Transform your outdoor space with a qualified landscape professional
Considering a complete landscaping project or a transformation of your existing garden? SOS Jardin passes your request on to a professional gardener-landscaper in your area. From initial design through to planting and hardscaping, they can take on your entire project.
What is landscape design?
Landscape design is the art of creating functional and visually striking outdoor spaces. Unlike routine garden maintenance, it is a transformative project that reshapes the very structure of your green space.
A landscaping project can include:
- Landscape planning: site survey, layout design, plant and material selection, 3D visualisation of the project.
- Planting: trees, shrubs, hedges, perennial beds, ground cover and climbing plants. Species are chosen to suit your soil, aspect, altitude and local climate.
- Hardscaping: timber or stone terraces, paths and walkways, retaining walls, outdoor steps and edging.
- Living spaces: pergolas, dining areas, children’s play zones, relaxation areas and outdoor lighting.
- Water management: drainage, automatic irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, ponds and fountains.
- Lawn installation: grass seeding, turf laying and soil preparation.
In Western Switzerland, a good landscaper takes into account the region’s specific constraints: municipal regulations on fences and trees, boundary setback requirements (which vary from canton to canton and should be checked with your municipality), local weather conditions and soil type.
Why hire a professional?
A holistic vision that avoids costly mistakes. A tree planted in the wrong spot, a poorly oriented terrace, neglected drainage — these errors prove expensive in the long run. A professional landscaper designs your garden as a cohesive whole, anticipating plant growth over the long term and optimising sunlight, views and circulation.
In-depth knowledge of Swiss terrain. Soils in Western Switzerland vary widely: limestone in the Jura and along La Côte, moraine on the Plateau, schist in Valais, clay around Fribourg. A local landscaper knows which species thrive in your soil without excessive amendments, and which technical solutions suit your site (retaining walls on slopes, drainage in wet areas).
Durable, compliant results. Professional landscapers are familiar with outdoor construction standards, legal boundary setback distances and any permits that may be required (building permits for major structures, felling permits for protected trees). They ensure all work complies with cantonal and municipal regulations.
A network of local suppliers. Established landscapers in Western Switzerland work with local nurseries and regional material suppliers. This means acclimatised plants and suitable materials (local natural stone, Swiss timber).
Simplified future maintenance. A professionally designed landscape factors in maintenance from the outset. The landscaper selects plantings suited to the time you can devote to upkeep, provides mower access, installs automatic irrigation if needed and sizes lawn and bed areas accordingly. The result is a garden that stays beautiful with reasonable maintenance.
Biodiversity taken into account. Switzerland increasingly encourages greening and de-sealing private surfaces. A professional landscaper can design spaces that support local wildlife: hedges of native species, wildflower meadows, insect hotels, dry-stone walls, and can inform you about any municipal subsidies that may be available.
Seasonal calendar in Western Switzerland
A successful landscaping project follows the rhythm of the seasons. Here is a guide for planning your project in Western Switzerland:
Winter (December – February)
The cold season is the ideal time for the design and planning phase. Meet your landscaper, study the plans, choose materials and plants. It is also the right period for preparatory work: felling trees that need to go, demolishing existing structures, submitting permit applications if required.
Spring (March – May)
Spring marks the start of the peak landscaping season in Western Switzerland. As soon as the ground thaws (usually early March on the Plateau), earthworks, terrace construction, fencing and retaining wall installation can begin. April and May are the prime months for planting trees, shrubs and perennials. Lawn seeding is ideally done in April once soil temperatures exceed 10 °C.
Summer (June – August)
Summer is well suited to construction work: terraces, pergolas, tarmac driveways, gates. Dry conditions make soil work and material laying easier. However, planting should be avoided in the height of summer unless unavoidable, as water stress hampers establishment. This is a good time to install an automatic irrigation system and outdoor lighting.
Autumn (September – November)
Autumn is the second ideal window for planting. Trees and shrubs planted between September and November develop their roots before winter and start vigorously in spring. Lawn sown in September benefits from autumn rainfall and still-mild temperatures. This is also the time to plant spring bulbs and prepare beds for the coming season. Take advantage of this period to plan next year’s projects with your landscaper.
How it works
Step 1: Describe your project
Fill in our form, specifying the nature of your project: complete garden creation, partial renovation, addition of a terrace or outdoor living area. Indicate the area involved and your vision. Photos of the current state are very helpful.
Step 2: Your request is passed on and you receive a free quote
SOS Jardin passes your request on to a professional gardener-landscaper in your region, who contacts you, assesses the site and provides a detailed, transparent quote, free and with no obligation.
Step 3: The work is carried out
Once you have accepted the quote, the professional plans and carries out the landscaping project with you.
What affects the price
Landscaping is a field where the price varies significantly depending on the project’s complexity and the site conditions. The main factors are:
- Surface area: the size of the garden or the area to be landscaped.
- Access: ease of access for machinery and material deliveries.
- Slope and ground: sloping or rocky ground, drainage needs, retaining walls.
- Materials: natural stone, timber or composite, type of plants and planting size.
- Level of detail of the design: simple plan, detailed plan with 3D visualisation, planting schedule.
For larger projects, the professional may propose staged work linked to project milestones. The free, no-obligation quote gives you a price based on your actual site.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for a landscaping project in Western Switzerland?
Planting works are best carried out in spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November), when plants establish roots most effectively. Hardscaping (terraces, walls, paths) can be done almost year-round, except during frost. For a full project, planning typically begins in winter for construction the following spring. Send your request early so there is time to plan.
Do I need a building permit for landscaping work?
It depends on the nature and scale of the work. As a rule, planting, lawn installation and small-scale improvements don’t require a permit. However, a covered terrace, a large pergola, a significant retaining wall or a pond may need building approval. Rules differ between cantons (Geneva, Vaud, Valais, Fribourg, Neuchâtel) and even between municipalities. A professional landscaper will advise you on the procedures required for your specific project.
How do I choose between a landscape architect and a landscaper-gardener?
A landscape architect (with a university or HES degree) specialises in the design and planning of complex or large-scale projects. They produce detailed plans and supervise the build. A landscaper-gardener (with a CFC or federal certificate) excels in hands-on construction. For a full garden creation project with terraces, walls and elaborate planting, a combination of both skills is ideal. For more modest projects, an experienced landscaper often handles both design and build.
Does landscaping increase property value?
A well-designed outdoor space can add to a property’s appeal and value. Beyond that, a thoughtfully planned garden improves your daily quality of life and reduces long-term maintenance through appropriate plant choices and durable materials.
Can I ask for eco-friendly or natural garden designs?
Yes. Many professional landscapers in your area also work on biodiversity-friendly projects: wildflower meadows, hedges of native species, low-water gardens, dry-stone walls for wildlife and natural rainwater management. These approaches are increasingly popular in Western Switzerland and may also qualify for municipal subsidies in some areas, particularly for greening initiatives and the reduction of sealed surfaces.
What is the difference between landscape design and garden creation?
Garden creation refers to a comprehensive project starting from a bare plot or a space that needs a complete rethink — typically after a new build. Landscape design can also cover a partial transformation of an existing garden: adding a terrace, redesigning a bed, creating an outdoor living area or installing a pergola. In practice, the two concepts often overlap, and professional landscapers handle both types of project.
How do you manage a sloping site during a landscaping project?
Sloping plots are common in Western Switzerland, particularly in pre-Alpine areas and along Lake Geneva. Several solutions exist: tiered terraces with gabion or dry-stone retaining walls, integrated landscape steps, ground-cover planting to stabilise banks, and adapted drainage to prevent erosion. A well-designed sloping site offers varied perspectives and atmospheres that flat ground simply cannot match.
Can a landscaping project be carried out in phases?
Yes, this is a very common approach, especially for larger budgets. Your landscaper designs an overall plan from the outset, then the work is broken down into priority phases. For example: earthworks and pathways in the first year, the terrace and main plantings in the second, then finishing touches (lighting, automatic irrigation, built-in furniture) in the third. The key is to have a coherent master plan to avoid having to undo completed work.