Yard layout and gradingLandscape design and layout in St. George, UT
True Turf plans whole yards: the layout, grading for drainage, edging and curbing, planter areas, and where turf, rock and pavers go. In St. George, a good plan starts with shade, slope and the lawn rules for your lot. It begins with a free on-site consultation, and True Turf calls back within 30 minutes during business hours.
Last updated · Reviewed by Tate Strickland
Projects are built by True Landscaping & Construction, LLC (dba True Turf). South Utah Turf is an advertising and referral service, not a contractor. How this works
Options
What a yard plan covers
A plan decides where each material goes before anything gets built. Bring photos of yards you like, and your HOA's design rules, to the free visit.
Layout and zones
When it fits: Starting from bare dirt or redoing a whole yard.
Localscapes, a Utah design method, starts with a central open shape, then adds gathering areas, activity zones, paths and planting beds1.
Grading and drainage
When it fits: Yards that pond, slope toward the house or sit on caliche.
Grade first so water leaves the yard. Dense caliche makes water pool on top of it2.
Edging and curbing
When it fits: Anywhere turf meets rock, beds or pavers.
Edging keeps materials apart and gives clean lines. Ask True Turf which edging types fit your plan.
Planter areas
When it fits: Beds for trees, shrubs and desert plants.
Group plants with similar water needs, and give trees their own drip zone3.
Mixed turf, rock and pavers
When it fits: Families who want a green play spot, low-water beds and a patio.
See artificial turf, decorative rock and paver patios for each piece.
Cost
What a new landscape costs
A whole-yard price depends on the mix of materials. These published figures, checked in October 2026, help you budget each part. None of them are True Turf's prices.
| Item | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water-efficient conversion by a contractor | $4 to $6 per sq ft | The district's estimate for rock, plants and drip4 |
| Artificial turf, installed | $8 to $15 per sq ft | A St. George turf cost guide's published range5 |
| Paver patio, installed (Utah, 2026) | $18 to $32 per sq ft | A Utah paver company's published range6 |
| True Turf's minimum job | $3,000 | The smallest project True Turf takes |
Prices last reviewed October 2026. See how water-wise rebates work.
What moves the price
- The mix of turf, pavers, rock and planted area
- Grading: moving soil and breaking through caliche2
- Drainage work
- How much edging or curbing the layout needs
- Access for equipment and materials
- Removing old grass, rock or concrete
How a project works
How True Turf plans and builds a yard
- 1
Call or send a request
Call (435) 660-6207 or use the form. True Turf calls back within 30 minutes during business hours.
- 2
Free on-site consultation
True Turf walks the yard with you, looks at slope, sun, drainage and access, and asks how you want to use the space. There's no obligation.
- 3
A recommendation and a price
You get a layout recommendation for turf, rock, pavers, planter areas and edging, plus a price for the job.
- 4
Grading, base and drainage first
True Turf grades the yard and builds the base and drainage before the finish materials go in.
- 5
Install and final walkthrough
The turf, pavers, rock, edging and planter areas go in, and True Turf walks the finished yard with you.
Local conditions
What shapes a yard plan in St. George
Lawn rules, heat and hard ground set the frame for any plan here.
Lawn limits on new homes
On new St. George homes, natural lawn is capped at 8% of the lot, up to 1,500 square feet on most lots. Lawn isn't allowed in park strips, in strips under 8 feet wide or on slopes over 15%7. At least 30% of the front yard must be landscaped, half of it with live plants, and each home needs two water-conserving trees7. More in St. George lawn rules.
Shade does the cooling
The water district says shading keeps areas up to 25 degrees cooler4, and that trees can shave up to 50 degrees off surface temperatures8. Plan shade over patios and play areas first.
Caliche and clay
Caliche is present across virtually all of Washington County, typically 6 to 36 inches down2, and new-construction yards often have slow-draining clay on top9. Grading has to give water somewhere to go.
Utility locates before grading
Before any excavation, Utah law requires notice to underground utility owners at least 48 hours ahead and no more than 14 days ahead10. Requests go through Blue Stakes of Utah 811 at no charge11.
HOA review is allowed
Utah law stops an HOA from banning water-wise landscaping on a detached home's lot. It can still require a site plan review and its own design rules first12.
Real projects
Projects by True Turf
- Before: base and cups
Turf by the patio
Concrete curb edging
Do I need a landscape plan before work starts?
Often, yes. Utah law lets an HOA require a site plan review before water-wise landscaping goes in12. In Cedar City and Enoch, the state rebate application asks for a base map and a landscape plan, and approval comes before any lawn comes out13. Even without either, a plan keeps turf, rock and pavers from fighting each other later.
Where should turf go in a desert yard?
Where you'll actually use it, and where afternoon shade falls. Localscapes, a Utah design method, places activity zones like trampolines and play sets outside the lawn area1. On new St. George homes, half of the landscaped front yard must be live plants7, so play turf usually fits better out back. See how hot turf gets.
Why does grading matter so much here?
Because water has few places to go. Dense caliche is nearly impermeable, so water pools on top of it2, and clay soaks up water at only 0.01 to 0.5 inches an hour9. Good grading moves storm water away from the house and off patios and turf before it can pool.
Where can I see desert plants before I choose?
Visit the water district's Red Hills Desert Garden in St. George, which has about 5,000 water-efficient plants with name plates and scannable codes14. The Boilers park in Washington City also has a water conservation garden14. Take photos of the plants you like and bring them to True Turf's visit.
Should I keep any real grass?
Only where you'll really use it. The district's test for spotting lawn you don't need is whether people walking on it are usually pushing a mower4. On new St. George homes, lawn is capped at 8% of the lot7. If you convert the rest for a rebate, any grass left beside it must be at least 8 feet wide, and pre-approval is required15. See the rebate guide.
Areas served
Where the installer works
St. George area: St. George, Washington, Santa Clara, Ivins.
Hurricane Valley and the Zion corridor: Hurricane, La Verkin, Toquerville, Leeds, Virgin, Rockville, Springdale, Apple Valley, Hildale.
North county: Dammeron Valley, Veyo, Central, Pine Valley, Enterprise, New Harmony.
Cedar City and Enoch: Cedar City, Enoch.
Next step
Start with a free yard consultation
Projects start at $3,000. Call or send the form, and True Turf calls you back within 30 minutes during business hours.
Call the installer(435) 660-6207Projects are built by True Landscaping & Construction, LLC (dba True Turf). South Utah Turf is an advertising and referral service, not a contractor. How this works
Sources and checked dates
- Localscapes (Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District): What Is a Localscape? localscapes.jvwcd.gov, checked October 2026
- Beehive Rental & Sales: Digging in Southern Utah, How to Break Through Caliche, Red Clay, and Desert Hardpan beehiverentalandsales.com, checked October 2026
- Washington County Water Conservancy District: Water-Efficient Landscaping and Maintenance Tips wcwcd.gov, checked October 2026
- Washington County Water Conservancy District: Water Efficient Landscape Program FAQ wcwcd.gov, checked October 2026
- Rock N Block Turf N Hardscapes: How Much Does Artificial Turf Cost in St. George, Utah? rocknblocklandscape.com, checked October 2026
- Strong Rock Pavers: How Much Does a Paver Patio Cost in Utah? 2026 Price Guide strongrockpavers.com, checked October 2026
- St. George City Code 10-23-3, residential landscaping requirements (Zoneomics code mirror) zoneomics.com, checked October 2026
- Washington County Water Conservancy District: Tree Preservation Tips (PDF) wcwcd.gov, checked October 2026
- Utah State University Extension: Gardening in Clay Soils extension.usu.edu, checked October 2026
- Utah Legislature: Utah Code 54-8a-4, Notice of excavation le.utah.gov, checked October 2026
- Blue Stakes of Utah 811: The 811 process bluestakes.org, checked October 2026
- Utah Legislature: Utah Code 57-8a-231, Water wise landscaping le.utah.gov, checked October 2026
- Utah Water Savers: Division of Water Resources Landscape Incentive Program details utahwatersavers.com, checked October 2026
- Washington County Water Conservancy District: Water Conservation Gardens wcwcd.gov, checked October 2026
- Washington County Water Conservancy District: Water Efficient Landscape Program Agreement wcwcd.gov, checked October 2026