SERVICES
Ecological design-build-care for your landscape across Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda, and the East Bay.
DESIGN + BUILD: New Landscapes and Restorations
Our design-build process moves your project from concept to reality, pairing a structured, collaborative design approach with our experienced construction team. We design and build new landscapes, and we also restore, evolve, and strengthen existing ones. Many landscapes contain valuable elements—mature trees and shrubs, useful hardscape, established spatial character, or beloved garden features—but may need renewal as needs change, infrastructure ages, irrigation becomes inefficient, soil health declines, or long-term care has been inconsistent. We begin by understanding your goals, preferences, and site conditions. For existing landscapes, we assess what should be preserved, restored, removed, or reimagined. Restoration projects often follow a more streamlined design-build process, with the scope tailored to the landscape’s existing strengths and the level of intervention needed. From there, we develop a Concept Plan that defines the overall layout, circulation, outdoor living areas, planting directions, and key features of the landscape. As the design develops, we refine materials, hardscape specifications, planting palettes, budget considerations, and the design decisions that support long-term sustainability, including maintenance needs. The resulting Landscape Plan brings the project elements together for successful construction and installation by our team. During the build process, our team brings the Landscape Plan to life. For new landscapes and more comprehensive renovations, we begin with site preparation, demolition, grading, and the foundational work needed to address soil quality, drainage, erosion, and other conditions that affect long-term success. In more targeted restorations, the work may focus on selective removal, soil improvement, irrigation updates, or integrating new hardscape, planting, and lighting elements with the existing landscape. From there, we build hardscape, install irrigation and lighting systems, and complete planting and finishing details. Throughout the process, we balance precision with the flexibility required by the realities of the land, making adjustments as needed while staying aligned with the design, budget, and long-term performance of the landscape. Earthly Sites balances the beauty and variability of natural landscapes with ecological design, dependable technical systems, and skilled construction—creating spaces that establish, adapt, and thrive over time.
ONGOING LANDSCAPE CARE
We refer to this service as care—a proactive, horticulturally driven approach to maintaining the health, beauty, and performance of your landscape over time. Our work is tailored to your site, plantings, and microclimates, with care provided based on seasonal needs rather than a fixed schedule. This allows the landscape to establish, adapt, and improve over time. Care also includes the horticultural work required to guide the landscape as it matures—training vines, shaping trees and shrubs, and supporting plants to develop in line with the original design intent. Regular tasks include plant care, monitoring soil health, verifying irrigation programs and system, and maintenance of water features, lighting. Ongoing care is designed to protect your investment and ensure the landscape continues to perform as intended.
WATER-WISE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
In California, water use in the landscape is critical. We design, upgrade, and maintain irrigation systems that support plant health while using water thoughtfully and responsibly. Irrigation is guided by plant needs, soil conditions, sun and wind exposure, root depth, and season—rather than a fixed schedule. Hydrozones are defined by how plants actually take up water. Trees are watered less frequently and more deeply, while perennials, grasses, and smaller plants require more frequent, shorter watering. In most urban landscapes, these plant types are mixed, so irrigation is carefully configured with overlapping lines to ensure each plant is included in the zone that best supports its needs. We reconfigure irrigation to optimally match plant needs and deliver water directly to the root zone, often shifting away from overhead spray toward more targeted delivery where appropriate. Using smart controllers, such as RACHIO, irrigation responds to real-time weather and changing conditions, allowing the landscape to establish and adapt over time. Services may include system upgrades, leak detection and repair, smart controller setup, and ongoing monitoring and adjustment. Irrigation is also supported as part of our Landscape Care + Maintenance service, allowing systems to be refined as the landscape matures.
LOW VOLTAGE LIGHTING
We use architectural-grade, low-voltage LED components to create lighting systems that are both functional and visually refined. Lighting extends the use of your outdoor space while enhancing form, texture, and key features. It improves visibility and safety, allowing the landscape to be experienced in a more dynamic way after dark. With advances in LED technology, these systems are now more efficient, flexible, and cost-effective than in the past. Typical elements include: + path lighting + step and stair lighting + up- and down-lighting for trees and structures + hanging and bistro lighting + fence and deck lighting Systems may also include: + warm white or color options + dimming + smart controls and rogramming As part of our Landscape Care service, lighting systems are periodically checked and adjusted, with bulbs and components replaced as needed.
CONSULTATION + DESIGN
We offer design-only projects and focused consultations for clients who may not need a full design-build scope. Design-Only projects are available for clients who plan to install the work themselves or with another contractor. We create concept plans and, where appropriate, more detailed landscape plans to guide installation, based on the needs and scope of the project. We also review and refine existing or proposed designs, helping to resolve design issues and better align plans with site conditions, goals, and budget. Consultations are structured as focused, on-site sessions addressing specific aspects of your landscape, including: + health assessment and diagnosis of existing conditions + irrigation audit and water-use evaluation + concept direction and planting recommendations (new or refreshed) + diagnosing why an existing or DIY landscape may not be performing as intended These sessions are designed to provide clear direction and actionable recommendations within a defined timeframe. Ongoing support beyond these services is available through our Landscape Care + Maintenance program. PRICING + Consultations: $350 for a two-hour on-site visit, with limited extensions available + Design-Only: $1,200+, depending on scope and season
