Creating Sustainable Landscapes, LLC

Drew at Creating Sustainable Landscapes is very efficient and knowledgeable about calculating necesary size for a rain garden, lay out and design. Also uses native plants which tend tobe more drought resistant. He did a rain/perennial garden for us last year and we liked it so much we added a rain garden this year with a butterfly garden and border grass plantings. Below is a pic of garden done 6/16 and second pic is project 6/17

Drew is very professional and creative. He showed up on time and used email to communicate effectively. We had 1500 bare square feet in our backyard and only knew we wanted it planted with native perennials. He designed the garden, selected the plants and planted them. We couldn't be happier with the results.

Drew transformed our front & backyard areas that were difficult and unattractive into beautiful & low-maintenance landscapes that are already attracting more butterflies, bees & dragonflies to our yard. Our entire yard is clay and that, coupled with the blazing sun in front, had made it impossible to have any color or keep things other than basic shrubs alive before. We also had a particularly challenging low spot in the back where water pooled after rain that did not allow for traditional French drains. Loads of surface tree roots and spotty grass too. Drew's plan for that area literally solved all our problems - even water that had pooled on our patio until now! He designed beds that used plants ideally suited to our difficult conditions and really educated us on the various plants. We were able to select from a good variety of plants, colors and bloom times so our yard will end up with a lot of visual interest and minimal effort to maintain it going forward. The work was done in just two days and has transformed our yard significantly. We can't wait to see how it looks next summer. Will definitely use Drew & his team again!

Drew provided solutions for me in re-grading my landscaping (directing water away from the house foundation) and planting appropriate native plants for low maintenance/sustainability. He worked with me every step of the way to satisfy my goals/preferences. The job was completed in one day with a very hard working crew. I am very satisfied with the work completed.

We hired Drew and his company to transform our new home site into a 100% Michigan Native garden. Starting with a bare site, he worked with us to design and install various gardens including rain gardens, swales, butterfly gardens, and more. Everything was carefully thought out and presented to us for our approval.

I first learned about Creating Sustainable Landscapes when I attended one of Drew Lathin's sustainable landscaping workshops last year. After that I became convinced of the importance of planting native species in my yard. Drew worked with me to try to select native deer-resistant trees, bushes and other plants for my front, back and side yards. He communicated regularly and consistently with me, and most importantly, he and his team showed up and completed the work (preparing plant beds, installing trees, plants and bushes, laying mulch) on the days that he said they would. He also kept within the agreed-upon budget.

We are extremely pleased at the quality and service from Creating Sustainable Landscapes,LLC. We dealt directly with the owner, Drew. He is very knowledgeable about native plants . Even though our job was a small one, Drew gave my job his full attention and suggested the best plants to use in each location. The installation went smoothly. As Drew promised, he and his crew arrived on time and did all that was promised- the mulching, planting of native plants. There was no clean up left for me as everything was cleaned up upon their leaving the site . Drew went over how to care for the plants in order to get them established. Drew also stated I could contact him at any time with questions . I was also pleasantly surprised that the cost was less than the original verbal approximation.

After attending Drew Lathin's lectures and power point presentations on rain gardens and native plants, I felt that a rain garden would solve the problem of standing water on the west side of our house and be a beautiful and ecological addition to our yard. After contacting Drew, he came to our house and discussed installation details of the rain garden - size, placement, underground connecting pipes from the downspouts to the garden, date, time for completion, and estimated cost. He then e-mailed me a list of appropriate native plants to choose from. On the day of installation, Drew and his crew of three diligent workers arrived and completed the project in the one day as planned. I chose an oval shape for the approximately 120 square foot garden. Under Drew's guidance, the crew worked steadily and meticulously the entire day. Additionally, as Drew mentored the crew, I watched and learned about the details of the project. The crew used the sod from the garden site to construct the surrounding berm which blended well with the surrounding lawn. A trench was dug which contained the flexible tubing which led from the downspouts to the rain garden. Grass seed and sod covered the trench, which was level with the lawn. Drew and the crew installed the native plants and added mulch. The clean up was complete. The crew were always polite and respectful. The rain garden handled the recent heavy rains well, and there was no more standing water on the west side of our house. Drew and his crew's rain garden created a beautiful, useful and sustainable addition to our yard.

From the start, Drew Lathin (principle operator of CSL), deomstrated a very respectful and concerned attitude. He returned our call promptly, and was flexible in setting up a consultation despite my unpredictable work schedule. He was generous with his time, listening to what w had in mind, and investigating what was already existing in our yard. He made a few suggestions, options, and a rough estimate, as well as a preliminary schedule, then gave us time to think about it. After some lapse in time, we replied with a modified request. He returned for a second complimentary visit to get a more concrete understanding of what we had requested, and make the appropriate measurements. We agreed to a schedule and cost estimate. He even threw in a few extra items we hadn't requested with the initial quote. The work was done as per schedule (with some minor modifications due to weather and nursery availability), and under budget, and he passed on the savings by charging us less than originally quoted. Throughout the process, he was always respectful, had a sense of humor, and offered advice and insights for us to build on, beyond his specific scope of work. It was a pleasure, I I have recommended him to friends, and I would do work with him again.

NATIVE GARDENING Some of us can see the advantage of native gardening. We dream about an abundance of butterflies, hummingbirds, dragon flies, frogs and song birds. It is a goal worth achieving but the work and knowledge are not always part of our skill set. Drew Lathin has the skill set and the knowledge. He is an apostle of all that is natural and good for the earth and our gardens. Drew has completed 2 projects in my yard to move me forward on my plan for an all natural backyard that attracts a multitude of pollinators. Last year Drew worked diligently to clear a section of my yard filled with Hostas, Lily of the Valley and Myrtle all plants that grow in the shade but not conducive to attracting birds and insects. He raked, he pulled, he planned and he seeded. This fall I am seeing fruits of his hard work and anticipating next spring. This fall he built a rain garden in another section of the yard. Together we laid out what I envisioned, from there he once again dug, modeled and planted a beauty that promises to be stunning as to matures by this time next year. Drew is honest, hard working, creative and knowledgable. I would highly recommend him for your landscaping dreams.

NATIVE GARDENING Some of us can see the advantage of native gardening. We dream about an abundance of butterflies, hummingbirds, dragon flies, frogs and song birds. It is a goal worth achieving but the work and knowledge are not always part of our skill set. Drew Lathin has the skill set and the knowledge. He is an apostle of all that is natural and good for the earth and our gardens. Drew has completed 2 projects in my yard to move me forward on my plan for an all natural backyard that attracts a multitude of pollinators. Last year Drew worked diligently to clear a section of my yard filled with Hostas, Lily of the Valley and Myrtle all plants that grow in the shade but not conducive to attracting birds and insects. He raked, he pulled, he planned and he seeded. This fall I am seeing fruits of his hard work and anticipating next spring. This fall he built a rain garden in another section of the yard. Together we laid out what I envisioned, from there he once again dug, modeled and planted a beauty that promises to be stunning as to matures by this time next year. Drew is honest, hard working, creative and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend him for your landscaping dreams.

I hired Drew to clean out an overgrown area of my yard and then plant native perennials. Drew is knowledgeable and clearly enthusiastic about his work. I enjoyed discussing the options and plants with him. His estimate was detailed, clear, and accurate. I am very happy with the finished job.