Can You DIY a Landscaping?
Residential landscaping is one of the most DIY-friendly home improvement categories. Planting beds, mulching, sod installation, and basic grading can all be done by a motivated homeowner with basic tools. The savings over hiring a landscaping crew are substantial — often 50–70% when you supply your own labor.
What You'll Need
Skills
- •No special skills required for planting and mulching
- •Basic ability to read a simple landscape plan
- •Physical stamina — landscaping is labor-intensive
- •Comfort operating a rented sod cutter or mini-skid steer for larger jobs
Tools
- •Shovel, spade, and garden fork
- •Wheelbarrow
- •Garden hose and spray nozzle
- •Edger (manual or electric)
- •Mulch fork or pitchfork
- •Sod cutter (rent for sod removal)
- •Tamper (for gravel and hardscape base)
Step-by-Step Overview
Sketch your landscape plan with mature plant sizes in mind — the #1 mistake is planting too close together. Choose plants suited to your hardiness zone and sun exposure. Native plants typically require less water and maintenance.
Before any digging, call 811 (USA) at least 3 business days ahead. Underground utility lines are common in suburban yards.
Remove existing turf or weeds with a sod cutter, smother with cardboard, or treat with a non-selective herbicide. Work 2–3" of compost into the top 6–8" of soil to improve drainage and fertility.
Ensure the grade slopes away from your house foundation (minimum 6" drop over 10 feet). Poor grading is a leading cause of basement water infiltration.
Dig holes 2–3× wider than the root ball, but no deeper. Set the crown (where trunk meets root flare) at or slightly above grade. Backfill without amendments for trees — they adapt better to native soil.
Space perennials according to their mature spread. Water thoroughly after planting. Group plants with similar water needs together.
Apply 2–3" of shredded wood mulch or bark. Keep mulch 2–3" away from plant stems and tree trunks — volcano mulching kills trees slowly. Edge the beds cleanly for a finished look.
Hand-water daily for the first 2 weeks, then taper off as roots establish. Soaker hose or drip irrigation is more effective than overhead sprinklers for new plantings.
Potential Savings
For a typical 2,500 sq ft landscaping at the national midrange cost of $25,000, doing it yourself could save roughly $7,500–$12,500 in labor costs. Materials remain similar either way.
Actual savings depend on your region, skill level, and whether you need to rent specialized equipment.
Pro Tips
- Buy smaller plants (1-gallon vs. 5-gallon) — they establish faster and cost significantly less, catching up to larger specimens within 2–3 seasons
- Order bulk mulch from a landscape supplier — it's 40–60% cheaper than bagged mulch from a box store
- Rent a mini-skid steer or Dingo for large grading jobs — it pays for itself in a single day versus doing it by hand
- Fall is the best planting season in most climates — cooler temps reduce transplant stress and roots establish through winter
Watch Out For
- ⚠Planting too deep is the #1 killer of newly installed trees and shrubs — the root flare must be visible at the soil surface
- ⚠Never use landscape fabric under mulch in planting beds — it blocks soil oxygen and earthworms and fails within 3 years
- ⚠Check mature plant sizes before you plant — a 3-foot shrub that grows to 12 feet will eventually need removal
When to Call a Pro Instead
- →Grading or drainage correction involving more than 12" of grade change
- →Irrigation system installation (requires permitting and backflow prevention in many areas)
- →Tree removal or large tree planting requiring a crane
- →Retaining walls over 3 feet (typically require permits and engineering)
Ready to Hire a Landscaping Contractor?
Use your estimate to get competitive bids from licensed local contractors. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to avoid overpaying.
Local contractor matching coming soon.
Recommended Products
Popular items for this project — links may earn a commission.