What Does Landscape Gardening Entail?

Basically, landscape gardening is the implementation of a fully designed garden. It can cover the entire range of possible gardening tasks starting with the concept and design, the construction of paths and garden features such as rockeries and ponds and the detailed implementation of planting plans and lawns.

Landscape gardening is a highly specialised field, and niche experts abound along with ‘generalist’ landscape gardening professionals. For example, there are companies and individuals specialising in lawns. They can help you (or your landscape gardening firm if they subcontract work to them) to fine tune a lawn design, turf or seed it, and advise and provide ongoing maintenance help in the months and years ahead.

Garden Design

A landscape gardening project will start with a vision or concept. A rough design can be fleshed out by a landscape gardening professional to incorporate the client’s own ideas and desired features. For example, is a water feature required? Is there a requirement for space to entertain? If so, is a patio or decking the best option?

Can the client afford to spend time maintaining the garden? If not, perhaps low maintenance plants/features should be considered.

Construction

Perhaps the existing garden is being mildly altered, or maybe it is a complete overhaul? Landscape garden construction can veer into builder’s territory when the project demands major upheaval. Indeed, some clients use builders for the basic construction phase of a landscape gardening project as opposed to a landscape gardener.

Construction tasks can include major ground levelling and shaping. Other construction could be building paths, installing patios and decking, erecting fences and digging out the ground for a water feature such as a pond.

Planting Plans

The basic positioning of flower beds and other planting areas will have taken place at the design and planning stage, but specific planning in terms of what to plant and where will be undertaken. This aspect of landscape gardening is important for two reasons.

Firstly, there is the aesthetic appeal of certain plants and flowers combining with each other in terms of their colours when they bloom. Secondly, it matters for ensuring the plants and flowers flourish. Is the planting area/flower bed going to receive enough sunlight? If not, plants that can manage with less light may be required in certain low light areas.

Soil type and condition is crucial when planning what types of plants/flowers to plant and where. Indeed, this is an important element of landscape gardening generally – it will affect aspects such as laying a lawn and planting new trees. What remedial steps can be taken if the soil is in poor condition? Soil is another area where specific gardening expertise may be required, and plant planning or lawn experts can provide help here.

Overall

Landscape gardening designed and implemented by experts will help effectively utilise whatever garden space is available. Whether it is a small balconied flat to a country house, a full landscape gardening solution can be achieved.