While you’re happy with all the home improvements made during the last year, there’s still more work to be done. Specifically, you want to create a whole new look for the grounds. That calls for help from a professional landscaping service. How will a professional make a difference? Here are a few examples to consider.
Conduct a Full Property Evaluation
Before any changes are made, the landscaper will go over every square inch of the property. The goal is to identify any elements that you would like included in the new plan. It’s also a good time to point out anything that you’ve never liked and would love to see gone permanently. The information that comes out of that evaluation provides the basis for all future planning.
Test and Treat the Soil
Expect the landscaper to collect soil samples and have them tested. While a professional will already have some ideas about the nutritional content of the soil, testing will provide additional information about what type of plant life it will support. Depending on the test results, it may be necessary to treat the soil so that it’s capable of growing a wider range of plants. Once the soil is ready, it will be time to talk about what can be done with your outdoor space.
Make Suggestions About Hard and Soft Elements
Landscaping is about more than what types of shrubs, flowers, and other natural elements you want included. There’s the matter of deciding what sort of paved surfaces to include. You also want to talk about borders for garden paths or around flower beds or islands. Would you like to include a pergola or a gazebo in the new landscaping? How about some type of fence that provides privacy, ornamentation, or a little of both?
Expect the landscaper to come up with suggestions of what plants to include and where to place them. The same is true in terms of discussing the merits of wood, concrete and brick in the overall planning. If you would like some sort of structure that would be perfect for an outdoor sitting area, the style and the location will also be part of the discussion.
Design the Layout
After settling on the elements to include, the expert from the professional landscaping service will begin the process of preparing a first draft of the design. In many ways, the result is a lot like a house blueprint. You’ll be able to get an idea of where every plant goes, how the paved paths wind through the yard, and the size and dimensions of any structures you want to include. That first draft may be exactly what you want. If not, it can be altered until you’re happy with the plan.
Keep Working Until the Job is Done
With a budget and a plan in place, the landscaper will begin removing all elements that don’t have a place in the new design. Once that’s done, the remaining elements will be transplanted to their new locations. The next step involves adding the new elements in a logical sequence. Working with the schedule that the two of you agreed upon, the new grounds will take shape until the initial work is done.
The landscaper won’t consider the project completed until you’re happy with the outcome. That will involve one final walk-through so you have the chance to ensure everything is to your liking. Once you give your approval, the project is truly finished.
Are you ready to make some changes to the landscaping around the home? Call a professional today and arrange for a visit to your property. That first visit will kick off the process of making the grounds everything that you’ve always wanted.
