Editorial team
The LandscapeLookup editorial team writes guides to help US homeowners plan yard projects and hire the right pro. Each guide is based on university extension services, government sources such as EPA WaterSense and USDA, manufacturer instructions and published cost guides, and links to them so you can check the details.
Sweep polymeric sand into completely dry paver joints at least 1.5 inches deep, compact it with a plate compactor, clear every grain off the surface, then mist it with a hose. Install above 32°F with a dry forecast.
September 12, 2026
Professionally installed landscape lighting usually costs $3,000–$6,000, or about $90–$150 per installed low-voltage fixture. Most homes use low-voltage LED lights for paths, trees, walls and patios.
September 11, 2026
A backflow test checks that the device keeping sprinkler water out of your drinking water still works. Many utilities require one every year by a certified tester; a typical test costs about $70–$90, plus any local filing fee.
September 10, 2026
Prune most trees in late winter to early spring, while they're dormant and before new growth starts. Remove dead or broken branches any time. Prune spring-flowering trees right after bloom, and avoid pruning oaks during your area's oak wilt season.
September 9, 2026
Multiply your bed's square footage by the depth in inches, then divide by 324 to get cubic yards. At a typical 2 to 3 inches, 1 cubic yard covers about 108 to 162 square feet, or about 13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet each.
September 8, 2026
Sealing pavers is optional. It resists stains, salt and fading and can deepen color, but pros charge roughly $1.25–$2 per square foot and most sealers need redoing every 2–5 years. If you seal new pavers, wait at least 60 days and until any white efflorescence is gone.
September 7, 2026
On flat ground, a patio is usually cheaper than a raised deck and outlasts a wood deck. For 16x20, HomeAdvisor puts pavers at about $2,600–$8,000, a ground-level deck at $3,200–$6,400 and its size-table deck at $12,800–$19,200. Decks suit slopes.
September 6, 2026
Water your lawn in the early morning, roughly 5–9 a.m., when less is lost to evaporation and grass dries quickly. Most lawns need about 1 inch of water a week, rain included, applied in 1–2 deep waterings rather than daily sprinkles.
September 5, 2026
Stump grinding usually costs $131–$438 per job, with national averages around $200–$272. Many pros charge $2–$5 per inch of stump diameter with a minimum of about $100, and extra stumps cost less each.
September 4, 2026
Thatch over about 1/2 inch needs managing, and core aeration often handles it. Several extension services save mechanical dethatching for about 1 inch or more: do it in early fall or spring for cool-season grass and late spring to midsummer for warm-season grass.
September 3, 2026
Professional landscaping usually costs $4.50 to $17 per square foot, so a 1,000 sq ft yard runs about $4,500 to $17,000. Here's what common projects cost, what design fees look like, and what pushes the price up.
September 2, 2026
Poured concrete is cheaper up front, at roughly $4–$10 per square foot versus $8–$25 for pavers. Pavers cost more but are made two to three times stronger, handle ground movement better and can be lifted and reset instead of patched. Stamped concrete sits in between.
September 1, 2026
