Bring your garden to life, from blank canvas to green space
Have you just bought a plot of land, finished a new build or decided to completely rethink your outdoor space? Garden creation is a comprehensive project that transforms bare ground into a harmonious, functional living area suited to the Swiss climate. Contact SOS Jardin for a free quote — our qualified landscape gardeners work across Western Switzerland.
What is garden creation?
Garden creation covers all the work needed to design and build a complete garden, starting from scratch or from an existing plot that needs a full makeover. Unlike a one-off landscaping job, it involves a holistic vision:
- Design and garden plan: a landscape gardener draws up a plan that takes into account your wishes, the orientation of the plot, sun exposure, soil type and available budget.
- Earthworks and site preparation: levelling, removal of construction waste, soil improvement (adding topsoil, installing drainage).
- Planting: selection of trees, shrubs, hedges, perennials and ground cover suited to the local climate. In Switzerland, conditions vary greatly between the Plateau, the Pre-Alps and the Valais — a professional selects species that will thrive at your location.
- Hard surfaces and pathways: paths, terraces, outdoor steps and parking areas.
- Functional elements: fencing, outdoor lighting, automatic irrigation systems and built-in garden furniture.
- Finishing touches: seeded or turf lawn, mulching, edging and final details.
Why hire a professional?
Creating a garden from scratch demands multiple skills — landscape design, horticulture, landscape masonry, hydraulics — that a single homeowner rarely masters. A professional landscape gardener provides:
- A coherent overall vision: every element of the garden is designed in relation to the others. The position of a tree affects shade on the terrace, the layout of a path influences drainage, and plant choices depend on sun exposure.
- Knowledge of Swiss terrain and climate: a local professional knows which plants are frost-hardy in your region, how to manage the heavy soils of the Plateau or the chalky ground of the Jura, and which species meet cantonal biodiversity recommendations.
- Significant time savings: a professionally created garden is ready in a matter of weeks. Done alone, the same project can stretch over several seasons.
- Budget control: a detailed plan avoids impulse purchases and costly mistakes (unsuitable plants, forgotten drainage, inadequate earthworks).
- Trade coordination: excavation contractor, mason, electrician for lighting, turf installer — the landscape gardener orchestrates the entire project.
- Choosing plants that last: a homeowner may be drawn to the look of a plant at the garden centre without considering its hardiness, mature size or water requirements. A landscape gardener creates a planting plan that guarantees a harmonious result at 5, 10 and 20 years, prioritising species resistant to the climate in your area.
- Integrating technical elements from the outset: an automatic irrigation system, outdoor lighting, effective drainage or a fence should be planned from the start. Adding them later costs significantly more and disrupts existing plantings.
Seasonal calendar in Western Switzerland
A garden creation project is organised around the seasons. In Western Switzerland, here is the optimal calendar for each phase:
Winter (December – February)
This is the ideal season for planning and design. Use this time to meet your landscape gardener, define your wishes, approve plans and choose materials. Quotes are prepared and plant orders placed with local nurseries. If trees need to be felled before the garden is created, winter is the best time for pruning or removal. Earthworks can also begin if the ground is not frozen.
Spring (March – May)
Spring is the peak season for garden creation projects. Once frost risks have passed (generally mid-March on the Romand Plateau, later at altitude), work can begin: earthworks, laying terraces, building low walls and gabions, installing paths. This is also the ideal time for planting container-grown trees and shrubs, sowing lawn seed and laying turf. Perennials and ornamental grasses are best planted in April–May.
Summer (June – August)
Landscape masonry and construction work (terraces, pergolas, fencing, carports) can continue well into summer. However, planting is not recommended in the height of summer due to water stress. If planting cannot be avoided, very regular watering is essential. This is a good time to install an automatic irrigation system ahead of dry periods.
Autumn (September – November)
Autumn is the second ideal window for planting in Western Switzerland. Trees and shrubs planted in autumn develop their root systems before winter and start strongly the following spring. September and October are perfect for sowing lawn seed: temperatures are mild and natural rainfall aids germination. This is also the time to plant spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils, crocuses) that will flower from March.
How it works
Step 1: Contact us
Fill in our form or call us, indicating the size of your plot, the type of project (new build, complete redesign), your wishes (terrace, vegetable garden, play area, hedge, pool) and your approximate budget. Photos of the current site are very helpful.
Step 2: We visit and provide a free quote
A landscape gardener from our team visits your site to study the terrain and your vision. We then provide a detailed proposal including a description of the work, a provisional schedule and a firm price — with no obligation.
Step 3: We carry out the work
Our team coordinates and completes the entire project, from earthworks to finishing touches. We deliver a turnkey garden that meets your expectations.
Prices and rates in Switzerland
The cost of garden creation depends on many factors: area, terrain complexity, choice of materials and plants, and region. Here are typical price ranges for Switzerland:
| Service | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Garden design and plan | CHF 1,000 – 3,500 |
| Earthworks and soil preparation | CHF 20 – 60/m² |
| Tree planting (supplied and planted) | CHF 200 – 1,500/tree |
| Hedge (supply and planting) | CHF 30 – 90/linear metre |
| Seeded lawn | CHF 6 – 12/m² |
| Turf (supplied and laid) | CHF 18 – 35/m² |
| Complete garden (turnkey) | CHF 75 – 200/m² |
For a 200 to 500 m² garden in French-speaking Switzerland with a terrace, varied planting and lawn, a total budget of CHF 15,000 to CHF 40,000 is typical. Simpler projects (lawn, some planting, a path) can start from around CHF 8,000. Only a personalised quote can give you an exact figure for your project.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to create a garden in Switzerland?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the ideal seasons for planting. Earthworks and landscape masonry can be carried out almost year-round, except during frost. For a complete project, it is advisable to contact a landscape gardener 2 to 3 months before your desired start date.
Do I need a permit to create a garden?
Garden creation itself does not usually require a permit. However, certain elements may be subject to approval: retaining walls over 1 metre, garden sheds exceeding a certain footprint, swimming pools, or fencing in protected zones. Your landscape gardener will inform you of the necessary steps in your municipality.
Can a garden be created on sloping ground?
Absolutely. Sloping sites are common in Switzerland and can even offer exciting design possibilities: tiered terraces, gabion walls, rockeries and cascades. Earthworks will be more extensive, which increases the budget, but the result can be spectacular. A professional will know how to make the most of the topography.
How do I choose the right plants for my Swiss garden?
Plant selection depends on several criteria: the climate zone (altitude, aspect, proximity to a lake), soil type, sun exposure and the level of maintenance you are willing to provide. A professional landscape gardener creates a planting plan that combines native species (encouraged for biodiversity) with ornamental varieties suited to your region.
How long does it take to create a complete garden?
For an average-sized residential garden (150 to 300 m²), allow 2 to 4 weeks of work once the project begins. The design and planning phase typically takes an additional 2 to 4 weeks beforehand. Large-scale projects or those involving significant masonry work may require 6 to 8 weeks of construction.
Which native plants are recommended for a garden in Western Switzerland?
Among the native species particularly well suited to the region: common dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), European spindle (Euonymus europaeus), elderberry (Sambucus nigra), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and common privet (Ligustrum vulgare) for hedges and shrub borders. For perennials, meadow sage (Salvia pratensis), yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and bellflower (Campanula) are excellent choices. These species support local biodiversity and require less watering once established. Some municipalities in French-speaking Switzerland even offer subsidies for native planting.
Can a vegetable garden be included in a garden creation project?
Absolutely. A well-integrated vegetable garden is both functional and attractive. The landscape gardener plans the optimal location (south-facing, close to a water point), the drainage system and potentially raised beds for ease of use. In Western Switzerland, the growing season for vegetables generally runs from April to October on the Plateau, with variations depending on altitude. An automatic irrigation system with programmable scheduling is a valuable asset for a vegetable garden.
How should ground be prepared after a new build?
After construction, the ground is often compacted by heavy machinery, littered with rubble and covered with poor-quality fill. A landscape gardener starts by clearing construction waste, deep-decompacting the soil, then adding quality topsoil (a minimum depth of 15 to 30 cm). Drainage may be needed if the soil is clay-heavy. This preparation is essential: planting directly into construction-grade soil leads to disappointing results and plants that fail to thrive.