The last part of building your home is the landscape installation. There are five main areas that must be addressed when designing the landscaping plan and setting the budget for the project.

1. Earthworks

All new landscapes will require shaping the ground to allow for proper drainage and to ensure the grade of the yard doesn't allow water to pool near foundations on other structures. The soil may also need to be amended and built up so it can support landscape plants. Earthworks may include bringing in soil, grading the site to allow for drainage, and even the installation of drain tiles, dry creeks, or other types of systems to ensure water flows through the landscape properly.

2. Hardscaping

The simplest type of hardscaping that is required for most landscape installation projects is the patio or backyard deck. Your yard may also require retaining walls if there is a slope that needs to be stabilized. Paths and sidewalks are other common hardscaping needs. There are also decorative hardscaping wants to consider, such as walls around garden beds, fountains and water features, fencing, and structures like pergolas.

3. Foundation Plants

Foundation plants are the perennial, woody plants that will create the main framework around which the rest of the landscaping, including annual flowers, will be installed. These include things like the shade trees planted along the south side of the house, the low shrubs that border either side of the main walkway, or the wind-breaking hedge put in along the northern fence. Choosing and locating these plants requires care since they will be a permanent part of the landscaping. 

4. Lawn Installation

There are two choices for lawn installation, seed or sod. Seed takes longer to sprout and establish, but it is inexpensive. Sod is the preferred choice for new landscaping because it establishes within days instead of months, so your new yard is nearly immediately usable. Choose sod from local suppliers if you go this route, as the grass will be acclimated to your area's weather and temperatures. Irrigation systems are also included in lawn installation as they are often installed at the same time as the grass.

5. Lighting

One of the last things to put in will be the garden lighting. You have a choice of solar lights, electric, or hybrid systems that run on solar but have an electric backup for cloudy days. Combine utilitarian lighting, such as those that line the sidewalk or light a seating area, with attractive landscape lights for the best effects. Landscape lights include uplights that highlight certain features such as a statue or tree, as well those lights that illuminate flower beds and other yard accents.

Contact a home landscape installation service for more help.

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