Sarah Jenkins
Landscape Architect
Sarah is a certified landscape architect with over a decade of experience in sustainable urban design and rigorous quality control.
Articles by Sarah Jenkins
Cost Breakdown: Artificial Turf vs Natural Sod
An honest financial comparison between installing artificial turf and natural sod in the Lower Mainland over a 10-year span.
Best Landscaping Companies in Vancouver 2026: A Buyer's Guide
How to actually choose a Vancouver landscaping company in 2026, what credentials matter, what red flags to watch for, the ICPI/BCLNA accreditations that signal quality, and how to compare quotes that aren't apples-to-apples.
Cedar vs Composite Decks in Vancouver: The Honest 2026 Comparison
A side-by-side comparison of cedar and composite decking for Metro Vancouver homeowners, real installed costs, lifespan in our climate, maintenance reality, and which one wins for your specific project.
Frost-Resistant Plants for Vancouver Gardens (Zone 8b): A Designer's Picks
A landscape architect's go-to plants for Metro Vancouver Zone 8b: evergreens that hold structure year-round, perennials that survive our winters, and native species that thrive on minimal water. Plus the plants we never use anymore and why.
Irrigation System Installation Vancouver: Smart Watering
Protect your landscaping investment with professional irrigation system installation in Vancouver. Learn about smart controllers and drip lines.
Paver Patio Cost in Vancouver 2026: Materials, Sizes & Real Installed Prices
Real installed prices for paver patios in Vancouver, concrete pavers vs natural stone vs porcelain, sizing your project, base prep costs, and the line items contractors don't always show you upfront.
Pet-Friendly Backyard Landscaping Vancouver: Dog Runs, Turf & Plants to Avoid
Design a Vancouver backyard that works for dogs and humans, pet-grade artificial turf, dog runs, safe ground covers, the plants you must remove for pet safety, and the urine-resistant landscape solutions that actually hold up.
Retaining Wall Cost Vancouver: Allan Block vs Boulder vs Engineered Compared
Real installed prices for retaining walls in Vancouver, Allan Block, boulder, timber, and engineered concrete walls compared by cost per face foot, when you need a permit, and the drainage details that separate a 50-year wall from a 5-year failure.
Vancouver Backyard Privacy Solutions: Fences, Hedges, Pergolas Compared
Compare fences, hedges, pergolas, and privacy screens for Vancouver backyards, installed cost, time to maturity, maintenance, and what fits zero-lot-line urban yards versus larger suburban properties. Plus Vancouver-specific bylaw heights and setbacks.
Vancouver Landscaping Cost Guide 2026: Real Prices for Every Project
Real installed prices for every type of landscaping project in Vancouver, patios, decks, retaining walls, irrigation, water features, lighting, and full-yard renovations. Updated for 2026 with line-item budgets and what actually drives the cost up or down.