Planning Your Landscape in Northfield MN

What to Know Before You Start

A Great Landscape Starts with a Smart Plan

Landscaping isn’t just about planting flowers or laying pavers — it’s about creating a usable, beautiful space that fits your lifestyle and your land. Whether you're starting from scratch or renovating an existing yard, proper planning is essential for a long-lasting, low-maintenance result.

At Landscape Gal, we’ve spent over 40 years helping homeowners in Northfield, Rice County, and the southern Twin Cities metro design landscapes that work — structurally, visually, and practically. Before you start digging or purchasing plants, here’s what you need to consider.

Define Your Landscape Goals

The first step in any landscape plan is understanding what you want your space to do for you.

Ask yourself:

  • Do you need more functional outdoor living space?

  • Are you looking to solve drainage or slope issues?

  • Do you want a low-maintenance garden or a pollinator-friendly space?

  • Will this be a play area, entertaining zone, or private retreat?

Knowing your goals allows us to prioritize design elements that match your lifestyle and budget.

Evaluate the Site — Don't Work Against It

Every property has unique conditions — and ignoring them leads to costly mistakes.

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Sun and Shade

  • Track how light moves through your yard across the day

  • Choose plantings based on sun exposure, not just appearance
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Soil and Drainage

  • Test soil composition (clay, loam, sand) to determine drainage

  • Identify wet spots, compacted areas, and existing grade slopes

  • Plan for rain gardens or grading correction if needed
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Wind and Views

  • Consider prevailing winds and winter exposure

  • Use screening to block eyesores or frame a view

Budget with Purpose

Your budget doesn’t just affect what you can do — it shapes how and when you do it.

We help clients:

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We help clients:

  • Prioritize core infrastructure first — grading, drainage, hardscapes

  • Identify phased approaches if full installation isn't feasible all at once

  • Choose materials that balance longevity and aesthetic

  • Select plants with long-term health and low maintenance in mind

Think in Layers – Design for Structure and Flow

A cohesive landscape isn't just a collection of elements — it's an intentional layout that guides the eye and movement.

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Structural Elements

  • Patios, retaining walls, pathways, fire pits, seating areas

  • Built first to define the landscape’s function and shape
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Planting Zones

  • Group plants by water/sun needs and height

  • Use trees, shrubs, and perennials for visual balance

  • Consider year-round interest: bloom times, fall color, winter structure
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Flow and Movement

  • Plan logical paths between features

  • Avoid cutting across lawns unnecessarily

  • Use focal points and curves to guide the eye naturally

Function Meets Beauty

A beautiful landscape that doesn't function is a burden. Our goal is always to balance appearance with usability.

We prioritize:

  • Drainage control that prevents erosion or soggy lawns

  • Plant selection that matches your maintenance ability and soil type

  • Materials that hold up to freeze-thaw cycles and regional weather

  • Privacy where needed without overwhelming walls of green

Your landscape should serve you — not the other way around.

Professional Design vs. DIY

While DIY landscaping may seem cost-effective, design mistakes are expensive to fix later. An experienced designer understands spatial planning, water flow, long-term plant growth, and construction basics.

Hiring Landscape Gal gives you:

  • A customized plan based on your land and goals

  • Proper sequencing (grading before planting, for example)

  • Material selection tailored to your style and site

  • Hands-on oversight throughout installation

We’re not here to over-design or overspend — we’re here to help you get it right from the start.

Brick patio with curved edges, contrasting border, and large light-colored rocks.
Rock wall with various green plants and purple flowers planted next to a garage.

FAQs – Landscape Planning

  • How long does the planning process take?

    It depends on the complexity of the site and scope. Smaller projects may take a week or two. Full-scale designs with grading and hardscaping can take several weeks of planning before installation.

  • Can I do some parts now and others later?

    Yes. Many of our clients phase projects over time. We create plans with logical breakpoints so each phase is complete on its own.

  • Will you work with ideas I already have?

    Absolutely. We encourage client input and enjoy collaborating. We’ll build on your vision with professional experience and feasibility in mind.

  • What makes Landscape Gal different from a nursery or garden center designer?

    We’re a design-build firm, which means we not only create your plan but personally install it. You won’t be handed off to a subcontractor.

  • Do you provide 3D renderings or sketches?

    We typically provide scaled 2D drawings, sketches, and plant lists — enough to clearly visualize and implement your design. Full renderings are available depending on project needs.

  • Space plants properly to promote air circulation

  • Remove infected leaves as soon as spotted

  • Disinfect pruners between plants when dealing with disease

  • Encourage beneficial insects and avoid broad-spectrum pesticides

  • Apply natural fungicides early if needed on prone varieties

Start with Landscape Gal and Plan for Success

Every successful landscape begins with a thoughtful plan. Whether you’re dreaming of a small garden, a complete yard renovation, or solving stubborn drainage problems, we’re here to help you make informed decisions every step of the way.

At Landscape Gal, we approach each design with creativity, practicality, and a deep knowledge of the Minnesota climate and soil conditions. We don't just plan spaces — we build them, and we stand behind our work.

Ready to get started? Let's walk your property, talk through your goals, and create something lasting.

Contact Landscape Gal

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3343 Union Lake Trl, Northfield, MN 55057

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Monday–Friday, 7:30am – 5:30pm