Xeriscaping Design & Construction Near Me
We design and build beautiful low maintenance, drought tolerant landscapes
Xeriscaping, also known as drought-tolerant landscaping, is a landscaping approach that focuses on creating water-efficient, low-maintenance, and environmentally sustainable gardens or outdoor spaces. The term "xeriscaping" comes from the Greek word "xeros," meaning dry, and "scape," meaning scenery. The primary goal of xeriscaping is to conserve water, reduce maintenance, and create a landscape that is well adapted to local climate conditions, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions or in regions that face seasonal water restrictions.
Harvest Outdoor Living is a landscaping contractor based out of Bel Air, Maryland and serving Harford County and the surrounding area. We specialize in the design and installation of low maintenance, drought-tolerant xeriscapes using a variety of natural stone, river rock, and native plantings to create the perfect balance of interest and color. Whether you're looking for a low maintenance landscape in your front yard to improve curb appeal or you'd like to xeriscape around your backyard pool or patio our team can help.
Xeriscaping offers a diverse range of popular design elements that create visually appealing, water-efficient, and low-maintenance landscapes. Native and drought-tolerant plants are essential components, providing color, texture, and interest while minimizing water usage. Groundcovers can be used as lawn alternatives, reducing the need for water-intensive grass lawns. Hardscape surfaces, such as gravel or decomposed granite pathways, contribute to both aesthetics and functionality, while permeable materials help with water absorption. Incorporating features like rain gardens and dry creek beds or swales can effectively manage stormwater runoff and create natural focal points in the landscape.
Other popular design elements include mulched planting beds, which help conserve soil moisture, and rock gardens that add visual interest with minimal maintenance. Retaining walls or terraces can be employed for erosion control and to create distinct planting areas. Rainwater harvesting systems, such as rain barrels or cisterns, further enhance water conservation efforts. In addition, xeriscapes can provide wildlife habitats with features like bird baths, nesting boxes, or pollinator gardens. Shade structures, such as pergolas or arbors, create comfortable outdoor seating areas and can be combined with artistic elements like sculptures, fountains, or decorative boulders to add a unique touch to the landscape.
Check Out Some Xeriscapes We've Built
We've designed and built some amazing xeriscapes in Bel Air, Maryland.
Xeriscaping incorporates several principles and techniques, including:
#1. Plant selection: We always choose native or drought-tolerant plants that require minimal supplemental watering once established. These plants are better adapted to our local climate and soil conditions and often require less maintenance than non-native species.
#2. Soil improvement: Drainage is important for a functional xeriscape. We usually amend the soil with organic matter, such as compost, to improve its water retention and nutrient availability. This helps plants establish strong root systems, making them more resistant to drought and other environmental stresses.
#3. Efficient irrigation: Implement efficient watering methods, such as drip irrigation and soaker hoses to target the root zones of plants and minimize water waste.
#4. Mulching: Apply a layer of organic or inorganic mulch around plants to conserve soil moisture, reduce evaporation, suppress weeds, and moderate soil temperature. Mulch materials can include wood chips, gravel, river rock, or crushed stone.
#5. Zoning: Ideally we try and group plants that share similar water, sunlight, and soil requirements together. This optimizes your irrigation system efficiency and reduces water waste. The less water a xeriscape requires to remain healthy, the better.
#6. Lawn reduction: Grass takes large amounts of water to stay healthy. The goal of a well-designed xeriscape is to minimize or replace traditional grass lawns with drought-tolerant ornamental grasses, groundcovers, or hardscape elements, such as patios, walkways, or gravel paths. This reduces the need for frequent watering, mowing, and fertilizing.
#7. Maintenance: The entire point of a xeriscape is to reduce water consumption and maintenance requirements. However, you'll still need to regularly prune, weed, and inspect your landscape to maintain its health and appearance. Proper maintenance can also help prevent pests, diseases, and ensure the longevity of your drought tolerant plants.
How Much Does Xeriscaping Cost?
The xeriscapes we design and build are beautiful, unique, and add value to your property. Below is some basic pricing information for our xeriscaping services.
Small Yards
$5000 - $15,000
This would be for typical front yard xeriscaping project for your typical Bel Air lot. It can contain a combination of natural stone, river rock, and native plantings.
Large Properties
$50,000 - $150,000+
This would be for larger front and backyard yard xeriscaping project for an estate or luxury property. It can contain a combination of hardscaping such as natural stone or river rock and softscaping like native plantings, and landscape lighting.
Our Xeriscape Designs Can Include
The only limit to a beautiful xeriscape is your imagination and your budget
These prices are just ball park figures to give you a rough idea as to what you should expect a xeriscaping project to cost in Bel Air. Your particular xeriscaping project may vary depending on site accessibility, the size of your xeriscape area, the specific materials chosen, and the overall scope of work. If you need a firm price please request a consultation so we can view your potential project, listen to your ideas, and determine the actual scope of work required to complete your xeriscape. After our on-site consultation we'll be able to provide you with a firm estimate to complete your new xeriscape.
No, xeriscaping involves using a variety of native and drought-tolerant plants, not just cacti and succulents. There are many different types of plants, including ornamental grasses, shrubs, perennials, and trees, that are well-suited for xeriscaping.
Xeriscaping does not have to result in a dry, barren-looking landscape. With careful plant selection and design, you can create a lush, colorful, and visually appealing garden that is also water-efficient and low-maintenance.
While traditional grass lawns often require significant water and maintenance, you can incorporate drought-tolerant grass species or groundcovers into your xeriscape to create a lawn-like area that requires less water and care. Artificial turf is also an option that is available too if you love the look of natural grass.
Although xeriscaping is primarily associated with arid and semi-arid regions, its principles can be adapted to virtually any climate. The primary goal is to create a water-efficient and sustainable landscape, which can benefit any garden or outdoor space, regardless of climate. It is particular useful in areas that experience seasonal water restrictions.
The amount of water you can save through xeriscaping depends on factors like your current landscape, plant choices, and irrigation methods. However, xeriscaping can significantly reduce outdoor water usage, with some estimates suggesting water savings of up to 50% or more compared to traditional landscaping.
Xeriscaping typically requires less maintenance than traditional landscaping, as it focuses on using native and drought-tolerant plants that are adapted to local conditions. These plants often require less watering, fertilizing, and pruning compared to non-native species. So in general a xeriscape isn't something you'll need to rigorously maintain.
It was a great experience working with Tom Riley and his crew from Harvest. He was very accommodating and patient. A big thank you and shout out to them
Our family is so happy that we hired Tom Kiley- Harvest Outdoor Living to design and create two major hardscaping projects to enhance the established landscape of our home this Summer. The entirety of our projects were handled with knowledge and expertise from conception to execution. The craftsmanship displayed in every aspect of the creation is the combination of experience and great skill. Tom Kiley is a Hands - On business owner, ensuring that the entire project was completed flawlessly ,exceeding both his and our expectations. Despite the extreme heat, the Harvest Outdoor Living crew worked long hours from early morning until evening, always respectful, friendly and pleasant, keeping the work site neat and tidy after each shift. God Bless the Three Amigos ! While we were looking for a simple sidewalk solution, Tom's inspired vision of a bi-level enclosed garden, featuring large boulders and flowering trees and plants ,illuminated at twilight intrigued us. We asked for a curving, hand cut heated bluestone sidewalk across our front yard that wraps around our existing front porch. This sidewalk, combined with another constructed with Cambridge Paving Stones adds a luxurious curb appeal. The second, more difficult project involved a combination of many skilled professionals ,including demolition experts, engineering plans and permits and a tremendous amount of hard physical labor. This project was also completed above and beyond our expectations and has solved our water issues. All plantings and replanting's were professional and successful. Ultimately, we have been given the landscaping improvements we always needed and wanted, yet never imagined could possibly exist ! Everyone comments on how beautiful our new landscape looks. We could not be happier with the results.
Tom and his crew transformed the empty space left in our backyard after the pool delete into a beautiful patio that we love to use, and that all our neighbors admire. Job started on time, completed within our budget, and perfect in every detail!
We were looking to do a complete backyard overhaul. The main problem was water sitting and the grass always felt like mush days after it rained. The project included a paver patio for better outdoor living space, regrading the yard, burrying some down spouts, and installing two French drains. Along the way we added In a tree removal, sectioning off the tree line with some mulch, and redoing the broken lattice under the sunroom. Last night's rain was an ultimate test of his work. There's no standing puddles and the water was rivering away during the rain like it was supposed to. Additionally the patio looks great. During the initial estimate Tom really took his time, asked the right questions and appeared to genuinely care about our problems and how to fix it. The other two who came out weren't as personable and didn't truly listen. Additionally, Tom's prices were fair for the work that was being asked. I'd highly recommend talking to Tom about an estimate if you're looking to do any type of outdoor project.
I was extremely happy with this company. They were respectful, knowledgeable, and did an amazing job. Thank you again for fixing the problem and much more.
Harvest Outdoor Living did a terrific mulching gardens, providing new storm design system and constructing new paver sidewalk. Job started on date stated in contract and completed on time and no change orders. Tom’s attention detail was so good you would think his team was working at his home.
We would highly recommend Harvest Outdoor Living for all of your landscaping needs. Our yard was overgrown and more high maintenance than we wanted or had time to deal with. We reached out to Tom for a quote and he responded quickly with a fair estimate. After we agreed to the quote, Tom scheduled our job for a week after. He and his team are professional and highly skilled. He took our mess of a yard and made it look spectacular. It’s better than we imagined. We could not be happier with the results.
Harvest Outdoor Living did a miraculous job on my landscaping design and requirements despite having many challenges. I found Tom Kiley to be the ultimate professional who patiently answered my questions and designed a solution that is perfect for our environment. Tom’s experience and expertise made the renovation a success. Tom earned 5 Stars for the work at my home. HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION.
Quality of work outstanding. Harvest Team pleasant, courteous, and professional. Delivered 100% on all agreed upon services. Communication flawless. Five star rating well deserved and earned. If you have landscaping needs, do not miss the opportunity to work with the Harvest Team! They are best in class!
without question this was a wonderful experience working with this company from beginning to finish. it was an effort to remedy a major drainage issues we have been having for years, with various slopes and terrain features to contend with. i interviewed the owner Tom, and as an engineer and former contractor the solutions seemed plausible. His price was fair and the work was completed within the timeframe he says it would. There was a spotless cleanup afterwards and as importantly his crew Saul and Carlos worked extremely well with Tom and their experience was evident. Honestly, i’ll be shocked if this doesn’t fit the bill as stated. Incredible company.
I am very happy with the work done by Harvest Landscape. Everything went as planned and the project turned out beautifully! I would definitely recommend.
I would absolutely recommend Harvest Landscape! Tom was extremely nice, professional and polite throughout the entire project. He worked with us to come up with the exact design we wanted within our budget and was so patient throughout the whole process. He was always on time and even started the project earlier than expected. He pays close attention to detail and him and his team work quickly and were very efficient. We will definitely be hiring Harvest landscape again for future landscape and hardscape projects. We are extremely satisfied and just love our new patio and fire pit so much!
Tom and team did a fantastic job on our patio. Totally changed the look and use of our backyard. Quality work from beginning to end. Highly recommend.
I had asked Tom about cutting back our mulch bed out front and adding a stone retaining wall - was very happy with the results! I also love that he used the plants we had and rearranged them to make them feel new - it helped frame the space while also helping us to keep within our budget. Will definitely be reaching out to him and his team again.
Tom really listens to what you need done and his expertise is evident. He's done an excellent job with the yardwork and helped me out twice. He's a keeper!
Tom was great to work with! He worked with me quite a bit to come up with a plan for my landscaping and used 3D rendering to show me example photos of what the work would look like! He built a beautiful retainer wall and put in lovely plants to spruce up the look of my home. There was excellent communication throughout the entire project. Thanks so much Tom! Will absolutely recommend you to others!!
Very professional and dependable. With an eye for detail, my yard has never looked better! Looking forward to future projects with Harvest!
Our neighbor recommended Tom and we are happy we called him. He stopped by our property and give us great ideas on how to create new garden beds and installing trees, as well as regrading and establishing our lawn. He was very diligent in his work and even came back to fix some issues that was caused by heavy winds. We will definitely use his services again and will recommend Tom to anyone we know.
I have used Harvest Landcare for 2 years now for my spring clean up and mulching. He also trimmed bushes in the fall. Very attentive and responsive and does great work. Highly recommend.
Harvest Landcare has done several mulching and landscape projects around my house. He is reliable, priced right and has a lot of attention to detail. I highly recommend.
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