by JERICHO MILES
As rewarding as it is to improve the curbside appeal of our homes, it’s a lot of work. Regardless of the scale, taking on any landscaping project is a massive commitment. So, many may wonder, how long does landscaping a garden take?
Generally, a lawn care service project for an average-sized home can take around two to three days, but this may still vary. Read on to get all the info you need before launching your next landscaping project.
Does landscaping a garden on the front yard take longer than the backyard?
Front yard landscaping tends to be simpler, taking shorter time than backyard projects. For instance, installing a new walkway or driveway or planting flower bushes in the front yard will only take days. And even if you add in more complex elements like matures, it’ll only take you around four days max.
On the other hand, backyard projects take longer as many homeowners consider backyards part of their living spaces, including several elements. And these range from simple decks to complex water features, making landscaping projects more time-consuming.
How long will it take to landscape a garden?
A standard front yard or garden of an average-sized home can take you a few days, lasting for three days at most. Meanwhile, whole backyard landscaping projects or those with bigger houses last for weeks or months as it’s more elaborate. Generally, it can take two weeks per acre to finish.
But the exact amount of time it can take a contractor to landscape a garden varies on a few factors, such as:
- The property’s size
- The amount of foliage needed
- Your soil’s quality
Remember, it won’t be simply the land alone you’re contending with when tackling a landscaping project. It’s an art form, so you might need to go over several potential designs with a professional to see which works best to improve your home’s curbside appeal.
Let’s break down everything that contributes to the amount of time landscaping can take you for a more educated guess.
The design you prefer
The most significant influence on the amount of time a landscaping project requires is its design. It’s best to work with a professional beforehand to see what theme or elements would match your garden. Alternatively, you can fit a plant or two on your property, wherever you prefer.
But if you’re looking to increase your home’s property value while improving its curbside appeal, plan it carefully.
The size of the land you’ll be working on
Smaller landscaping projects will take less time than extensive ones. For instance, if you’re looking to landscape a garden in your front yard, you’ll only be likely working on a 10×10 patch of land, which will take you three days max to finish.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to outfit your entire garden at home, expect at least a few weeks of work.
The quality of your property’s soil
The soil in your garden or around your property can make it more challenging to tackle a landscaping project. For example, if you live above clay soil, you’ll need more time to prepare your land than those living on other soil types.
How much do I need to budget for landscaping a garden?
What you budget for your landscaping project depends on your end goal. But keep in mind that the costs greatly vary based on what you’d like to see in your garden and whether you’re hiring a professional to do the job or not.
When establishing a budget, research the kind of plants you’re looking to add to your garden alongside extra features you wish to include. This way, you’ll be able to develop a baseline budget before making any purchase. And with this in place, you’ll be able to see where you can save some money without compromising your vision.
Generally, landscaping projects for small to average-sized homes can cost you anywhere between $5000 to $20,000. On the other hand, landscaping projects for bigger homes can rack up to six-digit figures!
What are the most affordable landscaping materials?
If you’re looking to landscape your garden on a budget, you’ll need to look for a few tricks to achieve a finished appearance at a quarter of the cost. Fortunately, there are many money-saving alternatives you can try. These help you avoid paying premium fees for a professional finish
Here are some of them:
Go for widespread lighting
While lighting can make any garden stand out, it can be costly. The best thing to do with outdoor lighting is to invest in wide-reaching lights that you can place outdoors. For instance, instead of buying small pathway lights, try creating an overhead curtain with fairy lights.
Skip the mulch, and try cheaper alternatives
Regardless of the garden style you want, you will need some mulch for your landscaped beds. Generally, you’ll need more of it in the colder months to protect your plants. But mulch can be expensive, even when bought in bulk. Here are some more affordable alternatives you can try:
- Hay
- Pine needles
- Untreated newspapers
- Straw
- Rubber mulch
You may also save yourself from spending anything by gathering leaves in your yard and shredding them to pieces. From there, you can spread the debris on your landscaped beds.
Embrace the “triple Rs” (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle)
It’s never wrong to help out the environment, and for landscaping projects, you can save more than you’d think on costs by reducing, reusing, and recycling. Look around your house for things that might blend well with your yard. For instance, you can reuse an old tire as a unique flower pot.
Try to do it yourself
You can save some money by tackling these landscaping projects yourself. But you don’t have to necessarily do it on your own as you can always ask for advice from your local nursery to see which plants would look best for your garden. Still, you can do all these yourself as long as you do some research beforehand, have the right tools, and have patience.
Conclusion
Landscaping a garden can last for a few days to several months, depending on several things. When planning out your next project, remember the size of your land, soil quality, and the design you want for a more accurate estimation. Don’t hesitate to contact a professional lawn care service provider when in doubt.
For more from writer Jericho Miles, visit https://www.rootslandscapingct.com/20-easy-and-cheap-landscaping-ideas-in-2022/
