Landscape Design-Build in Mesa, AZ
From Las Sendas to Eastmark — designed from a real site survey.
From a backyard in northeast Mesa, the Superstitions turn orange right around sunset. That's the view you bought the house for, and right now you're watching it from a patio that's too small, next to a slope that washes out every monsoon. Picture it instead from a flagstone terrace with a fire pit, a low wall holding the hillside in place, and a waterfall running over desert boulders.
Fernweh Outdoor is a landscape design-build company based in Gilbert, at 2536 E Harrison Ct, just south of Mesa. Owner JR Ramirez is a second-generation landscape contractor with 15 years in the field. We design and build complete landscapes across Mesa: paver and travertine patios, artificial turf, irrigation, outdoor kitchens, shade structures, fire features, lighting, retaining walls, and our signature pondless waterfalls. Every project starts with a site survey and a design you see before we build.
Building in Mesa: what’s different here
Mesa is Arizona's third-largest city, with more than 500,000 people, and one of its oldest. Mormon pioneers founded it in 1878, on land where the Hohokam had built irrigation canals centuries earlier, some up to 90 feet wide. Today Mesa ranges from historic downtown blocks to brand-new master plans, and that range changes what a landscape project needs.
Foothill lots and slopes in northeast Mesa
Northeast Mesa sits against the desert. Las Sendas borders Tonto National Forest at the foothills of Usery Mountain Regional Park, and communities like Red Mountain Ranch and Mountain Bridge have that same desert-edge terrain. Lots here are more likely to slope, and more likely to have rocky ground. That's where our site survey matters most: we capture real elevations before we design, and we use retaining walls, terracing and drainage to turn a slope into usable space instead of fighting it.
New builds in southeast Mesa
Southeast Mesa is newer. Eastmark and Cadence are large master-planned communities where many homeowners start with a bare backyard. That's the best time to design the whole yard at once: patio, shade, turf, irrigation and lighting planned together, instead of added piece by piece over the years.
Established neighborhoods
Neighborhoods like Dobson Ranch and the areas around Downtown Mesa have mature trees, older irrigation and landscapes that were built decades ago. These are often renovation projects: pulling out old grass and failing sprinklers and rebuilding with modern drip irrigation, pavers and low-water planting.
Heat and monsoons
Mesa sits at about 1,326 feet, averages close to 11 inches of rain a year, and has hit 121 degrees. Monsoon storms can drop a lot of that rain at once, especially on sloped foothill lots. We build patio and turf bases to drain and grade every project to move water away from your home.
Mesa's Grass-to-Xeriscape incentive
The City of Mesa runs its own water utility and offers a Residential Grass-to-Xeriscape incentive. As of this writing:
- Rebate amounts. $1,000 for 500 to 999 sq ft removed. $1,500 for 1,000 to 1,499 sq ft. $2,000 for 1,500 sq ft or more.
- Tree bonus. up to $100 per qualifying low-water-use tree, up to 2 trees, for a maximum of $2,100.
- Requirements. apply before you start (Mesa staff inspect before work begins), and at least 50% of the converted area must be covered by low-water-use plants at maturity.
- Artificial turf. a conversion that adds only artificial turf doesn't qualify, but turf can be part of a project that also meets the 50% plant coverage requirement.
Funding is limited and first come, first served. If you're thinking about taking out grass, talk to us before anything comes out and we'll design a layout that meets the requirements.
What we build in Mesa
- 3D Landscape Design. A professional survey of elevations, structures and property lines, essential on sloped northeast Mesa lots.
- Retaining Walls. Belgard and block walls up to 4 feet for terracing and leveling foothill slopes.
- Paver Patios, Walkways and Driveways. Belgard and Phoenix Pavers on a compacted base built to stay flat through monsoon season, with a 10-year workmanship warranty.
- Travertine and Natural Stone. Flagstone patios and steppers that fit Mesa's desert setting, plus travertine pool decks with bullnose coping.
- Artificial Turf. Turf Hub products on a base that drains. Pair it with a low-water planting area to stay eligible for Mesa's incentive.
- Irrigation Systems. Drip and lawn irrigation with pressure regulation and Wi-Fi controllers, a common upgrade in older Mesa neighborhoods.
- Water Features. Pondless waterfalls and streams built with natural boulders, our signature work.
- Ponds. Aquascape-built ponds and water gardens, 24 inches deep for water gardens and 30 inches or more for fish.
- Outdoor Kitchens. Blaze appliances as standard and permitted gas lines, starting at $9,995.
- Shade Structures. Alumawood pergolas and insulated patio covers, engineered and permitted.
- Fire Pits and Fire Tables. Natural gas, propane or wood-burning, placed to take in the mountain views.
- Landscape Lighting. FX Luminaire and WAC fixtures in brass or cast aluminum, for lighting boulders, saguaros and trees at night.
Prefer a set scope and price? See our landscape and water feature packages.
Mesa neighborhoods we serve
We work throughout Mesa, including Las Sendas, Red Mountain Ranch, Mountain Bridge, the Falcon Field area, Eastmark, Cadence, Superstition Springs, Dobson Ranch and Downtown Mesa.
Mesa landscaping FAQs
Can I build on a sloped lot in northeast Mesa?
Yes. We survey the slope first, then use retaining walls up to 4 feet, terracing and drainage to create level patios and planting areas. Sloped lots often end up with the most interesting landscapes.
Does Mesa's grass removal incentive cover artificial turf?
Not on its own. A conversion that adds only artificial turf doesn't qualify, but a project that includes turf can still qualify if at least 50% of the converted area is covered by low-water-use plants. You must apply before starting.
How much can I get for removing grass in Mesa?
$1,000 for 500 to 999 square feet, $1,500 for 1,000 to 1,499, and $2,000 for 1,500 or more, plus up to $100 per qualifying tree for up to 2 trees. Funding is limited, so check current availability with the City.
I just bought a new home in Eastmark. Where do I start?
With a full design. Planning the whole backyard at once, including irrigation and electrical, costs less than adding pieces later and avoids tearing up finished work. The consultation is free, and our 3D design is $279, credited toward your project.
How much does landscaping cost in Mesa?
It depends on size, slope, what's coming out and what's going in. Outdoor kitchens start at $9,995, and our packages give set prices for common projects. Everything else is quoted after a site visit.
Our warranty
Paver installations carry a 10-year workmanship warranty. All other services carry a 3-year workmanship warranty, with manufacturer warranties on top.
Start your Mesa project
We're local. We'll come out, survey your yard, talk through what you want and what your HOA allows, and show you your new landscape in 3D before we build.
Also serving nearby Gilbert, Apache Junction and Tempe.
Ready to start your Mesa project?
Free on-site consultation. Your 3D design ($279) comes after, credited toward your project.
Schedule a Consultation