The Ultimate Do’s and Don’ts of Landscaping for Atlanta Homeowners

Whether you are looking to boost your curb appeal or create a backyard oasis for weekend barbecues, a landscaping project is one of the most rewarding investments you can make in your home. However, navigating the world of plants, patios, and retaining walls can feel overwhelming for many homeowners.

Here at Mountain High Landscape, Hardscape, & Stone Supply, we’ve seen it all. Proudly serving Metro-Atlanta and the surrounding areas from our two convenient landscape supply yards in Marietta and Atlanta, we want to help your next outdoor project succeed.

To help you get started on the right foot, we’ve put together the essential do’s and don’ts of landscaping for Georgia homeowners.

✅ The DO’s of Home Landscaping

1. DO Plan for the Georgia Climate Metro-Atlanta experiences hot, humid summers and occasionally freezing winters. Make sure you select native or climate-adapted plants that thrive in hardiness zones 7b and 8a. Drought-tolerant plants are a massive plus for those hot August weeks!

2. DO Incorporate Hardscaping Landscaping isn’t just about plants. Integrating hardscapes like flagstone patios, retaining walls, or gravel pathways adds structure, reduces yard maintenance, and increases usable living space.

• Pro Tip: Mixing natural stone with lush greenery creates a stunning visual balance. Stop by our stone supply yards to see the varieties we carry in person.

3. DO Start with a Master Plan Before digging a single hole or ordering a truckload of topsoil, sketch out a design. Consider how you want to use the space (e.g., a play area for kids, a fire pit for entertaining, or a quiet garden retreat) and plan your materials and budget accordingly.

4. DO Pay Attention to Drainage Georgia gets plenty of heavy rain, and poor drainage can wash away your beautiful new mulch or flood your basement. Plan for proper grading, use decorative river rock in drainage paths, and consider installing French drains if you have low spots.

5. DO Visit a Local Landscape Supply Yard Seeing materials in person makes a world of difference. At Mountain High Landscape, you can compare the colors and textures of different mulches, gravels, and natural stones before committing to a delivery.

❌ The DON’Ts of Home Landscaping

1. DON’T Plant Too Close to Your House It’s a common mistake to plant a cute, small shrub right against the foundation, only to have its roots damage your plumbing or its branches scrape your siding a few years later. Always read the plant tag to see its mature size and give it plenty of room to grow.

2. DON’T Impulse Buy at the Garden Center Without a list or a plan, it’s easy to walk into a nursery and buy a mix of plants that look pretty but don’t go together or won’t survive in your yard’s lighting conditions. Stick to your master plan!

3. DON’T Forget About Lighting You’ve spent time and money making your yard look beautiful during the day, so don’t let it disappear at night! Pathway lights, uplighting on trees, and soft lighting around hardscape features not only look incredible but also add safety and security.

4. DON’T Ignore Maintenance Needs A complex landscape design might look great on day one, but do you have the time (or budget) to maintain it? If you prefer a low-maintenance yard, lean heavily into hardscaping, decorative stone, and slow-growing evergreen shrubs.

5. DON’T Skimp on Quality Materials Using cheap landscape fabric or low-quality soil will cost you more in the long run through constant weed pulling and failing plants. Investing in premium topsoil, high-grade mulch, and durable stone pays off in the longevity and beauty of your yard.

Let Mountain High Landscape Bring Your Vision to Life!

Tackling a landscaping or hardscaping project is much easier when you have the right materials and expert advice. At Mountain High Landscape, Hardscape, & Stone Supply, we provide top-tier soil, mulch, gravel, natural stone, and pavers to homeowners and contractors across Metro-Atlanta.

Whether you need a single pickup truck load of pine straw or bulk delivery of flagstone for a massive patio, we’ve got you covered.

📍 Visit Us at Our Two Metro-Atlanta Locations:

• Marietta Yard: 1389 Church Street Ext NW, Marietta, GA 30060

• Atlanta Yard: 4964 South Atlanta Rd, Atlanta, GA 30339

Ready to start your next project? Browse our inventory online or drop by one of our supply yards today. Let’s build something beautiful together!