What Rockland Homeowners Actually Pay for Landscaping
Landscaping in Rockland County costs 10 to 20% above the national average. Lawn mowing runs $40 to $80 per visit. Landscape design and planting costs $2,500 to $8,000. A patio installation runs $3,800 to $10,000. Retaining walls cost $4,000 to $12,000.
Most properties in Rockland have mature trees, sloped yards, and rocky soil. That affects both design choices and installation costs. Labor rates run high because it's metro New York.
Here's what people are paying.
2026 Landscaping Cost Breakdown
These prices come from landscapers working in Rockland right now. Your cost depends on property size, slope, soil quality, and material choices.
| Service Type | Typical Range | What Affects Price |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn mowing (per visit) | $40 – $80 | Lot size, slope, obstacles. Weekly or biweekly. |
| Spring/fall cleanup | $200 – $600 | Leaf removal, bed preparation, mulching. |
| Landscape design + planting | $2,500 – $8,000 | Plants, mulch, bed edging, installation labor. |
| Patio installation (bluestone) | $3,800 – $10,000 | 200-400 sq ft. Material and labor included. |
| Retaining wall (block) | $4,000 – $12,000 | 50-100 linear feet. Drainage and backfill included. |
| Tree removal | $500 – $3,000 | Per tree. Stump grinding extra. Large trees cost more. |
| Mulch delivery and installation | $350 – $900 | 3-6 cubic yards. Covers ~500-1,000 sq ft. |
How Costs Vary by Town
Where you live changes landscaping costs.
Nyack has hilly terrain, mature trees, and properties with views of the Hudson. Retaining walls and terraced gardens are common. Expect prices at the upper end of the range.
New City and Nanuet have mostly flat or gently sloped lots. Standard lawn care and planting beds. Pricing lands in the middle.
Spring Valley and Suffern have a mix of lot sizes and terrain. Rocky soil is common, which adds cost to any digging work (planting, drainage, walls). Labor rates are competitive.
Pearl River has post-war homes with established landscapes. Tree removal and overgrown bed cleanup are common projects. Pricing is steady in the middle of the range.
Permit and Regulation Notes
Most landscaping work doesn't require permits. Retaining walls over 4 feet may require an engineer's stamp and a building permit. Tree removal is regulated in some towns. Check with your local building department before removing large trees or installing tall retaining walls.
- Clarkstown Building Department: (845) 639-2100. - Ramapo Building Department: (845) 357-5100. - Orangetown Building Department: (845) 359-8410.
Pesticide application requires a state license. Ask your landscaper for their DEC pesticide applicator license number if they're treating your lawn or plants.
Rocky Soil and Drainage Issues
Rockland County has rocky, clay-heavy soil in many areas. That affects landscaping in two ways.
First, digging is harder. Planting trees or installing fence posts means hitting rock. Landscapers charge more for jobs that require rock removal or jackhammering. Expect to pay 20 to 40% more for planting or excavation work on rocky properties.
Second, drainage is a problem. Clay soil doesn't drain well, which leads to standing water and soggy lawns. Many Rockland properties need French drains, dry wells, or grading work to fix drainage. A French drain costs $2,000 to $6,000 depending on length and depth.
Some areas also have hard water, which affects plant health. Hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and azaleas (which prefer acidic soil) struggle in alkaline conditions. Your landscaper should test soil pH before planting acid-loving species.
Best Time to Schedule Landscaping Work
Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) are peak seasons for planting. Book early for the best availability. Hardscape work (patios, walls) can happen spring through fall as long as the ground isn't frozen.
Late winter (February-March) is the best time to book tree removal. Trees are dormant, there are no leaves to clean up, and landscapers are trying to fill their schedules. You'll get better pricing than if you wait until summer.
Lawn care runs April through November. Most landscapers offer seasonal contracts (20-30 cuts per season) at a lower per-cut rate than one-off visits.
How to Save Money on Landscaping
Book tree removal and hardscape work in late winter or early spring for 10-15% off peak pricing. Choose native plants over exotic species. They cost less, require less water, and don't need special soil amendments. Buy mulch in bulk (by the cubic yard) instead of by the bag. It's 50% cheaper. Sign up for a seasonal lawn care contract instead of per-visit billing. You'll save 10-20% over the season. And get three written estimates for any project over $1,000. Compare what's included in each quote, not just the bottom-line number.
Common Questions
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Alex Colombo is the founder of Westchester AI, a technology consulting firm serving businesses across Westchester County and the tri-state area. When he's not helping local companies modernize their operations, he's researching what home improvement actually costs in the area so homeowners don't walk into quotes blind.