Bon Terra Landscapes

Our landscape design service creates customized outdoor spaces tailored to client preferences and property conditions. We combine artistic vision with technical expertise to develop functional, aesthetically pleasing environments. Clients receive detailed plans using computer-aided drafting and hand-rendered visuals for clear project visualization.

We specialize in durable hardscape elements like patios, walkways, and retaining walls. Our team uses premium materials and precise construction techniques to enhance property functionality and curb appeal. Projects integrate seamlessly with surrounding landscapes for cohesive outdoor living spaces.

Custom water features add tranquility and visual interest to outdoor spaces. We design and install fountains, ponds, and cascading water elements that complement existing landscapes. Each installation emphasizes natural aesthetics and long-term maintenance efficiency.

Our outdoor kitchens combine practicality with luxury for seamless indoor-outdoor entertaining. We incorporate high-quality materials and appliances into weather-resistant designs. Each space is tailored to client cooking habits and available square footage.

Efficient irrigation systems ensure healthy landscapes while conserving water. We design smart, zone-based systems that adapt to plant needs and local climate conditions. Installations include drip irrigation and automated controllers for optimal resource use.

Johnny Fort, co-founder of Bon Terra Landscapes, holds a BA in Urban Design from San Diego State University and a Certificate in Landscape Architecture from UC Berkeley. With over 20 years in the industry, he specializes in transforming client visions into functional, sustainable outdoor spaces.

Lisa Sechser, co-founder of Bon Terra Landscapes, brings business expertise from her background in TV commercial production. With a BS in Accounting and BA in Business from Loyola Marymount University, she manages project logistics and client relations to ensure seamless service delivery.

We primarily serve Marin County, including Corte Madera, Mill Valley, Tiburon, San Anselmo, and San Rafael.

Yes, we provide standalone landscape design services with detailed plans and implementation guidance.

We specialize in modern, drought-tolerant, and native garden designs tailored to California's climate.

Project timelines vary by scope but average 2-4 weeks for complete installations after design approval.

Yes, we are a fully licensed contractor (License #941307) with comprehensive insurance coverage.

We prioritize budget-conscious planning and offer phased implementation options to accommodate financial constraints.

I just finished a major backyard renovation with Bon Terra, and could not be happier. They do excellent work and have a strong work ethic and awesome customer service. Super professional. The whole team rocks! I would work with them again in a heart beat!

Johnny's vision and his crew transformed our neglected backyard into a private sanctuary. We cannot be happier with the new wooden deck, flagstone patios, boulder retaining wall, a new fence that allow best utilization of the space while maximizing the view and providing privacy. They were absolutely professional and communicative and efficient throughout the whole process.

Built into a hillside, our house had major drainage problems that put the interior remodeling plan on hold.

That's why we decided to tackle the landscape remodel first, making drainage a priority. The crew removed the old clogged and misplaced pipes and installed a new drainage system and rerouted the flow away from the house and down the hill. (We also had french drains done inside.) Our basement and the crawlspace have stayed dry all winter for the first time since we moved in. They also planted low-maintenance, drought-resistant, mostly native plants and trees in our front and backyard with drip-irrigation. We don't get to enjoy the yard much during work week, and LED lighting with a timer makes it nice to come home to.

Johnny, Lisa, and their whole crew are amazing. Johnny is extremely courteous, kind, and just a fun guy to work with. The work of his team is top notch, completely professional and I felt so secure in their hands. They transformed our messy, unkempt back yard into a paradise. They stayed within budget and checked in with me every step of the way to make sure I was getting what I wanted. I will continue to work with them for anything to do with my home. Johnny is also a great source for other kinds of home help, he knows everyone in the area and has hooked me up with the best electrician and plumber around. A great and wonderful team, I can't over-emphasize the highest caliber of this business!

For years, we had procrastinated replacing our drip irrigation and renewing the overall landscaping. Meeting Johnny made our decision easy to commit to a large project. Johnny's creatve ideas, his plant knowledge, his collaboratve stye, respectful and hardworking staff and his sense of humor resulted in an unique and lovely garden. It was a pleasure to have his team from December 2014 - January 2015. We actually missed them when the job was completed.

If you're in the market for a solid landscape professional, Johnny is your guy: highly knowledgeable, passionate, great instincts, cost conscious, detail oriented, and reliably responsive. He also happens to be a delightful person whose integrity comes across within seconds of meeting him. I was truly sad when the time came for the Bon Terra crew to pack up after almost two weeks on the job. They had successfully navigated the intricacies of a blueprint design, drawn up by a friend (which added a collaborative component to the job) with great skill.

In fact, Johnny provided a suggestion for improving upon my friend's choice of material for a pathway, which we all agreed was the perfect call. From start to end, they did a fantastic job. Our front yard is living testimony to a fun and collaborative process that Johnny brought to life.

Bon Terra has my highest regard. I know their fan base must be growing like weeds!

We moved into our place in the summer of 2011 and knew we eventually wanted to work on our back yard. Over the following winter we learned that the yard was not graded properly and we had some drainage issues when 1/3 of the yard was one big puddle and water seeped into our downstairs area. Once the rainy season was over we began looking into companies that could correct the issues we had and do the back yard project at the same time.

We had a few different landscape companies come and look at the yard, and while Bon Terra was not the cheapest (or most expensive) working with Johnny immediately made me comfortable and he drew up a ensign for the yard that fit what we wanted and made sense with our budget. Once work began his crews were on time each day and did fantastic work. Our yard transformed from a wasteland of weeds, Bermuda grass, and ugly hard scape into an eye pleasing blend of new hard scape, grass and wood chips.

In total Bon Terra ripped out the old yard, destroyed the old hard scape, rebuilt a bunch of hard scape, put in drainage and irrigation and then put in a new yard. 6 months on from the work the yard looks great and with the rain we've had there has been zero puddling and the drainage works like a charm. I'd recommend Bon Terra to anyone looking for good quality work. Enjoyed working with Johnny and have recommended him to neighbors already.

Bon Terra Landscapes worked on two large projects for us -- replacing a retaining wall and landscaping our front yard. On both projects, Johnny and his team were extremely professional, presented complete and accurate designs and estimates, arrived on time as scheduled, worked diligently and efficiently, and were pleasant and easy to work with. The only delay in work completion was due to an unexpectedly long stretch of inclement weather.

Johnny made it easy to prioritize design elements so that we were able to complete the work in stages, as our budget permitted. Most every day, we watch strolling neighbors stop in front of our home to admire and point out interesting elements of our yard design. We couldn't be happier with the results.

Had a couple bad experiences with other landscapers. Based on all 5* reviews for Johnny on Yelp and Marin Mommies, it was time to make a change for a large scale project in our front yard. I knew the first time I met Johnny it was one of the best decisions I've made. With past landscapers/contractors, I learned the hard way that the design itself is not the key to success for a project. Equally important, if not more critical, are problem solving skills, managing expectations, attention to detail, and working within a budget. Johnny is a master in all areas.

Our project was very complex in size and scope involving retaining walls, new driveway, gate, drainage, lights, fencing, irrigation, deer proofing, and approvals from multiple neighbors with our bizarre property lines. Johnny and his team handled most of the tasks and served as the contractor on the jobs that needed to be subbed out. Everything was well thought out, unexpected issues were brought to my attention and resolved, and the project went about as smooth as you could imagine with all the parties involved.

There was no nickel and diming- Johnny was always looking for ways to save money or reallocate to get more bang for the buck. Not to mention being open and flexible to my non-conventional, contemporary/tropical/eclectic tastes. We couldn't be happier with our new front yard

Last but not least, Johnny and the team are great guys with the highest integrity. Really looking forward to having the Bon Terra team back in the coming months to redo our backyard!