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Santa Fe Landscaping Trends in 2024: Ideas & Practical Tips for Homeowners

If you are looking for ideas to harmonize your outdoor space with Santa Fe’s distinctive and beautiful environment, you might want to explore ideas that blend the local visual style with modern sustainable practices.

From outdoor fireplaces to vertical gardens, we will share the latest Santa Fe landscaping trends and provide practical advice on how to turn your backyard into an oasis of inspiration.

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2024 Santa Fe Landscaping Trends

Let’s explore the best modern techniques for creating stunning outdoor spaces that harmonize with Santa Fe’s unique terrain and climate.

Sustainable Landscaping

Sustainable landscaping involves creating environmentally friendly outdoor spaces that minimize water use, reduce chemical inputs, and utilize native plants.

This trend emphasizes the use of organic materials, rainwater harvesting systems, and renewable resources.

It is a good choice if you want to create a natural, eco-friendly atmosphere that harmonizes with Santa Fe’s environment while reducing your ecological footprint.

Benefits for homeowners:

  • A natural landscape that thrives with minimal intervention
  • Reduced water consumption and maintenance bills

Xeriscape Landscaping

Xeriscape landscaping involves creating water-efficient outdoor spaces by using drought-tolerant plants, rock gardens, attractive hardscapes, and soil management techniques that help reduce water consumption and maintenance.

Xeriscape landscaping is ideal for creating a serene outdoor environment while saving on water costs and maintenance time.

Benefits for homeowners:

  • A variety of design options that can be customized to fit your taste
  • Reduces water usage, which is crucial in Santa Fe’s arid climate
  • Lower water bills and reduced need for fertilizers and pesticides
  • Minimal upkeep compared to traditional lawns

Vertical Gardening

Vertical gardening involves growing plants on vertically suspended panels, such as walls, fences, trellises and racks.

This method is ideal for small spaces as it allows you to maximize the available area and create vibrant, living artwork.

Benefits for homeowners:

  • Space efficiency in environments with limited ground space
  • Aesthetic appeal
  • Improved air quality due to the increased number of plants in the same space

Low-Maintenance Plants

Low-maintenance plants require minimal care, such as watering, pruning, and fertilizing. Examples include succulents, ornamental grasses, and native perennials.

They are an excellent option if you have a busy lifestyle and want a beautiful garden without investing significant time and effort.

Benefits for homeowners:

  • Time saving as these plants require less care
  • Cost savings due to reduced need for fertilizers, pesticides, and frequent watering.

Outdoor Kitchens & Dining Areas

Outdoor kitchens and dining areas extend your home into the garden, featuring built-in grills, countertops, and dining furniture for open-air cooking and dining.

This option is ideal if you want to turn your Santa Fe backyard into a space for entertainment and relaxation, perfect for hosting family and friends over a delicious meal.

Benefits for homeowners:

  • Perfect for entertainment
  • Convenient as they reduce the need to go back and forth between the indoor kitchen and outdoor dining area
  • Adds value to the home by expanding usable living space

Outdoor Fireplaces

Outdoor fireplaces offer warmth and relaxation serving as a central point in your backyard. They can be built from various materials like stone, brick, or metal and can be wood-burning or gas-powered.

Outdoor fireplaces are a good idea if you want to use your outdoor space during cooler evenings or love to gather around a fire with friends and family.

Benefits for homeowners:

  • Can be used for outdoor enjoyment year-round
  • Acts as a striking visual element to the garden
  • Serves as a place for socializing
  • Enhances the overall appeal and value of the home

Learn about how to make an outdoor fireplace in your Santa Fe backyard in our recent article.

Flagstone Patios

Flagstone patios offer natural beauty and rustic feel as they are made of flat stones of various shapes and sizes that can be arranged in various patterns.

They may be an excellent choice if you are looking for an elegant look that complements your garden style and is both durable and easy to maintain.

Benefits for homeowners:

  • Long-lasting and can withstand the elements
  • Requires minimal upkeep compared to other patio materials
  • Can be used in various designs and patterns to fit any garden style

Explore some great flagstone patio ideas in our comprehensive guide.

A beautiful garden with beautiful flowers and shrubs​
From an outdoor fireplace to a vertical garden, you can turn your Santa Fe garden into an oasis of tranquility

Santa Fe Landscaping: Practical Tips for Every Homeowner

Keeping your outdoor space vibrant and appealing can be challenging due to the arid climate and seasonal extremes of Santa Fe. Here are some practical tips to help you achieve lasting beauty and sustainability.

  • Incorporate hardscaping: Use stone pathways, patios, and gravel beds to create visually appealing, low-maintenance areas in your landscape.
  • Use drip irrigation systems: Install drip irrigation systems to deliver water directly to the roots of plants, minimizing water waste and preventing overwatering.
  • Create windbreaks: Plant trees and shrubs strategically to act as windbreaks — especially during the windy spring months in Santa Fe. This helps protect your garden from harsh winds and reduces soil erosion.
  • Choose drought-tolerant plants: Opt for native and drought-resistant plants — for example, desert marigold, yucca, and agave, which require less water and are well-suited to withstand Santa Fe’s dry climate.

DIY vs. Working With Landscaping Experts

When considering a landscaping project, you might need to decide between doing it yourself or hiring professional landscaping experts. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of DIY Landscaping Projects

  • Cost savings: By handling the labor yourself, you can save on the expenses associated with hiring a professional landscaping agency.
  • Personal satisfaction: Completing a landscaping project on your own offers a sense of accomplishment and gives you the satisfaction of creating something with your own hands.
  • Project control: DIY projects allow you to implement your ideas exactly as you envision them.

Disadvantages of DIY Landscaping Projects

  • Time-consuming: DIY landscaping projects can extend over long periods of time — especially if you have a busy schedule.
  • Room for mistakes: If you don’t have enough knowledge and experience, you can make mistakes that can affect your landscape design — for example, improper plant selection, or poor soil preparation.
  • Physical exertion: Working on your landscaping project alone can be physically demanding — especially if it involves digging and lifting heavy materials.
  • Limited resources: DIY projects may leave you with more limited access to materials, tools, and plants compared to professional landscapers.

Advantages of Working With a Professional Landscaping Company

  • Professional expertise: Working with landscaping experts allows you to benefit from their experience and knowledge of the newest landscaping trends, local climate, soil conditions, and the best materials to use for your project. This ensures a functional and aesthetically pleasing result.
  • Design and planning: Experts can maximize the beauty and functionality of your outdoor space, planning and incorporating elements you might not have considered — for example, seasonal color schemes, fire pits or themed gardens.
  • Efficiency: Landscaping companies have the tools, equipment, and workforce to complete projects faster than DIY enthusiasts. This can lead you to enjoy the final result much earlier than if you are working on your project alone.
  • Long-term maintenance: Many landscaping companies offer maintenance services to keep your outdoor space at its best year-round, taking care of tasks like pruning, fertilizing, and pest control.
  • Increased property value: Working with landscaping experts helps you increase the value of your home through a well-designed and maintained landscape.

Disadvantages of Working With a Professional Landscaping Company

  • Cost: Hiring professionals is more expensive as it covers costs for design, labor, materials, and maintenance services.
  • Less personal involvement: Working with professionals will reduce your personal involvement, leaving the actual hands-on work in their hands.
  • Finding the right experts: Finding a trusted and reputable landscaping company that can understand and accurately recreate your preferences can be challenging in a market saturated with multiple competitors.
A garden with cacti and succulents​
Working with a professional landscaping company makes sure your outdoor space is beautifully designed and expertly maintained

Partner With Urbanna Landscaping to Create an Outdoor Santa Fe Oasis

Whether you choose to work on your landscaping project alone or partner with experts, Urbanna Landscaping offers the guidance, resources, and professional services to turn your outdoor space into your dream vision.

If you prefer a hands-on approach, we can assist with all the necessary paperwork, including permitting, HOA approvals, and submittals. Throughout the process, we provide expert consultations to help you navigate challenges and ensure your project stays on track.

If you want a fully managed solution, our dedicated team at Urbanna Landscaping will handle every detail. We’ll listen to your ideas and preferences, plan everything from plant selection to features and lighting, and ensure your vision is realized.

Aftar that, we will design and execute the entire project, making sure you get a beautiful outdoor space that meets your expectations.

Ready to transform your outdoor space?

FAQs About Landscape Design Trends

Want to know more about landscape trends and ideas? Check out some commonly asked questions.

How can I make my garden wildlife-friendly?

To make your garden wildlife-friendly, use native plants that provide food and habitat for local wildlife. Include features like birdhouses, butterfly gardens, and water sources. Avoid using pesticides and chemicals that can harm insects and animals.

How can I create a drought-tolerant garden?

The first step towards creating a drought-tolerant garden is selecting suitable plants that are native to your region. Use mulch to retain moisture, group plants with similar water needs together, and install drip irrigation to minimize water waste.

Can I integrate smart technology into my landscape design?

Yes, you can integrate smart technology into your landscape design. Examples include:

  • Smart irrigation systems that set watering schedules in line with weather conditions
  • Outdoor lighting with motion sensors or timers that automatically illuminating areas when movement is detected or are switched on at scheduled times
  • Garden sensors that monitor soil moisture and plant health and provide information that can be used to optimize care