Whether you buy a new home with a garden that looks like a moonscape or an existing home with a yard that is just not to your liking, Landscaping can help you turn it into your small paradise. There are a few things that you want to do first; here is a checklist for getting started:

・  What type of soil do you have?

・  Do you need topsoil?

・  Does your soil need to be tilled in or aerated?

・ Is the grade correct, is it sloping away from the house to prevent drainage problems?

・  Are you in need of walls, what kind?

・  Are you in need of extra dirt?

・  Do you need drain tile?

・  Do you have trees that you want to keep or taken out?

・ Do you like gardening? Or would you like an almost maintenance free yard?

・  Is there enough sunlight?

・  What are the measurements of your yard?

・  Do you have a lot survey from your builder?

・  Would you like to create extra room to sit, like a patio or deck?

・  What type of patio would you like?

・ Is there room for heavy machinery to enter your yard, you'll need this when you need some extra grading done or sod needs to be dropped.

・  Are there any specific trees that need to be planted in the neighborhood that you live in? Or are there trees that are prohibited from being planted in your town.

・  Would you like a sprinkler system?