Plan it before you plant it
Work out how you’ll use the space, where the sun falls and where rain drains, before you buy a single plant.
Landscaping · Gardening · Outdoor living
Gardening, water gardens & landscaping guides — plus the gear we actually test.
Practical guides on gardening, water features and landscaping costs — plus free quotes from vetted local pros.
What are you working on?
Start with our Ponds & Water Gardens guide, or get quotes for a pond.
Start with our Houseplants & Container Gardening guide, or get help with garden maintenance.
Start with our Lawn Care guide, or get lawn care quotes.
Start with our Landscaping & Hardscaping guide, or get patio and paving quotes.
Start with our Houseplants & Container Gardening guide, or get green wall quotes.
- Independent, practical guides
- Real cost breakdowns
- Vetted local pros
- Free, no-obligation quotes
How a garden comes together
Lay the hard parts first
Paving, edging, ponds, walls and water lines go in before anything grows, so roots and pipes never fight for space.
Then let it grow
Plant, mulch and water on a routine that suits your climate, and keep it thriving with a little care each month.
Explore by topic
How much material do you need?
Enter your bed or lawn size for a quick estimate of what to order.
- Area
- 200 sq ft
- Order about
- 1.9 cu yd
Or about 28 bags of 2 cu ft. Rounded up; buy a little extra for settling.
Full mulch guide Sod installation cost
Rather have a pro do it? Get quotesReader favourites
See all reviews
Urban Gardening
The Best Raised Garden Beds for Every Space and Budget
Compare the best raised garden beds in steel, cedar, resin, and elevated styles, with a practical guide to depth, width, drainage, and…
Outdoor Living
Best Fire Pits 2026: 7 Top Picks for Every Backyard
Compare the best fire pits across wood-burning, smokeless, and propane categories with seven top picks, plus a safety-first buying guide for your…
Tools & Gear
The 8 Best Garden Hoses of 2026 for Every Yard
Our deep buying guide compares eight of the best garden hoses across rubber, polyurethane, hybrid polymer, stainless steel, and expandable types, with…
How free quotes work
Tell us about the project
Pick the job and add your ZIP code so we can match you with pros nearby.
Hear from local pros
Vetted landscapers and outdoor contractors in your area get in touch with quotes.
Compare and choose
Check each quote against our cost guides, then hire the pro that fits your budget — or nobody at all.
Latest guides
Browse all-
Urban Gardening
Vegetable Gardening & Raised Beds: A Complete Guide
Plan, build and grow a productive vegetable garden: raised bed soil, seed starting, tomatoes, cucumber trellises, watering, fixes and storing…
-
Outdoor Living
Trees & Shrubs: A Complete Guide
How to choose, plant, water, prune and protect trees and shrubs, grow fruit trees, diagnose browning leaves, and know when…
-
Water Gardens & Ponds
Ponds & Water Gardens: A Complete Guide
Plan, build and care for a backyard pond or water garden: liners, pumps, filters, pond plants, fish, algae control and…
-
Outdoor Living
Pest Control: A Complete Guide
Identify and control garden pests, lawn grubs, mosquitoes, deer, moles, ants, mice and termites, with clear advice on when DIY…
-
Outdoor Living
Lawn Care: A Complete Guide
A season-by-season lawn care guide: pick the right grass, mow and water correctly, fertilize on schedule, beat weeds, aerate, overseed…
-
Outdoor Living
Landscaping & Hardscaping: A Complete Guide
Plan backyard landscaping in the right order: design, drainage, retaining walls, paver patios, paths, decks, fences, lighting, planting beds and…
Get free quotes from local pros
Tell us about your project and we’ll match you with vetted local landscapers. Free, no obligation.
Loading quote form…
Prefer to browse first? See all services