In the construction industry, there is a dirty secret: topsoil is money. When a developer clears a subdivision, they often strip the nutrient-rich topsoil and sell it. What they leave behind is subsoil—heavy, compacted clay that is as hard as concrete. Then, they sprinkle half an inch of black dirt on top and lay sod. This is why your new lawn turns yellow and your trees die. Larkin Landscape and Design starts every new home project with soil remediation because we know you can't build a mansion on a foundation of sand, and you can't build a landscape on a foundation of clay.
Before we install a single paver for hardscaping and landscaping in Bondurant, IA, we address the compaction. Heavy bulldozers have driven over your yard for months, crushing the pore space out of the soil. Roots need oxygen. Without it, they suffocate. We use deep-tine aeration and compost top-dressing to fracture that clay layer and reintroduce organic matter. It’s not glamorous work, but it is the difference between a landscape that thrives and one that struggles for ten years.
We also look at "rough grade" versus "final grade." Builders grade for water to run away from the house, which is good. But they often leave harsh slopes that are impossible to mow. We re-grade the site to create usable plateaus. We build retaining walls to flatten out steep sections, turning a useless hill into a flat lawn for the kids.
We also check the "utility easement." New homeowners often plan a pool or a shed right where the main power line runs. We pull the plats and identify the "no-build zones" before you fall in love with a design that is legally impossible to build.
Conclusion New construction landscapes often suffer from stripped topsoil and severe compaction, leading to plant failure. Successful landscape planning starts with soil remediation, proper grading to create usable flat areas, and identifying utility easements to ensure legal and structural viability.
Call to Action Build your landscape on a solid foundation by consulting the experts at Larkin Landscape and Design. https://www.larklandscape.com/