Gardens Made for the High Desert.
We design and build gardens, trees, lawns and irrigation that suit the Treasure Valley: cold winters, hot dry summers, alkaline soil and canal water that runs from spring to fall. Planting is designed with the rest of the yard and built by the same team.
PhotoCraftsman Garden TerraceBoise
- Typical project
- $75k–$130k for a complete backyard; $80k–$155k with mature trees for shade from the first summer
- Hardiness
- USDA zone 7a across most of the valley
- Soil
- Alkaline, often pH 7.5–8.2, with lime below the topsoil
- Water season
- Canal water from about mid-April to early October
Planting That Earns Its Water.
We start with how you want to use the yard, then give each part the plants and the water it needs: lawn where you play, trees where you need shade, and water-wise beds everywhere else.
What Every Garden Here Has to Live With.
The same winter, the same soil and the same water season shape every planting plan in the valley. These are the figures we design to, each with its source.
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7a
Winter Cold
On the USDA's 2023 map, most of the valley is zone 7a: the coldest night of an average winter falls to 0 to 5°F. East Boise's 83716, which reaches up into the mountains, maps a zone colder, at 6b.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, 2023 -
pH 7.5–8.2
Alkaline Soil
Most southern Idaho soils contain free lime, with pH often between 7.5 and 8.2. It can starve sensitive plants of iron and turn their leaves yellow. Maples and oaks are among the most prone, and overwatering makes it worse.
University of Idaho Extension, CIS 1042 -
2–3×
Watering a Lawn
Boise has no watering restrictions today. The city's advice is to water lawns two to three times a week for 40 to 50 minutes, to use drip in gardens, and to choose native, drought-tolerant plants.
City of Boise, water conservation -
1/16 in
Built for Canal Water
The Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District filters its water only to 1/16 of an inch and asks that home systems use no more than 5 to 7 gallons per minute per station. We size every zone to that, and filter drip lines further.
Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District
Checked against USDA, University of Idaho Extension, City of Boise and NMID sources. Your irrigation district may set its own rules, so we confirm them for every project.
What a Planted Backyard Invests.
Set up for a complete backyard: lawn or garden, paths, planting, irrigation and lighting around an outdoor living space. Change anything to see how the range moves; your real number is set in design.
Planted Yards Across the Valley.
A Boulder Fire Pit, a Stacked-Stone Waterfall Wall and a Dog Run, Set Against the Eagle Foothills
- Scope
- Grading, multi-zone paver patio, onyx boulder gas fire pit, stacked-stone waterfall wall, dog run, xeriscape planting
A Paver Terrace, a Built-In Gas Fire Table and Drainage That Finally Works
An Engineered Boulder Wall and Terraces Along a Lakeside Lawn
A Complete Backyard From Bare Ground: Sod Lawn, a Fire Pit and New Irrigation
From the First Walk to a First Full Season.
The same six steps as every Fine Grade project, timed to the planting seasons and the water.
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Step 1 · by phone or video
A Design Consultation
How you'd like to use the yard, what you'd like to see from the windows, and a comfortable range.
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Step 2 · at your home
A Site Visit
We note sun, shade, wind, soil, drainage and which irrigation district serves you. Then you receive a design proposal with a fixed fee.
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Step 3
Planting and Irrigation Design
Concept plan, 3D renderings, a planting plan and an irrigation plan, refined with you over two or three meetings.
A design fee, set after the site visit -
Step 4
A Fixed-Price Proposal
A construction proposal that matches the final design line for line, with a schedule. Before you sign, you'll receive Idaho's homeowner disclosure.
No cost to review -
Step 5 · on site
The Build
Grading and soil first, then irrigation, then planting, mulch and lighting, timed to spring or fall where we can. One project lead, weekly updates.
The proposal price, paid at milestones -
Step 6 · The first year
Walkthrough & Warranty
We walk the garden with you, set the controller for the season, hand over a care guide, and check back after the first season.
Included, with a written warranty
About Gardens and Planting.
Something else on your mind? Ask a Designer
How much does landscaping cost in Boise?
A complete backyard we design and build typically invests $75,000–$130,000. That includes planting, irrigation, paths and lighting around an outdoor living space. Mature trees for shade from day one typically bring it to $80,000–$155,000, and a whole property, front and back, typically invests $120,000–$210,000.
What plants grow best in Boise?
Plants that handle zone 7a winters, alkaline soil and hot, dry summers. Many native and adapted plants do: ornamental grasses, drought-tolerant perennials and shrubs, with evergreens for structure in winter. We check every plant against your sun, soil and water before it goes on the plan.
Do you install sprinkler systems?
Yes, as part of a designed landscape. We design and install irrigation with the planting it waters: sprinkler zones for lawn, drip for beds and trees, and a smart controller. We don't offer sprinkler repair or seasonal service, but we're glad to recommend someone who does.
When is the best time to plant in the Treasure Valley?
Spring and fall. Canal water usually runs from about mid-April to early October, so we time planting for roots to settle in while the water is on and the weather is mild. Design in winter puts you first in line for spring.
Should we take out our lawn?
Not all of it. Lawn is the best surface for play, pets and lounging, and the thirstiest. We keep it where it's used and turn the rest into water-wise beds. Boise has no watering restrictions today, and the city's advice is two to three waterings a week of 40 to 50 minutes.
Why are the leaves on our trees turning yellow?
Often it is iron chlorosis, from alkaline soil. University of Idaho Extension notes that most southern Idaho soils contain free lime, which keeps iron out of reach of sensitive plants, and that overwatering and poor drainage make it worse. Maples and oaks are among the most prone, so we choose and water trees with that in mind.
Do you look after the garden once it is planted?
No. We design and build, then hand it over. You get a care guide for the plants and the irrigation, and we check back after the first season. We don't offer maintenance, but we're glad to recommend companies that do.
Keep Planning
Let's Design a Garden That Belongs Here.
A design consultation, a clear process, and a designer who tells you honestly what's possible within your range.
Rather talk? Call or text (208) 994-9204 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm