Carmen Johnston: Bringing A Game Plan Into The Garden

On this episode of The Better Buy, garden expert Carmen Johnston shares her top tips and tricks for bringing your dream garden to life.

John PyleDesign: Better Homes & Gardens

The Better Buy, a podcast from Better Homes & Gardens, explores all things home—from decorating and DIY to renovating and budgeting. For season 2, we'll delve into the full home buying process, from house hunting and moving to interior design and landscaping, with stories, practical tips, and advice from our guests each week. We're on a mission to inspire and empower you to create your dream home. New episodes every Wednesday!

Follow now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Amazon Music / Google Podcasts / iHeart Radio / TuneIn

On This Episode

Host Mélanie Berliet talks with garden and landscaping expert Carmen Johnston—the owner of Carmen Johnston Gardens and Bespoke Garden Plans—about easy ways to spruce up your front yard, her best advice for beginner gardeners, how to avoid common landscaping mishaps, and why gardening, like cooking, can require quite a bit of patience.

Meet Carmen Johnston

Carmen Johnston is a pro gardener and landscaper who owns Carmen Johnston Gardens, a landscape design and installation firm based out of Georgia, and Bespoke Garden Plans, which provides personalized digital landscape design plans for clients across the country. She is HGTV's Smart Home 2023 landscape expert, and her work has appeared in magazines like Southern Living and Country Living.

Advice from the Episode

Carmen shares her best methods for embarking on large scale landscaping projects—without taking on too much stress.

Carmen Johnston

Start with the landscape plan, and number two, break it down into phases. Don't think that you have to do everything all at one time. I think a lot of people get so overwhelmed because they see the front yard, the backyard, there's so many things to tackle in a garden … Just take it one season at a time.

Double-Check Your Lot's Drainage

Poor drainage can have a serious impact on both your home and your garden—make sure to get it checked out before taking on a major project.

Watch where the water flows when there's a heavy rain to determine your yard's potential problem areas.

Carmen Johnston

There's a lot of things that you need to check into before you start a landscape project, more so if you're purchasing a home. Number one, check the drainage, check where does the water flow? Where is the water moving? How's the water basically circulating around the house? … When you get an inspection before you buy a home, make sure you check out all the drainage.

Be Patient With Your Plants

You probably won't see instant results when planting or renovating your outdoor space—but don't be discouraged!

Learn to go with the flow of your garden, and listen to what it needs as the seasons change.

Carmen Johnston

Anytime you plant anything, anything, especially a garden, the first year it sleeps, the second year it creeps. And the third year it leaps, meaning you have to have patience in the garden … I think it's so important people know: Let the garden talk to you.

It's OK to Make Mistakes

Just because you've unintentionally killed a houseplant or two doesn't mean you need to give up gardening altogether.

Trial and error is key when it comes to gardening—try out different plants, watering methods, and configurations until you get it right.

Carmen Johnston

I think gardening is a lot like cooking. How many recipes have you made that did not taste very good, but did you quit cooking? No, you didn't … You have to try things. Certain things are gonna work out better in an area. Things are gonna not work well, but just don't give up and keep trying. I don't want people to, uh, they get so intimidated, and they just quit.

Steer Clear of Overwatering

Overwatering plants is one of the easiest mistakes to make, for amateurs and pros alike.

Don't simply stick to a watering schedule. Instead, monitor your soil's moisture regularly and adjust the amount of water and frequency of watering as needed.

Carmen Johnston

A lot of people struggle with watering, and this is the thing, it's a really hard thing to teach. It's an art form. It's not a science. I think a lot of people think, "Well, if I watered it on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, it's going to succeed." … Imagine if you jumped in a pool and you did not come up for air. What would happen? You would die. It's the same thing. The plant needs air, it needs circulation. It needs those different things to survive. So when you have plunged it into a, you know, into a pool of water, that's where it fails. So the best tip that I can give is to keep the soil moist to the touch.

Keep Simple Spruce-ups in Mind

If you want to freshen up your front or back yard, pay special attention to focal points like the mailbox and front door.

Bring in potted plants or simple shrubbery to make your doorway even more eye-catching.

Carmen Johnston

The fastest way to transform any exterior is put two containers next to your front door and plant your mailbox. And cut the grass if you have grass in the front yard, and mulch. Just those few little things—you can transform any front yard, especially if you're trying to sell your home or if you're getting ready for a party or getting ready for entertaining. That's a really cost-effective way to transform any front yard.

Consider Hiring a Designer

Depending on the size and scope of your landscaping project, it might be worth the additional cost of hiring a design or installation firm to take on some of the work.

Working with experts makes it easier to avoid common mistakes, and may make your project more efficient.

Carmen Johnston

It is an upfront cost. But trust me, I've heard this from so many times and we actually had an email this morning, "We made this mistake on our last house and we're not doing it again. We are getting a landscape plan so we can save money in the long run."

Links and Resources

Editor's note: Please note that this transcript does not go through our standard editorial process and may contain inaccuracies and grammatical errors.

Download the Transcript for This Episode

For more Better Homes & Gardens news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens.

View comments

How Much Does Landscape Design Cost?

Highlights

The typical cost range to hire a professional landscape designer is between $1,944 and $7,213, with a national average cost of $4,571.

There are numerous factors that can impact the overall cost, including the size and complexity of the project, the designer's fee structure and experience level, the types of materials needed, and the time of year.

The benefits of hiring a professional landscape designer include increased relaxation, improved drainage, environmental preservation, and enhanced curb appeal.

Homeowners may be able to handle minor landscape design on their own, but a professional can help save time and money while creating the perfect landscape for the area.

Coming home to an eye-catching yard requires quite a bit of planning and landscaping expertise. According to Rosemarie Miner, founding principal at Our Temenos, an ecological design studio based in the Northeast, "Small changes to staple design elements, such as plant selection, the overall layout and hardscaping materials, can have a humongous impact on the quality of life that your garden attracts and supports." While this can be a DIY project, many homeowners choose to invest in professional landscaping design to help with both the softscaping (grass, flowers, plants, trees, gardens) and hardscaping (pathways, patios, pergolas, steps).

The best landscaping companies can offer design, installation, and even maintenance services. For just the design piece, both landscape architects and landscape designers can help turn a homeowner's vision of an outdoor oasis into reality. The difference is that landscape architects must have a college degree and a state license, and they generally work on more complex residential projects, whereas landscape designers typically only need an associate degree and tend to work on small-scale residential projects.

According to Angi and HomeAdvisor, professional landscape design costs between $1,944 and $7,213, with a national average cost of $4,571. When a homeowner hires a professional, they will provide a plan that includes 2D drawings and/or dynamic 3D renderings of the new outdoor space. This will help the homeowner understand the materials to be used and their placement in the yard. A landscape designer or landscape architect costs between $50 and $150 per hour, and design plans can range anywhere from $300 to $15,000, with most being under $6,000.

Factors in Calculating Landscape Design Cost

Several key factors can influence the total cost of a landscape design project. While the national average cost of landscape design is nearly $5,000 for a complete landscape design, the final cost for each homeowner will depend on location, size and complexity of the project, project type, soil testing, and materials chosen. Plus, the homeowner's selection of the designer can influence the price based on their level of experience, their availability during certain times of year, and the fee structure they use.

Project Size and Complexity

There's no question that larger, more complex landscaping projects are going to have higher price tags. Yards with circular edges, odd-shaped lawns, and slopes or hills are more difficult to measure and will cost more. If regrading or leveling is required, homeowners can expect to pay an additional $1,000 to $3,000 for labor and equipment. The following are some ranges for landscaping costs based on project size.

Project Size

Cost Per Square Foot

Basic

$4 to $6

Intermediate

$6 to $10

Complex

$10 to $40

Fee Structure

Depending on how the designer charges for services, the total cost of a project can fluctuate. Consultation hourly rates typically range from $50 to $200; this can include the initial consultation time as well as the time it takes to develop and revise design plans. Fees for designers who charge per design run between $300 and $15,000, with most averaging about $6,000.

However, other landscape designers might work using the following fee structures:

Flat project rate: depends on the number of hours the project is estimated to take, based on complexity, location, and size.

Percent rate: charged as a percentage of the home garden budget, such as 20 percent for small gardens and 15 percent for medium-size gardens.

Rate by area: based on size, with materials, location, and season impacting the total fee.

Fee by plan: based on a percentage of the overall cost of the project, usually between 5 percent and 15 percent of the total.

Supplies

The specific landscaping material chosen for a home, which are in addition to design costs, can guide the final cost of the job. Experienced landscape designers recommend materials that best fit within the design concept, the look of the home, the homeowner's budget, and the local area. Costs vary based on the location of the home, local vendor fees, inflation, and supply chain issues. If a homeowner wants some special features, the price is affected as well: A pond costs $1,300 to $5,000, a pergola or trellis is $2,000 to $5,000, and a deck ranges from $4,000 to $10,000. What follows are cost ranges for some common landscape design supplies.

Supply

Cost Range

Sod

$0.30 to $0.80 per square foot

Brick

$10 to $14 per square foot

Stone

$8 to $15 per square foot

Crushed stone

$27 to $64 per ton

Paver

$3 to $15 per square foot

Pea gravel

$40 to $95 per ton

Designer Experience Level

The cost of a landscape designer or architect can vary depending on the credentials and amount of experience they have. Typical landscape design fees per hour range from $50 to $150, but someone with years of project experience and an impressive portfolio can demand in the $200-per-hour range for their services. The cost of landscape architect services tends to be higher because of their education and certifications. For homeowners looking to save money, hiring a newer landscape designer may be the way to go. Just because they have fewer years in the field doesn't mean lower-quality work.

Time of Year

Because landscaping is a seasonal service in many regions, there is a higher demand for landscape design work in spring and summer. Therefore, prices may be higher when designers are busiest. One potential way for homeowners to save money is to start working with a landscape designer in their off-season, such as the middle of winter. Of course, this depends on the local climate; in areas like California and Florida, landscaping can be a year-round business.

Soil Testing

The soil makeup of a yard is an important factor in the design and maintenance of landscaping. The type of soil, as well as pH levels, can influence which plants the designer chooses for the plan and the plants' ability to thrive. Landscape designers often test the soil for acidity level, nutrients, and drainage during a site visit. This service can range between $10 and $200. Homeowners will want to check to see if this cost is included in the consultation fees.

Landscape Design Cost by Type of Project

Every type of garden requires different design methods and materials that can impact costs. The design of a small basic garden will vary greatly from the design of a larger, more complex project and even more so if xeriscaping (sustainable landscaping) is involved. Many factors play a role in the type of garden chosen, such as the local climate, available space, native plant options, and budget. The cost for each of these design projects varies, as evidenced by the chart below.

Project Type

Cost Range

Residential garden

$0.05 to $0.15 per square foot

Small garden

$0.05 to $0.75 per square foot

Xeriscape and environmental garden

$200 per hour

Residential Garden Design

A typical garden design for a residential home ranges from $0.05 to $0.15 per square foot. It does not matter what type of garden goes in; it can be a butterfly garden or vegetable garden for this same rate. These fees are generally lower than for the average landscape design project. However, more complex and challenging garden plans that require extensive knowledge, planning, and skills—such as a Japanese garden or authentic English garden—cost much more. The price for a complex residential landscape design can climb to as high as $15,000.

Small Garden Design

Small gardens with a simple design are on the lower end of the price scale. According to Miner, "A seasoned landscape designer has likely seen it all! If you are trying to garden on a patio, a rooftop or in a back alley, there is sure to be a professional who has overcome the challenges these smaller spaces present."

To design a quarter-acre landscape with basic native plants and maybe a stone path, homeowners can expect to pay about $500. To plant some trees and install a patio, a backyard designer will probably charge $50 to $150 per hour for a 1- to 2-hour consultation during the design process. Although the price to design a small garden depends on location, complexity, and size, in general the cost per square foot plus installation ranges from $5 to $20, with design costs alone ranging from $0.05 to $0.75 per square foot.

Xeriscape and Environmental Garden Design

As one of the pricier landscape approaches, xeriscaping entails designing and planting an outdoor space in a sustainable manner. The goal is to use less water and avoid fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. Native and water-efficient plants and structures are also chosen to reduce watering, fertilizing, and maintenance. While these design elements provide an aesthetically pleasing landscape and ultimately reduce costs in the long run, a landscape designer will typically charge about $200 per hour for the design work. For the entire yard, this can add up to between $10,000 and $30,000.

Landscape Design Cost

Photo: istockphoto.Com

Benefits of Hiring for Landscape Design

A successful landscape design plan can be a costly and time-consuming project, but it can also make a property more aesthetically pleasing, calming, and valuable. Not only can improved landscaping increase a homeowner's enjoyment of their outdoor space, but it can also enhance curb appeal (and home value), make the best use of the space, and provide environmental benefits.

Space Optimization

Yards can end up looking empty and neglected, but a well-planned design can result in a haven for homeowners to be proud of. Thoughtful landscaping utilizes the open space in the best way possible, making it more attractive and functional. Optimizing outdoor areas with smart landscaping can breathe new life into a property, adding color, greenery, and more places to sit back and relax.

Environmental Preservation

Landscape design is linked to environmental protection. Good plant choices can increase biodiversity to attract more birds and pollinators to a yard. Careful selection of plants can also lead to cleaner air and more nutrient-dense soil. Incorporating ground cover as an alternative to grass and flowers in parts of the yard can prevent erosion and deter weeds from growing. Finally, adding rain gardens and no-mow areas can help filter water. Figuring out these details can get overwhelming for homeowners, so hiring a landscape designer is beneficial, since they are familiar with the local ecosystem and can point to plants and materials that are gentler on the environment.

"If saving water is a concern and you have a lawn, consider removing all or a portion of it," advises Miner. "That may sound extreme but in the land of lawns, so few Americans are outside using them. Instead create a special pollinator patch that you would enjoy watching from the porch or patio."

Health Benefits

Attentive landscaping can boost quality of life. Nature provides many health benefits like stress reduction, so a well-designed yard can provide a serene sanctuary without requiring a homeowner to leave the property. Just gazing at lush greenery and vivid flowers calms many people instantly. Also, by strategically placing plants and trees, a homeowner can create an oasis of privacy from neighbors and passersby.

Improved Drainage

If designed properly, landscaping can improve the drainage of a yard. This also helps protect the property from water damage, while also ensuring that the landscaping lasts throughout the seasons. Some attractive landscaping tricks to improve drainage include edging the yard with plants and small rocks to direct the water; using plants, mulch, and rocks to absorb rainwater; adding paving materials that incorporate small gaps for water drainage; and designing a water source to direct water away from the house.

Enhanced Curb Appeal

An attractive, professionally designed landscape can make a property more appealing to potential home buyers, which can result in increased value of the home. This is especially appealing if a homeowner is thinking about putting their home on the market, since the landscaping may encourage a potential buyer to make an offer. Even if they have no plans to move, coming home each day to a more aesthetically pleasing home can make a homeowner feel happier and proud of where they live.

Landscape Design: DIY vs. Hiring a Professional 

While some homeowners can handle their own gardening and landscaping projects, landscape design is a bit more complicated and often requires special training, design tools, and/or guidance from a professional. An experienced landscaping designer knows how to use design software to develop plans and has the knowledge and expertise regarding specific plants, irrigation requirements, sustainability, soil conditions, local climate, hardscaping, and other details. Many people are concerned about the investment required to hire someone for backyard landscape design, but working with an expert can ultimately help save time and money (and reduce stress) in the long run, since landscaping is much more complicated than most people realize.

If a homeowner searches for "design your own landscaping," they will find several of the best landscape design software options available online. These tools can help homeowners visualize and lay out an outdoor space, including where to plant flowers, shrubbery, and trees, and ways to create walkways, decks, and other outdoor amenities. The best programs for novice DIYers include intuitive functions like click-and-drag features and a library of plants and other materials to help offer design inspiration. Both free and paid programs are available, but the free ones have limited features. Paid versions range from $40 to $200.

For those who want to take the project one step further, the best online landscape design courses are available for homeowners wanting to learn more about designing their backyard. There are even opportunities to earn certification. Classes range from free online landscape design courses to post-baccalaureate programs at the best landscape architecture schools; these courses can take years, so the prices vary significantly. A single course that takes a few hours typically costs around $50, while a multicourse program at an accredited university can cost as much as $25,000.

Landscape Design Cost

Photo: istockphoto.Com

How to Save Money on Landscape Design Cost

With such a wide range of design possibilities and related costs depending on factors like size of the project, season, materials used, and location, homeowners will benefit from some tips for keeping costs down and getting the best deal possible. When choosing an outdoor designer and planning an affordable landscaping project, consider the following options for keeping costs under control.

Buy materials in bulk if possible. Ask about volume discounts for soil, flowers, plants, and mulch. If you end up with extra, store it in a shed or garage to use in the future.

Focus on hardscape. Greenery can get expensive, so be strategic about integrating hardscape into the design to cut costs but still create an eye-catching yard. Hardscaping involves using pavers, brick, decorative stone, and gravel to create garden paths, walkways, and patios, which require less maintenance.

Buy native, low-maintenance plants. Save money and time and help the environment when designing your backyard by choosing native plants that thrive in your region. "They will be comfortable in your garden and require far less pampering from you," explains Miner. Check for plants suited to your USDA hardiness zone. Perennials are also a better choice than annuals since they come back every year. Finally, opt for ornamental grass, since it comes in a variety of colors and textures and does not need as much mowing, watering, or pruning.

Prioritize where you spend money. Another way to cut costs is to focus on the parts of the landscape that have the most curb appeal, such as the front yard. In other areas, less is more—use what you already have, spread out plants and flowers, and go for a minimalist design.

Break your vision into smaller steps. "Start small if you have to, and work toward a grand vision piece by piece," advises Miner. "For example, seeds are far cheaper than full grown perennials, shrubs and trees but do require patience and a little more care and protection. Stay focused on the big picture but complete your projects as your budget allows and remember, an amazing garden takes time, regardless of how it starts."

Questions to Ask About Landscape Design

Having all the information about the project up front will help homeowners avoid any miscommunication and misdirection once the design process begins. They can refer to the following sample questions when they speak with local landscape designers about residential landscape plans and the cost of their services.

How long have you been in business?

Are you licensed and insured?

Can I review a portfolio of your work?

Do you have any references I can contact?

What was your training, and do you have any accreditations?

Will you come to my house to provide a free estimate and share some ideas you have for the project?

How long will the design and installation process take?

What materials will I be purchasing, and what will they cost?

Do you bill by the project, area, or hour?

Is my budget realistic for this landscape design cost? What can I do to reduce the cost?

Do you provide guidance regarding maintenance?

Do you offer any warranties or guarantees?

FAQs

When homeowners are deciding which type of landscape design approach to move forward with, it is important for them to ask the right questions and to understand what they will pay for their specific project. Fees will depend on size and complexity of the landscaping, materials used, type of garden, and local considerations like soil conditions, among other factors. Knowing how much it will cost on average and whether the price is negotiable will reduce the risk of homeowners getting a surprise bill. For those just beginning to think about landscape design, the following are a few questions that may come up.

Q. What should I consider before hiring a landscape designer?

Deciding which landscape designer to hire can be overwhelming. Before signing a contract, homeowners will want to find out the designer's credentials and experience, their pricing structure, the exact services they provide, the amount of time the project will take, and the type of involvement the homeowner will have.

Q. Will a good landscape design increase my home value?

Yes. Experts suggest that good landscape design can increase home value between 5.5 percent and 12.7 percent compared to a property with no landscaping. That turns out to be a value of about $16,500 to $38,100 for a $300,000 home. The projects that offer the most financial reward include sophisticated design elements, mature trees and greenery, and xeriscaping.

Q. How much does it cost to landscape 2,000 square feet?

The complexity of the project will influence the total cost, but basic landscaping design typically costs about $4 to $6 per square foot, or $8,000 to $12,000 for an outdoor space totaling 2,000 square feet. The most complex landscape projects with a full tear-out and remodel range in price from $10 to $40 per square foot, which is $20,000 to $80,000 for 2,000 square feet. However, a very simple butterfly or vegetable garden costs from $0.03 to $0.10 per square foot, which is only $60 to $200 for a 2,000-square-foot area.

Q. Can I negotiate the prices for landscape design?

Most of the time there is some room for negotiation on the price of a landscape design project as long as the ask is reasonable. A designer might agree to reduce their fee by 2 percent to 3 percent, but not much more than that. Also, homeowners will want to be mindful of the time of year and the amount of business the landscape designer is likely to have. If they are backed up during a hectic time like the spring, they will be less open to negotiating the price; a homeowner might have more luck in the middle of the winter.

Q. Can I pay for a small part of my yard to be landscaped as opposed to the entire yard?

In order to save some money, a homeowner can choose to work on the design of part of their yard rather than the whole yard. Maybe they want to do the project in phases to fit their budget, such as paying the cost to install a new lawn in the front yard first, then the backyard, and finally the sides of the house. It's worth remembering that cost per square foot varies depending on the complexity of the project and materials required.

Sources: Angi, HomeAdvisor, Lawn Love, LawnStarter, Ross NW Watergardens

View comments

Town Of Narragansett: "Rebalancing The Port Of Calilee" - A URI Landscape Architecture Project

September 12, 2023

The Fall 2022 URI Landscape Architecture 444 Design Studio, in collaboration with the Town of Narragansett, RIDEM, and stakeholders, selected the Village of Galilee as their chosen project for the Fall 2022 semester. The class focused on the Port of Galilee, which is experiencing greater and more frequent impacts caused by a changing climate and sea level rise. The class performed an in-depth analysis of existing conditions in the Port of Galilee and worked to design future development scenarios incorporating the principles of resilience and sustainability.

View their final project report here!

This press release was produced by the Town of Narragansett. The views expressed here are the author's own.

---