What Are The Steps In The Landscape Project Process?

A process that starts with the sentence "I want to have the garden landscaped" often turns into an uncertain wait, with no clear idea of how long it will take or in what order things will progress. Yet a landscape project follows a certain logic, just like construction work; each step has its own purpose and duration. There is also a difference between creating the garden of a newly completed villa in Kyrenia from scratch and renovating an existing garden—but the general framework remains similar.

Step 1: Site assessment and identifying needs

Everything starts with the physical realities of the site: soil structure, slope, sunny/shaded areas, existing trees, and wind direction. In Cyprus, especially on plots close to the coast, salty winds directly affect plant selection; the plants preferred for a villa near the coastal areas of Karaoğlanoğlu or Alsancak may differ from those for a villa inland in areas such as Ozanköy or Bellapais. At this stage, the homeowner's actual needs also become clear: Is a play area for children wanted, a seating area beside the pool, or simply an easy-to-maintain front garden?

Step 2: Preliminary design and concept

The draft plan prepared after the site assessment roughly shows what will go where in the garden—walkways, seating areas, planting zones, and, if applicable, poolside landscaping. At this stage, 2–3 alternatives are generally presented; the homeowner chooses one according to their budget and preferences or combines elements from two. Making an early decision is important at this point because all subsequent steps are built around this concept. Plant selection suitable for the Mediterranean climate.

Step 3: Implementation project and technical details

Once the concept is approved, the work moves into technical details: where irrigation lines will run, drainage points, the placement of lighting elements, and the dimensions of hardscape areas (stone, wooden deck, concrete). This stage does not change much visually, but it is one of the most critical steps for the project to proceed properly—especially because incorrect planning of irrigation and drainage lines can later cause problems such as water accumulating in certain parts of the garden or plants not receiving enough water.

Step 4: Ground preparation and infrastructure

Once implementation begins, the first task is soil preparation: any existing rubble or construction waste is removed, soil is added if necessary, and drainage and irrigation pipes are installed. This is a step that must be completed before planting, but leaves little visible evidence once finished. Installing the irrigation system correctly at this stage eliminates the need to dig up and intervene in the garden again later.

Step 5: Hardscape and structural elements

Structural elements such as walkways, stone paving, pergolas, and seating walls are completed before planting. The reason is simple: there is a risk of damaging newly planted vegetation during the transportation of heavy materials and construction work. The materials used at this stage must also be suitable for the climate—some types of wood can crack quickly under the Cyprus sun, so outdoor-grade treated wood or natural stone is recommended.

Step 6: Planting

When it is time for planting, the process starts with large trees and moves toward smaller shrubs and ground covers. This order is both practical and logical: once the larger plants are positioned, the effects of shade and wind become clear, allowing smaller plants to be positioned accordingly. Planting season is also important—in Cyprus, autumn (October–November) and early spring are considered among the most suitable periods for planting, when the soil is still moist and the weather is mild enough not to stress the plants. Plant and irrigation solutions for a low-water garden.

Step 7: Initial maintenance period and handover

The project is not immediately considered "finished" once planting is complete—the roots of newly planted plants may take anywhere from several weeks to several months to establish, and regular irrigation monitoring during this period is critical. A serious landscape implementation includes a follow-up period covering this initial adaptation phase; otherwise, some of the newly planted plants may fail to establish.

How long does the process take?

A small front garden project can be completed in a few weeks, while a comprehensive villa garden project with a pool, irrigation system, hardscape, and structural elements can take several months. The factors that most often extend the timeline are material availability and weather conditions—for example, planting may be postponed during intense summer heat and left until autumn.