Father Nature Landscapes · Tacoma
Journal — Since 2006

Field notes from
the Tacoma yard.

Long-form articles on PNW landscape design, hardscape, plantings, drainage, decks, and outdoor living — written by the same team that designs, builds, and maintains.

Archive — 39 articles

More from the journal.

Fire Pit Builder in Tacoma: What to Settle Before the Patio Goes In
Outdoor Construction

Fire Pit Builder in Tacoma: What to Settle Before the Patio Goes In

September 10, 2026

Deck Building Permits in Washington State (2026): When You Need One, and Where the Rules Change
Outdoor Construction

Deck Building Permits in Washington State (2026): When You Need One, and Where the Rules Change

September 3, 2026

Freshly laid herringbone concrete paver patio in a Tacoma backyard with a compactor at the edge
Outdoor Construction

Concrete Pavers in Tacoma: 9 Things Worth Knowing Before You Build

August 20, 2026

Segmental block retaining wall under construction on a sloped Tacoma backyard with gravel backfill and drain pipe visible
Outdoor Construction

Retaining Walls for Sloped Yards: What Tacoma Homeowners Need to Know First

August 13, 2026

Chris Scheer standing on a newly finished composite deck with aluminum railing at a Tacoma home
Outdoor Construction

Deck Building Cost in Tacoma (2026): What a Deck That Outlives You Costs

August 6, 2026

Finished herringbone paver driveway leading to the two-car garage of a craftsman home in Tacoma on an overcast day
Outdoor Construction

Paver Driveway Cost in Tacoma (2026)

July 20, 2026

A finished paver patio with a contrasting border course meeting a plain poured-concrete pad in a Pacific Northwest backyard on an overcast day
Outdoor Construction

Pavers vs. Concrete Patio: Which Is Right for Your Yard?

July 13, 2026

Finished circular paver patio with a cedar seat wall and fire pit in a Pacific Northwest backyard garden on an overcast day
Outdoor Construction

Paver Patio Cost in the Puget Sound (2026)

July 6, 2026

Terraced retaining wall in Tacoma backyard with natural stone construction, planted beds, and Pacific Northwest foliage, overcast natural light
Outdoor Construction

8 Retaining Wall Ideas and Design Principles for Tacoma Homeowners

June 17, 2026

Covered patio in Tacoma backyard with natural stone pavers, fire feature, and Pacific Northwest border plantings, overcast natural light
Outdoor Construction

8 Patio Design Ideas for Tacoma That Work in Any Pacific Northwest Backyard

June 10, 2026

Drought-tolerant Pacific Northwest garden with Oregon grape and lavender in naturalistic beds, overcast natural light, Tacoma backyard
Native Plants

11+ Drought-Tolerant Plants for Tacoma Summers That Actually Survive the Dry Season

June 4, 2026

A finished Tacoma landscape featuring Western red cedar, Japanese maple, and Douglas fir framing a craftsman home
Landscape Design

7 Best Trees for Tacoma Landscapes (Designer’s Selection Guide)

May 14, 2026

Chris Scheer of Father Nature Landscapes on a finished Tacoma backyard with cedar pergola and flagstone patio
Landscape Design

Outdoor Living Space Design: Transform Your Tacoma Backyard

May 8, 2026

PNW Shade Garden Design
Landscape Design

Shade Garden Design in the Pacific Northwest: Plants & Strategies

April 21, 2026

Year-Round Landscape Design
Landscape Design

Year-Round Landscape Interest: Designing for Pacific Northwest Seasons

April 14, 2026

evergreen landscape design
Landscape Design

Evergreen Landscape Design: Creating Year-Round Structure

April 7, 2026

drainage solutions
Landscape Design

Designing for Tacoma’s Rain: Smart Drainage Solutions for Landscapes

March 24, 2026

drainage solutions
Landscape Design

Managing Slopes in Pacific Northwest Landscapes: Design & Erosion Control

March 17, 2026

native plants
Landscape Design

Best Native Plants for Tacoma Landscapes (Designer’s Guide)

March 10, 2026

phased landscape design
Landscape Design

Phased Landscape Design: How to Budget Your Dream Yard Over Time

February 17, 2026

Landscape Design
Landscape Design

DIY vs. Professional Landscape Design: Is Hiring a Pro Worth It?

February 9, 2026

Landscape Design
Landscape Design

Pacific Northwest Landscape Design: Complete Guide for Homeowners

February 3, 2026

landscape design
Landscape Design

What to Expect: Timeline for Landscape Design Projects in Tacoma

January 20, 2026

nice yard because of a landscape design consultation
Landscape Design

How to Prepare for Your First Landscape Design Consultation

January 13, 2026

Nice yard because of hiring a landscape designer
Landscape Design

7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Landscape Designer in Tacoma

January 6, 2026

Chris Scheer going over the landscape design process with a client
Landscape Design

Complete Guide to Landscape Design Process in 2026

December 15, 2025

Chris Scheer going over Landscape design cost
Landscape Design

How Much Does Landscape Design Cost? (2026 Pricing Guide)

December 8, 2025

Pacific Northwest landscapes
Landscape Design

Using a Landscape Designer vs. Landscape Architect in 2026

December 1, 2025

covered pergola
Outdoor Construction

Everything You Need to Know About a Covered Pergola

November 18, 2025

outdoor kitchen in a backyard
Outdoor Construction

Design Secrets for an Outdoor Kitchen

November 11, 2025

an example of custom decks
Landscape Design

Complete Guide to Designing Custom Decks in Tacoma

November 4, 2025

Water Features That Attract Local Wildlife
Landscape Design

5 Must-Have Water Features That Attract Local Wildlife

October 17, 2025

Landscape Design
Yard Care

4 Fast Growing Privacy Hedge Plants for Your Yard

October 10, 2025

man and daughter enjoying their Family Backyard Design
Landscape Design

Practical Family Backyard Design Guide for Every Home

October 3, 2025

Landscape Design
Landscape Design

8 Small Front Yard Design Ideas to Try in 2025

September 16, 2025

a pergola shade structures
Landscape Design

5 Best Shade Structures for Sunny Patios

September 9, 2025

hillside transformed by expert local retaining wall repair
Article

Expert Local Retaining Wall Repair in Tacoma, WA

August 11, 2025

PNW sword fern is a native ferns to the PNW
Landscape Maintenance

8 Native Ferns for Incredible Pacific Northwest Garden Design

July 14, 2025

Drought-resistant native plants
Landscape Maintenance

11 Drought-Resistant Native Plants for PNW Gardens

July 7, 2025

Life+Land · Monthly

One yard letter,
once a month.

Field notes from PNW landscape design — what to plant when, what to prune, what we learned on a job site this month. Written by the Father Nature team. No promotions, no sales pitches.

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