Landscape supplies are products used by landscapers, landscape architects, builders and homeowners to modify an area of land. Usually landscape contractors will create or refurbish outdoor spaces by planting trees and shrubs, as well as lawns and gardens. Landscapers also construct landscaping features such as paths, patios, pool surrounds, decks, outdoor kitchens, pizza ovens and carports.
Landscaping materials fall under two categories; soft landscape products and hard landscape products. Softscape products refer to vegetative products such as grasses, trees, plants and shrubs, whereas hardscape materials refer to construction materials such as bricks, stones, concrete and timbers.
Landscape supplies stores stock a huge range of landscape products including ground covers, soils and composts, gravels and pebbles, sands, cement and premixed products, turf and fertilisers, gardening tools, outdoor lightings, fountains and fencing products.
Most landscape stores supply both loose bulk materials as well as pre-packaged materials to their commercial or residential customers. This allows their customers to be provided with the exact quantity of landscape materials required for their project. Stores will also offer delivery of landscape products in their fleet of vehicles that can include utes, crane trucks or tip trucks.
Trades that will utilise the products and services of landscape centres include bricklayers, builders, concreters, gardeners, plasterers, plumbers and tilers. Customers involved in facilities and grounds maintenance also regularly require landscape products to maintain bodies corporate, cemeteries, childcare centres, schools, community parks and recreation centres, golf courses, shopping centres and sporting fields.
Depending on the size of a landscaping business they may work on small garden makeovers or larger, more specialised projects. Professional, larger landscaping businesses may employ landscape designers, landscape architects, construction workers, creative designers, horticulturists and project facilitation managers.
A landscaping professional will carry out many services on behalf of their clients such as the coordination of tradespeople, liaising with local governments, obtaining building materials and sourcing of materials. When designing a new garden, pool surround, pathway or pave way, landscapers will consider the size of the backyard, the exposure of the sun, whether a family has pets and kids, how to maximize energy efficiency, as well as the best drainage and irrigation solutions.
For DIY builders or gardeners working on smaller projects, staff employed at landscape centres and hardware stores are experienced to offer customers general advice for backyard projects. The most common backyard projects homeowners undertake are turf laying, building cubby houses and sandpits, building outdoor firepits, planting new trees and vegetable gardens, composting and more. DIY gardeners might require advice on the best pine bark, tree mulch, organic soils, decorative stones or sands to suit their needs.
Outdoor furniture such as day beds, sun lounges, tables and chairs, are an important component of making over a garden. Landscape designers will work with residential and commercial customers to choose outdoor furniture products that fit seamlessly into the design of the exterior space that is being transformed. Water fountains and features, outdoor lighting and fireplaces are also used to create relaxing and beautiful outdoor spaces.
