New Construction Landscaping: Where Should You Start?
New construction landscaping needs a foundational plan before you can pick out plants. When landscaping from the ground up, it’s essential to begin with site conditions, grading, drainage, and the placement of major outdoor features. This will determine the best order to proceed so that you aren’t pausing midway through an installation or, worse, having to redo work.
Foundational work, such as irrigation infrastructure and underground utilities, generally needs to be coordinated before finished patios, lawns, and planting beds are installed. With decades of experience, Bath Landscape & Irrigation is a skilled partner for all aspects of new construction landscape installations.
What Should Be Included In A New Construction Landscaping Plan?
What Should Homeowners Evaluate Before Starting Landscaping?
A site assessment that identifies existing conditions and challenges is the first step. You’ll want to evaluate:
Final grading and drainage patterns.
Soil quality and compaction from construction equipment.
Sun and wind exposure.
Property boundaries and utility locations.
Access points and walkways.
Water availability and irrigation needs.
Without understanding challenges like compacted soil and site conditions like drainage, and planning accordingly, it’s possible your landscaping could struggle or fail.
Which Landscape Features Should Be Planned Together?
Your entire landscape layout should be fully planned, even if you’re developing in phases. Plan out where you want patios, walkways, pavers, retaining walls, any sod or lawn areas, trees, shrubs, and planting beds, irrigation installation, outdoor kitchens, and fire features.
Think about how you want to use your landscape long term, and decide which areas could benefit from native plants or hardscaping. Be sure your plan includes a realistic installation sequence to minimize disruptions to completed areas.
When Should Irrigation Installation Happen In A New Landscape?
Why Should Irrigation Be Planned Before Sod and Plant Installation?
Irrigation installation should generally be completed before sod and plant installation. While not as fun as some parts of landscaping, like picking out beautiful plants, starting with your irrigation system is key to a healthy, thriving landscape long term. Irrigation, especially in Northern Colorado, is an ideal tool for conserving water while ensuring every part of your landscape thrives.
Irrigation installation can be complex and often requires digging or trenching, which would disturb new plant and sod installations. Refer back to your site assessment when planning out watering zones before designing your irrigation system. For example, group plants with similar watering needs in the same zone. Smart irrigation can water turfgrass, trees, and shrubs, native plant beds, and perennials according to water requirements.
How Does Irrigation Installation Affect Patio Construction?
Coordinate irrigation lines and any necessary sleeves beneath planned hardscape before patio installation. Plan where pipes and valves will be located to avoid unnecessary excavation after construction, and be sure to protect any irrigation components during any hardscape installation. While the exact installation sequence depends on your personal design and site conditions, be sure to test your irrigation system before installing sod and finishing planting areas.
Should Patio Installation Come Before Sod And Plant Installation?
Yes, patios and any hardscape should be installed before landscaping. Hardscape installation requires excavation, grading, base preparation, and heavy equipment, all of which can damage freshly installed sod and plants. Where you place your hardscape influences drainage, elevation changes, and the shape of surrounding lawn areas. Additionally, proper patio installation requires a stable foundation and appropriate drainage. All underground irrigation and other utilities must be planned out before installing hardscape.
What Should Homeowners Know Before Scheduling Sod Installation?
New homeowners may not realize that construction activity can leave soil compacted, uneven, or lacking organic material. Evaluate soil conditions and get a soil test. Next, you can address any compaction and add soil amendments as needed. Establish your final grades and ensure irrigation is installed and operational before sod installation happens.
Proper soil preparation supports healthy root establishment and can reduce future lawn problems. Without this foundational work, laying sod over soil in poor condition can create long-term challenges.
How Can New Construction Landscaping Prevent Costly Rework Later?
These landscaping mistakes can lead to additional expenses down the line:
Installing sod before underground irrigation work is completed.
Building patios without accounting for drainage or future utilities.
Planting trees and shrubs without considering their mature size.
Failing to address construction-related soil compaction.
Adding retaining walls after the surrounding areas have already been landscaped.
Installing features without considering access for future construction.
Choosing plants without accounting for sun exposure and water requirements.
Starting with a complete landscaping plan, even if you are constructing in stages, allows you to prioritize foundational work such as drainage, grading, and underground infrastructure. Planning ahead can reduce unnecessary demolition, plant and sod replacements, and general disruption.
Why Choose Bath Landscape & Irrigation For New Construction Landscaping In Fort Collins?
Bath Landscape & Irrigation provides residential landscape design and installation services in Fort Collins and surrounding Northern Colorado communities. The company can help coordinate major landscape elements, including landscape design, irrigation installation, patio installation, hardscaping, sod and lawn installation, plant design, and outdoor living features.
Bath Landscape & Irrigation specializes in sustainable, low-maintenance landscapes using appropriate native plants, efficient irrigation, and thoughtful soil preparation. By starting with a complete landscape design that incorporates grading, drainage, planting areas, and irrigation, homeowners can set themselves and their landscape up for long-term success. Reach out to Bath Landscape & Irrigation to start planning out the landscaping for your new construction home.
Resources:
Colorado State University Extension. "Water-Wise Landscape Design: Steps"
Colorado State University Extension. "Renovating the Home Lawn"
United State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). "Irrigation with a Pro"
