Landscaper in Taos, NM

Flagstone in warm sandstone and buff tones and natural clay pavers complement the earthen walls and Pueblo Revival aesthetic of most Taos properties. These materials match the color palette of the surrounding landscape and hold up to the clay soil movement and freeze-thaw cycles at Taos's elevation. Concrete pavers in gray tones tend to look out of place against adobe and are more prone to cracking in this climate.

Clay soil in the Taos area swells when it absorbs moisture and shrinks as it dries out. A paver surface set directly on native clay will develop low spots and uneven sections as the soil moves through wet and dry cycles. A properly prepared base with compacted gravel at the correct depth isolates the pavers from that movement and keeps the surface level over time.

Outdoor kitchens work well in Taos during the long spring, summer, and fall seasons, but the materials and layout need to account for winter freeze exposure. Countertop materials, grout joints, and any plumbing connections should be selected and installed with freeze protection in mind. A covered portal or pergola over the kitchen area also protects surfaces from the intense UV and hail that come with monsoon season.

Many properties in Arroyo Seco and the hillside areas above Taos have enough slope that retaining walls are needed to create flat, usable outdoor space. Monsoon rain in late summer moves soil quickly on these slopes, and a wall without drainage built into it will hold water pressure until it fails. Grading the site before installation is the first step on any sloped Taos property.