Landscaping a large yard can be a challenge, but it also gives you a chance to add a variety of elements that small lawns do not have room for. Because of the differences in climate, topography, and soil conditions, this aritcle may not apply to every situation.
Step 1
Plan the project. This is the key to having success and being satisified with the outcome of your landscaping adventure.
Step 2
Draw a diagram of the entire lawn area, to scale if possible, but at least roughly showing the location of large trees, permanent structures, and other existing elements which will need to be incorporated in your plan. You can do this using graph paper or with landscape design software. You can also look online for existing garden plans.
Step 3
Draw arrows or topographic lines showing the slope of the land, noting conditions such as wetland sites, rocky areas, and anything else which will require special attention.
Step 4
Take the information you have gathered and look at the way you want to use the spaces in your lawn. Low places and wetlands are not suitable for growing most common lawn grasses, and rocky bare hill-tops do not support grass growth well, either, so another type of landscaping may be more suitable for these areas. Areas under deep shade, such as beneath a large, broad hardwood tree might be better suited for some patio stones and a bench or swing, and very steep hills can be covered with vines or small shrubs instead of something requiring mowing or other maintanance.
Step 5
Check the local nursery or home center and find out if there are fruit or nut trees, or berry producing shrubs and bushes that do well in your area. Here in the south, we have pecan trees, blueberries, and grapevines which are often used in landscaping and provide a food source for wildlife, as well as ingredients for favorite recipes.
Step 6
Measure any areas where you will need to add fill material to grade and smooth the existing site. Look for other areas you can "cut", or take some soil off to spread to these places. Often in large landscaping projects you will find that you have to "import", or haul in additional soil to level out the lawn, and it is best to bring this material in before any underground utilities are installed.
Step 7
Calculate how much fill you will need to import. This is a math problem, and if the area is irregular in shape, try to imagine it as a square or rectangle, multiplying width X length X depth, to give you a cubic volume of material. Large volumes are measured either in tons or cubic yards or meters. If the amount is very large, you will need to hire someone to haul your material in with a dump truck, smaller amounts may be brought in with a pickup truck or utility trailer.
Step 8
Spread the new fill material and level all areas of the lawn. If you have a large amount to move, you may want to rent a small tractor with a front end loader bucket and a grader blade or box blade to do this job for you. Very large projects may require a bull dozer or other heavy equipment, but this may be too much for the average homeowner to attempt on their own.
Step 9
Mark off any flower beds, tree plantings, or other features you are putting in your landscape, and also consider any permanent structures you may want to add now or later. After the landscaping is complete is not the time to build a swimming pool or utility shed!
Step 10
Leave some additonal soil in areas where you want raised flower beds, garden areas, or other features that need it.
Step 11
Remove plants, bushes, or undesirable trees from the area so that areas to receive grass will get maximum sunlight.
Step 12
Plant all the shrubs, bushes, and trees that you have planned for each area, and remember, it is often easier to start working one area and finish it before moving to the next. Large landscaping projects can be overwhelming if they are not broken down into a series of smaller projects.
Step 13
Lay out and install whatever irrigation piping you have planned, install conduits for underground electric to power landscape lighting and to operate pumps for fishponds or fountains you are building. If you use an electric mower, leaf blower, weed eater, or edger, you may want a couple of remote groundfault recepticles to eliminate the need for long extension cords. You will need to mount these with weather proof boxes and covers on posts or attached to some type of stucture.
Step 14
Work out your flower beds and other permanent landscape features, such as patios, permanent barbecue pits, fountains, etc. Use landscape fabric in planting areas to keep the weeds from becoming a problem, and mulch all these areas to conserve water.
Step 15
Finish grade the areas to receive grass. This is often done by dragging a section of fence material behind a lawn tractor or ATV, passing back and forth over the area until it is smooth.
Step 16
Install sod or plant your grass seed in the grassed areas, pray for rain (but not flooding), and be prepared to water sufficiently to establish your grass.
Step 17
Sit back, and allow your work to establish itself.
Tips
- Grass is not the most earth friendly landscaping element. It often requires watering, fertilization, chemicals for pests and weeds, and mowing and maintaining with gasoline powered lawn equipment. Considering use of ground covers and native shrubs and plantings for at least a part of the landscaped area. This will reduce the expense and enviromental impact, and also the cost of maintaining the lawn.
- Lawns and landscaping projects are the subject of many magazines, television shows, and home center workshops. Take advantage of these for planning your project.
- Use the local Agricultural Extension Service. This is a program operated by the USDA in the United States, and the people there can help with soil testing, as well as growing requirements for various types of lawn grass and ground covers.
Warnings
- Use care or locate a competent person to operate any equipment you may rent to do heavy work landscaping.
- Try to use earth friendly products in your yard.
- Contact the underground utility location service for your area before digging. This may be done in many areas of the U.S. by calling 811 on your telephone, other jurisdictions may have different phone numbers or contact procedures.
Things You'll Need
- shovels
- rakes
- wheelbarrow
- gloves
- tractor, or garden or lawn tractor if available.
