--- title: "Capital Landscaping — Landscape Contractors | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/capital-landscaping-pfvwus-pf~722212082 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~722212082.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Capital Landscaping" category: ["Landscape Contractors"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/2793aa70034be49c_2653-w400-h400-b1-p10--.jpg address: "113 E Sheridan Ave, Des Moines, Iowa 50313, United States" latitude: 41.6381 longitude: -93.6203 phone: "(515) 244-2724" website: http://www.capitallandscaping.com rating: 5 review_count: 5 best_of_houzz_awards: 1 followers: 30 last_updated: 2026-08-24 --- # Capital Landscaping Original Houzz profile: [Capital Landscaping](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/capital-landscaping-pfvwus-pf~722212082) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Contractors - **Location:** Des Moines, IA - **Serves:** Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Waukee, Johnston, Altoona, Clive, Indianola, Grimes, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Bondurant, Polk City, Windsor Heights, Carlisle, Saylorville, Beaverdale, Berwick - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (5 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2018), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 250 Ideabook Saves Capital Landscaping is a full-service landscaping and outdoor living company located in Des Moines, Iowa. We can help you in every stage of the process of transforming your yard from initial design and final installation to maintaining the perfect lawn for you. We specialize in residential landscapes and outdoor living, and offer a variety of services. We have a variety of project examples and ideas here we hope inspire you and whatever your dream landscape is, we aim to bring that dream to reality. In addition to landscape we also offer lawn maintenance from mowing, aeration, and fertilizer to garden maintenance and fall/spring clean up. During the winter, we offer snow removal services. Our landscape services include the installation of water features, boulder and block retaining walls, laying flagstone and paver patios, and planting the perfect selection of vegetation to make your home stand out! We work with you to design the landscape you have always dreamed of by offering custom designs and unique products to make your project one of a kind. Whether your existing landscape needs updating, or your new construction plans include a patio, pond, or garden waterfall we will work with you to incorporate your style by including your choice of plants and hardscape materials. Our outdoor living services include building and installing outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, BBQ islands, fire pits, pergolas, and decks. We take pride in our work and strive to make your landscape functional for you and your family, manageable to care for, and a beautiful addition to your home. We are your Des Moines landscape and outdoor living company in central Iowa. This includes Urbandale, Johnston, Waukee, Altoona, Ankeny, West Des Moines and other areas around the metro. ### Services Provided - Landscape Construction - Hardscaping - Garden Design - Landscape Maintenance - Patio Construction - Deck Building - Pergola Construction - Paver Installation - Retaining Wall Construction - Custom Fire Pits - Outdoor Kitchen Construction - Custom Water Features - Outdoor Lighting Installation - Outdoor Fireplace Construction - Concrete Construction - Drought Tolerant Landscaping - Landscape Lighting Installation - Planting - Landscape Drainage System Installation - Sod Installation - Tree Planting - Land Leveling & Grading - Lawn Care - Mulching - Site Preparation - Tree Pruning - Lawn Mowing - Hedge Trimming - Lawn Aeration - Lawn Seeding - Lawn Treatment & Fertilization - Brick Repair - Weed Control - Stump Grinding - Wood Fence Repair ### Areas Served - Des Moines - West Des Moines - Ankeny - Urbandale - Waukee - Johnston - Altoona - Clive - Indianola - Grimes - Norwalk - Pleasant Hill - Bondurant - Polk City - Windsor Heights - Carlisle - Saylorville - Beaverdale - Berwick ### Typical Job Cost $10,000 - 60,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Capital Landscaping | | Address | 113 E Sheridan Ave, Des Moines, Iowa 50313, United States | | Phone | (515) 244-2724 | | Website | http://www.capitallandscaping.com | | Followers on Houzz | 30 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/Capital-Landscaping-Des-Moines-IA-352535754011/ - Blog — http://capitallandscaping.com/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Capital Landscaping](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/capital-landscaping-pfvwus-pf~722212082) - **Website:** http://www.capitallandscaping.com - **Phone:** (515) 244-2724 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2018), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 5 reviews** ### All 5 reviews **★★★★★ — Matt DeWitt, Nov. 2017** > Thank you - great work; timely, professional, & priced very fairly. We installed a fireplace, seating/brick wall, lighting, tiling, edgers/mulch, & a rain barrel. Would use again for additional projects. **Comment from Capital Landscaping:** > Thank you, Matt! We're very glad to hear you were satisfied with our work and would use our services again. We'd love to work with you again if you ever have a project in mind. Thank you again for your compliments and review! **★★★★★ — Erica Kitt, Nov. 2017** > Kate was wonderful to work with. The landscaping and fireplace turned out amazing but the customer service was probably the best part. Kate always got back to me right away. **Comment from Capital Landscaping:** > Thank you, Erica! We love to hear when our design and work meets expectations but it's even more uplifting to hear when someone is satisfied and happy with our customer service. Thank you for your kinds words and review! **★★★★★ — Mike Murphy, Nov. 2017** > Their design was exactly what we wanted. Got the job done on time and on budget. Can't ask for more than that. **Comment from Capital Landscaping:** > Thank you, Mike! We love this design and are happy it's what you wanted. We strive to be professional and complete our work on time and on budget and we're glad we were able to do so for you. Thank you for your kind words and review! **★★★★★ — Roy Molina, Nov. 2017** > They did a great job on my outdoor stream and butterfly garden. Also Fall clean up was professionally done and looked wonderful. **Comment from Capital Landscaping:** > Thank you, Roy! We strive to be professional and are glad you found us so. **★★★★★ — Brent W, Nov. 2017** > I had a very good experience with Capital Landscaping. I needed a retaining wall built along my driveway. Phil quoted what I thought was an honest price and his crew got the job done in a timely manner. All my neighbors have had nothing but good comments. Thanks Phil, Cole, Jim, Natalie, and all others involved! I plan to have some more work done in the future and will recommend you anytime I get a chance. Thank you! **Comment from Capital Landscaping:** > Thank you Brent! It was a pleasure working with you. We are glad you had a good experience working with us, and are thankful for your kind words and compliments! ## Selected projects - [Gas Firepit, Grill Center, Patio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gas-firepit-grill-center-patio-pj-vj~2725806) - Location: West Des Moines, IA - Photos: 4 - [Hardscaping](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hardscaping-pj-vj~2703594) - Location: Des Moines, IA - Photos: 22 - Description: Here is a sample of all of our hardscaping projects including patio, firepits, retaining walls, boulder wall, pergolas, and more. We take great pride in our work in designing and building custom hardscapes for our clients and hope this sample inspires you in creating your dream landscape. - [Outdoor Living Under a Pergola](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/outdoor-living-under-a-pergola-pj-vj~2716927) - Location: Ankeny, IA - Photos: 5 - Description: This are was designed a pre-existing concrete slab/patio. Sitting walls were built around the slab and a large fireplace and simple grill center were installed. Covering it all is a fantastic vinyl pergola. A wonderful space to relax or entertain guests. - [Full Backyard Transformation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/full-backyard-transformation-pj-vj~2716900) - Location: Indianola, IA - Photos: 7 - [Cozy Firepit and Patio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cozy-firepit-and-patio-pj-vj~2875018) - Location: Urbandale, IA - Photos: 6 - [Fireplace and Bar](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fireplace-and-bar-pj-vj~2825669) - Location: Bondurant, IA - Photos: 7 - [Driveway Retaining Walls](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/driveway-retaining-walls-pj-vj~2745204) - Location: Des Moines, IA - Photos: 4 - [Old Pavers, New Look](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/old-pavers-new-look-pj-vj~2835341) - Location: Des Moines, IA - Photos: 11 - [Simplicity is Beautiful](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/simplicity-is-beautiful-pj-vj~2716816) - Location: Altoona, IA - Photos: 4 - [Mixed Paver Circle Patio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mixed-paver-circle-patio-pj-vj~2852050) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - [Mixed Pavers and Timber Walls](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mixed-pavers-and-timber-walls-pj-vj~2745271) - Location: Des Moines, IA - Photos: 5 - [Lake Side Slope](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-side-slope-pj-vj~577886) - Location: Panora, IA - Photos: 17 - Description: This project was interrupted by winter and a very wet spring. It took nearly a whole year to complete. We transformed the lot running down from the deck to the lake front with boulder walls and a set of stairs that ran down connecting the deck to a patio and fire pit near the waters edge. - [Adding on to a Beautiful Yard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/adding-on-to-a-beautiful-yard-pj-vj~577814) - Location: Des Moines, IA - Photos: 16 - Description: Think you yard is beautiful as it is? Your probably right, but if you are looking for more space to enjoy family gatherings or grilling out let Capital show you how our designs are custom to fit your existing home. This client was looking to expand his deck into a patio and Capital's design team was up to the challenge! Every design is drawn with the client in mind and this project was no different. Making sure to tie in the new patio with the existing grade and deck Capital came up with a desig… - [Backyard Patio and Retaining Wall](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-patio-and-retaining-wall-pj-vj~2936529) - Location: Ankeny, IA - Photos: 5 - [Retaining Walls and Pathways](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/retaining-walls-and-pathways-pj-vj~2895391) - Location: Des Moines, IA - Photos: 8 - [Curb Appeal Retaining Wall](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/curb-appeal-retaining-wall-pj-vj~2891359) - Location: Boone, IA - Photos: 5 - [Grading Solution](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/grading-solution-pj-vj~577848) - Location: Des Moines, IA - Photos: 14 - Description: Capital provides many solutions to landscape problems such as grading as in this particular case. If your back or front yard is limited due to the grading or elevation change we have a wide variety of ideas to redesign your yard into a space you can truly enjoy. Capital redesigned this yard into space the clients could actually use and provided a gathering space for family and friends while also solving a water run-off and erosion problem. Let Capital help you better utilize your yard to its ful… - [Raised Beds](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/raised-beds-pj-vj~589698) - Location: Des Moines, IA - Photos: 20 - Description: One way to create flower beds or vegetables gardens to create a raised bed using timbers that help elevate plants above grade. Not only is it a cool look, but have many practical benefits such as keeping the pathway weeds out, as well as pests like slugs and snails. The soil also is less prone to compact which keeps it healthier for use over the years. This project included tearing out and creating new beds with edging along the house, a boulder retaining wall for the raised bed area, and the ra… - [School Playground and Play Area](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/school-playground-and-play-area-pj-vj~582111) - Location: Des Moines, IA - Photos: 30 - Description: This was a larger and fun project for a local school. We did just about everything except for the installation of the blue foam surface surrounding the play ground. We took out the timber retaining walls and put in new block retaining walls as well as installed drain tile for better run off control. [See all 19 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/capital-landscaping-pfvwus-pf~722212082) ## Ideabooks - [Patios](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/28439112/list/patios) — 41 ideas - [Boulder and Retaining Walls](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/28439350/list/boulder-and-retaining-walls) — 16 ideas - [Beds and Walkways](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/28440421/list/beds-and-walkways) — 18 ideas - [Planting and Flower Beds](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/103179701/list/planting-and-flower-beds) — 2 ideas - [Outdoor Living](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/28440237/list/outdoor-living) — 25 ideas - [Water Features](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/28440296/list/water-features) — 12 ideas - [Fire-pits, Grills, and Fireplaces](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/28439739/list/fire-pits-grills-and-fireplaces) — 13 ideas [See all 7 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/capitaldsms) ## Community Q&A **Q: Paved patio** *(in Landscape Design)* Hey folks! Looking at getting a roughly 250-300sqft area paved. Would you shop at Lowe's/Home Depot for your paving tiles/slabs or go through a landscaper/nursery and get something like Techoblok? Also, would you choose porous and non porous pavers? We're in NE so snow is a yearly feature. Thanks! A: Up against your house or buildings you'll have to use regular pavers for sure to direct water away from the ground around those buildings. As for permeable pavers, they are an option if the ground can handle the water, otherwise regular pavers are your best best and whoever builds it needs to make sure to grade it so the water runs to a drainage area or away from buildings. Without seeing the area you're doing I can't for sure say what would be better. When it comes to pavers and blocks, if you want better quality and longer lasting materials it's best to go through a landscape/hardscapes company. Techoblock or Belgard are examples of companies that sell those high quality materials, and those are the kinds of companies where most professional landscaping companies get there material. **Q: First time home owner, where do I begin????** *(in Landscape Design)* We moved into our house in January in Mn and didn't really get a good look at the lawn prior to moving in. Now that spring has finally sprung we realize we have a lot of work ahead of us. The house we moved into was empty for a while so it doesn't appear as if any lawn work was done last fall. After talking to the neighbor is sounds like there was an overrun area of the lawn that they just cut down because they thought people would not want to deal with it if they saw how over run it was. There also used to be an above ground pool that did some left an area in pretty bad shape. Where do I begin? Should I rake all the leaves up then mow? Should I mow with a bag to pick up the leaves? How do I go about repairing the bad areas? Use a thatcher? Aerate? Fertilize? Seed? I've attached some photos to give you some perspective. The photos with the lattice is where the pool used to be. The other ones are where it was over grown. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have zero lawn care experience and I really want my first yard to be one that I can be proud of. A: Since your in MN and spring weather is just hitting with the snow finally leaving, there are a few things you can do as the sun starts to be out longer and temps warm up. First priority would be getting on the leaves and sticks out of the yard so it's not smothering the turf. Depending how many leaves/sticks this could be done a few ways. You might need to stick to rakes and blowers instead of a mow and bag. Either way, once the yard is cleaner take a look at the ground, it might be so compact and shady that just throwing seed down won't help much. If you're really serious about getting fuller and thicker turf, you might be be best having a local company that takes care of turfs recommend a course of action for you which could include spring aeration and seeding, and maybe fertilizer. If the soil isn't to bad though it might just need some seed and maybe some fertilizer. It's still relatively early landscaping season in MN, the grass just turned green here in central Iowa within the last two weeks. So you should be able to do some work to get things looking better before grasses really start to kick in. **Q: Mud Wrestling - Help!** *(in Landscape Design)* Below are pictures of our back yard after some heavy rains. Yes...lovely. We have a few problems. 1\. Our wonderful Ash trees make it hard for grass to grow. We will seed AGAIN but I’m about ready to give up. Better ideas? 2\. Our big lug of a dog has been wearing away the space by the neighbors fence playing with their dog. Sod? 3\. The area near the patio gets run off from the slope one way and drainage from the downspout the other. We will work on the downspout but what do I do with the rest of it? Plants that love shade as a border? Ideas of all types welcome. Even contemplated building a play area under the trees for the kids or a fire pit area (probably a fire hazard) Thanks for sharing your brain power. Zone 6 West facing backyard Loads of shade except right by the house. A: There a couple different things to consider. The largest issue you are having that would help with improving everything overall is drainage. It's hard to tell the grades and slopes in your yard, but a local company should be able to help you determine if there is a relatively easy fix like installing drainage using perf tile to drain the water away from where it's pooling to a good drainage area, or if you have been unlucky enough to have your yard be the low spot in the surrounding neighborhood in which case fixing your water/drainage issues becomes trickier. If your dog is running back and forth along the fence and it's hard on the grass, sod will only temporarily "fix" the issue. It'll get worn down just like the existing grass. You could give up on the grass right along the fence or you could try doing a flower bed with mulch and shrubs, though placing the plants will be tricky to keep the plants alive with a dog running around them all the time. And mulch will look nice and can be easily top-ed off and cleaned out as the dog runs around kicking it around a bit. The idea of a firepit is really nice, and you're right it probably shouldn't be to close to the tree. But if your kids don't run around and use the grassy area to much you could move it more towards the center of your yard and it'd still be a nice place for them to roast marshmallows and hang out with friends as they get to be teens and spend less time running around in the yard. Overall; it'd contact a local company regarding the standing water and drainage issues, see what they can come up, and based on that you can work other solutions to help improve the yard which might be some reseeding, or hardscape options like a patio or flagstone pathways, etc if grass isn't going to grow. **Q: Unique Landscaping Challenge** *(in Landscape Design)* We just redid our patio, but we need to add some kind of hardscape and landscape to support the concrete wall of the patio and avoid the drop off. Planters that step down? Rocks? Wood beams? Any ideas from you landscape lovers? A: It looks like you already have a bit of an old pathway on the hill. One idea is to install limestone steps running up to the path. Bordered with boulder walls along it. So you would do three for four steps, a landing, and another three or four steps and a landing etc up to the pathway. Placing boulders along the steps themselves and flagstone or patio pavers in between for the landing. As for the immediate drop off there, a small block retaining wall would give good support and might leave room for a few plantings between it a and the patio. **Q: front porch/steps /landscaping help needed** *(in Landscape Design)* We just built a home—garage is on the left-we need ideas on how to finish off the front porch/steps and landscaping ideas to make the front “pop” A: There's a lot you can do with the front yard and steps depending on your cost. Like others have suggested, you might want to put in wider steps, maybe do stone steps with a paver pathway out to the driveway. I would encourage planting some grasses off to the right of the steps if your facing the house, not to close to the steps, and maybe put some small flowers in a bed around the grasses. It also could look good to run a flower bed from near the step across the front of your home and along the retaining wall. As for the large open space in the front and side of your yard there are so many options. You can do a few different flower beds to break up the area, including one farther out towards the curb with a tree in it to add some closure to your yard if you want. You could do planter boxes along the side of the house if you like gardening to help get some elevation away from critters. There even looks like enough space to do a small circle patio with firepit if you really want out in the middle area 45 degrees and 30-40 ft out from the retaining wall if you want though it would lack some privacy being in the front yard. So many options. Ultimately I'd check out some local landscape design firms or contractors portfolios to get some more visual ideas. **Q: Shallow lot landscaping** *(in Landscape Design)* I’m buying a newly built home with a very shallow urban lot (15 feet) bordered by a retaining wall and a privacy fence above the wall. The yard is north facing; in Texas this means I can actually use my covered patio. What can I plant that is easy care and would provide some visual interest against this wall? The first two photos were taken on sunny day at about noon of the east side of the yard and straight ahead form the covered patio. The third photo is on a cloudy day. A: If you are just looking for some visual interest again the wall (not planting for the entirety of the yard), I would suggest creating a flower bed along the wall and planting some medium sizes shrubs or grasses close to/against the wall, with some smaller shrubs/grass or perennials in front of that to give visual layers. You could do shrubs behind with perennials in front. Or grasses behind with perennials or small shrubs in front. If I knew more about Texas climate and what plants grow well I could offer more, but thinking along these lines may be a start. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-24.*