What to Expect: The Real Cost of Landscaping and Hardscaping in Mississippi
Why Talking About Cost Matters
One of the most common questions I hear is, “So how much does landscaping actually cost?”
It’s a fair question — and an important one. Landscaping is an investment in your home, your quality of life, and your property’s value. But without clear information, it’s easy to underestimate costs or feel overwhelmed by vague ranges. While every project is unique, understanding typical price points can help you plan confidently and avoid sticker shock.
Softscaping: Plants, Beds, & Soil
Softscaping refers to the living, growing parts of your landscape — plants, soil, mulch, and seasonal color. These are often the finishing touches that make your yard feel lush and inviting.
Flower Bed Installations: Preparing soil, edging, planting, and mulching usually runs $10-$20 per square foot. The difference often comes down to plant choices (plant size and variety), soil amendment (Mississippi clay soil often needs compost), and design complexity.
Seasonal Color or Containers: Updating pots by your entry way or swapping out annuals each season might start around $300-$800, depending on size and variety.
👉🏻Example: A 4x10 front flower bed filled with evergreen shrubs, perennials, and mulch could cost around $400-$800 — but it gives you curb appeal year-round with minimal effort.
Hardscaping: Walkways, Patios, & More
Hardscaping is anything built from stone, brick, wood, or concrete. It typically carries a higher upfront investment because of materials and skilled labor, but it also creates lasting structure and usability in your outdoor space.
Walkways: A basic gravel path is the more budget-friendly, while natural stone or cobblestone runs $25-$40 per square foot.
Patios: A cozy 10x12 patio using flagstone might start around $3,000. Larger or more detailed spaces (like cobblestone with a seating wall) would easily reach $6,000+.
Retaining Walls & Custom Features: From a simple garden wall to a fire pit, water feature, or raised beds, costs vary widely — but generally fall in the thousands, not hundreds.
👉🏻Example: A 30-foot long and 3-foot wide walkway with flagstone might be $2,250, while a full backyard patio retreat could range from $6,000-$12,000+.
Understanding Hourly Labor Rates
Another key factor in any landscaping project is labor. Materials are only one piece of the puzzle — the time, skill, and effort to install them makes up a significant portion of the cost.
Average labor rates in Mississippi: For skilled landscaping and hardscaping work, you can expect $45-$65 per hour. Specialty work (stone cutting, irrigation installation, etc.) can be higher.
What the means for you: A smaller project like installing a small flower bed may only take a few hours of labor, while larger projects (patios, walkways, or full-yard designs) can take multiple days.
Small Crew Advantage: Because Ginger Gardens operates with a small, efficient team, you’re not paying for layers of management or unnecessary overhead. My hourly rates reflect hands-on, skilled work delivered with care — not inflated to cover a corporate structure.
👉🏻Bottom line: When you see a line-item estimate from me, labor is always clearly broken out so you know exactly what you’re paying for and how many hours it will take.
Why Costs Vary
No two landscapes are identical, which is why prices can shift so much. Here are the main factors:
Size & Scope: A simple flower bed vs. a full outdoor living space
Materials: Concrete is cost-effective, while natural stone and custom woodwork raise the investment
Labor & Equipment: Leveling soil, removing old material, or hauling stone all add to the time and equipment needed
Design Details: Simple straight lines cost less than curved beds, intricate stonework, or layered plantings
At Ginger Gardens, I always provide line-item estimates so you know exactly where your money goes — no hidden surprises.
How My Pricing Differs From Big Box Landscaping Companies
One thing that sets Ginger Gardens apart is that I’m not a large-scale landscaping company with a fleet of trucks and dozens of employees. I’m a small, highly involved designer-installer. That means:
Lower Overhead — You’re not paying for layers of management , a giant showroom, or a corporate office.
Personal Attention — Every consultation, design, sketch, and installation step comes from me, not passed off to different crews.
Fair, Transparent Rates — Because I keep my crew small and my process streamlined, I can usually complete projects at a lower overall cost compared to big-box operations — without cutting corners on quality.
Large companies often charge significantly more because they carry higher labor costs, equipment fleets, and marketing budgets. My goal is different: to deliver professional design and installation with a personal touch, at a price that reflects real value instead of inflated overhead.
👉🏻In short: with Ginger Gardens, you’re investing in creativity, craftsmanship, and care — not corporate markups.
Think in Terms of Value, Not Just Price
Yes, landscaping is an investment. But a well-designed landscape doesn’t just look nice for a season — it:
Boosts curb appeal (which increases home value)
Saves you money long-term through lower maintenance and better plant selection
Creates a lifestyle upgrade — a space to host friends, play with kids, or relax at the end of a long day
When you walk outside and love what you see, the payoff is priceless.
Ready to Plan Your Project?
Every yard, every family, and every budget is different — that’s why the best first step is a personalized consultation.
👉🏻Curious what your dream project might cost? Schedule a consultation with Ginger Gardens, and I’ll create a clear estimate tailored to your home, with options to fit your style and budget.
