Landscaping Services in Toronto and the GTA

Darteno Construction Ltd. provides residential landscaping services throughout Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Markham, Thornhill, Aurora, Newmarket, North York, Scarborough, Woodbridge, and Toronto. From new construction lots that need grading, sod, and garden beds to established backyards ready for a full renovation, we work across the full range of residential property types found throughout the Greater Toronto Area. We are licensed, insured, English- and Mandarin-speaking, and have been serving GTA homeowners since 2021. All estimates are free -- call (647) 838-3200 or visit 142 Valleymede Dr, Richmond Hill, ON.

Sod installation is one of the fastest ways to transform a bare or damaged lawn into a finished green surface. We source sod from Ontario growers in Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescue blends; all well suited to Toronto''s climate. Before laying sod, we grade the soil, remove debris, and import topsoil where required to create a level, nutrient-rich base. Sod edges are tightly butted to prevent gaps, and the installation is rolled and watered on the day of placement.

Sod takes root faster than seed, provides immediate erosion control, and gives homeowners a usable lawn within weeks rather than months. We recommend sod over seed for most residential applications in Toronto -- particularly for backyards, new construction lots, and any area where a clean result is needed on a specific timeline. Residential sod installations generally take one to three days. On the final day, you receive watering guidance tailored to the specific sod blend and season.

Trees and shrubs are the structural backbone of any residential landscape. They provide privacy, seasonal colour, shade, and habitat, and they increase in value as they mature. We plant a wide range of species including deciduous trees, evergreen trees, flowering shrubs, ornamental grasses, and native Ontario perennials selected for the specific light, soil, and maintenance conditions of each property.

Proper planting technique is critical to long-term survival. We dig planting holes at the correct depth and width, amend backfill soil where needed, stake trees where wind exposure is a concern, and mulch the planting area to retain moisture during the establishment period. Plant selection accounts for freeze-thaw tolerance, salt exposure near driveways and walkways, soil drainage, and the mature size of each species to avoid future conflicts with structures and utilities.

Popular choices for Toronto properties include hydrangeas, boxwoods, hostas, cedars, ornamental grasses, black-eyed Susans, and native Ontario perennials. For areas near driveways and walkways treated with road salt, we recommend salt-tolerant species such as ornamental grasses, juniper, and native ground covers within three to four feet of treated surfaces. All selections are evaluated for hardiness zone 6 compatibility and long-term performance through Toronto''s freeze-thaw climate.

Garden beds define and soften a property''s hardscaping, break up large grass areas, and provide planting opportunities for seasonal colour and year-round structure. We build garden beds by excavating the existing surface, installing steel or aluminum edging to hold the bed boundaries, and filling with a blended topsoil and compost mix that promotes healthy root development. Bed size, shape, and placement are determined based on existing structures, sightlines, and the plant species being installed. All beds are finished with mulch or decorative stone to retain moisture and suppress weed growth from season one.

Walkways and pathways create defined routes through the property, protect lawn areas from foot traffic wear, and add structure to the overall landscape design. We install interlocking stone walkways, natural flagstone paths, gravel pathways with edging, and stepping stone trails depending on the intended traffic load and visual direction of the project. Pathway construction begins with excavation to the correct depth, a compacted gravel base, and edge restraint installation -- the preparation that keeps walkways flat and stable through Toronto winters.

Privacy landscaping uses plant material and structural elements to reduce sightlines from neighbouring properties, streets, and adjacent structures. We install cedar hedges, columnar trees, tall ornamental grasses, and mixed evergreen screens depending on the speed of coverage needed and available growing space. Cedar is the most common choice for Toronto privacy landscaping because it tolerates our climate, responds well to shearing, and provides year-round screening. Where planting space is limited, we combine narrower species with decorative screens or lattice structures to achieve the required privacy within a smaller footprint.

Softscaping covers the living and organic elements of a landscape -- soil preparation, mulch, ground cover, drainage infrastructure, and lighting that support plant health and outdoor usability. Clay soils dominate much of the GTA, holding water, compacting under foot traffic, and draining slowly. We address this through strategic topsoil import, compost amendment, and raised garden beds on properties where native soil is particularly dense or affected by construction activity.

A proper mulch layer retains soil moisture, moderates soil temperature through freeze-thaw cycles, suppresses weed germination, and prevents erosion during heavy rainfall. We install shredded hardwood mulch, cedar mulch, and dyed mulch at a depth of two to three inches -- enough to be effective without building up against plant crowns or tree bases, which can cause rot. Existing beds are cleared of debris and weeds before new mulch is applied.

Decorative stone is a low-maintenance alternative to mulch for garden beds, pathways, and ground cover areas. Stone does not decompose, does not require annual topping, and provides better drainage than organic mulch in areas prone to standing water -- particularly under decks, along fence lines, and in areas with minimal planting. We install river stone, crushed granite, lava rock, and natural pea gravel depending on the intended use and visual character of the project. All installations include landscape fabric and border edging to prevent migration through freeze-thaw seasons.

Soil grading is the foundation of a functional landscape. Before any planting, sodding, or surface work is done, the ground must be shaped to direct water away from the home and toward appropriate drainage outlets. Poor grading is the root cause of most drainage complaints in Toronto -- pooling in low spots, water against the foundation, and saturated lawn areas that never dry out. We grade residential properties using machine and hand techniques, correct negative grades, and fill low spots before any surface finish is applied.

Landscape lighting extends the usability of outdoor spaces into the evening and improves curb appeal and security after dark. We install low-voltage LED path lighting, uplighting for trees and architectural features, deck and step lighting, and zone-controlled systems managed by timer or smart home integration. All fixtures are weather-rated with buried cable runs to protect against damage from lawn maintenance.

Landscaping damaged by winter, drainage problems, compaction, or years of deferred maintenance can often be restored without a complete rebuild. Darteno provides landscaping cleanup and restoration services throughout Toronto, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, and Markham -- addressing specific problem areas while preserving the parts of the yard that are working well.

• Sod repair and replacement -- dead patches, rutted areas, and sections damaged by construction traffic, salt burn, or disease are cut out and re-sodded with fresh Ontario-grown turf.
• Garden bed restoration -- overgrown, weed-invaded, or nutrient-depleted beds are cleaned out, soil is amended, edging is reinstalled where needed, and beds are replanted or mulched.
• Erosion repair -- areas where topsoil has washed away on slopes or along drainage paths are rebuilt with fill, compacted, and stabilized with sod, erosion control matting, or naturalized planting.
• Tree and shrub removal -- dead, diseased, or structurally hazardous trees and shrubs are removed, stumps are ground below grade, and the area is graded and finished for replanting or sod coverage.
• Grading corrections -- settled or shifted grades that direct water toward the home or create standing water are corrected before any surface restoration begins.
• Mulch and stone refresh -- beds that have lost depth or coverage are re-edged, cleared of debris, and topped up to restore weed suppression, moisture retention, and finished appearance.
• Walkway and pathway repair -- interlocking stone paths with settled sections, cracked flagstone, or failed edging are lifted, recompacted, and reinstalled.

Most residential landscaping work -- sod installation, garden bed preparation, planting, and mulching -- does not require municipal permits in Toronto or across the GTA. However, several categories of landscaping work are subject to permit, approval, or notification requirements.

• Tree removal permits -- removing a tree on private property in Toronto requires a permit from the City if the tree meets certain size thresholds. Toronto''s Private Tree Bylaw applies to trees with a trunk diameter of 30 cm or more at 1.4 m above grade. Markham, Richmond Hill, and Vaughan have their own tree preservation bylaws with varying size and species thresholds. Removing a protected tree without a permit can result in significant fines.
• Fill and grading permits -- importing topsoil or fill material to change the finished grade of a residential property may trigger a fill permit in some GTA municipalities. Significant grading changes that alter drainage patterns between properties are also subject to review, particularly on lots with registered grading plans.
• Front yard paving restrictions -- Toronto and most GTA municipalities limit the proportion of the front yard that can be covered with impervious materials. Replacing lawn or garden beds with hard surface beyond the permitted threshold requires approval.
• Boulevard landscaping -- the strip of land between the sidewalk and the street is municipally owned in most Toronto and GTA neighbourhoods. Planting, removing, or altering boulevard landscaping requires permission from the applicable municipality. Toronto has a specific boulevard gardening permit for homeowners who wish to maintain garden beds on city-owned boulevard land.
• Conservation authority approval -- properties within or adjacent to designated regulated areas such as ravine edges, floodplains, wetlands, or natural hazard corridors may require approval from the TRCA or LSRCA before any grading, filling, or vegetation removal is performed.

Darteno provides landscaping services in Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Markham, Toronto, Thornhill, Aurora, Newmarket, North York, Scarborough, Woodbridge, King City, Whitchurch-Stouffville, East Gwillimbury, and Bradford West Gwillimbury. Every landscape we build is designed for Toronto-area conditions -- clay soil, freeze-thaw cycling, road salt exposure near driveways and walkways, and summer drought stretches -- so the results hold up season after season without constant intervention. Call (647) 838-3200 for a free estimate.