Backyard Reflections

Buying a new property or building a home is something to look forward to. This project allows you to try plenty of things that need to be planned ahead of time — such as landscaping.

But where should you begin with landscaping? Generally, it’s best to hire a landscape designer to guarantee outstanding results. Nevertheless, you can also get started by paying your neighborhood nursery a visit. They can usually offer basic garden design advice if you purchase your plants from them. Experts may also ask for some pictures or a map of your property so they can offer more specific recommendations regarding the best plants to use on your property. Be sure that your plan also defines the specific location of the house as well as the front and/or back yards.

For more landscaping tips for new construction homes, continue reading this post by local outdoor living specialist Backyard Reflections.

Choosing a Design

We have long relied on flowers to treat illnesses, cultivated symmetrical lawns to promote an impression of order and tranquility, and sought solace in rippling water features. But many people are still unsure of where to begin when it comes to designing their outdoor green spaces while focusing on their individual needs rather than the latest trends.

In landscape design, the best gardens — whether they are cottage-style or formal, native or coastal — share one quality. They are pretty much like your home in the sense that they mirror the lives and personalities of those who live on the property. That said, an effective garden design is one that considers the residents’ lifestyle in addition to their taste.

To effectively determine how you can personalize your landscaping, ask yourself these questions:

• Do you want to maximize your space for your children so they can have ample space where they can play?
• Do you wish to spend more time outdoors and have a barbecue Sundays with friends?
• Do you prefer to have an area where you can grow vegetables and crops?

Moreover, look into these key considerations so you can achieve a landscape design that meets your needs:

• Local climate
• The people living on the property
• The style of your home
• The local terrain (is it sloping or not?)
• Where your yard is facing
• Existing features, especially those unique to your yard

Do You Want a Low-Maintenance Garden or Not?

Do you enjoy spending hours in your garden? Or do you prefer a garden that needs less upkeep but still looks great? Ensure to pick the proper plants when you’re planning your landscaping if you don’t want to spend every weekend tending to them. 

You can fill your garden with plants that require TLC if you enjoy getting your hands dirty while pruning, watering and composting. On the other hand, if you frequently find yourself too busy on the weekends to even consider picking up a hose, stick to low-maintenance plant species.

As mentioned, take location, light and climate into account. The majority of plants require around four hours of natural light each day. Some plants thrive by soaking up as much sunshine as they can, while others prefer wet, shaded environments. You should also make sure the plants you choose can endure frost during winter if your area is prone to chilly temperatures.

Don’t Be Afraid to Get Dirty

You should consider soil before buying any plants for your landscape. Since not all types of soil are created equal, the soil around your newly constructed home may be vulnerable to any of these issues:

• Poor soil quality. Fill dirt is frequently used by contractors to raise new homes, fill in voids or create a slope to direct water away from the building. This fill dirt can come from anywhere in the neighborhood, and if you’re lucky, it can even contain topsoil. But it will almost certainly have a lot of subsoil in it. Natural gardening helpers like worms, microorganisms, insects, organic materials and nutrients haven’t hydrated or worked the subsoil. All of them help the soil get ready for planting. The soil’s structure improves over time and after some exposure to the elements, making it easier for roots to take hold.

• Compacted soil. On a construction site for a new house, there is a lot of activity. Both heavy equipment and worker foot activity are present. The earth on your lot will become compacted due to all these activities. Why don’t the builders take action about that, you might wonder? Builders do, in fact, like compact soil because they need tightly compacted dirt to prevent the construction from moving while being built. Compact soil, however, is bad news for your future lawn. Grass, plants and trees require a loose soil structure to flourish. To firmly attach the plant and maintain good health, the roots need a smooth passage to travel as far as they can.

Should You DIY?

Work is involved in preparing the area and laying sod or seed. It will be a workout if you choose to do it yourself. Nevertheless, to execute the work correctly, you don’t necessarily have to be a professional. As long as you have the patience to spend time and effort on the project, you can go the DIY route.

But if you want the tasks to be completed more quickly and efficiently, you should hire an expert to complete them. Professional services are more expensive, but you’ll have the benefit of being able to sit back, relax and enjoy the process. Many sod suppliers offer installation if you decide to go with that material instead of seed. Preparing the location, making adjustments and planting are typically included in the installation.

If you’re considering hiring a professional to carry out your landscape design project, renting rollers and tillers will cost less unless you already have them in which case you should be able to manage it yourself. Following the installation of your grassy sections, you can add flower beds, trees, shrubs and any other features you choose for your yard.

Costs of Landscaping

Since it is usually done last, landscaping is often the first expense to be eliminated from a new construction budget. Even though it’s commonly overlooked, landscaping may significantly change how your home feels and looks. Even a small allocation should be put aside for landscaping because it can increase the value of your property. In the long run, it will undoubtedly be profitable.

A basic guideline is to spend 10% of the price of your property on landscaping. Therefore, the landscaping for a $500,000 house should have a budget of around $50,000. However, this does not necessarily mean you must spend your entire landscaping budget all at once. Often, homeowners simply set aside a budget, then refine their landscaping over time.

Hire Professionals to Transform Your Outdoor Living Space!

Are you still looking for outdoor living experts to work on your landscaping project? Backyard Reflections is proud to offer our innovative design process, skilled landscaping services and superior customer service. We look forward to hearing about your vision for your dream landscaping. Call us at (320) 274-6336 (Annandale) or (218) 454-1065 (Nisswa) to request a quote. You may also fill out our online form to schedule a no-obligation consultation.