Order of Installation for Landscaping Projects

In this article, we will discuss the planning and organization of landscaping work to ensure an efficient installation process that can save you time, money, and unnecessary hassle. When it comes to landscaping, proper sequencing of tasks is crucial for a successful outcome, and a well-thought-out design plan is essential for efficient completion of work and potential cost savings. While this guide provides an ideal order for landscaping projects, it's important to note that every case is unique, and flexibility may be required based on specific circumstances.

Access & Movement of Materials

One crucial factor to consider is access. If you need to access the backyard through the front, it's best to start working from the rear and move forward to avoid damaging completed work while delivering materials or performing messy tasks.

By ensuring that installers have access to the backyard with equipment, you can potentially save thousands of dollars in labor costs. Having to manually transport materials from the front to the back using wheelbarrows can significantly increase labor expenses. In some cases, homeowners may consider temporarily removing a fence panel to facilitate access for the landscaping project.

Pictured above, a home in Snohomish County Washington gets a new hardscape to balance the foliage and garden pathways that will be installed at a later date. See finalized images of this project in Garden Girl’s Portfolio here.

Efficient material movement planning is also important. This includes scheduling deliveries of materials such as gravel, hardscaping materials, loam, etc., in a way that minimizes handling and movement. Have a plan in place for where these materials can be stored or placed to allow for easy access and maneuverability during the project. If you are not able to be present during material deliveries, clearly mark the desired drop-off location with an “X” or lay out a tarp for the products. It’s essential to communicate your instructions clearly with the delivery truck organizer to avoid any confusion.

In addition, ensure that your address is clearly marked or provide a detailed description of your house location to avoid confusion with nearby properties, especially in new construction areas where multiple landscape projects may be ongoing, and house numbers may not be clearly visible.

Considerations for Installers
Another aspect to keep in mind is the needs of the contractors working on your landscaping project. Providing a designated area, such as a Porta Potty, for them to use for restroom breaks can help create a more comfortable and efficient work environment. 

Planning and Budgeting

Before proceeding with any landscaping job, it's crucial to have a realistic budget in place. It's not advisable to undertake a project that you cannot afford, and compromising your plans due to budget constraints can lead to dissatisfaction with the end result. Prioritize your wants and needs list and consider consulting with professionals, such as GardenGirl, to explore options for achieving your landscaping goals within your budget. For example, if you desire an outdoor kitchen but need to prioritize privacy first, GardenGirl can help you come up with a plan to achieve both goals over time, such as installing privacy screens initially and adding the outdoor kitchen later.

Earthworks

One of the initial steps in most landscaping projects is major earthworks, which may involve excavating, installing underlay piping, grading, and electrical lines. It's crucial to call 811 dig and have the utility lines marked before commencing any excavation work. Take pictures and use flags or sticks to mark the areas where utilities are located to avoid any accidental damage.

Walls and Bordering

Walls and borders play a significant role in defining the shape and structure of your garden. It's important to note that any retaining walls that are four feet or higher may require permits. Ensure that you comply with local regulations and obtain necessary permits before proceeding with the installation of retaining walls or other bordering elements.


Paving or Other Hard Surfaces

It's crucial to prioritize your hardscaping projects before planting any vegetation. Construction work involved in these projects can compress the soil or cause damage to turf and plantings, so it's important to complete any heavy work before planting begins.

Hardscaping projects may include porches, sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, decks, fences, patios, covered areas, fire pits, and more. The level of these projects is usually determined by the house or previously constructed walls or steps if they are adjacent to it.

Garden Beds and Planting

At this stage, it’s ideal to prepare the soil and do the planing, which may require multiple trips over the future lawn area, best done before the lawn is installed. Avoid using cheap “fill dirt” that is filled with random waste and lacks nutrients. Remember, you are investing in your nursery stock.

For all of the plant parents out there, calculate the length multiplied by width of all your new planting beds and divide by 162 (or use an online calculator). Add 2 inches of COMPOST to your new beds and work it in. GardenGirl recommends getting compost from Bailey’s, located in the fertile fields of Snohomish Valley. Topsoils NW also sells a 3-way topsoil. Loose, fertile soil will promote root growth on new plantings and help them establish quickly. Clearly define the turf and bed lines. First, use a garden hose to lay out your bed lines, and then use a spray paint like Krylon Marking Chalk to temporarily mark the garden bed lines. Alternatively, you can use a large bag of flour to mark the beds. 

There are hundreds of guides on planting, but the most basic rules to follow for nursery stock (with exceptions) are as follows:

• Mix up the entire planting bed first to ensure the compost is well mixed in. Work backwards so you don't continually stomp over the areas you just mixed into to avoid compacting the soil. 

• Arrange your plants first. Space them out, starting from the back of the border. If you are planting with a spacing of 5 feet on center (5’o.c.), that means you place your plant and then walk 5 feet and place the next one. Rinse and repeat. 

• Remember wherever the trunk/ stem is, the plant will grow out on either side. For example, if a plant spreads 10 feet, it will spread 5 feet on either side of the trunk.
  Once you have them arranged, sleep on it and make the final adjustments the next day. If you have placed a tree within 10 feet of your house that has a ground spread of 30 feet, please remove it, unless you enjoy cleaning out gutters, constant pruning and dealing with costly foundation issues. 

• Dig your hole to the depth of the existing container the nursery stock came in or the size of the rootball plus 6 inches. Then dig the hole 2 times as wide as the root ball. Most plant roots grow outwards rather than downwards. 

• Place your new plant in the hole and make sure the top of the root ball is just under the surface, with no roots showing. Avoid placing soil around the trunk like a turtleneck, think V-necks here. We want to avoid root rot. 

• Give each plant a thorough soaking from the base of the plant at soil level. Avoid watering plants from overhead as this can invite various fungal diseases. 
  

The Forgotten Side Yards

Side yards are often long narrow strips that can be a great location to store your utilities and tools. Items such as garbage cans, firewood or extra garden storage. A side yard can also be utilized as a dog kennel area or boat parking. No matter what you decide to do with your side yard, it’s best to remember not to completely block off access to your backyard. 

Irrigation

Prior to installing lawns and gardens, it is advisable to set up an irrigation system for optimal efficiency and to ensure the survival of your plants and lawn. Drip irrigation, rather than spray, should always be used for garden beds to minimize issues such as root rot, evaporation, and water conservation, which can also help reduce your water bill. Spray sprinkler heads are suitable for lawns. For detailed information on garden irrigation, including terminology, system recommendations, self-installation instructions, as well as professional tips and tricks from Garden Girl, refer to our comprehensive blog series.

Mulch
It is best to apply mulch after planting to avoid mixing it with the soil, as this can be detrimental to plant health, especially when using cedar chips that may deplete the soil of nitrogen. For the initial few years, consider black fine bark as mulch. GardenGirl prefers spending an additional $250. On mulch that is 2-3” thick each growing season, rather than constantly battling with weeds. This approach also helps reduce the need for chemical controls, benefiting both the environment and your wallet.

Lawn

View your lawn as the final touch and last step in your landscaping project. To ensure a new level surface, it is important to prepare the soil thoroughly in one go. Once installed, the lawn should not be walked on for at least a month, particularly by children or pets, to allow the roots to establish in the soil. Fall is the best time to seed a lawn. As it is the most cost effective method. Alternatively, you can choose to lay turf or consider artificial turf as a low-maintenance option that is safe for kids and pets, freeing yourself from the chore of mowing the lawn.

Finishing Touches
Now is the time to add your personal touch to your landscaping. After investing in the above elements, you may feel like something is missing to truly represent your personality. For instance, if you love kayaking, you can incorporate an old-school canoe or paddles as a unique fence decoration. If biking is your passion, GardenGirl has created art installations using bicycle wheels in clients’ backyards. IF you’re unsure about how to showcase your personality, consider installing low-voltage landscape lighting, as solar lights may not last long in the Pacific Northwest. This way, you can enjoy your up-lit garden at night while savoring your favorite beverage.

A Final Note: 

With over 30 years of gardening experience, Garden Girl understands that mistakes are part of the process and not all plants may thrive due to the challenges of mother nature and climate change. The steps outlined above are designed with different people in mind, including young families in their first home, middle-aged couples looking to downsize or simplify, singles who want to do more than just weed on weekends, introverts who prefer the company of a book and nature, or extroverts who enjoy outdoor gatherings with lights, food, and music. Landscape design should be tailored to the needs and preferences of the people who inhabit the space, as what works for one may not work for all.