Good landscaping starts with a plan. Sketch your project area, mark existing features like trees, utilities, and structures, and note drainage patterns. Call 811 before digging to locate buried utilities — it's free and required by law. Order materials based on your calculations and add 10-15% waste for cutting, settling, and uneven ground. Bulk delivery is almost always cheaper than bags for quantities over 1 cubic yard.

Consider timing carefully. Mulch and topsoil are best applied in spring or fall when temperatures are moderate. Sod should be installed during the growing season for your grass type — cool-season grasses in early fall, warm-season grasses in late spring. Gravel and sand can be installed year-round, but avoid working in frozen or muddy conditions.

Popular Landscaping Materials

Landscaping materials fall into two categories: organic and inorganic. Organic materials such as mulch, topsoil, and sod improve soil health and are ideal for garden beds, lawns, and planting areas. Inorganic materials like sand, gravel, and rock provide drainage, structure, and durability for pathways, driveways, and decorative features. Choose organic materials for areas where plants will grow and inorganic materials for hardscape and ground cover.

Landscaping Tips

Apply 2-3 inches of mulch for weed suppression without smothering plant roots
Use landscape fabric under gravel and rock to prevent weed growth
Topsoil should be 4-6 inches deep for vegetable gardens
Water newly laid sod daily for the first two weeks