Improving Your Landscaping

Posted on: 2 August 2023

A new home will require landscaping to finish the exterior. Although you could just put in a lawn and call it done, the result will be boring and may not fit your family's needs. Take some time to consider what elements are important for your landscaping and plan accordingly.  

1. Irrigation Options

Lawns, trees, and garden beds can either be watered by hand or you can install an automatic sprinkler system. Automatic systems require less hands-on commitment, plus they make it easier to reduce water use and avoid over-watering. More forethought must go into planning, though. It's best to install the underground water lines before putting in the rest of the landscaping, so you will need a solid plan so your installer can develop watering zones and choose the best emitters for your landscaping needs.

2. Sod or Seed

If you choose to put in lawn grasses, the next decision is sod or seed. Both will require that the soil in your yard be amended and fertilized to make it the proper medium for growing grass. Sod is a bit more expensive than seed, but it provides an instant lawn and is established in a week or two. Seed provides more options in grass type at a lower initial cost, but it will require careful care for the first couple of months as it sprouts and establishes.

3. Tree Selection

The right trees look beautiful while also benefiting your landscape. Consider what you want from the trees before choosing a species or planting location. For example, do you want deciduous trees to shade the home in summer but allow sunlight through bare branches in winter? Perhaps you need a privacy hedge along a sidewalk or a windbreak hedge on one side of the property. Knowing the purpose will ensure you pick the right trees.

4. Bed Locations

There are three main options for garden bed locations—foundation plantings along the perimeter of the house, border beds along walkways or similar paved areas, and island beds floating in the center of the lawn. These can then be planted with small shrubs or ornamental small trees, along with flowers and greenery. Choose the bed locations first, then begin developing a plant list.

5. Maintenance Concerns

Don't overlook maintenance when planning your landscape installation. For example, it may be better to grow ornamental flowering trees rather than fruiting varieties if you don't plan to use the fruit and don't want to clean up a mess each year. Native plants in your region often require less maintenance and water compared to exotic ornamentals. Proper planning now can reduce maintenance later.

Contact a landscape installation service for more help with planning your new yard.