Thinking about a starting a new landscape project? This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne draws on her experience as a landscape designer to share insights on planning, selecting high-quality materials, and collaborating with professionals.

Topics covered in this week's episode:

1) Go for a walk in your neighbourhood or drive to another neighbourhood and walk there to look at landscapes so that you can see what you like and don't like.

• Pay attention to homes that are the same style and or colour
• Look at the colour of the paving material used. This can help for choices in the front or backyard.
• For front yards, focus on features like front entrances etc.
• Do you see an aesthetic you like?
• Gardens: do you want more garden and less lawn, or the other way around?
• Again, do you like clean lines and minimal plantings, or do you want a colourful all-season garden?

2) Ask for referrals from neighbours, family, or friends who have completed successful landscape projects.

• Research landscape companies on social media and websites before contacting them.
• Look at the type of jobs they are building, the material they are using.

3) Call Landscape Companies: Ask about design services

• Don’t fall for “We can do anything you want!”
• You don’t know what you don’t know
• Many contractors have design services, and if they don’t, many independent landscape designers can help you with a plan.

4) Ask potential landscapers questions and read through proposals thoroughly.

• Ask about how deep they dig their base, what base materials they use, what type of edging techniques do they use.
• Will they repair or replace the sod?
• What is their preferred landscaping material?

5) Once you have chosen your landscaper, you will need to choose your material before your project starts.

• You can narrow down the options by reviewing different catalogues, but it is more helpful to visit material yards in person. Visit with your landscaper or designer to select appropriate materials.
• Choices can be overwhelming, so do not go alone. It is important to make sure that all the different materials coordinate
• Consider future needs like irrigation and lighting if your budget is limited. The landscaper can add during the initial project to make it easier to add lighting and irrigation later.

Resources Mentioned in the Show:

Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden

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Down the Garden Path Podcast

On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible. 

In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon.

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