Building a new home can be an exciting process. You get to select everything from paint colors and flooring to cabinets and appliances. Landscaping new builds in Gilbert, AZ, with the same eye to detail outside as you give the inside, can complete your vision and enhance curb appeal.
When to Start Planning
If you already have the house plans and know the slab placement on the lot, you can get started planning your landscape design. Start by considering which plants, shrubs, and trees may fit your vision the best. Once the foundation and framing are complete, you’ll be able to see window and door placement, allowing you to determine how to maximize views and create screening for privacy.
After a rough grade of the lot is done, a retaining wall may be necessary, especially if your East Valley plans involve an outdoor living area such as a deck or patio. You may also need to consider the feasibility of pipe placement if your space will include an outdoor kitchen or barbeque pit.
Incorporating Functionality into Your Vision
You may dream of a yard with exotic plantings and space for your kids and pets to play. When making your wish list, consider the way you want to use the area. This can help ensure you have the flexibility and function you need while incorporating your “dream” features. Landscaping new builds often use various landscape design elements, such as:
- Patios
- Retaining walls
- Pergolas/Arbors
- Water features/fountains
- Outdoor fireplaces/fire pits
- Walkways
- Privacy fencing and lattice screening
Thanks to the mild winters, Maricopa County residents can decide whether to keep their lawns green or let them go dormant. If your new build landscaping is installed during the cooler months, it can affect the planning and planting process.
Choosing the Right Plants
From soaring summer temperatures and abundant sunshine to scant precipitation year-round, choosing the plants for desert hardiness and your location in the valley is critical for avoiding costly planting missteps. Here are some tips for selecting the right plants when landscaping new builds.
Incorporate Seasonal Color
Although not as pronounced as in other areas of the country, Arizona does have four seasons. Choosing plants that flower in different seasons can help ensure you can enjoy vibrant colors in your landscaping throughout the year. Fall and winter are ideal for planting carnations, globe amaranth, and African daisy seeds. You can plant summer bulbs as early as January and February.
Understand Plant Sizes
Visiting your local nurseries can inspire your design and help you decide which plants fit your landscape vision the best. To ensure you space the plants appropriately, remember that many desert-loving plants will double or triple in size once they are planted outside. A landscape designer at Mesquite Landscaping can talk with you about some of the best plants for the size and location of your space.
Be Consistent
Selecting plants for your landscape design is an exciting process. You might find several options that catch your eye, including succulents and other low-water plants. However, planting a little bit of everything can make your yard look cluttered. Consistency is an essential component of creating a beautiful, cohesive landscape plan. When selecting various elements for your design, consider how they will look with each other.
Meeting HOA Requirements
Many new homes in the East Valley are part of a community with a homeowner’s association. Keep the HOA requirements in mind when designing your new home’s landscaping. The features must satisfy your community’s rules and regulations. You must submit your plans to the HOA for approval before the installation begins to avoid costly delays. Some of the elements you might need to consider include:
- Number of plantings
- Species of plants and trees
- Color specifications for rock and mulch
- Installation timeline
Reviewing the regulations and ordinances before developing your plan can help minimize any HOA issues that could delay your project.
Selecting a Quality Contractor
The best landscape designs marry your dream yard with functionality. This makes selecting the right contractor essential. Choosing a firm with experienced designers and project managers can bring your ideas to life.
Not all landscape projects are created equal, and landscaping new builds often require more time and attention. From gardens and planting structures to walkways and artificial turf, our talented landscape designers work with you to create your custom design that is functional and sustainable.
The designers and installers at Mesquite Landscaping have more than 20 years of experience transforming homeowner dreams into reality. Schedule a free professional landscape consultation in Queen Creek & Gilbert, AZ, and browse our gallery of custom projects. Call us today at (480) 238-2943 for more information or to get started!
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