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Chris Axel Landscape Designs We're here to answer your questions, bring design inspiration to your yard, and most importantly, give you the landscape you want, so you can get out and enjoy the outdoors! In the last decade, we've won 9 major landscaping awards for design and installation, including 3 Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association (MNLA) Awards!

Is it possible to install a big Edina patio project in your back yard with no sod damage at all? It is! How do we. This video shows everything, start-to-finish, about installing a retaining wall with drainage in Minneapolis.
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I started a lawn maintenance company in ninth grade, kept it through college and for two years after college. My degrees are from Washington University in St. Louis, MO, in Business Administration and French. I studied my junior year in Paris, and interned for Cargill for 5 months while I was there.
Our landscape design and build process is meant to be as productive and painless for you as possible. How does Landscape Design work? There are so many options and possibilities; it can get overwhelming. If you have a list of areas that need work, it's hard to know which to focus on first. If you need a whole new full yard landscape design, it can be hard to envision how to get the most out of your space.
Since 2000, we've won 9 awards for Minneapolis area landscape projects, all of which include patio spaces. We've been on HGTV twice. A well-designed and installed patio effectively increases the square footage of your home, giving you a comfortable, attractive setting to entertain your family and friends all season long.
A paver driveway, properly installed, will last much longer than either asphalt or concrete. Paver patios and paver driveways have nearly the same installation process. The difference is that a paver patio requires a minimum of 4" of compacted base material, and a driveway requires at least 9" of compacted base, to handle the weight of cars and trucks.
Reviews (14)
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Bryan Kelly
Sep 22, 2021
This is the second time in 6 years I've used Chris, Jodi and the crew for my landscaping needs and this time was no different than the first. I couldn't be more pleased. This time involved tearing apart a number of 27 year old retaining walls and rebuilding them to look new. Jodi had some great design ideas to freshen up the look and by the time the guys were done, they looked as good as they did the day they were first installed. Chris also knows how particular I am about my yard and the guys took extra measures to protect against any damage. The whole crew was polite, professional and just damn good at what they do!
Bryan Kelly
Sep 17, 2021
This is the second time in 6 years I've used Chris, Jodi and the crew for my landscaping needs and this time was no different than the first. I couldn't be more pleased. This time involved tearing apart a number of 27 year old retaining walls and rebuilding them to look new. Jodi had some great design ideas to freshen up the look and by the time the guys were done, they looked as good as they did the day they were first installed.

Chris also knows how particular I am about my yard and the guys took extra measures to protect against any damage. The whole crew was polite, professional and just damn good at what they do!
Pat S.
Aug 19, 2021
We would not use Axle's Landscaping again. We felt they were inflating their bid and including items that were not and should not have been part of the project. It seemed clear that making the most money they can from people is their top priority.
Brad Wochnick
Jun 30, 2021
Critical: Professionalism Very unprofessional. The lady who answered the phone couldn't have been more rude over a few simple questions. Wouldn't recommend to anyone, to say the least.
David
Jun 20, 2020
We are unhappy with the work quality and communication on our project. They "planted" trees in a shallow hole, no water, and with the burlap bag, metal cage & rope all still on the root ball and trunk, seeming to choke them out. Sloppy job. Then no follow-up with the owners and no owners on site when the job was being done. When we tried to bring up concerns with Jodi we felt she was defensive and treated us as though they have so much business anyway that they don't need us, or care about our concerns. Cost was very high as well.
Dave Cecchi
Jun 10, 2020
Here's the deal with Axel Landscape - they are professional and responsive and generous and they do amazing work. We recently moved into a home that Axel Landscape had worked on a couple of years ago, including a beautiful patio and steps hardscape. I had some questions about maintenance and called Axel for some advice. Even though I wasn't the original owner, they were more than happy to take the time to talk to me about the questions I had in detail. I wouldn't hesitate to engage them on future projects!
Terry Jensen
Jan 01, 2020
Just finished up a project with Axel, Retaining wall, removal of old landscape rock and redo edging and rock. Regrade and sod front yard. What a GREAT experience! Prices are competitive, Jodi provided great breakdown of the project and quotes each major step individually. The installation team is awesome, really know what they are doing.
Mark Teskey
Nov 05, 2019
Axel Landscapes has done multiple projects at my home over the past couple of years. I couldn't be happier with my experience and I recommend them often. Most recently, Chris and Jodi completely re-did our backyard. This involved design, demolition of the old overgrown landscaping, new plantings, paver walkways, and some brickwork for a small wall.

They actually did the project earlier than forecast - they had some scheduling changes and were able to move our project ahead in the schedule. Who doesn't like getting their work done early? Chris arrived with his crew to organize everything and to deliver all the materials. From that point on - his expert crew took over and worked HARD. Each day they were working from sunup to sundown to get the project done- I was amazed when I saw them still working after dinner!

At one point, they realized that there was going to be a challenge to get proper water drainage with our paver walkway and they weren't going to get a proper slope to drain the water away from our house. They redesigned it and made it much longer & fancier to get a better slope all at their own expense to make sure it was done correctly. Talk about going the extra mile!

After completion of the project - several of our neighbors asked for Chris and Jodi's contact information because they were impressed by the quality of the work and how hard the crew was working. I also appreciate that they will be honest about costs and timing up front. I never felt like they were making "optimistic" estimates to win the project. Jodi was a treat to work with during the planning phases of the project. and her designs are high-end.

They did as beautiful job on this project as they did on the other projects they've done for us in the past. We're running out of landscape projects - but will gladly refer them again to friends and neighbors.
Chase R.
Mar 15, 2019
Excellent work. Jodi and Chris hold a high standard. We're very confident that our patio will remain in great shape for the years to come. Great company to work with when designing a patio. We'll definitely use them again for any future hardscapes.
Tom P.
May 16, 2018
We hired Axel to renovate the back yard of our Saint Paul home. Axel replaced shrubs, rocks, and old turf with a freshly graded lawn, new sod & mulch, and a beautiful paver patio with steps leading into our home. Everything was professional from the estimate phase, through design, installation, and follow-up to make sure we were completely satisfied. The whole team was courteous, accommodating, prompt, and polite. I would recommend them to anybody. Thank you Axel Landscape!
Erica Eide
Mar 24, 2018
Axel Landscape's work exceeded our expectations! We had a paver patio, steps, and boulder wall designed and installed in our backyard. Chris and Jodi genuinely seem to love what they do, and it shows. The whole crew was polite, efficient, and very detail oriented. They always showed up on time, and put in some long hours to get our project done on schedule.

They were fast, but they didn't rush through anything - I think they spent more time compacting than they did laying the pavers, so we are confident our patio will last! Also important to note is that there was very minimal damage to our grass because they drove the Bobcats on special clear mats. We absolutely recommend Axel Landscape to everyone. You will not be disappointed!
Robbi F.
Nov 10, 2015
We recently had a boulder retaining wall put in. It came out incredible. The price was on the high end, but you definitely get what you pay for. We had to book a year ahead. They are busy and the proof of their work is why. They do follow up if something needs correction. It is a husband/wife run business. Chris is a master at boulder walls. If you are considering a boulder wall, this is the place. The estimate was very professional and clearly spelled out the work.
Barb H.
Jun 04, 2007
Just wanted to let you know how happy we are with the work that all of you did a week ago. We are especially thrilled with how your brother transformed our patio…it really is fabulous!!! That night we celebrated with a bonfire with friends and my son and his wife and our little grandchild who’s only 1 month old. She experienced her first bonfire!!! Thanks again… everything looks beautiful and we love what you did!
Fred
May 25, 2006
Working with Axel Landscape for design and installation, was a pleasure because they first listen... and then recommend in that order. They heard what we were looking for and her design was on target. While pulling out the old and installing the new beds, repairing the retaining walls, and burying the downspouts, Chris and his team were flexible and fun. Work with them and you learn a lot too.