Chapter 32: Landscaping

1. Introduction

Landscaping a house typically takes at least 2-3 workdays. Often this work is done progressively during the building process (when there are extra volunteers), instead of leaving it all for the end. Much of the work also depends on the weather, so it is important to start as soon as it is possible. Currently, HfH St. Louis subcontracts all the concrete walks, driveway pads, and steps, but the other site work is done with volunteer labor.

There is a landscaping plan for each house. Formulating a site plan for the lot should begin at the time the house plans are reviewed with the HfH Construction Committee. Key elevation points may necessitate special site features such as retaining walls, stepped walks, etc. so that reasonable slopes and swales can be cut into the lot to achieve proper drainage. As stated above, once final grade has been achieved and underground utilities completed, there is no reason to wait until the end of the project to lay sod. In fact, it is helpful if this is done earlier on to eliminate the “mud” factor from the project, especially around the time the Partner Family is moving into the house.

2. Safety Issues

• Locate utility and drainpipe hookups so as not to disturb (or bury) them when grading is done the work. Assure that the location of buried utilities is known before digging holes.
• Lift with your legs, not your back. Be careful that volunteers don’t overexert themselves when using wheelbarrows, etc.
• A few minutes of stretching at the beginning of the work period reduces the potential for strains and sprains during the work.

3. Prior tasks to have been completed before starting

• All utilities / draintiles / downspout hook-ups installed
• Ideally, the gutters and downspouts should be installed, as the water from the roof can wash away a day’s work quite easily.
• If possible, all concrete work should be done before final landscaping.

4. Recommended Staff/Crew Assignments

It is suggested that at least 15 volunteers, including 2-3 crew leaders, be recruited for each day of Landscaping. Divide the crews up by distributing the experience level among the crew leaders. It’s not unusual to have all volunteers grading, etc. at one task, but when possible it is better to divide up a few crews to work on different areas / tasks.

6. Tools/Equipment list

Tools & Equipment Needed at Each Site:

• Shovels (flat and regular)
• Wheelbarrows
• Tamper (maybe gasoline driven variety)
• Rakes

Tools Each Crew Leader and Crew Member Will Need:

• Work Gloves
• Good Boots
• Utility Knife (for cutting sod)

7. Material List

• Sod
• Water
• Landscaping edges
• Mulch

8. Quality Checkpoints

____ All debris cleared from site
____ “Topsoil” coverage where existing soil is poor
____ Drainage / Swale grading sufficient to drain water away from house
____ Sod coverage 100% of site
____ All Plantings (shrubs, etc.) planted with proper coverage of root balls, etc.
____ Landscaping edges in correct locations
____ Mulch around scrubs and trees
____ Site cleaned up and tools returned clean to trailers

9. Construction Drawings and Text

NOTE: The following drawings, diagrams, and text are to be used on the job site when a question arises as to methods and procedures associated with the task. The notes on the drawings have been geared toward use as a quick reference. If a more in-depth explanation is needed, please read the text description. But most importantly, consult your Habitat Site Supervisor and Construction Manager for advice as needed.

As stated above, the first thing to do on landscaping days is to remove the chunks of debris (brick pieces, concrete, large stones, wood, trash, etc.) These pieces should be removed to the curb, dumpster, or other staging area as instructed by the House Leader. Rocks and concrete debris can be put in the porch foundation if it has not been filled with gravel and had concrete poured. Have volunteers rake out (or tamp) the chunks of clay that will probably be on the site. Often there will need to be a swale (slight valley) between adjacent houses. Consult the House Leader for the specific grading that needs to be done on your specific site.

HFH St. Louis installs sod on the lots. The sod comes on a pallet that will be delivered to the specific site. The shrubs and trees will also be delivered to the site for planting. The holes for the shrubs and trees will need to be dug, either by hand or with the 2-person gasoline auger. Make sure to follow the plans on planting locations and depths. The trees and shrubs should be watered thoroughly after planting by inserting a hose at the plant area and letting it run for a few minutes. Landscaping edges should be placed around all beds. Mulch should be spread around the plants as per the plans.

After the trees and shrubs have been planted sod can be laid on all the property. Lay the sod in rows so that the ends and sides of the sod bundles touch the neighboring pieces, but do not overlap in any direction. Try to stagger the lying of the sod pieces so that the ends don't align with the neighboring ends. 

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  Page last updated Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 6:40:19 PM