Business Details
49 Years
experience
Custom Edible Landscaping Solutions
Established in 1977, Sweetbriar Landscape Design has been pioneering edible landscaping solutions for over four decades. Our founder, Avis Licht, combines a Bachelor of Science in Conservation of Natural Resources from UC Berkeley with two years of study under renowned horticulturist Alan Chadwick. We specialize in creating sustainable, productive gardens that integrate organic principles with aesthetic design. Our services include on-site and online consultations, water catchment system planning, and fire hazard assessments tailored to California's unique environmental challenges.With extensive experience in both new installations and revitalizing existing landscapes, we guide clients through every phase from conceptual sketches to project completion. Our approach emphasizes practicality, focusing on defensible space, water conservation, and native plant integration while maintaining visual appeal. We serve Marin County residents seeking to transform their properties into functional, ecologically responsible outdoor spaces.
Services
Landscape Design
Garden Consultation
Water Catchment Systems
Fire Hazard Assessment
Sustainable Planting
Edible Landscaping
Native Plant Integration
French Intensive Gardening
Erosion Control
Online Consultations
Details
- Year established: 1977
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of specialized experience in edible landscape design
- Our team holds advanced training from UC Berkeley and Alan Chadwick
- We provide both on-site and online consultation options
- We specialize in California-specific water conservation solutions
- We implement fire hazard reduction strategies compliant with Marin County regulations
What people say
Beyond helpful
Beautiful websight
Excited newbie
Love your blog
Great advice
Services
Landscape Design
We create customized edible landscapes combining aesthetic appeal with food production. Our process includes site analysis, client consultations, and detailed planting plans. Services cover both new installations and renovations of existing gardens.
Water Catchment Systems
We design systems to capture and store winter rainfall for summer irrigation. Solutions help reduce water bills while replenishing groundwater and preventing stormwater runoff in drought-prone California.
Fire Hazard Assessment
Our assessments meet Marin County wildland-urban interface requirements. We recommend fire-resistant plantings, fuel load reduction, and defensible space strategies to protect properties.
Garden Consultation
We offer in-person and online guidance for garden challenges. Services include problem diagnosis, plant selection, and maintenance recommendations for both novice and experienced gardeners.
French Intensive Gardening
We implement high-yield organic growing methods developed by Alan Chadwick. Techniques maximize productivity in small spaces while maintaining soil health and ecological balance.
People
Avis Licht
Landscape Designer
UC Berkeley graduate with 40+ years of edible landscaping experience. Studied under Alan Chadwick for two years. Co-founder of Commonweal Garden and author of sustainable gardening educational materials.
Questions
What is edible landscaping?
Edible landscaping integrates food-producing plants with ornamental landscaping to create beautiful, productive outdoor spaces that provide fresh produce year-round.
Do you offer online consultations?
Yes, we provide remote consultations via phone or Skype for garden advice, problem diagnosis, and design recommendations without requiring in-person visits.
How do water catchment systems work?
Our systems collect winter rainfall from roofs and paved areas, store it in tanks, and use it for summer irrigation to conserve water and reduce runoff.
Are fire hazard assessments required?
Marin County mandates vegetation management plans for properties in wildland-urban interface areas to reduce fire risks through strategic landscaping practices.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Marin County and surrounding Northern California areas, with expertise in local climate conditions and environmental regulations.
