Design & Installation

A great landscape starts with a clear plan. General Landscaping provides full-service design and installation for homeowners and property managers throughout Glastonbury, CT and the greater and surrounding towns. Our design process translates your vision for the property into a detailed, buildable plan — and our installation crews bring that plan to life with the precision and craftsmanship that has defined our work since 1978.

Our Design Process

Design begins with a detailed site evaluation. We assess existing conditions including soil quality, sun and shade patterns throughout the day, drainage behavior, existing plantings worth keeping, and the architectural style of the home. We also spend time understanding how you use the property — where your kids play, how you enter and exit, where you entertain, and what maintenance level you are willing to commit to. These conversations matter because a landscape that looks beautiful in a rendering but does not match how you actually live will become a source of frustration rather than enjoyment.

From there, we develop a plan that addresses your goals while respecting the realities of the site. We select plant material based on mature size, growth habit, seasonal interest, and maintenance requirements — not just what looks good at the nursery.

What Installation Looks Like

• Site preparation including clearing, grading, and soil amendment as needed
• Tree and shrub and perennial planting with proper root preparation, spacing, and staking
• Lawn establishment via sod or seed, coordinated with surrounding bed work
• Edging installation to create clean, lasting boundaries between lawn and beds
• Mulch application and final site cleanup for a finished presentation on day one

Why the Design-Build Approach Matters

When design and installation are handled by the same company, the design accounts for real-world construction considerations from the start. Our designers know what our crews can execute efficiently, what materials perform well in New England conditions, and where to invest the budget for maximum visual and functional impact. That continuity eliminates the change orders, surprises, and compromises that are common when a landscape architect hands off drawings to an installation contractor who had no input on the plan. The result is a smoother project, a more predictable timeline, and a finished landscape that matches the original intent.

We also plan for what happens after installation. Every landscape requires ongoing maintenance to reach its full potential, and the design should account for how that maintenance will be performed. We consider mower access when sizing gaps between beds, avoid planting combinations that require intensive care unless the homeowner is committed to providing it, and specify mature plant sizes that will not require constant pruning to maintain proper proportions. This practical mindset means the landscape we deliver on installation day is designed to look even better two or three years later as plantings mature and fill in — not worse.

Start Planning Your Project

If your property needs more than routine maintenance — whether it is a tired landscape that has outgrown its original design, a new construction home that needs everything from scratch, or a targeted renovation of your front entry or backyard — our design and installation service is the right starting point. Contact General Landscaping at (860) 659-5757 for a free on-site consultation.