Frequently Asked Qustions

Arkansas's warm, humid climate means landscaping can happen nearly year-round. Spring and fall are ideal for planting, as cooler soil temps encourage root establishment. Summer works well for hardscaping and pool installation. J. McKissick Landscape and Design is available in every season to keep your project on schedule.

Mulch retains moisture, regulates soil temperature, and breaks down to enrich soil - ideal for plant-heavy beds in Arkansas's clay-heavy soils. Rock provides a low-maintenance, long-lasting option that resists washout during heavy rains. The right choice depends on your plants, drainage, and aesthetic goals. Both are frequently used in combination for layered, custom designs.

Size and complexity of the project are the biggest drivers. Material choices - such as natural stone versus concrete pavers for a patio or pathway - also significantly affect price. Grading needs, drainage requirements, and custom elements like water features or retaining walls add scope. Getting a design consultation early helps define the full project cost.

Retaining walls hold back soil on sloped properties, prevent erosion, and can create usable flat areas. Properly built walls require minimal maintenance, but drainage behind the wall is critical - without it, hydrostatic pressure can cause failure over time. Regular inspection for shifting, cracking, or drainage blockage keeps walls performing long-term.

Central Arkansas falls in USDA hardiness zones 7b-8a, supporting a wide range of plants including crape myrtles, nandinas, knockout roses, ornamental grasses, and native wildflowers. Heat and humidity tolerance matter in summer, while plants also need to handle occasional winter ice. Our experience shows that plant selection tailored to your specific soil conditions and sun exposure dramatically improves long-term results.

Most residential pool installations take 6-12 weeks from permit approval to completion, depending on size, features, and site conditions. Factors like soil type, access for excavation equipment, and the complexity of surrounding landscaping can affect the timeline. J. McKissick Landscape and Design manages pool projects from initial design through final installation, coordinating every phase to minimize delays.

Patios are designed for gathering - typically built with pavers, stone, or concrete - and need to account for drainage slope and furniture load. Pathways prioritize traffic flow and stability, using materials like stepping stones, paving stone, or compacted gravel. Both should complement each other visually and integrate naturally into the surrounding landscape rather than appearing as separate elements.

Arkansas receives significant rainfall, and poor drainage is one of the most common causes of landscape failure in the region. Standing water drowns plant roots, erodes mulch beds, and undermines hardscape foundations. Proper grading and drainage planning before installation - not as an afterthought - is essential to protecting your investment long-term.

Water features - including ponds, fountains, and decorative streams - require site assessment for level ground, proximity to electricity, and integration with surrounding plants and hardscape. Design choices like recirculating pumps, liner materials, and stone selection affect both aesthetics and maintenance needs. A well-designed water feature becomes a focal point that ties the entire outdoor space together.

Coordinating landscaping with new construction through a single contractor simplifies scheduling, communication, and design continuity. J. McKissick Landscape and Design handles both, including new home construction, pole barns, carports, and home additions alongside full outdoor design - making it easier to plan the structure and surrounding landscape as one cohesive project from the start.

Mark any underground utilities, irrigation lines, or buried cables before work starts - your contractor can assist, but utility locating is a critical first step. Clear the work area of personal items and discuss vehicle or equipment access. Sharing photos, reference images, or property surveys during your consultation helps the design team understand your vision and plan accordingly.

We recommend scheduling spring mulching before the heat of summer to retain moisture and fall mulching before the first frost. At J. McKissick Landscape and Design, we use this timing to protect your root systems from extreme temperature swings and weed germination.

Landscaping involves living elements like "painting" your property with greenery, trees, and flowers. Hardscaping focuses on the "raw beauty of stone," incorporating functional structures like patios, pathways, and retaining walls to provide permanent shape and accessibility to your outdoor living space.

We analyze your land's topography to create a custom drainage plan that diverts water away from your foundation. J. McKissick Landscape and Design implements specific grading and drainage solutions to prevent soil erosion and protect your expensive plant bed installations.

We require a signed agreement to ensure we can dedicate the necessary time and artistic vision to your specific project. This commitment allows our veteran team to provide a highly detailed, professional assessment of your site's unique construction and plant requirements.

Costs are primarily driven by site accessibility, the complexity of the pool's shape, and the surrounding hardscape integration. Our 31 years of experience shows that soil composition and necessary drainage modifications also play a significant role in the overall project investment.

While the physical installation is often completed in a day, full root establishment takes several weeks. We ensure the soil is properly prepped beforehand so the new grass can knit into the ground, providing you with an instantly green, functional lawn.

Decorative rock is a permanent solution that doesn't decompose or require annual replacement. J. McKissick Landscape and Design recommends stone for high-traffic areas or spots with heavy drainage, as it stays in place better than organic mulch during Arkansas rainstorms.

Concrete offers long-term durability and custom finishing, while asphalt provides a flexible surface that handles temperature shifts well. We evaluate your specific usage and load-bearing needs to determine which material will prevent cracking and provide the longest-lasting surface for your property.

Planting is best done during dormant seasons to reduce transplant shock. Conversely, we can perform tree removal year-round. Our team assesses the structural integrity of the tree and the surrounding landscape to ensure the process is handled safely and efficiently.

We design a zoned system based on your landscape's specific water needs and sun exposure. By calculating water pressure and head placement, J. McKissick Landscape and Design ensures every flower bed and grass patch receives consistent hydration without wasteful over-spraying.

New construction sites often have compacted soil and debris that can kill expensive plants. We handle the technical "prep work," including soil conditioning and drainage design, to ensure your new greenery thrives in an environment that was recently a construction zone.

We must assess the existing hardscape's structural base to ensure it can support the weight and plumbing of a new feature. We integrate pumps and filtration systems seamlessly into the stone design to create a natural, flowing aesthetic without visible hardware.