Planting design and garden beds

Planting is the part of a landscape that either matures into the reason you did the work, or dies in instalments over three years. In this climate the difference is almost never the plants themselves. It is soil depth, hardiness, snow load and road salt, in that order.

Step one: read the site honestly. Sun hours by bed, not by garden. Where snow is piled in winter, because a bed under a 1.5 m snow pile until April is a different growing environment from one three metres away. Where the downspouts go. Where the salt lands. And what the soil actually is: in most of Ottawa, 100 mm of poor topsoil over clay subsoil.

Have the soil, drainage and proposed plants assessed before choosing a bed depth or soil amendment. Ask for a site-specific preparation plan, including how the planting area will drain and how existing roots will be protected.

Check the current plant-hardiness information for your address using Canada’s Plant Hardiness site. Discuss exposure, snow cover and the conditions in each bed with the nursery or designer; one city-wide zone number does not describe every planting location.

Map the places where de-icing salt and cleared snow reach your beds. Exposure varies with how paths and driveways are maintained; ask which plants tolerate the conditions on your property.

Step five: planting and establishment care. Agree planting timing and mulch requirements with the nursery or designer. Follow written establishment-watering instructions suited to the plants, soil, drainage and rainfall, and review them as conditions change.

Discuss the schedule early. Ask about design revisions, approvals, material availability, access and weather-dependent work. Agree the sequence and any dependencies with the contractor before fixing dates.

What to include when comparing prices. Compare plant names, purchase sizes, quantities, soil preparation, delivery, installation and establishment care. Ask whether replacements, watering and follow-up are included. Request a written price for your specific property rather than relying on a general market range.

Check trees and boundary constraints before layout. Identify City-owned and private trees, the right-of-way, easements and existing planting. Ask the City and an arborist which protection, removal and working-distance requirements apply to your property before excavation or tree work.

Ask about qualifications and responsibilities. Request relevant experience, insurance information and the written scope. Ask which professional design input or approvals your project needs; verify any claimed professional title through the relevant official directory, such as the PEO directory. This site does not verify a contractor’s credentials.