"If I wasn’t on site, things slipped. Corners were cut, details were missed, and I’d be the one cleaning it up after. It felt like I couldn’t step away without something going sideways."
Ryan - Rooted Landscape Management Ltd.
Running a landscape company sounds good on paper. But in reality, most of your time is spent answering the same questions, double-checking work, and fixing mistakes that shouldn’t have happened in the first place.
Crews mean well, but without a clear standard to follow, everyone just does what they think is best. That leads to inconsistent work, callbacks, and a whole lot of explaining. You're not building a business, you're babysitting job sites.
You try to step back, but when you're not there, things fall apart. You end up back in the field, putting out fires, watching your profit and your weekends disappear.
No Clear Standard
Using bad habits and guesswork
Always Fighting Fires
Chasing issues after they happen
Costly Mistakes
Errors on-site drain your profits
Finally, a Standard Built for Real Canadian Landscapers
This isn’t theory. This is boots-on-the-ground knowledge turned into a practical guide you can actually use. Whether you're training a new hire or trying to systemize your operations.
Built from Real Jobsite Experience
This guide wasn’t made in an office — it was built in the mud, the cold, and the heat of real Canadian job sites. Every standard, process, and recommendation has been tested and refined by professionals who’ve been in the field for years. If you’re tired of guesswork and conflicting opinions, this guide gives you the practical clarity you’ve been missing.
Clear, Step-by-Step Standards for Every Phase
From base prep to final clean-up, the guide walks you through each phase of landscape installation and maintenance with clear, actionable standards. Whether you’re training a crew or checking your own work, it’s all laid out — no fluff, no filler, just what works. This saves time, avoids callbacks, and protects your reputation.
A Tool for Training, Scaling & Peace of Mind
Stop repeating yourself. The guide makes it easy to train new staff, standardize expectations, and reduce the time you spend micromanaging. You don’t need to be on-site every minute — now your team has a benchmark to follow when you’re not around.
What We've Put Together
We didn’t set out to write a landscaping standard.
It started as a mess of notes, checklists, job file templates, and things we kept repeating to our crews. Over time, it grew.
Every project that went sideways taught us something. Every time we fixed a problem before it became one, we’d jot it down. Eventually, we realized we weren’t just managing jobs - we were building a system.
After years of trial and error, we looked back and thought, “This would’ve saved us so much time if we had it from the start.”
So we pulled it all together into one clear, structured guide — something we wish we had on Day One.
Here is what we ended up with...
The Guide
The Landscapers Practical Standard is a 90+ page digital guide that lays out clear, professional standards for landscape installation and maintenance.
It’s not a textbook. It’s the kind of guide you’ll keep open on your phone while walking a job site—straightforward, easy to reference, and written by people who’ve actually done the work.
We’ve broken down every major area—site prep, grading, planting, irrigation, hardscaping, maintenance, and more—into practical, no-nonsense language.
Use it to train your team, quote jobs, or explain expectations to a client.
The guide gets to the point - no rambling, no wasted space. If that style clicks with you, you’ll feel right at home with the LPS Insights too.
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Full Table of Contents
- What Counts as Landscaping Work?
- Contracts and Paperwork Basics
- Permits, Inspections & Working with Cities
- Insurance, Warranties & Risk Protection
- What Is Covered Under “Landscaping” Work
- When and Where to Apply These Standards
- Defining Roles and Contract Responsibilities
- Understanding the Landscape Commissioning Plan (LCx)
- Meeting Permitting and Compliance Requirements
- Insurance, Documentation, and Risk Management
- Handling Discrepancies or Issues
- Walk the Site with a Builder’s Eye
- Check the Soil — Don’t Just Guess
- Mark What’s Being Removed and What’s Staying
- Install Protection for Trees and Site Features
- Watch Water — Flow, Drainage, and Risk
- Set Access Routes and Material Zones
- Sort and Remove Waste Properly
- Final Check Before Construction
- What Grading Is Really For
- Check Finished Grades and Match Key Elevations
- Build Positive Slope and Surface Flow
- Subgrade Comes First
- Final Grading with Soil or Growing Medium
- When Drainage Features Are Needed
- Protect Finished Grades from Damage
- What Makes a Good Growing Medium
- Why Soil Quality Is the Root of Project Longevity
- Types of Soil and Their Behavior
- What to Look Out For on Site
- How to Improve or Specify Growing Medium
- Installing Growing Medium the Right Way
- Long-Term Benefits of Getting It Right
- Planning Before You Dig
- Handling and Staging Plant Material
- Planting Depth and Backfill Technique
- Spacing, Orientation, and Mature Layout
- Tree Staking and Support
- Watering and Establishment Period
- Resident Wildlife and Protection Measures
- Warranty and Ownership Responsibilities
- What Mulch Does for a Landscape
- Organic Mulches – What to Use and Where
- Rock Mulch – Use With Purpose
- Applying Mulch the Right Way
- Seasonal Maintenance and Decomposition
- Mulch and Fire Safety Near Structures
- Long-Term Mulch Performance
- Starting with a Water-Smart Plan
- Soil Prep for Water Retention
- Selecting Plants That Can Handle It
- Mulch: Moisture Control that Matters
- Efficient Irrigation that Targets the Roots
- Reducing Turf and Using Ground Covers Instead
- Maintenance Expectations
- Choosing Between Seed and Sod
- Soil Prep for Both Methods
- Seeding: What to Know and How to Do It Right
- Sodding: Doing It Fast, Doing It Right
- First Mow and Ongoing Care
- Ongoing Lawn Health After Year One
- Dethatching: Clearing the Way for Healthy Growth
- Aeration: Breaking Compaction and Opening Up the Soil
- Top Dressing
- Lime and Fertilizer Applications
- Planning with Purpose
- Subgrade Inspection and Prep
- Managing Drainage
- Base Materials and Installation
- Installing Paver Patios and Walkways
- Installing Segmental Retaining Walls (SRWs)
- Other Common Hardscape Builds
- Purpose and Benefits
- Site Evaluation and Planning
- Installation Standards and Components
- System Testing and Final Setup
- Turnover Package and Documentation
- Winterization and Ongoing Maintenance
- Warranty Considerations
- Watering and Soil Conditions
- Mulching for Moisture and Protection
- Pruning and Structural Care
- Disease, Pests, and Environmental Stress
- Seasonal Plant Health Care Tasks
- Job Site Walkthroughs
- Final Grading and Soil Correction
- Detailing the Hardscape
- Planting Touch-Ups and Mulch Dress
- Final Cleanup and Client Ready
- Client Handover and Warranty Prep
- Initial Site Inspection
- Softscape Maintenance
- Hardscape Maintenance
- Building Maintenance Packages and Pricing
- Communication and Service Visibility
- Why It Matters
- Safe Snow Removal Techniques
- Ice Control and Product Application
- Setting Melt Zones and Dump Areas
- Protecting Hardscape and Softscape Elements
- Residential vs. Commercial Considerations
- Legal and Insurance Requirements
- Environmental Impact and Risk Mitigation
Start Building a Smarter Landscape Business Today
Don’t keep spinning your wheels figuring it out as you go. The Landscapers Practical Standard gives you the proven path to clarity, professionalism, and better results on the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Landscapers Practical Standard is a professionally written digital guide created specifically for Canadian landscapes. It covers everything from site prep to snow management, with standards, techniques, and tips that crews and managers can apply immediately.
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This guide is made for landscaping business owners, crew leads, managers, and anyone involved in field operations across Canada — whether you're just starting or have been in the game for years.
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The guide is delivered instantly as a downloadable PDF file after purchase. You can view it on any device or print it for field use.
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Not at this time — the Landscapers Practical Standard is only available in digital format.
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Since this is a digital product, all sales are final. However, if you experience any technical issues or have concerns, reach out and we’ll make it right.
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Absolutely. Many business owners use it as a field-ready reference and training tool. It helps align your team with clear standards and reduces confusion on job sites.
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The guide is written for use across Canada and includes regionally relevant guidance. Wherever you operate, the fundamentals still apply.
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You get lifetime access. Download it once, and it’s yours to keep and refer to as often as you need.
LPStandard Insights
The LPStandard Insights covers what truly impacts landscaping performance—scope creep, crew misalignment, and missing jobsite standards. Every post shares real-world landscaping advice for contractors, business owners, and property managers who want better results, fewer mistakes, and more efficient crews. Whether you’re quoting work, leading a team, or trying to avoid costly delays, this blog delivers practical solutions that improve your projects from the ground up.