--- title: "Zone4 Landscapes Ltd. — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/zone4-landscapes-ltd-pfvwus-pf~1325589324 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1325589324.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Zone4 Landscapes Ltd." category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/96b397960092fe5c_0652-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "P.O. Box 244 - 733 Crescent Hill Road, Andes, New York 13731, United States" latitude: 42.1569 longitude: -74.7887 phone: "(845) 676-4994" website: http://zone4landscapes.com rating: 5 review_count: 36 best_of_houzz_awards: 6 followers: 40 last_updated: 2026-09-09 --- # Zone4 Landscapes Ltd. Original Houzz profile: [Zone4 Landscapes Ltd.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/zone4-landscapes-ltd-pfvwus-pf~1325589324) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers - **Location:** Andes, NY - **Serves:** Delhi, Andes, Margaretville, Bovina Center, De Lancey, Delancey, Halcottsville, New Kingston, West Davenport, Willow - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (36 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 6 awards (2017–2022), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Recommended on Houzz - 10,000 Ideabook Saves - References available - High-end - Offers Custom Work Zone4 Landscapes is a full-service landscape design, installation and maintenance outfit specializing in the unique challenges and opportunities of the Catskill region of NY. We love what we do and strive to make the collaboration with the client an enjoyable and productive experience from beginning to end. ### Services Provided - Landscape Design - Garden Design - Hardscaping - Landscape Plans - Patio Design - Drought Tolerant Landscaping - Landscape Design & Installation ### Areas Served - Delhi - Andes - Margaretville - Bovina Center - De Lancey - Delancey - Halcottsville - New Kingston - West Davenport - Willow ### Typical Job Cost $10,000 - 200,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Zone4 Landscapes Ltd. | | Address | P.O. Box 244 - 733 Crescent Hill Road, Andes, New York 13731, United States | | Phone | (845) 676-4994 | | Website | http://zone4landscapes.com | | Followers on Houzz | 40 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Zone4 Landscapes Ltd.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/zone4-landscapes-ltd-pfvwus-pf~1325589324) - **Website:** http://zone4landscapes.com - **Phone:** (845) 676-4994 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Certificate in Landscape Design from the New York Botanical Garden. Master Gardener Certification from Greene County CCE. Active in the NY Chapter of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers and the NYBG Landscape Designers Student Alumni. - **Best of Houzz:** 6 awards (2017–2022), for Service. **Affiliations** - [The New York Botanical Garden](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-new-york-botanical-garden-pfvwus-pf~813697435) - [Association of Professional Landscape Designers](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/association-of-professional-landscape-designers-pfvwus-pf~92795973) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 36 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — ddemarne, Feb. 2023** > We were so fortunate to be able to engage Mel and his Zone4 team to work on a hardscaping/landscaping project at our house. From our first meeting, he saw possibilities we hadn't even considered and although only the first stage of our project is complete, we already feel like our property has been transformed. > > He has a deep understanding of what will work in our area and an encyclopedic knowledge of plants from common to rare. Using native and pollinator plants was a big focus for us - while we want our gardens to look beautiful, we also want them to support all of the incredible wildlife we are lucky to have in our region. He took all of our likes and dislikes into consideration and knows just how to push us out of our comfort zone without going too far. > > We always look forward to days when Mel and his team are on site because we know amazing things will be happening and can't wait to continue our work together. **★★★★★ — Hovey Brock, Jan. 2023** > Mel did a great job walking us through the steps of our landscaping project, from design, to layout, to the final touches. He has an excellent team of workers who went above and beyond to give us the best possible results. He was easy to work with and patiently explained everything in detail. He is passionate, knowledgeable, and brought a sense of humor to the negotiations when we had to change some aspects of the project to stay within our budget. An a A+ experience overall, and we love our new patio and garden! **★★★★★ — Jodi Perlman, Dec. 2021** > About 12 years ago, my husband & I decided to do some modest landscaping for a weekend home we own in the Catskills. After some online research, we found Zone 4 Landscaping. We were drawn to the intelligence of what was written and the beautiful photographs of their work. > Mel showed up, with his wife Peggy. Both struck us immediately as warm, sincere, and very creative. After walking our property and learning more about our small project, Mel did not try to upsell us or walk away to take a bigger job. He enthusiastically began discussing what we could do. > We were delighted with the finished project. We stayed in touch with Mel and talked about how we would like to do more with our property, but other matters always seemed to take priority. > When the pandemic hit, we began spending a lot more time at our country home. We began to see our backyard as a missed opportunity to be able to better enjoy our home. Mel had created a plan for us a few years earlier that we had to put on the back burner. We had him pull it out and dust it off. We made a few modifications, and we were put “on the list” (as Mel’s business has taken off to a point that I could have never envisioned, for a rural county, but he is THAT GOOD). > His crew came in and removed what could be salvaged and began to prepare the yard. They were polite and careful about what they did. If they were going to be doing something that was noisy or in any way problematic for us, they always gave us a few days' heads up to make plans to be away from the house, should we want to avoid it. > The star of his team is Gus. Gus is a master craftsman who created our patio, built our Pergola and fire pit. We watched the care with which he attended each project, like an artist or seasoned craftsman. If necessary, he re-did sections, until he thought that there was cohesion, that angles and slopes worked, and that aesthetically it was the most pleasing. > While Gus was busy with the hardscaping, Mel and his two assistants were busy planting – trees, bushes, bulbs, and more to make the yard look alive with color and texture. I always enjoyed looking out my back door (mostly in hopes of spying wildlife passing through), I am now looking at all the shapes and colors and interesting structures, as well. > Our yard was transformed from a mostly open space to a visually pleasing and functional yard that we will be using alot more. He and his team created a finished product that was both sophisticated and rustic, a balance we were not sure could be done. > Admittedly, we did end up spending more than we had intended, but we have no regrets. We will be enjoying our yard for years to come. > Thanks, Mel! **★★★★★ — Meade Camp, Dec. 2021** > It has been our great pleasure to work with Mel and the Zone4 Landscapes crew for the last few years. Their good work is one of the best investments we have made in our home. Each visit leaves our setting more honed, more intentional, and more beautiful. I have told Mel many times of the recurring experience of rounding a corner, seeing my house and yard come into view, and being joyful at how great it looks. I appreciate that they listen, make excellent suggestions, and then EXCEED EXPECTATIONS with their implementation and follow-through. I highly recommed these guys with no reservations. **★★★★★ — Gianas Design, Dec. 2020** > Mel and Gus are super talented and a delight to work with. Their vast knowledge of native plants, design, and topography make them standouts in their field! We are lucky to have gotten the opportunity to have them transform our property. From gorgeous hardscaping using sourced boulders to soft grasses...they do it all. Their level of honesty and their work ethic is eclipsed only by their wonderful personalities. Highly recommend!!!! **★★★★★ — peggybellar, Dec. 2020** > We engaged Zone4 Landscape design to help us design and install a garden bed at the entrance to our commercial property in Margaretville. This was not our first time using Zone4 and so we felt confident that they would do a good job. However, they EXCEEDED our expectations and gave our dreary parking lot entrance a much needed facelift. They installed a gorgeous, low maintenance bed that totally transforms our entrance. They were professional, stayed on budget and did an amazing job. **★★★★★ — Sangeeta Pratap, Nov. 2019** > We engaged Zone4 Landscapes to help us figure out how to address a number of issues with the landscaping around our recently purchased home. We hit it off wth Mel, the owner, right away and began a fun journey. We have many issues, but our first concern was to get rid of a silly deck in the back of the house and replace it with a stone patio. We also desperately needed to replace the rickety steps leading from the parking court up the back hill to the porch. Mel worked with us through several iterations to reach a final design that included two flights of handsome bluestone steps leading to a two-tiered patio. The patio is a beautiful organic shape, accented with retaining boulders and some planting beds. It anchors the house and integrates it nicely with the feel of the surrounding Catskills. Mel worked with us to find a solution that fit our budget and he and his crew did the installation in a timely manner. It was a pleasure to work with the Zone4 team and we can’t wait to watch the gardens grow in next year. We hope to tackle more issues with Mel and the gang in the future. **★★★★★ — John Verdon, Nov. 2019** > We found Mel and his crew to be highly competent, experienced, creative, and an absolute pleasure to work with. They created a lovely new planting area leading to our front door, reset an old bluestone path, redesigned and revitalized two large planting beds, turned a weedy slope into a new flower bed, and built a wonderful stone wall at the entrance to our property. **★★★★★ — Monica Adams, March 2019** > Mel is wonderful. He listens, understands budget constraints, and in general was a delight to work with. In addition, he is hilarious, which matters to me a great deal. **★★★★★ — Modern Home, Dec. 2018** > Having previously worked with Mel, it was with no hesitation that I hired Zone4 to head up the landscape design for our new modern home in Franklin Lakes, NJ. The project was challenging to tackle for a number of reasons including: the large 3 acre site situated on a rocky incline, the stark modern design of the home, and the numerous "important" sight lines to account for. > > After a few site visits and correspondences over email, Mel produced a first draft of a design which more or less ticked off all the major elements I was looking for. One of the main elements of Mel's design included organically shaped berms that served to not only break the rigid lines along the property borders, but also help transition the planting beds as they would rise to meet sections of rocky ledge. Mel also designed a fire pit section for the backyard that wonderfully complimented the modern look of the house. More specifically, the design incorporated very large rectilinear blue stones for a stone patio floating within the lawn and beaconing visitors to it from a nearby terrace. > > One of the most impressive things about Mel's designs is his ability to "get the scale right". This is something that may seem obvious but often difficult to pull off. All throughout the project, there would be times I would become anxious whether the designs would accommodate the scale of the spaces in complimentary ways; they always did. A classic example of this was Mel's design for the entrance to the property. The entrance, being situated within a large cul-de-sac belonging to the property, was too vast an area to cover with just vegetation. We knew right off the bat that we would need to bring in hardscape in the form of large boulders to "fill in" the design. With a combination of technical expertise and first hand experience, Mel delivered a design which called for a very specific set of boulders that were broken down into categories of different shapes and sizes. Despite being intimated by the shear size of the boulders, I agreed to move forward with the design and of course was fantastically pleased with the final result. Both the size and placement of the boulders worked beautifully to transform a large flat boring entrance to one that excited the visitor to enter the property. > > I can go on and mention other strengths Mel and his crew bring to a project (such as the deep breadth of knowledge of local flora), but I will stop here and just conclude with a very strong endorsement of Zone4 for anybody looking to hire a top tier landscape design firm. **★★★★★ — Martha Berry, Nov. 2018** > Mel and his crew have helped us to create a beautiful patio and courtyard as well as many other creative gardens around the property. Mel has an excellent eye and often sees things that are not obvious until they are done and then I am awed. His use of various type of stone is particularly creative, unusual and beautiful. He used material from deteriorating walls around the property as well as harvested boulders to make beautiful spaces and terraced gardens mixed in with natural bluestone for steps and accents. His planting style is both lush and naturalistic. It has also been fun collaborating with Mel and his team, as he is reliable, willing to exchange and work with my/our ideas, and generally easy to work with. **★★★★★ — Jim Gohlke, Nov. 2017** > Over many years my wife designed a uniquely beautiful perennial garden. She passed away in the spring of 2016. Throughout the balance of the year I attempted to sustain her legacy but lacked the skill and knowledge. This Spring I contacted Mel and asked him and his team to take on the project and offered them free reign with only one objective; retain the ‘spirit’ of Lisa’s garden. Presented with only a bewildering tangle of last year’s growth and a few tender sprouts poking through the previous autumn leaves, Mel accepted the challenge. Mel fashioned a project “In the Spirit Garden” and the team went to work. First they restored the garden to its earlier charm and then they maintained and cultivated that beauty throughout the balance of the year. Each day I see the beauty, smell the fragrance and feel the spirit of the garden begun by my wife and sustained by the caring hands of the Zone4 Landscapes crew. I have been so delighted by the skill and care of Mel and his team that we have moved on to tackle other landscaping challenges around the property. ## Selected projects - [Mountain Top Perch](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mountain-top-perch-pj-vj~501035) - Location: Andes, NY - Photos: 60 - Description: The canvas for this project was carved our of ledge on the side of a mountain in the Catskills. The excavator had to blast to create the space, using the blasted rock to create the enormous retaining walls that provide the shelves for the beautiful log home, gardens and amazing views. The project included a large blue stone patio integrated into a deck for a dining and lounging area with a fire pit. There is a stroll garden that traverses the 2 level garden leading through mass plantings of pere… - [Mountain Top Perch Pergola & Landscape](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mountain-top-perch-pergola-and-landscape-pj-vj~2297780) - Location: Andes, NY - Photos: 19 - [Rustic Cabin Cottage Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rustic-cabin-cottage-garden-pj-vj~502054) - Location: Andes, NY - Photos: 37 - [Cul-De-Sac Entrance](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cul-de-sac-entrance-pj-vj~5585265) - Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ - Photos: 13 - [Desire Lines Farm](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/desire-lines-farm-pj-vj~1640648) - Location: Hobart, NY - Photos: 12 - Description: We have been working on the property since 2012. The clients love this amazing old farm and are having a blast creating new interesting areas and destinations. This past year we added a water course that is mostly spring fed from the original spring house up the hill as well as the "ledge" and "scree" gardens behind the barn. The owner came up with name for his property and it reflects our shared approach to creating beautiful architectural lines for the beds, paths and walls as well as layering… - [Native Catskill Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/native-catskill-garden-pj-vj~501052) - Location: Lew Beach, NY - Photos: 21 - Description: We have been working on this all native (at least 95%) garden for several years now, beginning the landscaping before the house was even completed. The project was a very enjoyable and successful collaboration with the home owners who were avid gardeners themselves. We started by making the berm for the pond more attractive and over the years created a woodland garden, an evergreen grove and much more. - [Ultra-Modern House with Rock Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ultra-modern-house-with-rock-garden-pj-vj~2266138) - Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ - Photos: 10 - Description: This project was like a dream. It involved a shapely, nicely defined bed that was small. Most of the landscaping that will accompany this extremely modern house will be very understated using a lot of mass plantings with a few beautiful specimens. However, this featured bed right in the front of the house allowed for a very detailed miniature landscape and sing part of it was under the overhang of the house, it even allowed for a shade garden treatment as well. I am really thrilled with the way… - [Japanese Style Stroll Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/japanese-style-stroll-garden-pj-vj~1656023) - Location: Margaretville, NY - Photos: 21 - Description: The challenge and fun of this project was to create a Japanese feeling garden that included and integrated the existing disparate Japanese style outbuildings. My client and friend's husband built the house, garage and outbuildings and she wanted to have a fairly low maintenance garden that would look beautiful from her upstairs bedroom window and have paths to walk and explore. There was existing natural pond on the property that was not holding water well so we added a liner and boulders around… - [Rustic Getaway Patio and Pond](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rustic-getaway-patio-and-pond-pj-vj~2238308) - Location: Halcott Center, NY - Photos: 18 - [Cottage Woodland Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cottage-woodland-garden-pj-vj~2238334) - Location: Halcott Center, NY - Photos: 16 - Description: This cottage with its rumble tumble wall is on the same property as the Rustic Getaway Pond Patio. We added the steps and path through the wall and the very over-sized stepping stones. Then we added the all woodland gardens with native plants. I particularly like the way the various curvilinear lines play off of each other. - [Contemporary by the Lake with a Japanese Feel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-by-the-lake-with-a-japanese-feel-pj-vj~2265747) - Location: Stamford, NY - Photos: 35 - [Country Restaurant](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/country-restaurant-pj-vj~809354) - Location: Andes, NY - Photos: 13 - Description: Two friends of my bought this building which sat on a slight rise cut out of a hill, like nearly every other project in our Catskills. However this slope was fairly gentle and only involve a 3 foot grade change. The owners wanted the landscaping to be out of the ordinary, not really flowery and low maintenance. Right up my alley. Since I love using boulders, this was perfect opportunity for a boulder retaining wall and a lot of conifers and grasses with a few perennials and shrubs. This garden i… - [High Style Contemporary Farmstead](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/high-style-contemporary-farmstead-pj-vj~5585325) - Location: Andes, NY - Photos: 31 - [Woodstock Woodland Living: Patio, Paths & Fire Pit](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/woodstock-woodland-living-patio-paths-and-fire-pit-pj-vj~504134) - Location: Woodstock, NY - Photos: 30 - Description: This garden was installed in 2013 and was an exercise in space utilization and integrating existing components with natural obstacles and grade changes. The solution involved a series of paths and patios interconnected functionally and visually with graceful curvilnear lines created with bluestone paving and various sizes of gravel. - [Contemporary in a Meadow with Patio & Pergola](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-in-a-meadow-with-patio-and-pergola-pj-vj~2266188) - Location: Bovina, NY - Photos: 28 - Description: We have been working on this project in stages over the past 5 years. We put in the patio with the boulders and garden borders in 2011 and added the path and gardens on the side of the house in 2014. In 2016 we added the interlocking pergolas and seating area with the orange chairs. We are are looking foward to planting the gardens around the pergola and adding some trees to create some shade. - [Classic Farm House with Woodland Gardens and Pond](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/classic-farm-house-with-woodland-gardens-and-pond-pj-vj~2266323) - Location: Bovina, NY - Photos: 16 - [Village Victorian Backyard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/village-victorian-backyard-pj-vj~1722399) - Location: Margaretville, NY - Photos: 20 - [Victorian Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/victorian-farmhouse-pj-vj~1722351) - Location: New Kingston, NY - Photos: 34 - [Village Cottage Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/village-cottage-garden-pj-vj~501856) - Location: Roxbury, NY - Photos: 21 - [Terraced Hill](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/terraced-hill-pj-vj~2266543) - Location: Andes, NY - Photos: 15 - Description: We did the project in 2016. It involved taking apart a series of structurally inadequate walls, re-grading and terracing the hill and building new walls. We added boulders, step and paths to make it more interesting and then we planted it with some of the plant material we saved and new plant material. [See all 21 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/zone4-landscapes-ltd-pfvwus-pf~1325589324) ## Ideabooks - [Wick](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/53693388/list/wick) — 15 ideas - [Stone Paths](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52829958/list/stone-paths) — 6 ideas [See all 2 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/melbellar) ## Community Q&A **Q: What wood was used on the pergola?** *(in Photo Questions)* Was this pre-ordered or handmade? A: It is rough-hewn hemlock that I get milled by a local fellow. The post are actually pressure-treated 6x6's that are veneered with the 3/4" hemlock. **Q: What is the vase-shaped tree in the upper right of this picture?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: I don't know how I missed this message; my apologies. I is an Aralia elata variegated. The common name is Devils walking stick because it is very thorny. It is great looking but it suckers like crazy. I would not plant it again. **Q: stone** *(in Photo Questions)* what kind of stone is used on the pathway? A: These stones were taken from the property. It is a very old farmhouse and these stones were almost buried in what used to be a path to the now defunct barn. It is possible to purchase similar stones in a stone yard in northeast Pennsylvania. They would be called oversized fieldstone steppers. **Q: What is the plant with the Sanguisorba-like blooms?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: The foliage on the bistorta gets a little raggedy later in the season but because it is such an early bloomer and feature in the garden it is usually covered by other foliage by the time is starts to decline. The polymorpha holds up pretty well. My amplexicaulis has issues with the Japanese beetles but they spend most of their time on the grapes so the damage isn't too bad on the persicaria. **Q: Fence** *(in Photo Questions)* Where can I find fence wood like this?! A: That is a good question and I wish I had a good answer and an easy source for it. This fence was built by Romancing the Woods (http://romancingthewoods.com/) from Saugerties, NY. I don't think they sell the raw materials but they do incredible work. Do check out their website. I know other people who make rustic cedar constructions but I have never tried to buy the wood. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-09.*