For Tara Josub, founder and lead landscape designer at Urbanna Landscaping, landscape design is about something much more meaningful than creating beautiful outdoor spaces. It’s about connecting human beings to the natural world.
With more than two decades of experience in Santa Fe, Tara brings together her lifelong appreciation for nature, thoughtful design, and an understanding of the high-desert environment to create landscapes that help people experience the natural world around them.
Whether it’s a peaceful garden, a welcoming courtyard, or the changing landscape outside a window, her work creates opportunities to appreciate nature in everyday life.
Meet Tara Josub
Tara Josub is the founder and lead landscape designer at Urbanna Landscaping, where she has spent more than two decades designing residential landscapes across Santa Fe.
At the heart of her work is a philosophy she describes simply:
“Our work focuses on the simple idea of connecting human beings to the natural world, whether that be homeowners to the surrounding natural environment, people to the greater natural world in which they may find themselves.”
This philosophy shapes how Tara approaches every landscape.
For her, thoughtful landscape design isn’t only about what people see when they step outside. It’s also about how they experience their surroundings throughout the day, from walking through a garden to noticing the changing light, plants, and seasons through a window.
A connection with nature doesn’t always require spending hours outdoors. Sometimes, it’s found in the smallest moments.
Tara’s work focuses on creating more opportunities for those moments, bringing together the people, the landscape, and the natural environment around them.
It’s an approach rooted in her own lifelong relationship with nature and shaped by decades of experience working in Santa Fe.
A Life Shaped by Nature and Santa Fe
Tara’s connection to the natural world began long before she became a landscape designer.
Growing up on the island of Curaçao, she spent much of her childhood outdoors, finding comfort, freedom, and a sense of belonging in nature.
As Tara recalls:
“I discovered my fascination with nature early on. Growing up in Curaçao, we spent most of our time outside. Whenever I needed space, time alone, or a break from my family, I would climb out my window and sit quietly in the bushes, even in the rain, or wander down the street to hide in the brush.”
That early appreciation for the natural world stayed with her, even as life took her to new places.
After studying abroad and in the United States, Tara arrived in Santa Fe in 1996 to attend St. John’s College.
Her relationship with the high desert developed over time. What initially felt very different from the tropical environment of her childhood gradually became a place she deeply appreciated.
Through the years, and particularly through motherhood, Tara developed a stronger connection to Santa Fe’s natural surroundings, from its expansive skies and changing light to the distinctive plants, colors, and rhythms of the seasons.
Santa Fe became home, and her appreciation for the landscape became an increasingly important part of her life.
Tara originally started Urbanna as a way to spend more time outdoors doing something she loved. As the business grew, it became an opportunity to bring together her connection to nature, her creativity, and her desire to help others experience the natural world in their own lives.
Today, as a landscape designer, business owner, and mother, that philosophy continues to guide her work.
Designing With Santa Fe in Mind
Bringing people closer to nature in Santa Fe also means understanding the conditions that shape its landscapes.
At roughly 7,000 feet, the region experiences intense sunlight, freezing winters, and summer monsoon rains. The terrain, soil, and architecture also influence what works on each property.
Planting choices need to respond to the climate. Stone, gravel, and other materials must suit both the environment and the character of the home. Drainage and changes in elevation can influence where paths, patios, and planting areas belong.
But these practical decisions also affect how people experience a space.
The placement of a patio, for example, can influence when and how someone enjoys spending time outside. A garden path can connect different parts of the property while inviting people to explore what’s growing around them. Planting can soften the transition between a home and the high-desert terrain beyond it.
By considering these elements together, Tara brings her knowledge of Santa Fe into each design, creating spaces that respond to their surroundings while remaining comfortable and welcoming for the people who use them.
A Look at Tara Josub’s Landscape Projects
From peaceful desert gardens to modern courtyards, Tara’s projects show how different design choices can respond to the character of a property and the ways its owners want to spend time outdoors.
Paseo Del Pajaro
Native stone, water, and high-desert plants come together in a tranquil desert garden. These natural elements give the space a peaceful character, making it a place to slow down and enjoy the surroundings.
Tesuque
Soft lighting and natural textures shape this intimate courtyard, creating a welcoming setting for evenings outside. The design draws on the character of New Mexican architecture without losing its sense of simplicity.
Paseo Aragon
Clean lines, desert planting, and defined pathways bring structure to this modern courtyard. The arrangement creates an ordered space while retaining the textures and character of the surrounding region.
What Clients and Partners Say About Working With Tara Josub
A finished project tells part of the story. The experiences of the people involved offer another perspective on Tara’s work, from her eye for design to the way she collaborates with homeowners and other professionals.
Claire Jacquez, Santa Fe
“I had the pleasure of working with Tara and am thrilled with the results! She has an eye for design and a deep understanding of how to blend nature with functionality. Not only was the work done beautifully, but the team was also punctual, communicative, and respectful of my property. Tara and her landscaping team delivered quality, creativity, and exceptional service. Thank you!”
Peter Wurzburger, Architect
“As an architect, it has been a successful collaborative effort working on our latest residential project. Tara’s design thoughts and direction have proven to be a great fit with both the owner’s desires and the theme of the home. I look forward to working with Tara again.”
Explore What’s Possible With Urbanna Landscaping
Through Urbanna Landscaping, Tara and her team work on residential and commercial properties across Santa Fe, providing landscape design, installation, and ongoing maintenance.
Whether you’re considering an intimate courtyard or a larger property transformation, a consultation is an opportunity to discuss your space, how you’d like to use it, and what might be possible.
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