Project by: RMF Landscaping Ltd, Photo Credit: Jim Craigmyle Photography
It’s the time of year when we use our backyards the most and start dreaming of how we want to transform it into an oasis for entertaining, relaxing or taking a dip in a brand-new pool. Alair Homes Auroa has recruited local landscape expert Patrick Forbes, President, RMF Landscaping Ltd. to answer our important questions about what to think about when imagining your new amazing backyard that awaits.
Project by: RMF Landscaping Ltd, Photo Credit: Jim Craigmyle Photography
Alair: What is the best time to start planning?
Forbes: Before the snow falls so that your property can be observed and the winter months can be used for planning meetings, research, and permits. The bigger the project, the longer the planning stage.
Alair: What is the most important part of the landscaping?
Forbes: The Plan and making sure you are working with a good landscaper with plenty of experience.
Alair: How much money should be spent?
Forbes: Budgeting 12-20% of your home value for your landscaping is reasonable. Know your budget ahead of time and communicate it to your designer so that they can keep it in mind while creating your plan.
Alair: What things should we consider when working on the plan?
Forbes:
- Drainage (ensuring all water drains away from your home to avoid long-term damage)
- Neighbours
- Sun exposure
- Lifestyle (quiet and private? the more the merrier?)
- Space (for walkways, furniture, activities, plant growth)
- Location of utilities.
Alair: Top 3 ways to drive the landscape budget up?
Forbes:
- Elevation – anything that goes up and down
- Wet lay – when we create stone patios and lay them in cement
- Materials – they all come at a variety of price points
Alair: How can a homeowner save money?
Forbes: You can save money by choosing the right contractor, not the cheapest. It might cost you a bit more upfront, but it is worth it to avoid the headaches and money that you will undoubtedly spend in the future on fixing things.
Alair: What are some common landscaping mistakes?
Forbes:
Common mistakes we see a lot:
- teeny tiny patios and decks (aim for 16×16)
- patios that sit lower than gardens allowing for dirt to wash onto surface
- narrow walkways (four feet is ideal)
- patios that are made level to the home (vs. sloping away)
- under or oversized steps
- poor base work and prep
- planting sod right up to base of pine trees (it won’t survive!)
- decks built directly on earth (wood rots)
- no use of landscape fabric to block out weeds
- fireplaces and cook stations built against town bylaws
Alair: How can privacy be increased?
Forbes:
- large, strategically placed trees
- water features (great for decreasing noise)
- fencing
- privacy panels
- roof-top structures and sheds
We also recommend spreading out your landscaping and letting space on its own create privacy; there’s no reason to put your patio three feet away from your neighbour’s fence if your backyard is 50-feet wide.
Alair Homes Aurora thanks Patrick Forbes of RMF Landscaping Ltd. for sharing his insights on backyard landscaping.