SERVICES

Agassiz Landscape Group specializes in custom Residential Design-and-Build landscapes, including retaining walls, paver patios, decorative plantings, outdoor kitchens, and lighting systems. 

We also provide Commercial landscape construction and grounds maintenance, as well as complete irrigation repair and service for home and business. 

To learn more about specific services, please read more below:

LANDSCAPE DESIGN

The value of a drafted Landscape Concept or Design is rarely understood by the majority of homeowners shopping for a landscaper.  At times, some believe it to be another added expense used to add a little more money to the bill.  However, a quality design which demonstrates accurate material quantities and sizes, as well as irrigation specifications, can greatly aid the homeowner in their search for the right landscape professional to do the job.  It also helps reduce errors of oversight by the client or contractor and assures both parties are aware of the entire scope of work.  Thus, a comprehensive plan will certain reduce, if not eliminate, costly change orders.

The design process is, likewise, an inexpensive means to brainstorm and explore the many options a homeowner may be considering. Questions such as travel corridors throughout the living space, sizes and shapes of patios, gardens, and turf can all be analyzed and answered before crews begin work.  Many projects are simply not feasible to be done at one time due to financial or time constraints.  Here again, a design can more thoroughly break a total concept into the necessary phases.  This assures prior steps required for the long-term project are in place prior to their future need.  An example of this is a sleeve placed under a sidewalk this year for a lighting plan to be implemented in two years.

Agassiz Landscape Group is committed to the benefits a comprehensive design brings to our clientele.  Therefore, two of our owners, Curt Bratland and Jeff Hartin, are our primary designers.  Curt and Jeff are career professionals in the Landscape Industry with over 30 years combined experience.  They have personally installed many of their designs, thus having confidence in the products, plant material, and techniques they incorporate.  This same confidence allows the deserved courage to stretch creative limits and continue to provide our clientele with distinctive ideas.

Whatever your landscape or exterior construction needs, the designers of Agassiz Landscape Group are eager to listen to you.  We want to expand your outdoor living space to suit your needs!

LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION

Retaining Walls

In northern Arizona, we are blessed with wonderful topography of mountains and canyons.  It is this picturesque landscape that has brought many of us to call this region "home". A natural existence of slope or gradient creates a three-dimensional aspect not found in flat landscapes.  Retaining walls are generally used to terrace this natural existence of slope.  In a well-orchestrated design, a retaining wall will add living space while still respecting and enhancing a fabulous three-dimensional landscape.

There are numerous materials that can be used to build retaining walls and all have their own unique characteristics.  Boulders may be "dry-stacked" without mortar, creating simpler walls and allowing the simple rugged beauty and strength of the rock hold a slope.  Retaining Systems or Gravity Walls can bring an old world elegance or range to a sophisticated architectural appeal.  The independent and creative nature of concrete or cinderblock, veneered with stones or stucco can conform only at the limits of the designer.  Agassiz Landscape Group is experienced in the construction of these and other forms of retaining.

Retention of slopes, although beautiful in a landscape, does have hazards.  Poorly built or un-drained walls have the potential of failure which could result in loss of property (or worse).  Water can build up in the soils behind walls due to irrigation or excessive rainfall, thus creating tremendous hydrostatic pressure on the wall and causing it to fail.  Agassiz Landscape Group understands this and complies completely with local building codes and product-specific engineering.

Plantings

Plants tantalize our senses, with abundant colorful blossoms on spring afternoons and the fragrance of blooms on warm summer nights, to a soft autumn bed of leaves or rough exposed winter bark.  Plants offer so much to a landscape!  They soften and bring life to what would otherwise be so sterile.  A world without plants would be a desperate place; not to mention a little lacking of oxygen.

Nearly all of us love plants and know we need them, and we most likely want them in our landscapes.  But, many people are afraid to use extensive plantings in their landscapes because they are challenged with a bad case of "Brown Thumb Disease."  Talk to anyone who has tried to garden in northern Arizona and they'll tell you it is tough.  It may have been the June snow in Flagstaff back in '95, or the countless Memorial Day freezes, or the June 20th in Sedona that hit 112°.  Northern Arizona can be hard on plants!  Success in gardening here requires an understanding of our seasons and their associated weather patterns, as well as the plant varieties and their related characteristics.  In choosing Agassiz Landscape Group, rest assured ― we've been burned, froze, shriveled, drowned, chewed, pelted, and flat out killed by poor plant choices over the years.  Trust us, the learning curve has been rough, but we've succeeded in our learning so you don't have to.

We are capable of selecting the proper plant for the right place to perform.  With an installed irrigation system, we will warranty our plants for one full year after planting.  We know a wide range of plants which will thrive for you, curing that "Brown Thumb" and making your deserved "Green Thumb" the envy of the neighborhood.  Our choices of perennials are generally low-maintenance and by selecting the right-sized shrub for the right place in your yard, pruning should be minimal.  Let our expertise give you the landscape you want and still give you the time to do whatever else you may want to do!

Patios

Patios are the centerpiece of outdoor living spaces.  Constructed of concrete, flagstone, or pavers, these leveled surfaces give us a place to dine, barbecue, sun bathe, and relax―enjoying our space.  Patios also control dust and mud, keeping our houses cleaner and providing a "civilized" place within our landscape.  One could write an essay on the positive effects of patios on American Culture, but what would be the point?!  We all either have one or want one.

Agassiz Landscape Group can install paver or flagstone patios for our clientele, as well as hire or recommend a reputable concrete installer for our designs.  Although our flagstone work is unmatched for quality in northern Arizona, we truly recommend pavers for our clients.  Properly-installed pavers are certainly the best material for outdoor patios.  Their longevity is decades ahead of concrete and incomparable to soft flagstone.  With a wide variety of colors and patterns, pavers are certain to fit with any genre of landscape.

Water Features

Humans require water for far more than simple consumption and hygiene.  One is hard-pressed to find a culture or religion that does not hold this substance as precious or sacramental.  Here in Arizona where water is so scarce, we are probably drawn even more to its presence.  It is hard to find a natural water hole that is not stressed from human encroachment.  It is no wonder that water features are becoming so popular here in northern Arizona.

We love water, too!  Agassiz Landscape Group enjoys building natural waterways and ponds.  These projects are technically and artistically rewarding.  Our goal in building any feature is to integrate the flow as naturally as possible within the total landscape.  With every slope, patio, and planting being different, water features always give us a unique design challenge to master.

Many people are eager to have a water feature installed in their landscape, but are reluctant to for a variety of reasons.  One of these reasons is the perceived waste of such a precious natural resource.  It is true that water features evaporate and even leak water.  What most people are surprised to learn is that a perennial bed with spray irrigation or a turf lawn use exponentially more water than a non-leaking water feature of the same or greater size.  This is due to vast more surface area being present on lawns or flower beds which allows for greater evaporation.  Other than small splashes which might be along streams, the only loss of water from a water feature would be flat surface, which is relatively minimal.

Another reluctance people have to a water feature is the thought of another maintenance issue around the house.  This, unfortunately, is somewhat true.  Although the maintenance on a system is extremely light when compared to the hours annually spent mowing grass, when maintenance is required of a water feature, it is generally pretty messy work.  It is normally recommended that water features are cleaned once each year or two.  Occasionally liners will settle, causing leaks or breaches, which must be located and raised.  Most pumps and other components are generally good for three to five years.

After discussing the unfortunate side of backyard water features, one must recognize the many benefits gained from having the presence of flowing water.  A backyard habitat is nearly instantly created.  This provides valuable water to birds and other animals.  The soothing sound of water creates a natural retreat for you and your family.  The beauty of water rolls and reflects as it moves throughout your landscape.  And finally, something mysterious occurs within a month or two of a water feature installation:  at some point, the homeowner actually forgets the water feature is a manmade structure and develops an acceptance that it is actually their own backyard creek.  Priceless!

Irrigation Systems

Many people ask us in the design phase of a project whether an irrigation system is actually necessary.  Well, the truth is, no.  An irrigation system is not required to have a fantastic landscape in northern Arizona.  People successfully hand-watered their lawns, shrubs, and flowers for decades here prior to the advent of automated irrigation systems.  However, we at Agassiz Landscape Group have many good reasons for you to consider utilizing modern technology and installing an automated irrigation system in your landscape.

The first reason is water savings.  The irrigation industry is constantly changing to better the water efficiencies of automated systems.  By using pressure compensating drip emitters, properly aimed sprays at correct spacing, and rain sensors installed on timers, a homeowner can reduce the water usage on their landscape.

Similarly, with city-mandated watering schedules, it is challenging to get up early enough in the morning on your watering day to spray water all over the place.  An automated timer takes care of this for you.

Plant health is another reason to install an irrigation system.  Plants that are properly hydrated are more disease-resistant and grow faster than those lacking water.  Many folks drastically underestimate the aridity of northern Arizona.  There are obviously more trees and shrubs here than in surrounding desert cities and a logical explanation would certainly be that it is moist enough here that irrigation systems just aren't necessary.  The climate even in Flagstaff though, can see long-term periods (two or more months) without precipitation.  Newly-planted shrubs and flowers need regular watering to thrive and will die during such dry spells.

Finally, let's face it:  we are all very busy doing other things.  Modern American are always on the go.  Whether it is work or play, we just don't have the necessary hours in a week to properly water our landscapes.  For most people, Agassiz Landscape Group would recommend not installing plants before considering not installing an irrigation system.

Night Lighting

Path and accent lighting within a landscape not only extends the use of exterior living space into night hours, it provides security and artistic expression.  Agassiz Landscape Group installs quality TouchStone Lighting Systems which provide years of illumination for your landscape.  From transformers to cable and durable simple fixtures, TouchStone carries one of the finest low-voltage lines on the market.

Agassiz Landscape has been formally trained by the staff at TouchStone.  Upon completion of this training, we became certified "Illuminologists."  The classes required to receive this title involved all aspects of low-voltage exterior lighting. 

 We understand cable sizing and the electrical components of engineering a working system, as well as the artistic side of fixture placement and spacing.  This title of "Illuminologist" also gives us dealer status here in northern Arizona, allowing you to purchase these quality fixtures at fabulous prices (we pass on our savings to you!).

Low-voltage lighting systems can vary greatly in both fixture and workmanship quality.  If you've ever been frustrated in the performance of "hardware store grade" fixtures, you can be assured our lights are built to last year after year.

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

As a property manager, you are aware of the importance of the appearance of your property grounds.  Messy leaves, trash blown in and around the office, or weeds choking out the entrance sign can only give the impression of apathy.  Your residents and tenants want to feel important and respected.  Property grounds that are well-kept and professionally groomed play a crucial part in creating this image.

Whether you are currently satisfied or not with your Grounds Maintenance Company, we at Agassiz Landscape Group appreciate your time, learning about our company.  We believe we have created an intriguing new pro-active approach to Grounds Maintenance which is sure to get your attention.  When you see what we can offer, we hope you'll give us a chance to be your new Grounds Care Provider.

Agassiz Landscape Group is a full-service Design-Build Commercial Landscape Construction and Maintenance Company.  We have the capabilities to trouble-shoot and repair nearly all irrigation failures from small to large commercial systems.  Should your property's landscape require alteration in scope, we, likewise, have capable designers to draft and develop new landscape design concepts.

Our services include but are not limited to:

Mowing and fertilizing of turf areas

Care of trees and bushes, including pruning as well as fertilization

Raking and maintaining gravel areas, keeping it tidy and weed-free

Planting of annual color in prominent beds for the "Resort Look"

Design-Build renovations

Irrigation installations and repairs.

We are fully licensed and insured for your protection and ours.  Agassiz Landscape Group thanks you for reviewing this company description and we look forward to serving you, your tenants, and your grounds!

Here are more reasons that ALG is the best for your grounds maintenance:

Communication is the Key!

Serving You with Experienced, Trained Personnel

Providing You a Custom Plan

SNOW REMOVAL

Agassiz Landscape Group, LLC provides commercial snow plowing and removal from shopping center parking lots, apartment and townhome complexes, professional and office buildings, sidewalks and more.    We also provide residential snow removal for vacation and second home owners (after the brunt of the storm has passed and all of our commercial accounts have been serviced).  Please contact us for more information.

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