be scheduled around the state's Best Management Practices blackout dates to prevent nutrient runoff. Manual removal is ineffective and can spread the plant. A licensed professional will use precise injection methods to minimize off-target impact and schedule follow-up monitoring for complete eradication.
We have an HOA notice for overgrown vegetation and need immediate service. How fast can you respond?
Emergency compliance cleanups are dispatched from our central staging area near Lakemont Park. Using I-99, our electric service vehicles can typically reach most addresses in the Lakemont Park District within 20-30 minutes during standard hours, adhering to the 7am-9pm noise ordinance. We prioritize these calls to mitigate violation fines, deploying manual and battery-powered equipment for immediate trimming, debris management, and site tidying to meet community standards.
Do we need a permit to regrade our backyard for better drainage?
Yes. Any significant regrading on a 0.25-acre lot that alters stormwater flow patterns requires review by the Logan Township Planning & Zoning office. The permit ensures changes do not adversely affect neighboring properties or municipal systems. Furthermore, the excavation and soil work must be performed by or under the supervision of a contractor appropriately licensed for earthmoving. Using an unlicensed operator risks improper compaction, failed drainage, and potential liability for downstream erosion or flooding.
We're tired of weekly mowing. Are there lower-maintenance, eco-friendly options?
Transitioning high-input turf areas to a xeriscape of regionally native plants is a forward-looking strategy. A planting matrix of Switchgrass, Purple Coneflower, Swamp Milkweed, and an understory Eastern Redbud creates a resilient, biodiverse habitat that requires no mowing, minimal watering once established, and no gas-powered blowing. This aligns with evolving noise ordinances restricting gas equipment and provides superior stormwater absorption compared to compacted lawn, staying ahead of 2026 ecological landscape standards.
Our patio area floods after heavy rain. What's a long-term fix that looks good?
The moderate runoff issue stems from the clay-heavy subsoil beneath your silty loam, which has very low permeability. A sustainable fix involves replacing solid concrete or pavers with a permeable Pennsylvania Bluestone patio set on an open-graded aggregate base. This system allows stormwater to infiltrate on-site, meeting Logan Township Planning & Zoning runoff standards. The bluestone's natural cleft surface provides excellent traction and integrates visually with the local landscape while functionally managing water.
Our yard's soil seems to get compacted and waterlogged every spring. Is this a Lakemont thing?
This is a common condition in Lakemont Park District due to the age of the soil profile. Homes built around 1968 have nearly 60-year-old lawns where the original acidic silty loam has become heavily compacted by decades of use and clay-heavy subsoil. This layer restricts percolation, leading to surface runoff. Core aeration in early fall, followed by top-dressing with compost, is the most effective method to rebuild soil structure and improve permeability without disturbing the established root zone.
How can we keep our Tall Fescue blend green during summer without wasting water?
A Wi-Fi ET-based irrigation system is the technical solution. It calculates real-time evapotranspiration (ET) rates, automatically adjusting sprinkler run times to replace only the water the turf has lost. For your acidic silty loam, this prevents deep percolation past the root zone. While Lakemont has voluntary conservation, this technology keeps irrigation within municipal water system limits by eliminating overwatering, which is the primary cause of fungal disease in Kentucky Bluegrass blends during peak humidity.
