Great Falls landscape design starts with five site checks
GREAT FALLS – – November 13, 2026 -- Before you buy a single shrub for a Great Falls yard, a HelloNation article says to check five things about the site: slope, drainage, soil, sun and wind.
The article features lawn care expert James Hoiland of Lawn Care Experts of Great Falls, Montana. It frames landscape design in Great Falls around the local climate: cold winters, hot summers and periods of strong wind.
Wind gets its own mention. According to the article, strong gusts can damage delicate plants and affect where outdoor structures go. It also advises looking for low spots and areas prone to standing water, to head off drainage problems and plant loss.
For hard surfaces, the article says temperature swings can cause frost heaving in winter and expansion in summer. It describes proper drainage and installation techniques as the way to protect stone, concrete and gravel.