Landscape Plans

Before you put in your lawn and landscaping, tend to preliminaries, says Forrest Sargent, owner of Sargent's Landscape Nursery.

1.  Grading --"The bold water path - how water flows away from the house and off the property - must be established before the landscaping and lawn go in." Runoff needs to be fast enough so water doesn't sit"; the flow should harm neither your place nor the neighbors." The excavating contractor does rough grading; the landscaper the finish grading.

2.  Landscape construction -- If you plan to build a retaining wall, patio or deck, you'll reduce cost and disruption by doing it before you landscape.

3.  Patience -- The dirt surrounding your house's foundation must settle, a process requiring plenty of water and approximately a year.

4.  Irrigation system -- If your plans include an automatic lawn sprinkler system, you can install it now.

You've followed Sargent's rule and reached aesthetics time. Now you can plant your beautiful yard.

Copyright 2003 Rochester Area Builders, Inc. No part of the Builder's Corner articles may be reproduced or printed without written permission from Rochester Area Builders. 108 Elton Hills Lane NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Phone 507-282-7698.