GROW Design Build

It’s a pleasure to write this review for Charles Anderson of GROW Design Build.
Charles was working for a neighbor of mine and I invited him to walk my backyard garden space and tell me what he saw as ways to enhance what we had in place. I knew after talking to him for 10 min. that he had what I would say, is a highly tuned aesthetic and similar sensibilities to mine. I was interested in further developing a serene, Japanese theme, paying attention to water restrictions and the phenomena of more sun here in Santa Cruz. He started by working one area at a time, of which there were three planted spaces and we went from there, talking through the design, the mood and the practical aspects of maintenance. He began by lifting the stepping stones and boulders that were already there and building up the contours with more soil. Already, the garden looked so much more interesting! New plants were brought in, the irrigation re-​worked and garden lights re-​installed. Also, he built a simple, wood structure to hide irrigation plumbing. My favorite artistic piece was his clever re-​purposing of an oak limb we took from our tree that he cut and worked into a small retaining area near one our Japanese maple trees. He did this in the Japanese tradition of woodworking. It’s lovely and serves a purpose as well. Most weeks when Charles came to work in our space, I worked with him so I could learn about maintaining the plants and managing the bugs and diseases that show up. This was a joy for me. Our garden space is truly another room of our home; we are outside most every day, enjoying our special sanctuary. I love sharing it with friends and listening to them o-​o-​o-​o and a-​h-​h-​h-​h over our cherished space. Thank you again Charles! We miss you in SC.

Charles Anderson the owner of Grow Design + Build has created a peaceful oasis in my backyard. Working with him is a pleasure as he is detail oriented and very knowledgable. He communicates well and listens to my ideas while incorporating them into his design. He works within my budgetary constraints. He seems to love my garden as much as I do and is very careful while pruning. He has an eye for plants/​tree structure. He’s particularly knowledgeable about drought tolerant ants snd Japanese maples. I highly recommend him.

5 years ago Charles Anderson installed a garden where I thought none could, partially because my front yard flooded year after year. Charles figured out the problem quickly, went to work and there’s not been a flood issue since. He artfully dug, rearranged, and layed down beautiful rock in the process. Charles also creatively and competently installed a colorful year round blooming, no fuss, drought tolerant garden for me. Everyday when I look at my front yard I am amazed at the skill Charles had in creating this space… he seemed to do it so simply.

Owner of Grow Design + Build, Charles Anderson, is by far the most artistic, creative, exacting, meticulous, thoughtful landscape designers and install masters I have ever had the pleasure of working with.
Charles took a mismatched, hodgepodge landscape and turned it into a beautifully designed and installed piece of art in front of my business located at 304 Lincoln Street in Downtown Santa Cruz.
Charles was not only mindful of my budget but he was also creative with the drainage and the use of low water, indigenous plants, trees and grasses.
Charles commitment to the reuse of existing rocks, junipers and irrigation materials was a breath of fresh air. He was able to take most of the plants, trees and shrubs and «recreate» them into my new project in a way that I could not have imagined.
Charles is a true master at his craft and his eye for design and vision for what is possible in all capacities will be a true gift to any design and/​or landscaping project you may have for him.
I am truly thankful that Charles was able to design, install and maintain my artfully appointed landscape and I would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone no matter the size or scope of the project.
Stop by and see for yourself, you won’t regret it!

If you’re wanting a beautiful, well designed outdoor space you should talk to Charles of Grow Design Build. Charles designs spaces that are beautiful to look at but he is also passionate about using native plants and designing gardens that are easily maintained and environmentally conscious. This includes plants that don’t require lots of watering, as well as re-​using materials in creative new ways (in one garden space he used old steel plates from a railroad as great looking pavers to create a pathway).
I’m an interior designer and seeing the spaces he has created for clients makes me wish I had an outdoor space of my own to give him free reign in! His designs are creative and interesting, and he has a wealth of knowledge about decorative plants as well as vegetable and fruit gardens.
All the work of his I’ve seen is well thought out, artistically designed, and he seems to have endless creative and practical input on how to make the overall space really wonderful.