When it comes to building and planning aspects of your new home, there’s no doubt landscaping is one of the most creative and enjoyable tasks to tick off.
It’s important, however, to be realistic about your landscaping plans. The entire process end-to-end can be extremely time consuming, labour intensive and technically difficult.
So if you’re in the midst of dreaming up your perfect landscaping design and need some extra tips and advice, we’ve got you covered. Here are 4 landscaping tips we swear buy when it comes to building a new home.
- Understand local council guidelines
First things first – it’s crucial to consult your local council before the landscaping process commences. They’ll be able to inform you of local water restrictions, fencing requirements, building regulations (such as granny flats or sheds) and other common queries that arise when planning renovations or developments takes place within the council’s locational remit.
- Prepare soil for planting
Before you begin planting, it’s essential to make sure your soil is well prepared. First, make sure you have good drainage, and that your soil isn’t tightly compacted. You may need to then add compost and nutrients – a visit to your local nursery will help if you’re unsure of what to add to your existing soil. Preparing your soil properly can extend the longevity of your garden (once plants are planted), so this step is really important in creating a vibrant, healthy backyard.
- Consider suitable plants for your climate
Rather than picking the prettiest plants, be realistic about your home’s location, climate and weather conditions. If you’ve already chatted to your local nursery about your soil condition, they should be able to advise you on suitable plants based on the soil you’re working with. Weather factors are also important here, as some plants are prone to shrivelling in extreme heat and therefore wouldn’t be suitable for planting in some pockets of Perth or Western Australia.
- Think strategically about plant placement
Once you’ve determined the plants that suit your home’s climate, it’s time to consider the optimal places in your garden to plant them. When doing this, think about plant size. Clustering plants of similar sizes together is an effective way to ‘frame’ your garden – or if necessary, it can create a natural noise barrier from busy roads or loud neighbours.
Placing trees or large plants close to buildings or structures can be potentially dangerous, so consulting a professional landscaper before planting anything too large is a safe idea. They’ll be able to advise whether your desired placement will impact anything connected to your home.
Ready to start landscaping at your new home?
We’re here to help. At Looking Good Landscaping, we’re dedicated to creating the perfect solution to local gardening and landscaping challenges – including brand new homes. We have over 24 years of experience within the Perth metropolitan area – specifically in the suburbs of Secret Harbour, Rockingham and Baldivis, and are determined to provide high-quality, friendly service on landscaping projects across the city.