Landscape Design-Build in Tempe, AZ
Compact lots and mature trees — design that fits exactly.
In an older Tempe neighborhood, the best thing about the house is the big shade tree out back, and the worst thing is everything under it: patchy grass, a cracked slab, and a sprinkler system older than you are. Picture a travertine patio under that canopy, a small pondless waterfall in the corner, low-voltage lights in the branches, and a yard that uses a fraction of the water.
Fernweh Outdoor is a landscape design-build company based in Gilbert, at 2536 E Harrison Ct, a short drive from Tempe. Owner JR Ramirez is a second-generation landscape contractor with 15 years in the field. We design and build complete landscapes in Tempe: paver and travertine patios, artificial turf, irrigation, outdoor kitchens, shade structures, fire features, lighting, and our signature pondless waterfalls. Every project starts with a site survey and a design you see before we build.
Building in Tempe: what’s different here
Tempe is one of the oldest cities in the Valley. It grew from Hayden's Ferry, named for Charles T. Hayden's ferry across the Salt River, and incorporated in 1894. Today it's home to about 180,000 people, Arizona State University's main campus and Tempe Town Lake. Most of the East Valley is newer suburbs; much of Tempe isn't, and that changes what landscape projects look like here.
Smaller lots that have to work harder
North and central Tempe, near ASU and Downtown, is dense and established. Courtyards, narrow side yards and compact backyards are common. In a small space, design matters more, not less: the right patio size, shade placement, lighting and a compact water feature can make a small yard feel like the best room in the house. Our site survey captures every wall, tree and utility, so the design fits the space exactly.
Historic neighborhoods and mature trees
Maple-Ash, one of Tempe's oldest neighborhoods, dates to the early 1900s. It was once kept green with flood irrigation, which the city discontinued in the 1950s as water costs rose. Older Tempe neighborhoods like Maple-Ash, Optimist Park and Meyer Park often have mature shade trees and decades-old landscapes. We design around the trees worth keeping and replace the old grass and sprinklers with drip irrigation and low-water planting.
South Tempe's bigger lots
South Tempe is more suburban, with larger lots and pools in neighborhoods like Tally Ho Farms, Warner Estates and Corona del Sol Estates, and the private lake community of The Lakes to the north. These yards have room for outdoor kitchens, shade structures, pool decks and larger water features.
Heat
Tempe sits at about 1,181 feet, the lowest of the cities we serve, averages under 9 inches of rain a year, and has hit 119 degrees. Shade, heat-tolerant materials like travertine, and efficient irrigation make the biggest difference here.
Tempe's water rebates
The City of Tempe offers two rebates that fit landscape renovations well. As of this writing:
- Grass Removal and Conversion Rebate. $0.50 per square foot of grass converted to low-water-use desert landscape, up to $2,000 per home per fiscal year. Pre-approval is required, and at least 30% of the converted area must be covered by plants.
- High-Efficiency Irrigation Rebate. up to $500 per single-family home for qualifying irrigation upgrades, including EPA WaterSense spray bodies with pressure regulation, high-efficiency nozzles, rain and flow sensors, and WaterSense smart controllers (controllers up to $250 of the total).
For an older Tempe yard with a tired lawn and an old sprinkler system, these two together can offset part of a renovation. Talk to us before any grass comes out, so we can plan around the pre-approval.
What we build in Tempe
- 3D Landscape Design. A professional survey of tight lots, walls, trees and utilities, so a compact design fits exactly.
- Travertine and Natural Stone. Travertine patios and pool decks that stay cooler underfoot, plus flagstone paths for older neighborhoods.
- Paver Patios, Walkways and Driveways. Belgard and Phoenix Pavers on a compacted base, with a 10-year workmanship warranty.
- Irrigation Systems. Replacing old sprinklers with drip and efficient lawn irrigation. Qualifying parts can earn Tempe's High-Efficiency Irrigation Rebate.
- Artificial Turf. Turf Hub products on a base that drains, for small yards where real grass never took.
- Water Features. Compact pondless waterfalls that bring sound and movement to a courtyard or small backyard.
- Ponds. Aquascape-built ponds and water gardens, 24 inches deep for water gardens and 30 inches or more for fish.
- Shade Structures. Alumawood pergolas and insulated patio covers, engineered and permitted.
- Outdoor Kitchens. Blaze appliances as standard and permitted gas lines, starting at $9,995.
- Fire Pits and Fire Tables. Gas, propane or wood-burning, sized for smaller patios.
- Landscape Lighting. FX Luminaire and WAC fixtures to light mature trees and courtyard walls.
- Retaining Walls. Belgard and block walls up to 4 feet for raised beds and seat walls in tight spaces.
Prefer a set scope and price? See our landscape and water feature packages.
Tempe neighborhoods we serve
We work throughout Tempe, including Maple-Ash, Optimist Park, Meyer Park, The Lakes, Tally Ho Farms, Warner Estates and Corona del Sol Estates.
Tempe landscaping FAQs
Can a small Tempe backyard really fit a patio, shade and a water feature?
Yes, with a good design. Small spaces reward planning: the right patio size, shade where you actually sit, and a compact pondless waterfall can make a tight yard feel complete. We'll show you the layout in 3D before we build.
What rebates does Tempe offer for landscaping?
Tempe offers a Grass Removal and Conversion Rebate of $0.50 per square foot, up to $2,000 per home per fiscal year, and a High-Efficiency Irrigation Rebate of up to $500 per home. Pre-approval is required for the grass rebate. Confirm current terms with the City before you start.
Can you keep my mature trees?
Usually, yes. We survey existing trees and design patios, irrigation and lighting around the ones worth keeping, so they're protected during construction and watered properly after.
How do you replace an old sprinkler system?
We design a new system from scratch: drip with pressure regulation and filtration for plants and trees, and efficient rotating nozzles for any remaining lawn, controlled by a Wi-Fi controller.
How much does a landscape renovation cost in Tempe?
It depends on size, what's coming out and what's going in. Consultations are free, and our 3D designs are $279, credited toward your project, 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 Tempe 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 Chandler, Mesa and Gilbert.
Ready to start your Tempe project?
Free on-site consultation. Your 3D design ($279) comes after, credited toward your project.
Schedule a Consultation