The Little Prairie

08
What it all cost



Talking About Budget Is Not Scary
Budget can feel like the elephant in the room on almost every project. Everyone wants to know the number, yet many hesitate to bring it up—worried it might take away from the “fun” of design.

As a designer, I prefer to address budget right away in my initial meetings with clients. Setting the financial framework early helps us focus design energy where it will create the most value.
It’s common for clients to say, “I honestly have no idea what landscape materials or labor cost.” I get that. That’s why I’ll share a realistic range based on past experience or offer a rough idea of cost per square foot for certain materials. If the range feels high, clients will react immediately—and that’s useful feedback. It helps us recalibrate before going too far down the design path.
This section is meant to be transparent about what it cost to create the Little Prairie. My hope is that by sharing these details, you’ll be better equipped to plan your own project—without fear of the budget conversation.

Overall Rules of Thumb
  • Hardscape costs more than planting. Within hardscape, walls and steps are generally more expensive than paving. If your site allows, replacing walls with gentle slopes can stretch your budget much further.

  • Invest in bigger trees when possible. Mature trees cost more upfront, but they deliver instant impact—providing shade, structure, and a sense of place from day one. In my experience, this is one of the best-value investments you can make in a landscape.

  • Go smaller with perennials. I prefer quart-sized perennials over gallon-sized ones when available. They’re less expensive, easier to plant (smaller holes!), and within a year or two they usually catch up in size—especially if you’re planting them yourself. It’s a great way to save money without sacrificing the end result.


  • Know your DIY limits. Planting is often the easiest part of a landscape to tackle yourself. Hardscape, on the other hand, demands precision, heavy equipment, and experience. Unless you’re confident in your skills, it’s worth hiring professionals for those elements.

  • Watch for hidden soil costs. When reviewing contractor quotes, check whether they’ve included replacing planting soil for all planting areas. In many cases, this isn’t necessary—you can often match your planting design to the existing soil conditions. But if you don’t specify otherwise, soil replacement is often included as a standard cost.

Cost Breakdown for the Little Prairie
Here’s a peek at what it cost to bring the Little Prairie to life. Think of this as a ballpark guide, not a blueprint—actual numbers will vary depending on your project’s size, scope, and the contractors you work with. These numbers can also vary depending on the amount of DIY effort. I opted to plant and place all planting material myself, which saved on installation costs.

Every site is different, every design is different, and every crew works a little differently. Use this breakdown as a starting point to help you dream, plan, and budget for your own landscape.
1     What Sparked It All
2     Understanding the Site 
3     Revealing the Flow of Rain
4     Designing with Repurposed Materials
5     How It All Came Together
6     Tasty Natives We Love    
7     Planting and Establishment Process
8     What It All Cost
9     Lessons Learned
Curious about Ping and what inspires our projects? Come explore more at ping-la.com

Ping Design, LLC
Saint Paul, MN