How long before I can use my new lawn?

Light foot traffic is usually okay after two to three weeks once the sod begins to root. Full use, including kids, pets, and mowing, generally takes four to six weeks. Walking on sod before it is properly rooted can pull up seams and damage the grass edges.

Can you sod over an existing lawn that's in bad shape?

No. Sod needs bare, properly prepared soil to root successfully. Installing sod over existing grass creates a barrier between the new sod and the soil, which can prevent proper rooting and lead to dead patches. The old lawn should be removed before installing new sod.

Is sod or seeding better for Ottawa properties?

Sod provides an instant lawn and tends to be more reliable during the first year. Seeding is less expensive but takes a full season to establish and can be affected by birds, dry weather, and weeds. For homeowners wanting quick and consistent results, sod is usually the better option, while seeding can work well for very large areas where cost is the main concern.

How much topsoil do you put down before laying sod?

Typically, a minimum of three to four inches of topsoil is installed before laying sod. If the existing soil is dense clay or heavily compacted, additional depth may be added in certain areas to improve drainage and root growth. The topsoil layer is important because it provides the base where the grass roots establish.

Ottawa Backyard Landscaping – Turn Your Yard Into an Outdoor Living Space

From interlock patios to full backyard transformations, Bennett Lawn & Landscape builds backyards for Ottawa families. Get your free quote today.

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Ottawa Backyards Deserve More Than Just Grass

You only get so many good outdoor months in Ottawa, about May through September at best, so it’s worth using every one of those days. So it’s worth getting the most out of every usable day.

If your backyard is mostly grass and nothing else, you’re missing out on a lot of that time. Most clients end up seeing it differently once the work is done: outdoor living space isn’t just a home improvement, it’s an investment in daily quality of life.

Shifted interlocking pavers caused by freeze-thaw cycle in Canada

Modern front yard landscaping with raised stone planting beds and paver walkway on a two-story Ottawa home

What a Complete Backyard Landscaping Project Looks Like

Most full backyard builds follow the same order: consultation and design first, then grading to handle any drainage concerns, followed by hardscape like a patio or walkway, then sod and planting, and finally cleanup.

Skip that sequence, say, installing hardscape before grading, and you’re setting yourself up for water problems that proper planning would’ve avoided from the start.

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Our Ottawa Backyard Landscaping Services

Interlock Patio Design & Installation Ottawa

The centrepiece of most backyards, designed for entertaining, dining, or simply unwinding outside after a long day.

4Backyard Grading & Drainage Ottawa

Correcting sloped yards, standing water, and drainage that’s directing water toward the foundation instead of away from it.

Sod Installation & Lawn Restoration Ottawa

Patchy or dead grass replaced with a fresh, level lawn that fills in properly around your new hardscape.

Garden Beds, Planting & Mulching Ottawa

Perimeter beds, feature plantings, privacy shrubs, and mulch borders that pull the whole space together.

How We Plan Your Backyard Design in Ottawa

Every project starts with a site visit and a genuine conversation about how you use the space, or how you’d like to. Isaac personally leads that design conversation on most projects, so the plan reflects what you actually told him rather than a generic layout pulled off a shelf.

Getting the sequencing right matters just as much. Grading before hardscape, hardscape before planting, so nothing has to be undone further down the line.

Ottawa property side yard transformed from overgrown to clean through clearing, grading, topsoil, and sod installation

Interlock driveway installation in Ottawa showing compacted granular base and paver layout

Ottawa Backyard Landscaping for the City’s Four Seasons

Plant selections need to survive zone 5b to 6a winters, and hardscape materials need to stand up to freeze-thaw without heaving over time. Beyond that, the goal is a space that works from spring through fall. This means accounting for sun exposure across the entire season rather than just how everything looks on installation day.

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How Much Does Backyard Landscaping Cost in Ottawa?

Of every service we offer, this one covers the widest price range, simply because scope varies so much from project to project. Patio size and stone brand, grading complexity, sod area, planting scope, and whether retaining walls are part of the build all shape the final number.

Some projects stay a modest patio addition, while others become a full outdoor living transformation. Our Price Guide breaks down the general factors. From there, request a quote with numbers specific to your property.

Why Choose Bennett Lawn & Landscape for Your Ottawa Backyard

We handle the full scope, hardscape and softscape both, with one crew from start to finish. Isaac is involved from the first backyard design conversation through the final walkthrough, and every project is built around how you actually plan to use the outdoor living space, not a one-size layout.

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Trusted & Verified Landscaping Professionals

We back our work with verified reviews, industry memberships, and a commitment to professional standards.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 24 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Vanessa Davidson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We hired Isaac to redo our walkway and he was great to work with. He came out to our place a few times to discuss the project to ensure that we were getting what we wanted. He was very easy to get in touch with, answering our texts very quickly and kept us informed of next steps. On the day, he and his team were very nice and they were meticulous on getting the job done right. Highly recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Naomi 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Isaac and his team provided high quality excellent service with fantastic communication. I would highly recommend this company to tackle you landscaping, we are so happy with the outcome!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Chris Sabourin 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We recently hired Bennett Landsaping to update areas of our backyard.  We were extremely impressed with Issac and his crew! The job was completed on time and on budget. The level of communication was excellent, and Isaac and his  crew had some great suggestions that we were excited to incorporate into our original plan. Our property was left clean and free of any left over material and debis. Issac and his crew installed a beautiful firepit with a semi circular bench,  a water feature and walkway, which turned out beautiful.  We would not hesitate to recommend Bennett Landscaping, and would definitely use them in the future. Thanks Issac, Gibby and Remi for a job well done!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Franco Ziroldo 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A big thank you to Isaac and his team for finishing our patio to a very high standard, on time and on budget. This is a very skilled, organized and efficient operation.  Isaac and his team are straightforward, flexible and pleasant to work with.  He gave us the 5 star treatment so I give Bennet Landscaping a 5 star rating in return. Our neighbours had already reached out to him for work on their properties even before he had finished with ours. We look forward to the next project. Totally recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Susan Gordon 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We are so happy with our new front steps!  Isaac was terrific throughout the project.  His creativity, solid knowledge of construction, attention to detail and professionalism transformed our front steps into a beautiful feature, beyond what we could have imagined.  His recommendation to add lighting brought the project to yet another level. His approach to his work extends to his crew who were on time, professional and more than happy to discuss the stages of the project and answer our questions along the way.  They worked hard, were pleasant to deal with and tidied up the site each day. It was a pleasure to work with Isaac and his crew, the results exceeded our expectations and we would highly recommend them.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Susan Bowen 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thank you to Isaac and team for rebuilding our front entry way. We especially appreciate the excellent communication during the project. We feel confident with the quality of workmanship. Highly recommend Isaac Bennett.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Karen 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was a pleasure dealing with Bennett Lawn and Landscape.  Communication is excellent.  All work was done as described by skilled and approachable staff.  I am truly pleased with the outcome of our project.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   sharon morris 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We can’t say enough great things about Isaac and the team at Bennett Lawn and Landscape! Throughout the project Isaac was professional and provided knowledgeable guidance. He helped us choose the right stone, created a virtual design so we could see the plan ahead of time, and checked in regularly to make sure everything matched our vision. Isaac and his team showed up on time and as scheduled every day. They worked efficiently and left everything clean and tidy at the end of each day. They were responsive, flexible with minor tweaks, and consistently went above and beyond to make sure every detail was perfect. Most importantly, the finished project truly exceeded our expectations. We are absolutely thrilled with the new walkway and stairs created by Bennett Lawn and Landscape! We were 100% satisfied with the entire experience and would highly recommend Isaac and his team at Bennett Lawn and Landscape to anyone looking for high quality, amazing interlock work.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   al belanger GARAGE BUILDS 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My wife and I are very happy with the team at Bennett Landscaping.  Very professional, did a great job and a great clean up.  Strongly recommend

Start Planning Your Ottawa Backyard Transformation Today

Ready for a backyard you actually can use? Start planning your backyard transformation with a free consultation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a full backyard landscaping project cost in Ottawa?

It can range from a small patio extension to a complete makeover with retaining walls and lots of planting depending on the size of the project. The general pricing factors are in our Price Guide.

How long does backyard landscaping take from start to finish in Ottawa?

For smaller projects, it can take a few weeks; four to six weeks for a full backyard transformation. The timeline depends on the scope of work and of course Ottawa’s weather.

Do I need a permit for a backyard patio or landscaping project in Ottawa?

Unless you’re building retaining walls above a certain height or other features that require a permit, you don’t need to get one.

What is the best interlock stone for a backyard patio in Ottawa?

That comes down to your style and budget. We work with Techo-Bloc, Unilock, and Permacon, and we’re happy to bring samples along to help narrow it down during the design phase.

Can you do the entire project, hardscape and landscaping, with one contractor?

Yes. That’s actually our preferred approach. With one crew doing grading, hardscape and planting, there are less handoffs and the end product feels more cohesive.

When is the best time to start a backyard landscaping project in Ottawa?

Our busiest stretch runs from late spring through summer. So, if you book your quote in late winter or early spring, you’ll have far more flexibility on scheduling once the season kicks in.