Landscaping Services
Sustainability means that there is no end; every step of the process feeds into the next, and links back to support earlier steps. Wood creates rich soil, which grows beautiful and useful plants, which support bees and our local ecosystem, which encourage tree growth.
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Native Wildflower Meadow
If we do absolutely nothing, most grass lawns will turn into wildflower meadows with a few small trees in them over the course of a couple years. But they will be filled with invasive species and non native grasses. We kill the existing sod with a layer of cardboard, put down a layer of fresh soil, and plant a medley of native wildflower and grass seeds.
Once established, there is almost no maintenance required. No additional water or fertilizers, no mowing. Once or twice a year we remove any invasive species that have presented themselves, and add any new plants that may be desired.
This is a great place to put a few low maintenance plants that produce something that you want. We recommend mint, chamomile, and berry bushes.
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French Drains
A sloped ditch filled with gravel with a drainage pipe at the bottom. These move water away from structures and towards thirsty plants.
Installation $50/foot
estimate includes pipe, gravel, and labor
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Raised Beds
A waist high box full of soil. The best thing about raised beds is that you don't need to bend over.
Installation $1000/box
Estimate includes box, soil, plants, and labor.
We recommend galvanized steel. It has the best combination of cost and durability, and it looks great! Another good option is brick. This is more expensive but also more durable.
Untreated wood deteriorates too quickly. Stone is too expensive. We do not recommend them but can work with them if you want.
We do not use treated wood or concrete. Treated wood leaches copper, and concrete production releases carbon into the air.
Maintenance $400/year
Estimate is for two visits per year, includes plants, seeds, fertilizer, and labor.
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Perimeter Berms
A mound of soil, usually placed along property lines. This adds extra height to plants that provide privacy and windbreak.
Installation $50/foot
Estimate includes soil, plants, seeds, and labor. Estimate is for a two foot high berm.
Using wood waste to build soil catches carbon and reduces cost.
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Swales
A depression that follows the contour of a slope. This is a good place to put thirsty plants like berry bushes and fruit trees.
Installation $500
Estimate includes material, soil, plants, and labor.
Maintenance $200/year
Estimate is for two visits per year, includes plants, seeds, fertilizer, and labor.
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Water Retention Berm
A waist high mound of soil that soaks up water when it is abundant. This can mitigate flooding and reduce the need to water plants.
Installation $500
Estimate includes material, soil, plants, and labor.
Maintenance $200/year
Estimate is for two visits per year, includes plants, seeds, fertilizer, and labor.