Landscaping season is upon us! And for new Homeowners, that can mean a mixed bag of emotions. For seasoned green thumbs, it can’t come soon enough. But for those new to landscaping and gardening, it might be overwhelming.
The good news? We’re here to help! We’ve put together an outline to get you started on planning your new home’s outdoor space. And we’ve even reached out to local landscaping expert, Jamie Minshull from LandCo Earthworks and Consulting, to provide us with some of her favorite foliage finds for the Edmonton zone!
Wait for your grade
Your builder is often responsible for completing your rough grade (the initial shaping of the soil surrounding your home). This step must be complete before moving on to final grading. Final grading involves bringing topsoil to your yard and shaping/leveling it so that water is directed away from your home and a base is created for your sod and plants.
If you’re hiring a company to complete your landscaping, they’ll often take care of the final grade as part of the process. If not, you’ll need to hire a company that specializes in completing the final grade, which they will provide a certificate for once their work has been approved by your municipality.
Once you have a final grade certificate, let the landscaping fun begin!
Get the Guidelines
Did you know? Qualico Communities have landscaping guidelines. These guidelines would have been included as part of the purchase agreement for your new home. You can also find them on our website. You would have likely paid a landscaping deposit to your builder, and upon completion of landscaping that meets your community guidelines, you will receive that deposit back.
Check out our blog What You Need To Know Before Landscaping Your New Home for more information on community guidelines.
Prepare a plan
Chances are that you’ll need a tree, a certain number of shrubs or perennials, and sod in your front yard. Again, refer to your community’s landscaping guidelines for exact details.
When it comes to trees and shrubs, you can choose from 2 types:
Coniferous/Evergreen (they stay green all year long). They are a great choice for winter interest, privacy, and shade. Since they don’t lose leaves in the fall, they’re also a little less maintenance than deciduous trees and shrubs.
Deciduous (they lose their leaves in the fall and produce new leaves in the spring). They are often showstoppers, with many flowering, fruit producing, or colour-changing varieties.
Perennials are plants that die back in the fall but typically come back again the next spring. You can use perennials to add colour and texture to your yard, and to attract bees, butterflies, and birds.
Photos courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder
Get the goods
There are many local greenhouses and nurseries where you can source your plants. When you shop locally, not only are you supporting small businesses in your community, but you’re purchasing plants that have been acclimatized appropriately to our weather, and thrive in Edmonton’s horticultural zone (zone 4a).
Here are a few spots to try:
Kiwi Nurseries (close to Easton, Springate, and Stony Plain communities)
Creekside Home & Garden (close to Rivers Edge, The Uplands, and Verge at Stillwater)
Sunstar Nurseries (close to Cy Becker and Marquis)
If you’re taking a DIY approach, once you’re ready to plant, make sure to read the pot tags for planting instructions (how wide and deep of a hole to dig, how much water the plant requires, and how to maintain it as it grows).
Enjoy the view
Completing your landscaping can add value and curb appeal to your home (oh, and let’s not forget…get you your landscaping deposit back!) And, studies show that getting your hands into soil can even reduce stress! It’s a win-win-win.
So, embrace the process and enjoy making your house a home with a beautiful outdoor space. Your neighbours will be green with envy.