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Our Work
A Thoughtful Landscape Transformation, From Soil to Planting
This full landscape renovation was guided by a simple principle: build from the ground up. With improved soil, thoughtful plant selection, efficient irrigation, and durable pathways, the garden was designed to support ecological health while growing more beautiful over time.
A Playful, Purposeful Garden: Designing for Food, Flowers, and Pollinators
This project was shaped around the client’s desire for a flexible, joyful garden—one that supports food growing while leaving space for creativity, experimentation, and seasonal bursts of flowers.
Working within a defined budget, we cleared and reimagined a portion of the site to create a custom 32 sq ft raised vegetable bed, constructed on-site from redwood and pressure-treated lumber, and finished with an all-natural tung oil. A decomposed granite pathway provides easy access, while surrounding planting areas were seeded with cosmos and poppies to attract pollinators and invite spontaneous “gorilla gardening” moments. The result is a small but highly functional garden nook designed to evolve with the seasons and the client’s hands-on approach to growing.
A Thoughtful Approach to Native Planting, Water Efficiency, and Fire Safety
This project reflects what we love most about ecological landscape design: working with existing site conditions to create gardens that support soil health, habitat, and long-term resilience. Spanning roughly 1,300 square feet below an existing brick retaining wall, the garden features climate-adapted California native plants, efficient irrigation, and low-impact installation practices, with longevity, fire safety, and ecological function guiding every decision. The installation includes 119 native plants, the careful transplanting of existing plants to reduce waste, and direct seeding of native annuals and groundcovers. This approach minimizes plastic use while encouraging strong root systems and resilient plant communities.
Projects like this remind us that sustainable landscaping is both design and stewardship—creating outdoor spaces that are beautiful, functional, and deeply connected to the ecosystems they support.
Landscape Renewal for Function, Resilience, and Habitat
Guided by sustainability and long-term durability, this renovation strengthened the site from its foundation upward. We regraded the property for smoother movement and improved drainage, rebuilt the retaining wall with proper drainage rock and pipe, and modernized irrigation for water-efficient performance. A stabilized DG pathway creates a permeable, natural route through the garden, framed by crisp paver edges and metal borders. With enriched soil and a climate-adapted plant palette, the garden now offers texture, resilience, and ecological value for years to come.
Front Yard Transformation in an Oak Tree Community
In this oak tree–rich neighborhood, every step of the design honored the existing landscape. We rebuilt the front steps with custom craftsmanship, upgraded irrigation for mindful water use, and enriched the soil with compost and mulch to support thriving plants. Large decorative pots provide year-round interest, while native and climate-adapted plantings encourage biodiversity. The result is a welcoming, sustainable entrance that balances beauty, function, and respect for the site’s natural heritage.
Common Ground: Soil Restoration and Native Edible Plantings
What was once a hard, unused surface is now a thriving shared space rooted in regeneration. We began by removing concrete and using occultation to suppress invasive weeds — a patient, low-impact method that allows the soil to heal naturally.
The renewed space features a decomposed granite common area surrounded by a thoughtful blend of native and edible plantings, designed for both beauty and resilience. This project celebrates the transformation from barren ground to living ecosystem — a model of restoration, community, and care.
From Lawn to Native Plants and Regenerated Soil
Whole Property Refresh in Berkeley
Berkeley, Ember Compliant, Edible, and Native Plant Oasis
This compact Berkeley installation blends beauty, utility, and sustainability. A custom redwood raised bed overflows with edible plants, complemented by a locally sourced rock retaining wall and thoughtful features like an outdoor sink, herb spiral, metal deer fence, and a graceful flagstone path. Artisan pots from small-scale makers in Mexico add character while supporting traditional craft.
Designed with ember-safe principles in mind, all plantings were kept beyond the 5-foot perimeter of the home, and wood was avoided in fencing and enclosures to enhance fire resilience. The result is a functional, elegant space grounded in ecological responsibility and long-term care.
Walnut Creek Native Landscape Refresh
This backyard native garden was in need of a refresh to make the paths and garden beds more accessible, as well as to give the plants more space. Now these clients can enjoy their backyard oasis filled with native flowers and pollinator habitat. We love to work with native gardens like these!
Oakland Backyard Urban Homestead Enclosure
We designed and installed this rodent-proof vegetable bed enclosure for this Oakland client. Working with her budget, we only built this element of the design, leaving the rest as a DIY plan. We’re excited to see her project grow, especially as her mission is to be able to grow enough food to share!
Oakland Side Yard Pavers
Edible Gardens
Berkeley Woodland Garden
Concept Designs & Sketches
