You’ve got the keys to your brand-new Calgary home (yay!) – now it’s time to turn that bare yard into a beautiful, functional outdoor space. Whether you dream of a cozy backyard for summer barbecues or a low-maintenance garden for relaxing evenings, the best results come from planning ahead.
Landscaping a new build home takes time, patience, and a smart strategy. In Calgary’s unique climate, tackling your outdoor space in phases – especially over your first 3 years—can help you manage costs, avoid rework, and build a yard that grows with your lifestyle.
Here’s a year-by-year guide to creating a yard you’ll love – starting with the essentials and building up to the fun stuff.
Planning Your 3 Year Landscaping Timeline
🌱 Years 1-2 : Groundwork for a Lasting Landscape
Assess Your Needs and Set a Budget
What do you want your outdoor space to do for you? Think about:
- A play area for kids
- A pet-friendly, fenced yard
- An entertaining patio
- Low-maintenance plants or turf
Prioritize your must-haves and use a landscaping cost guide for Calgary to estimate your budget. Pro tip: get a few professional quotes to align your budget with your vision.
Plan Your Yard Layout
With your goals in mind, sketch a simple layout for where you might want patios, garden beds, turf, and trees. Start with the backyard and work your way forward. If you’re unsure where to begin, book a free on-site consultation with our landscaping team.
Check Grading and Drainage Early
Calgary’s soil and seasonal changes make proper grading essential. Have a professional assess your yard before installing hardscaping or plants to avoid drainage problems and foundation issues later on. There will be some natural settling of a new build home over the first several years, but addressing any existing grading issues early can help minimize future impact of this.
Structure and Shape with Hardscaping
Start with the structural elements:
- Patios and decks
- Walkways
- Retaining walls
Installing these early helps avoid damaging sod or plants later in the process. Again, because there is some natural settling that happens with any new build home, aim to wait to at least a year to install these and work with a professional to ensure correct installation to minimize any shifting over time as the ground continues to settle.
Choose Your Turf or Groundcover
If your builder provided sod, check for any dry patches or poor root development – this can happen naturally so check early and often to help your lawn succeed. If you’d prefer a low-maintenance alternative to sod like fescue, clover, or artificial turf, now is the best time to make that switch.
🌳 Years 2-3: Grow Your Greenery
Plant Trees and Shrubs for Privacy and Shade
Trees and shrubs provide privacy, shade, and structure. In Calgary, evergreens can offer year-round greenery, while deciduous trees offer cooling benefits and seasonal color. Shade trees can be a great addition for nearby seating areas. Shrubs are a good low-maintenance option to add full, lush colour around your yard.
Start Simple with Garden Beds
Outline your garden areas, keeping them minimal at first. Perennials are a low-maintenance, high-reward option that return each year and build long-term curb appeal.
Install Irrigation
Drip irrigation or a smart sprinkler system saves time and water, helping your plants thrive in Calgary’s dry climate. Irrigation can also be more efficient for your water-usage (and water bill) so it can ultimately help save you both time and money.
✨ Year 3+: Elevate Your Yard’s Function and Personality
Expand Entertainment Areas Around Your Yard
Now’s the time to add the pieces that take your yard from ‘outside’ to your own outdoor living space. This includes backyard upgrades like:
- A cozy firepit or gas firetable
- A shaded pergola
- An outdoor kitchen
These features create new ways to enjoy your space and extend your time outdoors with friends, family or a quiet morning coffee, just for you.
Light Up Your Outdoors
Landscape lighting increases visibility and ambiance throughout your space, and help showcase the design features you’ve already built throughout your yard. Consider professional lighting to complement any existing string or solar lights for maximum wow.
Boost Your Front Yard’s Curb Appeal
With the backyard mostly complete, now can be the time to reflect your design in your front yard with:
- A refreshed walkway
- New garden beds
- Lush, healthy sod or groundcover
A Good Gameplan for Your New Build Landscaping: Plan Smart, Build Slow, and Love Your Outdoor Space
A well-planned yard will naturally become an extension of your home. By tackling your landscaping in phases, you can manage your budget, avoid costly mistakes, and still build an outdoor space that fits your life.
Start with the big-ticket items (grading, hardscaping, irrigation), then spread out greenery and decorative features over time. Adjust your plan and landscaping priorities based on what matters most to you—your lifestyle, your budget, and your vision.
Want help mapping it out? Download our free New Home Landscaping Planning Checklist to get started, or reach out to our team for a personalized yard planning consultation.
