Make the outdoor space more productive — and more responsible.
Productive gardens, captured rainwater, intentional plantings and ornamental ponds work best when they share an irrigation, drainage and maintenance plan with the rest of the landscape.
Each feature below is available for select projects following an AE scope and feasibility review. AE confirms capability, service area, delivery model, partner coordination, and current availability before committing to a scope.
Vegetable, herb and citrus gardens with garden irrigation and work areas.
Plant selections that work in Arizona without overpromising ecological outcomes.
Passive landscape basins, rain barrels, cisterns and roof-water collection.
Where local rules permit, coordinated with licensed plumbers.
Controllers, soil work and drainage tied into the broader landscape plan.
Pondless waterfalls and ornamental ponds — for integrated water features see Natural Pools & Water Features.
- • Raised beds and edible landscape are dedicated growing zones with their own soil profile, irrigation and work access.
- • Rainwater harvesting captures roof and landscape runoff into basins, swales, barrels or cisterns for landscape use.
- • Graywater systems route laundry, bath or sink water (where code allows) to landscape, distinct from black-water sewage.
- • Koi and ornamental ponds are stocked aquatic systems with mechanical and biological filtration, distinct from natural swimming pools.
- • Garden zones are routed on dedicated irrigation valves with appropriate filtration and pressure regulation.
- • Rainwater basins are graded with the rest of the site so monsoon storms hydrate landscape instead of eroding it.
- • Ornamental ponds share filtration, electrical and water-balance planning with broader water-feature design.
- • Soil amendment is coordinated with planting, not done in isolation.
- • Sun, wind and access shape where raised beds actually succeed.
- • Roof, gutter and downspout layout determines what rainwater capture is realistic.
- • Pond size, depth, shade and circulation drive long-term water quality more than equipment alone.
- • Wildlife (birds, pollinators, javelina, rabbits, coyotes) is a real Arizona design factor.
- Passive rainwater harvesting (basins, swales) is integrated with the existing landscape grading plan.
- Graywater code, permitted uses and approved fixtures vary by jurisdiction. Current official requirements and the approved project scope control.
- Pond depth, shade and aeration are critical for fish survival in Arizona summer.
- • Graywater installations follow jurisdictional plumbing code, including approved fixtures, branch routing and signage in some cities.
- • Cisterns and large rainwater systems may require permits for tanks, overflow and structural pads.
- • Pond electrical for pumps, UV and aeration is on dedicated circuits with appropriate protection.
- • Maintenance: soil refresh and crop rotation; cistern, filter and screen cleaning; pond filter, UV bulb and water-quality care.
- Step 1Share the idea
Describe the feature, the property, and how it fits the rest of the yard. Photos, sketches, and inspiration are welcome — they do not commit AE to a scope.
- Step 2Scope & feasibility review
AE reviews the request against current capabilities, delivery model, specialty-partner network, service territory, and project mix.
- Step 3Site & utility assessment
If the scope is a fit, AE confirms site conditions, setbacks, utilities, drainage, structural tie-ins, and any HOA or jurisdictional considerations.
- Step 4Design & engineering
Concepts are coordinated with the rest of the outdoor environment — not added as a bolt-on. Specialty engineering or licensed trade partners are brought in where required.
- Step 5Permits & approvals
Permits, inspections, HOA approvals, and any utility coordination are handled before construction begins. Requirements vary by jurisdiction and scope.
- Step 6Build & integrate
Construction is staged with the larger property plan so the feature looks designed-in, not retrofitted. AE coordinates the approved scope and approved trades.
- Step 7Aftercare
Long-term care guidance, scheduled service options, and warranty terms are confirmed at scope sign-off — never assumed.
- • AE makes no guarantee of water savings percentages, code approval, graywater eligibility, potable reuse, irrigation reductions, tax rebates, or specific ecological outcomes.
- • Crop yield, pond livestock survival and rainfall capture vary by site, season, weather and ongoing care.
- • Available for select projects following an AE scope and feasibility review.
Not sure where it fits? Share the idea.
Some outdoor projects do not fit neatly into one category. AE will determine whether the scope aligns with our current capabilities, service territory, delivery model, and project mix.