What is the purpose of landscape grading?

Landscape grading is primarily focused on ensuring proper drainage and preventing water pooling in a given area. This process involves shaping the land surface to promote the flow of water away from structures and landscaping features. Effective grading minimizes the risk of standing water, which can lead to issues such as erosion, root rot in plants, and structural damage to buildings.

While enhancing visual aesthetics, adding nutrients to the soil, and choosing specific plant locations are all important aspects of landscape design and maintenance, they do not address the core function of grading, which is fundamentally about water management. Proper grading contributes to the overall health of the landscape by promoting appropriate drainage, thus supporting both plant health and the stability of structures in the landscape.