Lawn and garden installs are mostly irrigation, fencing, and the infrastructure that makes a yard work instead of just exist.
01In-ground irrigation system
An in-ground irrigation system requires: a connection to the main water supply with a backflow preventer, a controller (timer), valves for each zone, and the piping and heads for each zone. This is a permit-required project in most jurisdictions due to the backflow preventer requirement. Pipe is typically schedule 40 PVC or flexible polyethylene. Trenching depth is 6–12 inches depending on climate. Each zone covers a set number of square feet based on head flow rates and pipe supply capacity.
02Raised garden bed
A simple raised bed is four boards screwed at the corners — no fancy joinery required. Use rot-resistant lumber: cedar, redwood, or ground-contact-rated treated lumber (ACQ-treated is the current standard for ground contact). Do not use old creosote-treated railroad ties in a food garden. Fill with a mix of topsoil, compost, and coarse material for drainage. Depth of at least 12 inches for root crops, 8 inches for herbs and shallow-rooted vegetables.
03Fence installation
Fence posts go below the frost line in cold climates — typically 36–42 inches deep in most of the northern US. Dig post holes with a power auger. Set posts in concrete, level and plumb in two directions, and brace until the concrete cures. String a line between the first and last post to establish the fence line height. Attach rails between posts and face boards to the rails. Bottom board height: minimum 2 inches above grade.
04Landscape lighting — low voltage
Low-voltage landscape lighting runs on a 12V transformer plugged into an exterior outlet. Lay the cable from the transformer along the planned route and spike the light fixtures into the ground, connecting each to the cable with the manufacturer's connector. Most low-voltage systems are tool-free installation. Set the transformer timer. Solar landscape lights require no wiring at all — stake them in a location with adequate sun exposure.
Marcus Webb is a general contractor and home maintenance writer based in Columbus, Ohio. He writes about the repairs and installs that come up every year in every house — the practical, repeating work that keeps a home livable.