Landscape Design in Bakersfield, CA
Custom landscape design for Bakersfield homes starts with understanding what actually works here. The heat, the water costs, the soil conditions, these are not afterthoughts. They are the starting point for every yard we design at Equity Landscapes.
Equity Landscapes is a local Bakersfield landscaping contractor. Chase Mendez, CSLB #1132515, C-27, oversees every project from the initial site visit to the final walkthrough. We design and build outdoor spaces for homeowners who want a yard that looks good year round, handles the climate, and does not require constant upkeep or a large water bill to maintain.
Call (661) 302-8979 to schedule a free design consultation.
What We Design
We work on residential properties throughout Bakersfield, designing outdoor spaces that fit how homeowners actually use their yards.
Front Yard Landscape Design
A front yard sets the tone for the whole property. We design front yards that look clean and intentional without adding to your weekend workload.
Common front yard elements we design and install:
- Decomposed granite ground cover
- Drought tolerant planting beds
- Artificial grass
- Flagstone or paver walkways
- Decorative rock and boulder placement
Backyard Design
Backyard design in Bakersfield comes down to one question. Will you actually use the space in July, or will it sit empty from June through September?
Shade is the answer to that question. A backyard with no cover is usable early morning and after sundown and not much else. We design backyards with shade built into the plan from the start, whether that means a wood pergola over a seating area, a covered patio, or strategic tree placement that shades the west facing side of the yard through afternoon heat.
Beyond shade, the backyard elements we design and install most often are concrete or paver patios, artificial grass, block wall seating, drought tolerant planting beds, and walkways connecting the house to usable areas of the yard. We plan how those pieces work together rather than adding them one at a time over several years.
Every backyard design starts with how you want to use the space. A yard built for weekend entertaining looks different than one built for kids and a dog, and both look different than a low maintenance yard meant to be looked at more than used.
Drought Tolerant Landscape Design
Water conscious design is not a trend in Bakersfield. It is a practical necessity with Kern County's tiered water pricing. We design low water yards that look maintained year round and hold up through dry summers without constant attention.
What goes into a drought tolerant design:
- Plants selected for heat and low water demand
- Drip irrigation instead of overhead spray
- Decomposed granite, bark, or decorative rock ground cover
- Dry riverbeds for drainage and structure
- Hardscape surfaces that reduce planted area
See our drought tolerant landscaping breakdown for full detail on materials and plant options.
Hardscape Integration
The best landscape designs combine planting and hardscaping in a way that makes the whole yard feel intentional. We design patios, walkways, pergolas, and planted areas as a single cohesive plan rather than separate projects added over time.
Full Property Landscape Design
For homeowners who want to address the entire property at once, we design front yards, backyards, and side areas as a unified plan. This approach gives the finished yard a consistent look and avoids the piecemeal feel of projects added one at a time.
Our Landscape Design Process
We keep the process straightforward. There are no lengthy discovery phases or design packages that take months to deliver. Here is how a typical project moves from first call to finished yard.
Step 1: Consultation
We start with a phone call or site visit to understand what you are looking for, what your budget is, and what is and is not working about your current yard. This is a conversation, not a sales pitch.
Step 2: Site Evaluation
We visit the property, assess soil conditions, drainage, sun exposure, and existing features. In Bakersfield, this step matters, what works in a shaded backyard in Northwest Bakersfield performs differently than an exposed front yard in Gossamer Grove or a tight side yard in Stockdale Estates.
Step 3: Design Plan
Based on the consultation and site visit, we put together a design plan that maps out planting areas, hardscape features, irrigation zones, and materials. For turf, concrete, and paver work, we give you a price at the appointment. Larger custom remodels take 12 to 24 hours to put together. Either way you see the plan before any work begins and have the opportunity to adjust before anything is built.
Step 4: Installation
Once the design is approved, our crew handles the full installation. No handoff to a separate contractor, no coordination headaches. The same company that designed the yard builds it.
Designed for Bakersfield's Climate
Most landscape design advice is written for somewhere else. Bakersfield gets fewer than 6 inches of rain per year, summer temperatures regularly exceed 105°F, and water costs in Kern County have climbed steadily. A yard designed without accounting for those realities is going to cost more to maintain and look worse by August than it did in April.
Every design we put together for Bakersfield homeowners starts with those constraints. That means plant selection focused on heat tolerance and low water demand. It means irrigation systems designed for efficiency, not just coverage. It means hardscape materials that hold up to UV exposure and temperature swings without cracking or fading. And it means designs that look intentional in July, not just in the spring photos.
Materials and elements we use most often in Bakersfield designs:
- Decomposed granite for ground cover and pathways
- Decorative rock and boulders for structure and contrast
- Bark and mulch in shaded planting beds
- Flagstone for walkways and patio surfaces
- Dry riverbeds for drainage and visual interest
- Concrete pavers for patios, walkways, and driveways
- Artificial grass in place of irrigated lawn
Plants we install most often in Bakersfield designs:
- Mexican sage
- Mexican bird of paradise
- Muhly grass
- Salvia
- Agave
- Kangaroo paw
These hold up to full sun and heat once established and give the yard color and texture through most of the year without heavy water use.
Low maintenance does not mean boring. Drought tolerant landscaping, decomposed granite, artificial grass, and well placed hardscape can produce a yard that looks better than a struggling natural lawn and requires a fraction of the ongoing effort.
Landscape Design and Installation in One Place
A lot of homeowners go through the process of hiring a landscape designer, getting a plan, and then finding a separate contractor to build it, only to discover the plan needs to change once someone actually looks at the site conditions. It adds time, cost, and frustration.
At Equity Landscapes, design and landscape installation are handled by the same team. We do not design yards we cannot build, and we do not build projects we have not thought through. When the person doing the design is also managing the installation, the plan is realistic from the start and problems get solved before they become change orders.
We also handle the full scope of a landscape project in one place, planting, hardscaping, artificial grass, and irrigation. If your design includes a new patio, a drought tolerant planting bed, and a synthetic turf area in the backyard, all of that gets coordinated through a single project rather than three separate contractors.
Cal Water Landscape Rebates in Bakersfield
If your design includes removing lawn, you may qualify for a Cal Water landscape conversion rebate. We handle the application and approval process for you. See our Cal Water rebate breakdown for amounts, requirements, and how the process works.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does landscape design cost in Bakersfield?
It depends on the scope of the project. A simple front yard redesign is a different conversation than a full property overhaul. We provide free consultations and project estimates so you know what you are looking at before committing to anything.
Do you design and install, or just design?
We do both. Design and installation are handled by the same team. You are not handed off to a separate crew or left to find your own contractor once the plan is done.
How long does a landscape design project take in Bakersfield?
Timeline depends on project size and current scheduling. Most residential projects move from initial consultation to installation completion within a few weeks. We give realistic timelines upfront and communicate throughout the process.
Can you design a yard that works with Bakersfield's water restrictions?
Yes. Drought tolerant design is one of the things we do most in Bakersfield. We design yards that look good year round while using significantly less water than traditional landscaping, including options that reduce or eliminate lawn irrigation entirely.
Do you work on both front and back yards?
Yes. We design front yards, backyards, and full property layouts. Many homeowners address both at the same time to get a consistent look across the whole property.
Can you incorporate an existing patio or hardscape into a new design?
Yes. We assess what is already there and design around it where it makes sense. If existing features need to be removed or modified, we discuss that during the site evaluation before any work is planned.
Ready to Design Your Bakersfield Yard
If you want a yard that looks good in Bakersfield's climate, holds up through the summer, and does not require constant upkeep, Equity Landscapes can put together a design and build it for you.
We serve homeowners throughout Bakersfield including Stockdale Estates, Gossamer Grove, and surrounding Kern County communities.
Call (661) 302-8979 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.
CA Contractors License #1132515
