Landscapers in Crestview, TX
Crestview Landscaping for Postwar Yards
Crestview was once the Richcreek family's dairy farm. Developers A.B. Beddow and Ray Yates started building homes on it in 1947, and the G.I. Bill helped many veterans buy them. Justin Lane is named for Beddow's wife. Today the neighborhood fills the blocks between Burnet Road and North Lamar Boulevard, from Justin Lane up to Anderson Lane, in ZIP code 78757.
Many of those postwar homes still sit behind a front lawn, and that lawn is harder to keep green now. Austin Water has been in its Conservation Stage since September 2, 2025. Under those rules, automatic sprinkler systems can run only one day a week. So our Crestview landscaping plans start with a simple question: keep the grass, shrink it, or replace it with native beds, drip lines, or artificial turf?
The ground shapes the plan too. USDA soil maps put most of Crestview on Austin silty clay, which sits on soft chalk about 30 inches down. The northwest corner, toward Burnet Road and Anderson Lane, maps as Houston Black clay, which cracks open in a dry summer. Both soils drain slowly. We plan beds, patio bases, and fence posts to work with the clay instead of fighting it.
GardenGOAT is a design-build team led by founder Nicolas Zumino, working out of our shop in 78704. You see 2D plans and a 3D rendering of your Crestview yard before any sod is cut or any post goes in.
What Crestview's Clay, Water Rules, and Trees Mean for Your Yard
The USDA soil survey maps most Crestview lots as Austin silty clay. It is a moderately deep soil that formed from chalk, and the chalk layer often starts about 29 to 30 inches down. Water moves through it slowly. Near Burnet Road and Anderson Lane, the map shifts to Houston Black clay. That soil can crack up to 4 inches wide in dry weather. Rain rushes into the cracks, then barely moves once the clay is wet. For your yard, this means a few things. We build patio and walkway bases with compacted gravel so they have a firm layer to sit on. We slope beds away from the house. Where chalk is shallow, post holes and tree pits can take extra digging, and we price that in up front.
Austin has been under Conservation Stage watering rules since September 2, 2025. Automatic sprinkler systems may run one day a week. Hose-end sprinklers and drip irrigation get two days a week. Both are allowed from midnight to 10 a.m. or from 7 p.m. to midnight. Hand watering with a hose is allowed any time. A big lawn on a spray system is hard to keep healthy on that schedule through an Austin summer. So we often suggest a smaller lawn zone, drip lines under beds and shrubs, and heads that put water down slowly enough for clay to soak it up. You can look up your assigned day on Austin Water's Find Your Watering Day page.
Austin Water runs several rebates that fit a Crestview lawn makeover. The WaterWise Landscape rebate helps pay to turn turf grass into a native plant bed. The city also lists Irrigation Upgrade, Rainwater Harvesting, and WaterWise Rainscape rebates. The fine print matters. For WaterWise Landscape, at least 75% of the area you convert must be healthy turf grass. Any work started before Austin Water approves your application will not qualify. New plants go in during spring or fall, not summer. We build the rebate steps into your timeline, so you can apply and get approval before our crew breaks ground. Austin Water makes the final call on approval, so we never promise a rebate.
Crestview neighbors have planted trees along Arroyo Seco for years. Before a new patio or trench goes in, it helps to know which trees the city protects. In Austin, any tree 19 inches or more across, measured 4.5 feet off the ground, is protected, and removing one takes a permit. Oaks, pecans, cedar elms, and a few other species at 24 inches or more are heritage trees. Removing one is prohibited except in narrow cases. Pruning 25% or more of a regulated tree's canopy also needs a permit. Inside the critical root zone, the inner quarter must be left alone, and the inner half can't take more than 4 inches of cut or fill. We measure your trees at the site visit and plan around their roots. We also prune oaks outside February through June to lower oak wilt risk.
In December 2023, Austin adopted the first phase of its HOME rules. They allow up to three homes on many lots zoned for single-family use. A later phase lets a single home go on a lot as small as 1,800 square feet. In an older neighborhood like Crestview, that can mean a backyard unit, a rebuilt front house, and much less open ground. Small shared yards need a clear plan. We lay out fences that give each home some privacy, paths that connect every door to the street, and small patios that fit between buildings. If a new unit is part of your plan, bring the site plan to our first meeting so the yard and the building work together.
How We Plan a Crestview Yard, Step by Step
Maybe your front lawn drinks too much water, your fence is leaning, or your backyard has no good place to sit. Here is how we turn a Crestview yard like that into a plan you can price and approve.
Tell us what bugs you about the yard now and what you want it to do. We ask about your water use, your trees, and any plans for a new unit on the lot.
- Talk through lawn, fence, and patio goals
- Flag city rebates you may want to apply for
- Set a rough budget and start window
We walk the lot and check soil, slope, sun, drainage, and existing features. We measure the larger trees and note where water sits after rain.
- Measure trees against the city's 19-inch and 24-inch rules
- 2D plans and 3D renderings of your Crestview yard
- Design fee of $900 to $1,600, fully credited toward the build if you move forward
We adjust the design until it fits your budget and your watering day. You compare native beds, sod, and artificial turf with real numbers in front of you.
- Choose plants, turf, and irrigation zones
- Line up rebate paperwork before work starts
- Review a line-by-line cost breakdown
Our crew builds the project with a project manager keeping it on track. When the work needs a permit, such as for regulated tree work or a deck, we handle it.
- Work planned around tree root zones
- Controller set for your assigned watering day
- Final walkthrough before we call it done
Water-Wise Lawns, Turf, and Irrigation in Crestview
Synthetic Turf
Drip Irrigation & Sprinkler Systems
Sod Installation
Tree, Flower, & Shrub Planting
Landscape Design
Crestview Fences, Pergolas, and Backyard Woodwork
Patios, Paths, and Stonework Built for Clay Soil
Patios
Walkways & Pathways
Driveways & Sidewalks
Concrete Overlay
Retaining Walls & Borders
Fire & Water Features
Outdoor Kitchens
Patio Covers
Tree Care and Drainage Help
Our Customer Reviews
Nicolas is extremely talented in how he approaches landscape design and installation. I recently built a new house, and he worked in partnership with me and my developer to ensure every detail was worked out. He has a wonderful eye for design, choosing plants and flowers that resonated with me personally while also ensuring we installed what would thrive in our native Austin climate and soil. His lighting design and choices literally make the house glow at night, and he's been faithfully following up to ensure watering schedules are working as planned, replacing plants as needed, and generally making sure I'm happy. He's also a delight to work with! He has a great sense of humor, is extremely fair in his pricing, and is kind in how he shows up every day. I've gotten so many compliments on my landscaping, and I couldn't recommend him more! Nicolas - the true Garden GOAT!
Nicolas and GardenGOAT are the best at what they do! I had a rather unusual project this time around, and I felt like Nicolas genuinely cared about finding the right, outside-the-box solution - and making it work within my crazy timeline. He is friendly, reliable, and truly loves what he does. Highly recommend!
I'm very happy with the result! Pleasing aesthetic look just like how I wanted. Garden Goat has impressed me from the beginning with their presentation and communication till the end. Nicolas, the landscaper and also the owner of the company, has been very helpful and patient not just with our HOA and irrigation permit application process (over a year), but also the after-project care. I used about 5 to 7 vendors in the past for different projects, and I will say Garden Goat has most reasonable price and the best service. Totally recommended!
Working with Nicolas at Garden Goat was a great experience! He is very detail oriented and communicative. He has great suggestions on how to improve existing designs and works hard to make sure the work is done right for the client. Highly recommended for all your landscaping needs!
Garden Goat built a limestone sidewalk and entry for my project and the craftsmanship was excellent.
10/10, Nic was amazing, very patient with us from start to finish (this was our first big landscaping project), responsive, transparent on costs and process. He really helped bring our design to life, gave great advice on adjusting our plans to maximize success given the weird micro climate we are in (Hyde Park) his crew was amazing too, great attention to detail. They were just all around great to work with and our yard looks amazing. Highly recommend!
I've hired Nicholas and the Garden Goat team two times for projects and would happily recommend to others. Two years ago, we had irrigation and sod installed which went very smoothly and the sod and sprinklers have held up great over that time. The couple of small adjustments to the irrigation system that were needed have been no problem for Nicholas and team to take care of quickly. At the end of 2025 after getting a handful of quotes, we hired Garden Goat again for irrigation expansion in the back yard, a new path, and a new deck. After a bunch of back and forth on the design for the deck, I'm very happy with the outcome and can't recommend Jose and his carpentry work enough. The whole process was pretty easy and I was rarely if ever waiting on the Garden Goat team for anything.
Top notch experience from beginning to end. I was in touch with the owner/operator and he was both knowledgeable and humble in his expertise. He asked good questions and made suggestions which helped me clarify my answers. I was actually gone the day they came to do the work, but everything was done exactly how it was planned and we loved how it all looked!
We had a fantastic experience with Garden GOAT! Nicolas, the owner, was incredibly professional, attentive, and detail-oriented throughout the entire process. He took the time to understand exactly what we wanted and made sure every part of the job was done thoroughly. The team worked quickly and efficiently, laying new sod and planting additional greenery in our beds—all with excellent attention to detail. Our yard looks amazing now, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. Highly recommend Garden GOAT for anyone looking to improve their outdoor space!
We had an excellent experience with gardenGOAT. They transformed my garden with creativity, care, and real attention to detail. They listened to what we wanted, offered thoughtful suggestions, and delivered. Highly recommend gardenGOAT for anyone looking to elevate their outdoor space.
I had my fence replaced by GardenGOAT and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. From start to finish, the process was smooth and stress-free. Nicholas was professional, friendly, and easy to work with and his crew were great. The pricing was very reasonable compared to other quotes I received. The new fence looks fantastic and really transforms my yard. Will use GardenGOAT again in the future!
GardenGoat was incredible to work with. Super thorough and extremely knowledgeable and experienced. He was able to help us fix out landscaping and irrigation issues quickly and his pricing is fantastic. I highly recommend them!
We are so happy with our experience with Garden Goat. This is our second project with them and they have succeeded all expectations! They fixed several landscaping and drainage issues. They were always easy to get a hold of and gave fair pricing. We will definitely use them again in the future!
We had a great experience working with Nicholas and the Garden Goat team! Despite being a smaller project for them, we felt like we were treated with as much priority and care as any big project. Nicholas was very communicative throughout the entire process, offering honest and thoughtful advice, as well as fair prices. We never felt pressure to do more than what we needed and appreciated his and his team’s patience with our questions and modifications. They brought our vision to life, the end result is great. We’d be happy to recommend Garden Goat to others!
I had a fantastic experience working with Garden Goat! Nicholas was extremely communicative from the start, taking the time to really understand my goals for my backyard renovation. He stayed on schedule and within budget, and was available and responsive every step of the way—right up until every detail was complete. I was so impressed with the quality of work and professionalism that I referred two friends during the project! Before & after photos provided - 5 days for project. Thank you Garden Goat !
Nicolas and his team leads, Jose and Ezekiel, from Garden Goat Landscaping did a great job on my yard. We compared three landscaping companies before deciding, and Garden Goat offered a fair price with quality work. The project took about two months, with phase 1 in winter 2024 and phase 2 in spring 2025. They were very easy to work with, listened to my ideas, and provided helpful suggestions on grass, patio stones, boulders, and even a pergola and deck. At one point, Nicolas even redid the pergola because the original version wasn’t secure, which really showed their commitment to quality. They also fixed my old irrigation system and made sure everything was working well. I’m very happy with how everything turned out and would definitely recommend Garden Goat Landscaping to anyone looking for a reliable and easy-to-work-with landscaping team.
We had an excellent experience working with Nicolas and his team to rebuild our elevated pool deck. The team was punctual, hard working and reliable. They were very honest and professional through the process and we are delighted with the results. Thank you Garden Goat!
I've worked with Garden Goat twice now and have been delighted both times. Really easy to work with, communicative and punctual, no hassles and really great work. Will definitely have them back any time we need landscaping or irrigation work in the future!
Nicholas did an amazing job! I love the outcome of my front and backyard. He exceeded my expectations. I got a new driveway, irrigation, sod, plants, firepit, and pathways. I would highly recommend him to everyone!
Nicholas and his team were a pleasure to work with on our side and in our backyard. They removed a huge slab of exposed aggregate and installed lueders and pea gravel. We also had some drainage problems when it rained that they were able to address/fix the issues. We have had several heavy rains since the French drain was installed, and it works beautifully.
The Garden Goat crew have been a GREAT FIND! Nicolas and his super hard working crew are fantastic! Great communication. Show up when they say they’re going to. The guys truly get that each job will change a little as you start and help you tweak things as needed on the fly. They pivot really well. If anything goes wrong, because that’s the reality of projects, they are so quick to fix it! We will be working with Garden Goat on a lot of future projects!! I recommend that you absolutely give them a call and a chance to show you what they can do! Oh! And let’s make sure this is noted… THEY ARE SO NICE! The crew is absolutely delightful to have around.
I hired Garden Goat to install turf and irrigation in my backyard. In the beginning Matt was great with getting us an accurate estimate and was super helpful with the design. He answered any and all questions and has the experience with these types of projects. Once we agreed to the job Nicolas contacted me and set up the install date. Nicolas was personable and also answered any questions with the process. All the workers were great and respectful. If you're looking for turf install or any kind of landscaping these guys were great from start to finish. Thanks Matt, Nicolas and Ezekiel!
Questions Crestview Homeowners Ask Before They Start
You may. Austin Water's WaterWise Landscape rebate helps pay to convert turf grass into a native plant bed. At least 75% of the area you convert must be healthy turf, and you need approval before any work starts. New plants go in during spring or fall. Austin Water also lists Irrigation Upgrade and Rainwater Harvesting rebates. Artificial turf does not qualify for the WaterWise Landscape rebate. We plan your schedule so the paperwork comes first.
It depends on how you use the space and how much you want to water. Sod looks and feels like a real lawn, but it needs steady water to root. Plan it for fall or early spring, and remember that automatic sprinklers get only one day a week right now. Artificial turf skips the watering, but it needs a gravel base that drains well, since Crestview's clay drains slowly. A mix often works well: a small lawn or turf area for kids and dogs, with native beds around it.
Most of our design-build projects start at $20,000. Many land between $30,000 and $100,000, based on size, materials, and scope. A front-yard lawn conversion with drip irrigation costs less than a full backyard with a patio, pergola, and new fence. You get an itemized quote, so you can see what each part costs and trim if needed. The design fee of $900 to $1,600 is credited toward the build if you go ahead with us.
Often, yes. Crestview is inside the City of Austin, so the city tree ordinance applies. Trees 19 inches or more across at 4.5 feet high are protected, and you need a permit to remove one. Heritage trees, such as oaks and pecans at 24 inches or more, can only be removed in narrow cases. Pruning 25% or more of a regulated tree's canopy also needs a permit. We measure your trees early and handle the permit when the job needs one.
Clay swells when it is wet and shrinks when it is dry. Fence posts need a firm, deep footing and a way for water to drain away from the base. On lots where soft chalk sits close to the surface, digging those holes takes more time, and we price that in. We plan post depth and footings for your soil before we quote. We can also pair a new fence with gates, planting beds, or a pergola, and help you plan fences between homes if your lot has more than one unit.
Reach out two to three months before you want work to start. Design usually takes two to three weeks, and building takes four to eight weeks for most projects. Fall and early spring are the best planting windows in Austin. If you plan to use the WaterWise Landscape rebate, add time for Austin Water's approval, since work started before approval will not qualify. For a fall planting, call us in early summer.
Landscaping Help Beyond Crestview in North Central Austin
Crestview shares borders with two neighborhoods we also serve. Brentwood sits just south across Justin Lane, and it grew up in the same late-1940s building push. Allandale lies to the west across Burnet Road. Farther south, Bryker Woods is an older central Austin neighborhood that dates to the 1930s. You can also visit our Austin landscaping page or see every area we serve.
Looking for one service? Start with landscaping and planting, masonry and hardscaping, decks and pergolas, concrete work, or fence installation.
