Genesis 2:8-9 is topical, not chronological. God planted a garden on the third day, and man was created on the sixth day. Since the garden was made for the man, then that's how it's described.
The LORD God planted a garden
The Tree of Life
In the Bible the tree of life is used to refer to an actual tree which has leaves and fruit, but it's also used euphemistically to refer to the fruits of seeking and gaining wisdom.
Saved by Faith not Works
Salvation is a gift of God's grace in exchange for faith, not works. No one's good enough to save themselves, so that can't have been the plan, not ever.