Get matched with top landscapers in Lowell, MI

By definition, gardeners are experts at designing and maintaining outdoor gardens. Their job duties extend far beyond choosing the right plants for the area, which in itself is a job—they also help maintain the health and well-being of the plants. Gardeners work independently or for landscapers, nurseries, or horticulture design companies.

A half inch above ground level is ideal for metal edging. This provides enough depth for the edging to hold in place and enough height to keep in most landscaping materials (like mulch or gravel). If you install edging too high off the ground, it will stand out from your landscaping and pose a tripping risk. If you install it too low, your ground cover won’t stay in place.

The average cost for landscaping is around $3,500, but prices can range from as low as $200 for simple DIY projects to $14,000 or more for extensive work. Several factors influence the final price, including your geographic location, yard size, project scope, chosen materials, site preparation, and the type of landscaping involved. Professional landscaper labor costs typically range from $50 to $100 per hour.

For a smaller budget, you can focus on softscaping projects like adding mulch, flowers, and shrubs, which might only cost a few hundred dollars if you do the work yourself. A budget of around $5,000 could cover projects like a simple patio, new plants and tree trimming, or a water feature. More extensive hardscaping projects, such as pergolas, patios, and walkways, can push the budget to $14,000 or more. For example, a flower bed installation averages between $800 and $3,000, while landscape lighting installation can cost from $2,000 to $6,000.

In most cases, buying plants from a local greenhouse or nursery is well worth the investment, even though they tend to be a bit more expensive than those at a home improvement store. Employees at nurseries are usually well-versed in gardening and understand how the climate in your area affects different plants. They can help you make selections based on your skill level and time commitment to your landscaping, and they can provide detailed care instructions and advice to help keep your plants alive and diagnose and treat issues like pest infestation and illness.