---
title: "Carmichael Environmental — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/carmichael-environmental-pfvwus-pf~1259018358
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1259018358.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Carmichael Environmental"
category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/a6737091028bc36e_9891-w400-h400-b1-p10--.jpg
address: "2216 Sunset Drive, Los Osos, California 93402, United States"
latitude: 35.3172
longitude: -120.8333
phone: "(805) 544-3214"
website: http://www.carmichaelenvironmental.com/
rating: 5
review_count: 4
best_of_houzz_awards: 1
followers: 53
last_updated: 2026-09-03
---

# Carmichael Environmental

Original Houzz profile: [Carmichael Environmental](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/carmichael-environmental-pfvwus-pf~1259018358)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers
- **Location:** Los Osos, CA
- **Serves:** San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Atascadero, Arroyo Grande, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, Cayucos, Avila Beach, Santa Margarita, Edna, Harmony
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (4 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2022), for Service.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- 500 Ideabook Saves
- Eco-friendly
- Offers Custom Work
- 20 years in business

We are a Landscape Design Build firm which specializes in creating sustainable land use strategies for residential and commercial property development, as well as small farms, vineyards, wild lands, and community parks. We create custom outdoor living spaces and beautiful gardens on the central coast...naturally. 

Carmichael Environmental was started in 2001 by Joshua Carmichael as an outlet for his passion of art, science, and love of the natural world. He is a community leader, environmental steward, and longtime resident of San Luis Obispo County.  Our team is made up of Cal Poly horticulture and landscape architecture graduates and others focused on improving our environment with a hands-on approach. Together we have created several ecologically friendly landscape projects statewide and are also available to conduct workshops, lectures, nature hikes, and other educational events. 

Contact us anytime with your garden questions or project ideas.

### Services Provided

- Landscape Design
- Garden Design
- Hardscaping
- Landscape Plans
- Patio Design
- Drought Tolerant Landscaping
- Site Planning
- Custom Fire Pits
- Pool Landscaping
- Custom Water Features
- Gazebo Design & Construction
- Outdoor Lighting Design
- Deck Design
- 3D Rendering
- Drafting
- Organic Gardens
- Pond Construction
- Shed Design & Construction
- Edible Gardens
- Custom Bocce Ball Courts
- Living Walls
- Natural Swimming Pools
- Green Roofing
- Construction Drawings
- Deck Repair
- Fence Installation
- Fence Repair
- Food Forests
- Masonry
- Organic Orchards
- Outdoor Dining Venues
- Permaculture Design
- Trellis Construction
- Vegetable Production

### Areas Served

- San Luis Obispo
- Paso Robles
- Atascadero
- Arroyo Grande
- Los Osos
- Morro Bay
- Pismo Beach
- Cayucos
- Avila Beach
- Santa Margarita
- Edna
- Harmony

### Typical Job Cost

$15,000 - 150,000

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Carmichael Environmental |
| Address | 2216 Sunset Drive, Los Osos, California 93402, United States |
| Phone | (805) 544-3214 |
| Website | http://www.carmichaelenvironmental.com/ |
| License Number | 883005 |
| Followers on Houzz | 53 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carmichael-Environmental/400503243416642
- X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/Carmichael\_Env
- LinkedIn — http://www.linkedin.com/pub/josh-carmichael/17/47a/897
- Blog — http://carmichaelenvironmental.com/cm/Home.html

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Carmichael Environmental](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/carmichael-environmental-pfvwus-pf~1259018358)
- **Website:** http://www.carmichaelenvironmental.com/
- **Phone:** (805) 544-3214

## Credentials

**Certifications & Awards**
- We are certified Permaculture Designers and have won several awards for our sustainable landscape projects from the CLCA, AWMC and more. We are also a Certified Contractor with Ygrene and CaliforniaFirst, a great way to get the financing you need for the projects we do.

- **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2022), for Service.

**Affiliations**
- [California Landscape Contractors Association](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/california-landscape-contractors-association-pfvwus-pf~127371204)
- [U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/u-s-green-building-council-usgbc-pfvwus-pf~1797160658)

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 4 reviews**

*Aspect averages:*
- Work Quality: 50.0
- Communication: 50.0
- Value: 50.0

### All 4 reviews

**★★★★★ — HU-554870875, Nov. 2021**

> Carmichael Environmental was fantastic throughout every step of the project of re-landscaping around our home. We were especially grateful for their commitment to sustainability, quick action and communication, suggestions and choice of plants. We now have two laundry-to-landscape systems in the home in addition to the drip irrigation installed, which were very affordable and help save water. There were some issues that arose regarding other parties, and Carmichael Environmental handled everything with the utmost professionalism. Highly recommend!

**★★★★★ — Gary Ruggerone, Nov. 2021**

> Carmichael Environmental worked closely with me to restore a creek bank on my property that was damaged by a drunk driver.  Restoration of the creek bank was necessary to minimize further bank erosion and flooding of adjacent property during heavy storms.  The creek bank was restored using bio engineering techniques and appropriate California native riparian and upland vegetation.  Success rate for the new plantings was very good, even though it was a very dry year, and plants that did not survive were replaced.  The creek bank is stable with a diverse mix of native trees and understory.

**★★★★★ — dollylarue200, Jan. 2015**

> I've just had a project completed by Carmichael Environmental and am completely satisfied  with the results. Josh is extremely knowledgeable, inspired and passionate about his work, highly qualified, and a pleasure to work with. He took the time to find out what my desires and needs were and we worked from there. Permaculture being the heart of his work, we planted things that are native to the area, that had a purpose and benefited the landscape. As well, taking into account low water usage and very low maintenance. Plantings are harmoniously placed together to work together and benefit each other. It is both beautiful and practical, and has become a retreat.
> He has a great crew and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. I'm already planning the next project. The attached photograph is the brand new young garden, which will be updated as the plants grow.

**★★★★★ — lizrobin, Jan. 2015**

> We first met Joshua Carmichael while he was working for another company.  We felt his passion and commitment at our first meeting and never regretted hiring him.  He was our designer and supervisor for a major landscaping job.  First of all, he lives what he preaches -- he advocates the use of low maintenance native plantings that thrive on very little attention and water. He listened to our budget concerns and worked with us and encouraged our creativity by incorporating our ideas in a smart and pleasing way. His knowledge and attitude are his best qualities - they instilled confidence in us - we knew we were making good decisions about our home's outdoor living spaces.  We have absolutely no regrets or second thoughts about any part of the design or plantings.  We now think our outdoor living area is the best part of our home.
> We have continued our professional relationship with Joshua.  He has installed a gorgeous vegetable and herb garden. He provides ongoing maintenance, and has instructed us regarding edible gardens and landscaping.  We are now planning future projects with him.  We can recommend Carmichael Environmental with pride and have no hesitation is saying that he provides excellent service for a fair price.  Carmichael Environmental works with you blending their passion for outdoor beauty and function with your inspiration and vision to create a happy, welcoming outdoor space.

## Selected projects

- [Water Features](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/water-features-pj-vj~522880)
  - Location: Atascadero, CA
  - Photos: 16
  - Description: Water features are always a unique element that adds many benefits to any outdoor space. From small fountains and Koi ponds to natural swimming pools and Pondless Waterfalls there are so many custom ways to bring the sound, sight, and coolness of water onto your property that are a joy for animals and people alike.
- [Edible Gardens](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/edible-gardens-pj-vj~576856)
  - Location: Cayucos, CA
  - Photos: 22
- [Natural Drainage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/natural-drainage-pj-vj~891823)
  - Location: Harmony, CA
  - Photos: 32
  - Description: We build using techniques that always make Mother Nature happy. When moving stormwater away from buildings and parking areas we use vegetated swales and rain gardens that will allow the water to slow, spread, and sink into the earth to recharge groundwater basins. Doing this not only looks better than using pipes with asphalt and concrete basins but doesn’t carry pollutants into our creeks, lakes, or oceans as the plants will treat the water before it flows away.
- [Outdoor Kitchens & Furniture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/outdoor-kitchens-and-furniture-pj-vj~798509)
  - Location: Edna, CA
  - Photos: 27
  - Description: Home is where the heart is and the kitchen is usually the pulse of it. Everyone seems to gather here to create a feast, share a drink, or tell a story. Having an outdoor kitchen and dining space allows this happen in a beautiful surrounding—your garden. We use a background and connection with the culinary world to create highly functional and fitting designs to give you the room to invite even more people over to your next party.
- [Backyard Zen meets Country](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-zen-meets-country-pj-vj~2522134)
  - Location: Baywood-Los Osos, CA
  - Photos: 4
- [Patios](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/patios-pj-vj~852122)
  - Location: Arroyo Grande, CA
  - Photos: 9
  - Description: We believe that in our climate outdoor living spaces are some of the best assets on any property. Creating seating areas around your gardens will give you the time and space to sit and relax or host any size gathering you desire. A design tip is to create a main outdoor dining patio and then have satellite patios for specific uses like a fire pit or lounge area.
- [Paths](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/paths-pj-vj~852129)
  - Location: Morro Bay, CA
  - Photos: 28
  - Description: Connecting point A to point B is one reason for a pathway through the yard, but as we see it these are the connections between the “rooms” of your garden. We design our outdoor living plans to have all of the functions that a home’s floor plan has inside. Each space is connected by a pathway that lures the visitor comfortably around the corner or through an archway looking forward to what the next garden destination has to offer.
- [Garden Walls](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/garden-walls-pj-vj~852118)
  - Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
  - Photos: 19
- [Plant Shots](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/plant-shots-pj-vj~837233)
  - Location: Avila Beach, CA
  - Photos: 28
- [Sheds](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sheds-pj-vj~6767898)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 3
- [Raised Beds & Containers](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/raised-beds-and-containers-pj-vj~798504)
  - Location: Pismo Beach, CA
  - Photos: 20
- [Summer Veggie Garden Planting](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/summer-veggie-garden-planting-pj-vj~1182743)
  - Location: Santa Margarita, CA
  - Photos: 5
  - Description: Summer has begun and there is still time for planting your summer vegetable garden. We use mostly starts to create a diverse and delicious assortment of herbs, flowers, and veggies to use in your kitchen from summer into fall.
- [Mediterranean Landscape Update](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mediterranean-landscape-update-pj-vj~382379)
  - Location: Paso Robles, CA
  - Photos: 5
- [Lawn to Landscape](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lawn-to-landscape-pj-vj~1182632)
  - Location: Atascadero, CA
  - Photos: 23
- [Winter Veggie Garden Planting](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/winter-veggie-garden-planting-pj-vj~876545)
  - Location: Cayucos, CA
  - Photos: 8
  - Description: Now is the time for planting your winter vegetable garden. We use seeds and starts to create a diverse and delicious assortment of herbs, flowers, and veggies to use in your kitchen from winter into spring. View each photo for step-by-step descriptions on how you can do it.
- [Shades of Grey Pavers](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/shades-of-grey-pavers-pj-vj~2522139)
  - Location: Harmony, CA
  - Photos: 1
- [Warm Colors and Contrast](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/warm-colors-and-contrast-pj-vj~2522137)
  - Location: Baywood-Los Osos, CA
  - Photos: 2
- [Villa Life](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/villa-life-pj-vj~2522136)
  - Location: Morro Bay, CA
  - Photos: 2
- [Modern Entertainment](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-entertainment-pj-vj~2522130)
  - Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
  - Photos: 5
- [Pavers](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pavers-pj-vj~2522114)
  - Location: Avila Beach, CA
  - Photos: 2

[See all 22 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/carmichael-environmental-pfvwus-pf~1259018358)

## Ideabooks

- [Morris Outdoor Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/123146749/list/morris-outdoor-kitchen) — 7 ideas
- [Fence Styles](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/98250244/list/fence-styles) — 14 ideas
- [Cable Railing](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52308648/list/cable-railing) — 4 ideas
- [M. Wilson Outdoor Living Area](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/37961764/list/m-wilson-outdoor-living-area) — 6 ideas
- [wilkes](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/39506708/list/wilkes) — 2 ideas
- [gates](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/38002447/list/gates) — 10 ideas

[See all 6 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/carmichaelenvironmental)

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-03.*