Anyway, I'm looking for someone to landscape the back slope of my yard so I can do some shade gardening. We're having some water run-off and errosion issues down into the wooded gully behind our house, and I think we'll need at least one section of retaining wall or preferrably terracing. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good contractor. I'm new to the area and I don't just want to pick someone out of the phone book. I thought I'd try to do this myself, but I think it will require some heavy equipment and more knowledge and experience than I have!

Please email me directly if it's more appropriate-
Thanks in advance! Cate

Have you seen an area similar to your slope that has been landscaped? Ask the property owner who did the work. Ask your neighbors and coworkers for suggestions. Some companies have websites you can look at - I'd check them out before contacting anyone. All companies should be able to give you a list of references and show you completed sites. I would look for a company that offers both design and contractor services. Ask for a brief, free consultation (about 15 minutes) to show them pictures of your site and see if they are interested in your particular job.

Iowa City Landscaping and Pleasant Valley are full service dealing with design, construction and plants. They can work up a design for you and you can determine how much of the work you want them to do and how much you want to take care of yourself. If they work up your design and do the heavy work they will offer you discounted pricing on plants if you want to take care of planting yourself. They may also be booked far in advance. A smaller company may give you more personal service and may be able to complete the job faster.

Take a picture of the area you want landscaped and ask if they have done any similar work in a woodland setting. You'll need to be specific and firm about conserving mature trees, etc.

Hmm, I was hoping this would help you but I may have made it worse ...

Cricket