Whether you are beginning landscaping after new construction, or you are ready to invest in improvements for your outdoor space, it’s essential to ensure that the property is prepared before the landscaping team gets started. Not only is groundwork important for drainage and other functional purposes, but it also ensures that the property is ready for all of your landscaping ideas. At Mikula, we’re experts in preparing your property so your landscaping team can get the job done properly.
In this article, we outline the necessary and essential steps for landscape planning, ensuring that you get the long-term results that you desire. Proper planning is one of the most important factors that will create the curb appeal that turns heads when people are passing by in the street.
Here are some of the best practices to follow when preparing your property.
Clear and Clean Your Property Before Landscaping
Clearing the land will leave you with a clean slate that is ready for landscaping design elements. During this stage, unwanted vegetation, debris, and other materials need to be removed. A land clearing crew can assist with demolition, take out trees and shrubs, and dispose of all of these materials responsibly.
It can take a lot of work to bring in the heavy equipment, load the debris and waste, and then haul it to the proper location. Rest assured knowing that our team is skilled in this process, ensuring that your project remains on schedule and is executed safely and efficiently..
We always check the property line boundaries before making any major changes, ensuring that your property and the neighboring properties are protected every step of the way.
Assess Your Soil and Improve Its Quality
Information will be needed about the soil to determine if any additional site prep steps should be included in the plan. Hire an expert team that uses a soil test kit to check all of the soil factors that could impact health, safety, and construction success. For more information about this process, you can talk to a soil testing provider or even talk to a local extension office for recommendations.
Some soil issues that might affect landscaping include compacted soil (which can hinder plant growth), the level of organic matter, and the type of soil that is on the site. Depending on the planting zones, you might need to bring in more topsoil to make sure there is a healthy foundation so that your landscaping will thrive in the future.
Plan and Mark Your Landscape Layout
The first step to successful landscape design is to imagine the overall layout and put it on paper first. This process will turn into the blueprint that is followed for the actual landscaping installation. Once the layout is decided, we’ll clear and level what’s needed to help you reach that goal.
It’s also important to think about the traffic flow through the yard and how functional different areas will be for your preferred activities. We’ll make recommendations about the ideal ways that your layout will align with your long-term goals.
When planning your landscape project, it is essential to work with a professional landscaper and landscape architect. At Mikula Contracting, we can coordinate with other professionals to ensure the project is completed to specifications and efficiently.
Grade and Level the Land for Proper Drainage
Before moving forward with any grading or excavation, we’ll make sure to have the necessary permits in hand. These permits from the local authorities are often required if major changes are being made to the property.
Successful grading addresses water flow patterns. Ideally, the slope should gently move water away from the structures, helping to reduce the risk of water damage to the foundation. Additionally, we are proactive about correcting any low spots to avoid water pooling and collection in undesirable areas.
Not only does proper draining protect your buildings, but it is also critical for preventing erosion and water damage. The right drainage plan will protect your trees and other landscaping features. For this reason, it’s worth the investment to bring in a professional excavation and grading crew, especially when you are dealing with complicated issues.
Prepare Your Property for Planting and Hardscaping
Once an excavation team clears and levels your yard for the project, your landscaping team can be brought in to execute their side of the deal.
Some steps are important to reduce your maintenance in the future. For example, putting in landscape fabric can help to avoid unnecessary weeds and keep your yard looking great with minimal work.
Plan for Irrigation and Water Conservation
Efficient watering systems will keep your landscaping alive and also help you avoid manual labor to take care of the yard. For example, one option is to install a drip irrigation system to help with plant growth. Depending on your plant selection and placement, some of the yard areas might need sprinkler installation.
Consider eco-friendly solutions that can help with water management, such as hardscaping in certain areas of the yard, or using collection systems and rain barrels for the water. Some property owners also want to prioritize the use of drought-tolerant plants to reduce their monthly expenses since less water will be needed to maintain the yard.
Schedule Your Landscaping Project for the Best Season
If you are ready to make your outdoor space look great this season, then it is a good time to contact our team. The weather is nice, and we can help you determine the ideal timeline for executing your perfect yard.
Consult an Experienced Land Improvement Contractor
While small landscaping designs might be fine as a DIY weekend project, there are times when it makes sense to hire a professional team for assistance. When you bring in the big guns for landscaping, make sure you don’t forget about site prep and excavation. For more information about available grading and excavation services, reach out to us to schedule a consultation. We will evaluate your landscaping design vision and offer recommendations to achieve the best results possible. Our team at Mikula is always here to help.