LINCOLN, ND · SERVICE AREA
Landscaping in Lincoln, ND
Bismarck Landscape works in Lincoln, the Burleigh County city right next to Bismarck. We do lawn care, sod, sprinklers, trees, windbreaks, patios, walls, cleanups and snow removal for Lincoln homes, the same way we do in Bismarck and Mandan.
Lincoln has grown fast, so many yards here are younger, with newer lawns, small trees and open lots. That means the big jobs are getting a new yard set up right, keeping a young lawn healthy and planting trees that will handle the wind.
LINCOLN, NORTH DAKOTA
Lincoln at a Glance
| County | Burleigh |
| Population | 4,257 in the 2020 census |
| Growth | About 77% from 2010 to 2020 |
| Started | As the Fort Lincoln Estates housing development in 1972, with the first homes in 1973 |
| Became a city | July 12, 1977 |
| Schools | Lincoln Elementary, opened in 2014, in the Bismarck Public Schools district |
| Climate | USDA zone 4a, about 129 days between frosts |
Lincoln is one of the core cities of the Bismarck-Mandan metro area, with its own city government. The city’s own history notes that early residents formed a co-op for water and sewer, and a water treatment plant began operating in 1976.
NEW YARDS & LAWN CARE
What Lincoln Yards Need Most
New-build yard setup. Get the order right: grading and drainage, downspouts, sprinkler lines, topsoil and compost, then sod or seed. See new build landscaping in Bismarck.
- Real topsoil. NDSU Extension says topsoil for a new lawn should be “at least 6 inches deep; deeper is better,” and warns against adding sand to clay.
- Sod or seed. Sod works from mid-May through about late September. NDSU’s best seeding window is August 15 to September 15. See sod vs seed.
- Windbreaks and shade trees. Open lots catch a lot of wind. Iowa State Extension says windbreaks work best on the north and west sides of a home. See windbreaks and privacy trees.
- Young tree protection. Mulch rings keep mowers off thin bark, and guards keep rabbits off in winter. See the 3-3-3 mulch ring.
- Lawn care for young lawns, including core aeration on packed construction soil. See lawn care and aeration and overseeding.
LINCOLN CITY REQUIREMENTS
Lincoln Has Its Own Rules
Lincoln is its own city, so Bismarck’s city ordinances don’t automatically apply here. Before you count on a rule, check with the City of Lincoln on:
- Sidewalk snow: how fast walks must be cleared, and where snow can go
- Grass and weed height: the limit and the mowing dates, if any
- Yard waste and branches: where grass, leaves and tree debris go
- Tree work and boulevard trees: whether permits or licenses are required
- Building permits for retaining walls, fences, decks and patios
- Water and sewer rates, since Bismarck’s rate schedule is for Bismarck utility customers
We check these before we quote a job in Lincoln, so the work fits the local rules.
SHARED REGIONAL CONDITIONS
What’s the Same as Bismarck
Some things don’t change at the city line:
- Climate. About 129 days between frosts, with the last spring frost around May 12 to 14 and the first fall frost around September 20 to 25.
- Frost depth. Burleigh County’s code sheet lists a 4-foot frost line, and it lists the 2021 International Residential Code among its adopted codes. That matters for patio bases and wall footings. See frost heave and pavers.
- State licenses. North Dakota requires a contractor license for jobs over $4,000, and commercial certification for anyone spraying pesticides for pay.
- Workers’ comp. North Dakota employers must carry coverage through Workforce Safety and Insurance.
- 811. Call at least two full business days before digging, per NDSU Extension. Private lines like sprinkler pipes aren’t marked.
- Sprinkler blowouts before the first hard freeze, around 28°F, usually late September through mid-October. See when to blow out your sprinklers.
- Lawn feeding around Memorial Day and Labor Day, per NDSU. See when to fertilize your lawn.
TREE HEALTH & TRANSPORT
Ash Trees and the Burleigh County Quarantine
Emerald ash borer was found in Bismarck in late August 2026, and Burleigh County, including Lincoln, is under a state quarantine. You can’t move these out of the county without a permit:
- Ash logs, limbs, branches and roots
- Ash wood chips
- Nursery stock
- Hardwood firewood of any kind
Civil fines can reach $5,000. If you have ash trees in a Lincoln yard, now is the time to decide whether to treat or remove them. See should you treat or remove your ash tree and emerald ash borer in Bismarck. For new plantings, skip ash and pick trees that handle alkaline clay. See best trees and shrubs for Bismarck.
LINCOLN LANDSCAPING SERVICES
Our Services in Lincoln
Lawn care, fertilization and weed control and sod installation
Questions
Lincoln Landscaping FAQ
Local answers about new lawns, Lincoln ordinances, frost depth and ash quarantine.
Questions about your Lincoln yard?
Call to discuss a landscaping plan for your property.
Do you do landscaping in Lincoln, ND?
Yes. Bismarck Landscape works in Lincoln, as well as Bismarck and Mandan. We do lawn care, sod, sprinklers, trees, windbreaks, patios, walls, cleanups and snow removal, and we check Lincoln’s own city rules before we quote.
Do Bismarck’s snow and grass rules apply in Lincoln?
Not automatically. Lincoln is its own city with its own ordinances. Check with the City of Lincoln on sidewalk snow deadlines, where snow can go, grass height limits and yard waste before relying on Bismarck’s rules.
Is Lincoln under the emerald ash borer quarantine?
Yes. Lincoln is in Burleigh County, which is under a state emerald ash borer quarantine. Ash logs, branches, wood chips, nursery stock and hardwood firewood can’t leave the county without a permit, and civil fines can reach $5,000.
When should I lay sod in Lincoln?
From mid-May, after the last spring frost around May 12 to 14, through about late September. If you’re seeding instead, NDSU’s best window is August 15 to September 15.
How deep is the frost line in Lincoln?
Burleigh County lists a 4-foot frost line. Patios and walls sit above that, so they rely on a deep, well-drained gravel base and good drainage to keep frost from heaving them.
Do Bismarck’s water rates apply in Lincoln?
Not automatically. Bismarck’s 2026 tiered rates are for City of Bismarck utility customers, and Lincoln is its own city. Check your own utility bill for your rates. The watering tips are the same: about 1 inch a week, counting rain, and early morning.
Bismarck Landscape
Get an Estimate in Lincoln
Whether it’s a new yard, a young lawn that’s struggling or trees you’d like planted before winter, call Bismarck Landscape at (701) 299-0740.
See our full service area or our other contact options.