Zilker Landscapers | Landscape Design & Construction
Your Local Landscaper in Zilker, TX
Zilker is one of Austin’s most well-known neighborhoods. The homes here are a lively mix of original bungalows, mid-century houses, and smart new builds, all under some of the city’s biggest trees. GardenGOAT has been designing and building landscapes for Zilker homeowners for over 10 years. We know the area inside and out, from the streets next to Zilker Park and Barton Springs Pool to the quieter blocks near the Zilker Botanical Garden and Barton Creek Greenbelt trailheads.
Landscaping in Zilker takes a creative approach. Lots tend to be smaller than in the suburbs, so making the most of every square foot matters. Many Zilker properties sit within the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. That means cover limits directly affect what you can build, including patios and walkways. The big heritage trees, tall live oaks and old pecans, give great shade but also bring root zone problems and mixed light that shape what we plant. We design around these trees, not against them.
Zilker residents are active and love the outdoors. Many walk or bike to Lady Bird Lake, Barton Springs, and the Greenbelt all the time. They want yards that match that lifestyle: easy to care for but still beautiful, useful but welcoming. GardenGOAT builds outdoor spaces in Zilker that feel like a natural part of the neighborhood. We blend native and local plants with well-built hardscape to create yards that are as friendly as the community around them.
Zilker Homeowners Love Working with Us
Zilker’s central location and old-neighborhood feel create a special set of landscaping problems. Lots are much smaller than in the suburbs, so every design choice needs to make the most of your space without feeling tight. Many Zilker properties sit in the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. That means strict cover limits that affect how big your patio, driveway, and walkways can be and where they go. The big heritage trees, including tall live oaks and old pecans, have wide root zones. That limits where you can dig, build, or plant. These trees also make heavy shade that rules out sun-loving plants in much of the yard. Barton Creek flooding can hit properties near the greenbelt. Clay soil across the neighborhood gets slippery and soaked during heavy rains. Austin’s water limits apply here too. With small yards, smart irrigation is key to keeping plants healthy without waste. GardenGOAT has years of experience solving these exact problems for Zilker homeowners.
GardenGOAT serves homeowners throughout the Zilker neighborhood and the central Austin area around it. We work on properties near the spots that make Zilker special: Zilker Park, Barton Springs Pool, the Zilker Botanical Garden, and the Barton Creek Greenbelt trailheads along the south edge of the neighborhood. Our projects cover the streets between Barton Springs Road and the Lady Bird Lake hike-and-bike trail. That includes homes near Zilker Elementary, the Umlauf Sculpture Garden, and the quieter blocks along Kinney Avenue and Toomey Road. We also serve homeowners in nearby neighborhoods like Barton Hills, Bouldin Creek, South Lamar, Travis Heights, and Rollingwood. Whether your home is a fixed-up 1940s bungalow, a mid-century ranch, or a newer build on an infill lot, we bring the same care to every Zilker project.
Zilker’s homes tell the story of Austin’s growth. Original 1930s and 40s bungalows, mid-century ranches, and modern new builds all share the same streets. There is no single landscaping style here. The smaller lots call for creative designs that do more than one thing. A backyard might need to be a garden, a hangout spot, and a play area all at once. The active Zilker Neighborhood Association and involved community mean front yards add to the overall street look. Curb appeal matters here. Edwards Aquifer recharge zone rules in parts of the neighborhood limit how much ground you can cover. So we often use permeable pavers, crushed granite paths, and rain gardens that handle stormwater while staying within the rules. Heritage tree protections are a big deal in Zilker. Large live oaks and pecans cannot be removed, and building near their drip lines takes careful planning. Plants that work well in Zilker blend native types like flame acanthus, pigeonberry, and inland sea oats with other plants that do well in the mix of sun and deep shade. Easy-care design is a top goal for the active, outdoor-loving residents who would rather be at Barton Springs than working in the yard.
Our Landscaping Services in Zilker, TX
Our Hardscaping Services in Zilker, TX
Patios
Patio Covers
Concrete Overlay
Walkways & Pathways
Driveways & Sidewalks
Outdoor Kitchens
Retaining Walls & Borders
Fire & Water Features
Our Wood Working Services in Zilker, TX
Drainage & IrrigationServices in Zilker, TX
Our Landscape Design Process in Zilker, TX
Zilker’s tree-lined streets, established lots, and proximity to Barton Springs make it one of Austin’s most desirable neighborhoods. GardenGOAT designs landscapes that complement Zilker’s mature canopy and neighborhood character — maximizing every square foot of your outdoor space. Here’s our process:
We’ll discuss your Zilker property — from working around mature trees and tight lot lines to maximizing outdoor living space in an established urban neighborhood.
- Discuss goals for your Zilker property and outdoor spaces
- Review lot constraints, mature trees, and access considerations
- Confirm budget range and project timeline
We assess your Zilker lot’s tree canopy, shade patterns, root zones, and soil conditions. In established neighborhoods like Zilker, we design around what’s already there — preserving mature trees while adding function and beauty.
- Assess tree canopy, shade patterns, and root zone protection
- 2D Plans & 3D Renderings optimized for your lot
- $900 – $1,600 design fee is fully credited toward the build when you move forward with us
We refine the design with shade-tolerant plantings, materials that complement Zilker’s neighborhood character, and smart use of space on smaller urban lots.
- Choose materials that complement your neighborhood’s character
- Review a detailed, itemized project breakdown
- Approve the final design with a clear construction timeline
Our crew navigates access logistics in established Zilker neighborhoods — managing tight driveways, street parking, and careful construction around mature trees and neighboring properties.
- Navigate access logistics in established neighborhoods
- Careful construction around mature trees and root zones
- Final walkthrough and client handoff to ensure your satisfaction
How to Request a Landscape Design Quote
Book a Design Consultation
Give us some basic information about your project. We’ll follow up to schedule your consultation.
Site Visit & Design Planning
We meet on-site to review the space, gather information, and translate your ideas into an initial design.
Review, Refine, and Approve
Get a detailed quote, review the design, and make adjustments before moving forward.
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!
Frequently Asked Questions
The ideal time to begin a landscape project in Zilker is during the fall or early spring. These seasons offer mild temperatures and optimal conditions for planting, construction, and establishing new landscapes. However, our team works year-round and can guide you on timing based on your specific goals and project scope.
Yes. Every design consultation includes detailed 2D plans and 3D renderings to help you visualize your new outdoor space before construction begins. This makes it easy to refine materials, layout, and features with confidence.
Most of our landscape design-build projects in Zilker start at $20,000, with many ranging between $30,000 and $100,000 depending on the size, materials, and scope. Every quote includes a detailed, itemized breakdown so you know exactly where your investment is going. We also credit the full $1,600 design consultation fee toward your build when you move forward with us.
We recommend reaching out 2–3 months before your ideal start date. This allows time for discovery, design, revisions, permitting (if needed), and scheduling. The earlier you get started, the smoother and more efficient the process will be.
We regularly work with HOAs and Architectural Review Committees (ARCs) throughout Zilker. Our team is familiar with common HOA landscaping restrictions and design guidelines, and we help streamline the approval process to avoid delays.
Project timelines vary based on size and complexity, but most designs are completed within 2–3 weeks, and construction typically takes 4–8 weeks. You'll receive a clear timeline with your quote, and we manage every phase to keep your project on track and on schedule.
We Also Serve These Nearby Communities
We also serve neighborhoods near Zilker including Barton Hills, Bouldin Creek, Travis Heights, Barton Creek, Rollingwood, and greater Austin. View all service areas.
We offer landscaping, masonry and hardscaping, deck building, concrete work, and fencing throughout the greater Austin area.
