The planning process for building your new home started months ago with finding the perfect land and then the perfect blueprint. You’ve upgraded your counter tops, spent way more then you anticipated on your hard wood floors and now after months of waiting, your new construction home is complete and your left wondering, “what am I going to do what that yard?!” You may think of it as a blank canvas, but your new yard requires some deep thought before you dig in. So, before you launch into a grand scale outdoor plan for your new home, take a moment to read over these three points first.
Plan Ahead of Time!
- Will you be using on using sod or seed for your lawn? If there are any existing trees, a special type of sod or seed may be needed. Geographic locations play a role in what type of grass you install. Seed is less expensive, but does require more water to get established. Also, keep in mind what time of the year you are building. Don’t seed or sod in the hot summer months. Fall and spring are the ideal times.
- What watering method do you plan on using? Options are irrigation systems, drip hoses or sprinklers. Consider what you will be watering. Possible lawn, trees, shrubs, and maybe flowers. If you live in a drought area, which from time to time, I think we all do, plan out your watering needs.
- Know which direction your house is facing. Is it facing North – South – East- or West? This is very important if you have trees planted in the front yard. If it is a sunny location, make sure all trees and shrubs being planted there, can tolerate sun. This is also important for any other area you are having plants put in.
- Where does the afternoon sun hit? Are the trees and shrubs you are having planted appropriate for that particular location? Always plant shrubs at least two feet out from the foundation. The average landscaper will plant a one or three gallon container. Think about how big the shrub will become in three to five years. A shrub will not grow properly if planted to close to your house. Small trees are fine planted along the front of a house, as long as they are planted far enough away so their roots don’t grow underneath the foundation. Know the future size and width of a tree being planted before it is installed.
- Is there a need to bring in top soil or fill dirt? The dirt is used to level the bed areas being planted. The prep part of a bed of a new construction is more critical than an existing bed. The ground has not been turned and worked, so it is very important, the soil is properly prepared. A must is a soil conditioner or mushroom compost in and around each plant, especially in new landscaped beds. Even if you have the richest soil in your country, it is a good idea to add at least one of these plant materials.
Take these steps to ensure you are going to be totally satisfied with your investment on the outside as well as in your interior of your new construction. Whether you are phase planting or doing a full landscape area around your property, plan this segment correctly, and make your home is a welcome sight every day!
