Water-Wise & Native Landscapes in San Diego
Beautifully Designed Gardens. Professionally Built by Urban
Bring your vision of a colorful, inviting, water-wise garden to life—with California native planting, natural materials, welcoming pathways, and outdoor spaces suited to your home.
Urban West Landscape Construction builds and installs these landscapes once they are planned. We do not provide landscape design services.
Need a design?
We can refer you to an independent landscape designer specializing in native plants and water-wise gardens. You work directly with the designer to develop your layout, planting selections, and landscape plans. Design services and fees are arranged separately.
Once your plans are substantially finalized, Urban West can prepare construction pricing and build the agreed improvements.
Your Local Rancho Bernardo Native Landscapes Contractor
Planning a California native or water-wise landscape? Urban West builds from developed landscape plans, helping homeowners move forward with construction, pricing, and installation. Need a design first? We can refer you to an independent designer specializing in native and water-wise gardens.
As a Rancho Bernardo-based landscape contractor, we bring a detailed, installation-focused approach to building your designer’s vision.
A water-wise landscape can be full of life: flowering plants along a walkway, contrasting foliage outside your windows, and a comfortable place to sit surrounded by a garden that changes with the seasons.
Your independent designer helps shape those possibilities into a plan suited to your property and preferences. Urban West handles the construction and installation that bring the plan to life.
Your planned landscape may offer:
- A more welcoming home through planting and materials that complement its architecture.
- Less lawn to maintain by replacing selected areas with garden beds, paths, and gathering spaces.
- More thoughtful water use through appropriate plant selection and coordinated irrigation.
- Seasonal color and texture from flowers, foliage, and varied plant forms.
- Habitat for birds and pollinators through carefully selected planting.
- More opportunities to enjoy your yard with comfortable seating areas and inviting pathways.
The starting point is a design that considers how you want the garden to look, function, and grow.
A Garden with Color, Purpose & a Sense of Place
First: Develop Your Landscape Design
An independent landscape designer works with you on the garden’s layout, appearance, plant palette, and intended use.
This is where you explore questions such as:
- Do you want a predominantly California native garden or a broader water-wise plant palette?
- Which lawn areas should remain, and which could become planting or gathering spaces?
- Do you prefer a natural garden, a structured layout, or a combination?
- Where would paths, seating areas, and focal points make the yard more enjoyable?
- How much ongoing garden care are you comfortable with?
If you need help with this stage, we can refer you to a designer specializing in native and water-wise landscapes.
Then: Build with Urban West
Once the design and selections are substantially finalized, we review the plans for construction scope, site conditions, access, installation requirements, and pricing.
Our role is to coordinate and complete the agreed work—from preparation and underground improvements through hardscape, irrigation, planting, and finishing details.
Design is arranged directly with your independent designer. Construction is arranged separately with Urban West.
From Water-Wise Landscape Design to Finished Garden
California Native Gardens
Bring a professionally developed native planting plan to life.
We install the trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers specified in your approved plans, coordinating their placement with the planned irrigation, pathways, and surrounding landscape features.
Your designer selects the plant palette. Urban West manages sourcing and installation within the agreed scope, with proposed substitutions reviewed before planting.
Water-Wise Gardens with Color & Texture
Water-wise gardens can include layered planting, sculptural accents, seasonal flowers, and contrasting foliage.
We build the complete planned setting, including planting areas, mulch, edging, boulders, and pathways. These elements give the garden structure while the plants establish and mature.
Lawn-to-Garden Transformations
Turn underused lawn into a purposeful part of your property.
Following your approved design, we remove designated lawn areas and install the planned garden improvements. The scope may include planting, irrigation modifications, paths, mulch, decorative stone, and seating areas.
The design determines what replaces the lawn. Our construction work brings those elements together.
Pollinator & Habitat Gardens
Create an outdoor space designed to support birds, butterflies, and other pollinators.
We install the plant selections and landscape features identified by your designer, integrating them with the paths, patios, and other improvements included in the construction scope.
Native & Water-Wise Front Yards
Make your front yard a welcoming introduction to your home.
A developed design can combine planting, a clear entry path, natural materials, and a place to enjoy the garden. Urban West constructs the approved improvements, including transitions to existing driveways, sidewalks, and entries.
Backyard Gardens & Outdoor Living Spaces
Surround your outdoor living areas with a thoughtfully planned garden.
We build landscapes that combine native or water-wise planting with patios, pathways, seating areas, and landscape lighting. Your designer establishes the layout and overall composition; we coordinate the installation.
Native & Water-Wise Gardens We Can Build
Site Preparation & Lawn Removal
We prepare the areas included in the approved scope, removing designated lawn, plants, or materials and protecting features intended to remain.
Preparation requirements depend on the plans and existing site conditions.
Plant Sourcing & Installation
We source and install plants according to the approved plant list and layout.
Plant availability can change. When a specified plant is unavailable, proposed substitutions are reviewed with you and, where applicable, your designer before installation.
Irrigation Installation & Modifications
A new garden may require changes to the existing irrigation system.
Depending on the approved plan and construction scope, work may include drip irrigation, valves, pressure regulation, filtration, controller programming, or adjustments to existing sprinkler coverage.
The installation should account for both establishment watering and the garden’s ongoing irrigation requirements.
Paths, Patios & Edging
We install the hardscape features that organize the garden and make it accessible.
These may include:
- Paver patios and walkways.
- Decomposed granite pathways.
- Metal edging.
- Defined transitions between planting and hardscape.
- Planned seating and gathering areas.
Materials and layouts are established through the design and selection process before installation.
Boulders, Mulch & Decorative Stone
These finishing materials contribute to the appearance and function of the garden.
We install the specified materials in their approved locations, coordinating them with planting, irrigation, and adjacent surfaces.
Rain Gardens & Drainage Features
Where included in an appropriately developed plan, we construct rain gardens and related drainage improvements.
The installation must account for the site’s grading, soil conditions, nearby structures, and the route for excess water. Some projects require additional professional evaluation before the construction scope can be finalized.
Landscape Lighting
Where included, low-voltage lighting can help make paths and gathering spaces more usable after dark and highlight selected garden features.
We install the agreed lighting scope in coordination with the rest of the landscape work.
The Construction Behind a Finished Water-Wise Landscape
A beautiful plan contains details that matter during construction.
Plant spacing affects how the garden fills in. Path elevations affect drainage. Irrigation placement needs to align with planting. Material transitions influence the finished appearance.
Urban West reviews these relationships when preparing and carrying out the construction scope.
Approved planting layout
Guides plant placement and spacing during installation.
Irrigation requirements
Helps coordinate water delivery with the planned planting.
Site preparation
Addresses the preparation specified for the areas being renovated.
Path and patio elevations
Helps coordinate transitions and surface drainage.
Material selections
Keeps installation aligned with the approved appearance.
Construction sequence
Organizes underground work, hardscape, irrigation, and planting.
Proposed substitutions
Gives you and your designer an opportunity to review changes.
Our responsibility is to build the agreed landscape with attention to the details that connect the plan to the finished space.
Why the Design & Installation Need to Work Together
We welcome plans prepared by your independent landscape designer or landscape architect.
To begin the construction discussion, send info@urbanwestlandscape.com:
- Your property address.
- Current photos of the yard.
- Your landscape plans and planting list.
- Available irrigation and drainage details.
- Material selections.
- Your preferred timing and approximate construction budget.
We will review the information and identify the next step toward site verification and a construction proposal.
Call 858.310.6187 to discuss building your plans.
Already Have a Native or Water-Wise Landscape Design?
Need a Specialized Landscape Designer First?
If you are still deciding on the layout, plants, or overall direction, begin with an independent designer who specializes in native and water-wise landscapes.
We can provide a referral so you can develop the garden plan before seeking construction pricing.
You will work directly with the designer on their scope, fees, schedule, and design decisions. Once the plans are substantially finalized, Urban West can review them for installation.
Contact us for a native and water-wise landscape designer referral: 858.310.6187.
Need a Specialized Landscape Designer First?
1. Establish the Design
Work with your independent designer to develop the layout, plant palette, and project details. If you already have plans, you can begin with our construction review.
2. Share Your Plans with Urban West
Send the available drawings, selections, photos, and property information so we can understand the proposed work.
3. Review the Site & Construction Requirements
For projects moving forward, an on-site visit helps us review access, visible conditions, measurements, and installation considerations.
4. Receive a Defined Construction Proposal
Your proposal identifies the agreed work, materials, pricing, inclusions, exclusions, and applicable assumptions.
5. Build the Landscape
We coordinate the construction sequence, from preparation and underground work through hardscape, irrigation, planting, and finishing details.
6. Review the Completed Installation
We walk the finished project with you, discuss irrigation operation and initial care needs, and address remaining completion items.
A Clear Path from Plans to Planting
The investment depends on the work needed to build your approved design.
Factors include:
- The size of the area being renovated.
- Lawn removal and demolition.
- Site access and material handling.
- Irrigation and drainage improvements.
- Plant quantities and container sizes.
- Pathways, patios, and other hardscape.
- Boulders, edging, mulch, and finishing materials.
- Existing conditions that affect installation.
Design fees are separate from Urban West’s construction pricing.
Share your intended construction budget early with your designer so it can inform the plan. Once the scope is sufficiently developed, we can prepare a proposal for the installation.
What Determines the Construction Cost?
Does Urban West design native and water-wise landscapes?
No. Urban West provides landscape construction and installation.
If you need a design, we can refer you to an independent landscape designer specializing in native plants and water-wise gardens. You work directly with that designer before we review the plans for construction.
Can you help me choose plants and create the layout?
Plant selection and landscape layout are part of the independent designer’s services. Urban West installs the approved plant palette and layout once they are developed.
Can I use my own landscape designer?
Yes. We can review plans from your independent landscape designer or landscape architect and coordinate construction questions as needed.
What is the difference between native and water-wise landscaping?
California native landscaping uses plants native to California. Plant selection should also consider the conditions of the specific property.
Water-wise landscaping takes a broader approach to plant water needs, irrigation, site conditions, and ongoing care. A water-wise design may include native plants, suitable nonnative plants, or a planned combination.
Can the garden look colorful and full?
Yes. The appearance depends on the selected plants, spacing, seasons, and maturity. Your designer can develop a palette that reflects your preferred style and explain how the garden is expected to change as it grows.
Will the garden need irrigation?
New plants need appropriate establishment care. Ongoing watering requirements depend on the plant selections, soil, exposure, weather, and location.
We install the irrigation improvements included in the agreed scope and discuss initial operation at completion.
Will this eliminate landscape maintenance?
No. Living gardens still need care, including weeding, irrigation checks, seasonal attention, and pruning appropriate to the plants.
Discuss your maintenance expectations with your designer when developing the plan.
Do I have to remove all my lawn?
No. Your designer can incorporate useful lawn areas and replace other portions with native or water-wise planting, pathways, or gathering spaces.
Urban West builds the approved scope.
Can you retain existing trees or patios?
Often, existing features can be incorporated into the design. We review the construction work around features intended to remain and identify relevant protection requirements and constraints.
Can you install paths, irrigation, and drainage along with the plants?
Yes. Your construction agreement can include the related improvements shown in the approved plans. We define what is included before work begins.
Can you guarantee lower water bills?
No fixed reduction is guaranteed. Water use depends on the previous landscape, new plant palette, weather, irrigation operation, and establishment needs.
How do I get started?
If you have plans, contact us with your property address, photos, and design information.
If you need plans, contact us for a referral to an independent native and water-wise landscape designer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Urban West Landscape Construction builds native and water-wise landscapes from developed plans, coordinating site preparation, drainage, irrigation, hardscape, and planting through a clearly defined construction scope.
From a welcoming front yard to a pathway through seasonal planting, we bring a detailed, installation-focused approach to creating outdoor spaces you can enjoy.
California C-27 Landscape Contractor • CSLB #1093649
Our training and certifications include QWEL, TrexPRO®, CMHA Veneer Installer, NDS Drainage Contractor, and Belgard-Trained Paver Installer.
Serving Homeowners Throughout San Diego
Rancho Bernardo • 4S Ranch • Poway • Carmel Mountain Ranch • Rancho Peñasquitos • Carmel Valley • Del Mar • Rancho Santa Fe • La Jolla • Encinitas • Solana Beach • Carlsbad • Point Loma • Coronado and surrounding San Diego communities.
Let’s Bring Your Planned Garden to Life
Have completed landscape plans? Call us to discuss construction, pricing, and next steps.
Need a design first? We can refer you to an independent designer specializing in native and water-wise landscapes. Design services are arranged separately; Urban West builds the landscape once it is planned.
Call 858.310.6187
Based in Rancho Bernardo. Bringing San Diego Gardens to Life.
A native and water-wise garden has a way of staying on the “someday” list.
Meanwhile, another San Diego season passes with the same lawn to maintain, planting that no longer inspires you, or outdoor space you rarely enjoy.
A thoughtfully planned garden offers something to appreciate while you live there—seasonal flowers, birds and butterflies, and a welcoming place to spend time outside.
If you’re ready for a change, the first step is developing a landscape plan with an independent designer who specializes in native and water-wise gardens.
We can connect you with a specialized designer—and build your garden once the plans are ready.
The Cost of Waiting
Urban West Landscape Construction
17190 Bernardo Center Drive suite 200, San Diego, CA 92128, USA
Call: 858.310.6187
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