FAQ

Yes. We service existing ponds and water features no matter who built them — cleanouts, pump replacement and repair, leak troubleshooting, and seasonal maintenance. Ponds have been our specialty since 1996, so we've seen just about every setup. If yours has been neglected for a few years, that's fine too — a good cleanout is usually the place to start.

We design ponds to clean themselves the way nature does: biological filtration, the right water turnover, and plants that compete with algae for nutrients. Sluggish water and too much sun feed string algae fast, so circulation and shade matter as much as filtration. For stubborn blooms we lean on natural approaches like barley extract rather than algaecides. It's better for fish, plants, pets, and everything downstream.

In the Willamette Valley, fall is the time — net the pond before leaves drop, do a cleanout if there's built-up debris, and make sure the pump and filtration are ready for cold weather. Our winters are mild enough that fish generally overwinter fine in a properly built pond with adequate depth and some water movement to keep a gas exchange opening in any ice. We handle fall cleanouts and winter prep as part of our seasonal pond maintenance.

The core program covers mowing, perimeter edging and string trimming, shrub pruning and small tree trimming, weed control (pre- and post-emergent), and turf and shrub fertilization. Seasonal work like cleanups and aeration is built into the calendar. Every property is a little different, so we tailor the scope to what your site actually needs rather than selling a one-size package.

Yes, both. Commercial clients — HOAs, offices, retail sites — typically get year-round grounds care under contract, including snow and ice service in winter. Residential maintenance runs on a recurring schedule with the same crew, so they get to know your property. Either way, you're dealing with a family company, not a call center.

We set you up on a recurring schedule and stick to it — same crew, same rhythm, so you know when to expect us. Visit frequency depends on the season and what your property needs; growth in spring is a different animal than November.

It depends on the scope. Routine planting, paver patios, and most pond work typically don't need one, but taller retaining walls, covered structures, and anything involving electrical or plumbing connections often do, and each county (and city) draws the lines a little differently. We'll tell you up front if your project triggers permitting.

It starts with a site visit — we walk the property with you, talk about how you want to use the space, and work up a plan and estimate from there. Build time depends on scope: a small water feature might be a few days, a full design/build with hardscape can run several weeks. Lead time before we can start varies by season; spring books up fastest.

You'll get a written estimate before any work starts, so there are no surprises on price.

We're based in Aurora, near the airport and golf course, and work throughout the north Willamette Valley — Aurora, Hubbard, Canby, Wilsonville, Charbonneau, Woodburn, Lake Oswego, Oregon City, West Linn, Sherwood, Tualatin, and Newberg. If you're close to that footprint but don't see your town, give us a call at (503) 678-7744 and we'll tell you straight whether we can take it on.

Yes. We're licensed with the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board (LCB #6834), bonded, and insured. Our training background includes ICPI paver training and Aquascape water-feature training, and we've been involved with the Oregon Landscape Contractors Association over the years. Brothers Brett and Rod Kacalek have run the company since 1996 — thirty years of the same family standing behind the work.

Estimates are free. Send the request form on our website or call the office at (503) 678-7744 (Mon–Fri, 9:00–4:30), and we'll respond within two business days. For project work we'll usually set up a site visit so the number reflects your actual property, not a guess from photos.