Outdoor Living for Your Home, Done the Second Nature Way
Your home’s landscape does far more than surround your Franklin County or St. Louis-area property—it defines how you experience it. From the first impression at the curb to the spaces where friends and family gather, thoughtful landscaping can transform a yard into a functional, beautiful extension of your home. At Second Nature Excavation and Hardscapes, we provide full-service residential landscaping services in St. Louis, helping homeowners design, build, and maintain outdoor spaces that are both visually striking and highly functional.
With over 40 years of experience, our skilled team offers a complete range of landscaping services—from site preparation and drainage solutions to hardscapes, outdoor living features, and custom driveway installations. By combining thoughtful design with skilled craftsmanship, we create landscapes that enhance property value while improving how you experience your St. Louis home.
Because great landscapes are built from the ground up, our services cover every stage of the process. From excavation and grading to landscape design, patios, walkways, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, fire features, and driveways, Second Nature provides the expertise needed to bring your outdoor vision to life.
Why Hire Second Nature for Residential Landscaping in St. Louis?
For four-plus decades, Second Nature has helped homeowners in Franklin County and throughout the St. Louis region transform their properties through thoughtful landscaping and expert construction.
Homeowners in Franklin County choose Second Nature because we offer:
- Over 40 years of residential landscaping experience
- Full-service design and installation throughout the St. Louis area
- Skilled craftsmanship and high-quality materials
- Expertise in St. Louis soil and drainage conditions
- Customized landscaping solutions for every property
Our goal is to create outdoor environments that enhance both the beauty and functionality of your St. Louis home.
Residential Landscaping Services in St. Louis
Below are the core residential landscaping services we offer in Franklin County and throughout the St. Louis area, each designed to improve the beauty, functionality, and long-term performance of your property.
New Home Construction Landscaping in St. Louis
When a new home is built in St. Louis, the surrounding landscape often begins as a blank canvas. New home construction landscaping transforms that unfinished space into a cohesive outdoor environment that complements the home’s architecture.
Second Nature works closely with homeowners and builders in Franklin County and throughout the St. Louis area to develop landscaping plans that include grading, lawn installation, planting design, and hardscape features. By planning landscaping early in the construction process, we ensure the finished outdoor space integrates naturally with the property while addressing drainage and soil conditions from the start.

St. Louis Landscape Design
Every successful landscape begins with thoughtful planning. Our landscape design services in St. Louis focus on creating outdoor environments that balance aesthetics, functionality, and long-term performance.
Our design process considers factors such as property layout, elevation, drainage patterns, sun exposure, and how homeowners intend to use their outdoor space. By carefully planning plant placement, hardscape elements, and circulation paths, we create landscapes that feel cohesive and natural.
This design-first approach ensures that every element works together to create a unified outdoor environment. Our custom landscape design in Franklin County often includes:
- Planting plans with trees, shrubs, and perennials
- Lawn and turf planning
- Outdoor living layouts
- Hardscape integration
- Lighting and landscape accents
Excavation Services in St. Louis
Proper site preparation is the foundation of any successful landscaping project. Our excavation services in St. Louis prepare properties for landscaping, hardscaping, and construction by shaping the land and establishing stable soil conditions.
Accurate excavation ensures that outdoor features are built on stable ground and that water flows properly throughout the landscape. Our Franklin County excavation services may include:
- Site preparation for landscaping projects
- Soil leveling and reshaping
- Preparation for patios, retaining walls, and driveways
- Excavation for drainage systems
St. Louis Construction Site Development
Before landscaping features can be installed, many St. Louis-area properties require professional construction site development services. This process prepares the land for building by addressing grading, drainage, and structural site conditions.
Second Nature provides site development services that help homeowners and contractors in Franklin County and throughout St. Louis prepare properties for construction while preventing future structural issues. By addressing soil stability and drainage early, we create a foundation that supports long-term landscape performance.
Trenching, Dirt Grading, and Land Clearing in St. Louis
Many residential projects in St. Louis require significant site preparation before landscaping begins. Our trenching, grading, and land clearing services prepare raw or uneven land for development.
Proper grading and site preparation help prevent erosion, standing water, and soil instability. These services may include:
- Clearing vegetation and debris
- Grading land for proper drainage
- Trenching for drainage systems or utilities
- Leveling areas for patios, driveways, or lawn installation
St. Louis Drainage and Water Mitigation
Water management is one of the most important aspects of residential landscaping in Franklin County and the St. Louis area. Poor drainage can lead to foundation issues, erosion, and landscape damage.
Second Nature designs and installs drainage and water mitigation systems that direct water safely away from structures and landscaped areas.
Effective drainage planning protects your property while keeping your landscape healthy. Common drainage solutions in the St. Louis area include:
- French drains
- Surface drainage systems
- Downspout extensions
- Yard regrading for improved runoff
- Erosion control solutions
Hardscapes in St. Louis
Hardscapes form the structural framework of a landscape. These permanent features provide functionality, define outdoor spaces, and create areas for gathering and relaxation.
When combined with landscaping elements, hardscapes help create outdoor environments that are both attractive and functional. Our hardscape services in St. Louis include the design and installation of:
- Patios
- Walkways
- Retaining walls
- Outdoor kitchens
- Fire pits and fireplaces
- Seating walls and landscape structures
St. Louis Outdoor Living
Outdoor living spaces in St. Louis extend the comfort of your home into the backyard. These areas allow homeowners to cook, relax, and entertain outdoors while enjoying their landscape.
By combining structural elements with thoughtful landscaping, we create outdoor environments in the St. Louis area that feel like natural extensions of the home. Second Nature designs custom outdoor living spaces in Franklin County that may include:
- Patio gathering areas
- Fire features
- Outdoor kitchens
- Seating walls
- Landscape lighting
Patios and Walkways in St. Louis
Patios and walkways are essential elements of outdoor design in St. Louis. They create functional surfaces for seating, dining, and movement throughout the landscape.
Careful planning ensures these features connect outdoor areas while improving accessibility and visual flow. Our patio and walkway installations include:
- Paver patios
- Natural stone patios
- Concrete walkways
- Decorative pathways
- Integrated seating walls

St. Louis Retaining Walls
Retaining walls provide structural support for sloped properties while improving the usability of outdoor space. These walls help stabilize soil, control erosion, and create level areas for landscaping or outdoor living features.
Second Nature designs and installs retaining walls in St. Louis that combine structural strength with attractive design. Whether supporting a hillside or defining a garden area, retaining walls add both stability and visual interest to the landscape.
Outdoor Kitchens in St. Louis
Outdoor kitchens transform patios into complete entertainment spaces. These installations allow St. Louis homeowners to cook, dine, and gather outdoors without constantly returning inside.
Outdoor kitchens create convenient cooking environments while enhancing the overall outdoor living experience. Our custom outdoor kitchen designs and builds may include:
- Built-in grills
- Food preparation surfaces
- Refrigeration units
- Storage cabinets
- Bar seating areas
St. Louis Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits
Fire features in St. Louis add warmth, ambiance, and a natural gathering point to outdoor spaces. Whether it’s a traditional fire pit or a custom-built outdoor fireplace, these features extend the usability of your patio throughout cooler seasons.
Second Nature designs fire pits and outdoor fireplaces in St. Louis that integrate seamlessly with patios, seating areas, and landscaping elements.

Driveways in St. Louis
A driveway is one of the most visible and frequently used features of your St. Louis-area property. In addition to providing parking access, a well-built driveway contributes to curb appeal and property value.
Second Nature installs and maintains custom driveways in St. Louis designed for durability and long-term performance. These include:
- Paver Driveways: Paver driveways offer a premium appearance with flexible installation that resists cracking. Interlocking pavers allow for customized patterns and easy repairs if individual sections become damaged.
- Concrete Driveways: These provide a durable and cost-effective option for St. Louis homeowners seeking a clean, classic look. Proper base preparation and installation techniques ensure long-lasting performance.
- Driveway Installation/Replacement: Second Nature provides professional driveway installation for new homes as well as full replacement services for aging or damaged driveways in St. Louis. Proper excavation, grading, and base preparation are essential for long-term durability.
- Driveway Repair: Driveways naturally experience wear over time. Our repair services in Franklin County and the St. Louis area address cracking, settling, drainage problems, and other issues that can affect driveway performance and safety.
Walkways / Pathways in St. Louis
Walkways and garden pathways guide movement throughout a landscape while connecting key outdoor features. Whether leading to the front entrance of your St. Louis home or winding through garden areas, pathways enhance both accessibility and visual design.
Second Nature installs custom walkways and pathways in St. Louis using materials such as pavers, natural stone, and concrete to create durable surfaces that complement the surrounding landscape.

Call Second Nature Right Away to Start Your St. Louis Residential Landscaping Project
If you’re ready to improve your property with professional residential landscaping in St. Louis, Second Nature is ready to help. Whether you’re planning a full landscape transformation or upgrading specific outdoor features, our team delivers solutions designed for lasting performance and visual appeal.
Give us a call today at (636) 655-3444 or reach out online to schedule a consultation and begin planning your St. Louis landscaping project.