When it came to transforming my yard, timing and coordination worked hand-in-hand.The process began with the removal of old plants and palm trees, which cleared the way for the demolition of the concrete courtyard and the stucco pony wall, and the driveway

A team of about six skilled workers were assigned to my project and each had their own special focus—whether it was border installation, planting, installing drain pipes and drain emitters, setting up landscape lighting, or laying down the irrigation system. These tasks, while distinct, were not completed in a strict sequence. From my observation, some of them occurred simultaneously. For example, while one crewmember worked on installing the borders, another handled the drainage, and yet another was setting up the lighting and irrigation. This coordinated approach not only saved time but ensured that each element of the project ran smoothly and efficiently.

Drainage is one of those hidden systems I rarely thought about and took for granted. We discovered this the hard way when our landscape crew found a large section of our drain pipes clogged with palm tree roots, which explained the sluggish drainage throughout our yard. The crew ended up replacing 85 linear feet of drainage pipes, running from our side yard gates to the street, and installing two pop-up emitters on either side of the driveway. Thanks to the removal of the palm trees and the drainage overhaul, our drainage issues were solved.

Synthetic borders were installed to clearly define the boundaries between the lawn and the planter areas. While the initial cost was higher than real wood, the benefits far outweigh the expense. The synthetic borders are resistant to rot, insects, and fading, offering a maintenance-free solution that mimics the natural look of wood. Plus, they blend in with the soil, creating a clean, defined look that will last for years.

An Irrigation Upgrade We opted for a new commercial-grade irrigation system with Rain Bird sprinkler heads, based on our landscaper’s recommendation. This choice allows consistent watering during the hot summer months, which is essential for maintaining healthy plants. Fortunately, we were able to use our existing valve and Hunter Pro-C controller, which saved us some money

Landscape lighting enhances both the aesthetics and safety of the outdoor space. As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I wanted to create a welcoming walkway without any safety hazards. Lighted steps ensure that guests can approach the front door safely. At the landscaper’s recommendation, we decided on a FX Luminare low voltage lighting system to include five up lights, nine pathway lights, three step lights, a transformer power supply and timer.