Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Landscaping Services in Santa Barbara
Founded in 1970, Down To Earth Landscapes has dedicated over five decades to crafting exceptional outdoor spaces that harmonize with California's Central Coast environment. Our owner, Bruce Koehler, brings 40 years of hands-on expertise in landscape design, installation, and maintenance, supported by a team of certified professionals with deep local roots. We specialize in creating sustainable landscapes that blend aesthetic beauty with ecological responsibility, serving both residential and commercial clients. Our commitment to ethical practices is reflected in our use of local materials and environmentally conscious methods. Recognized by Sunset magazine and the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating, we combine technical mastery in irrigation, hardscaping, and viticulture with personalized service.Our family-owned business values long-term relationships, treating clients as partners and employees as family. With a legacy rooted in Santa Barbara's history through generations of local tradespeople, we maintain rigorous standards in every projectfrom intricate garden designs to large-scale vineyard management. Our certifications in landscape architecture and viticulture, along with decades of field experience, ensure solutions that are both innovative and grounded in tradition. We pride ourselves on transparent communication, delivering projects on time and within budget while exceeding client expectations through meticulous attention to detail.
Services
Landscape Design
Landscape Maintenance
Vineyard Management
Hardscape Installation
Irrigation Systems
Details
- Year established: 1970
Highlights and features
- We prioritize ethical practices in all landscaping projects.
- Our team holds certifications in landscape architecture and viticulture.
- We utilize local materials to create environmentally harmonious designs.
- Featured in Sunset magazine and winner of Santa Barbara Beautiful award.
- Owner brings 40 years of hands-on Central Coast landscaping experience.
Associations and certifications
- Better Business Bureau
What people say
Terrific
Professional job
On time
Excellent customer service
Beautiful results
Services
Landscape Design
We create custom outdoor spaces combining aesthetic beauty with ecological sustainability. Our designs incorporate native plants, efficient irrigation systems, and natural hardscaping materials. Clients receive detailed plans for gardens, patios, and water features tailored to California's Central Coast climate. Our certified landscape architects ensure functional, visually striking results that enhance property value.
Vineyard Management
Specialized agricultural services for vineyards and orchards include soil preparation, pruning, and harvest support. Our viticulture-certified team implements sustainable practices from planting to wine production. We manage irrigation systems, pest control, and seasonal maintenance to optimize grape quality while preserving environmental health for California Central Coast estates.
Landscape Maintenance
Comprehensive care for established landscapes includes pruning, mowing, and seasonal color changes. Our trained crews maintain both residential and commercial properties using eco-friendly fertilizers and weed control methods. We ensure irrigation systems function efficiently while preserving the artistic integrity of original designs through regular, meticulous upkeep.
People
Bruce Koehler
Owner
40-year landscape design expert with A.S. degrees in Landscape Horticulture and Architecture. Certified in viticulture from Washington State University. Combines technical mastery with generational Santa Barbara roots to lead sustainable landscaping projects across California's Central Coast.
Mark Koehler
Maintenance Division Supervisor
Identical twin of Bruce Koehler with 13 years' experience at Spanish Bay Inn and Bernardus Lodge. Certified Landscape Technician and Master Gardener. Brings expertise in estate management and client communication to oversee maintenance operations while sharing his brother's ecological conservation values.
Rufino Perez
Construction Division Supervisor
23-year veteran with expertise in carpentry, plumbing, and masonry. Known as the 'Field General' for comprehensive technical knowledge and dedication to quality. Maintains strong client relationships while ensuring construction projects meet exacting standards for durability and aesthetic appeal.
Questions
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Santa Barbara and the Central Coast of California, with extensive local knowledge of regional climate and soil conditions.
Do you handle both residential and commercial projects?
Yes, we provide landscape design, installation, and maintenance services for both residential properties and commercial developments.
What vineyard services do you offer?
Our vineyard management includes planting, pruning, irrigation supervision, pest control, harvest support, and wine production consultation using sustainable practices.
Are you certified in sustainable landscaping?
We hold certifications in landscape architecture and viticulture, with a commitment to using local materials and eco-friendly methods.
How do you handle project timelines?
We provide detailed schedules and consistently complete projects on time, as evidenced by client testimonials praising our reliability and efficiency.
