Had Aqua Terra re do my small backyard in Nov, 2024. Based on advice from Tom it's better to plant in fall so plants develop good roots over winter. I got a call from him letting me know they had another job starting in a week or two that would keep them busy through the start of the new year. If I want them to do my yard before then they would need to start asap and the job would take a week. We started w/o any written contract and only a rough $$ estimate. We made decisions along the way. They took twice as long, and a lot of down time due to various resource issues. They did a good job and I was happy with the result, until spring when about 40% of the plants did not take root through winter and were dead by spring. When I called Tom about that his response was a curt I only guarantee the plants, I can't remember if it was 6 weeks or 3 months, but the time had passed and he offered nothing for a resolution. That's a lot of plants and $$$ and hardly seems fair since it was his recommendation to plant in November to ensure nice growth for spring and strong plants that can tolerate summer and you don't at least guarantee they will be taking off come spring. That was the last time I talked to him since he didn't seem to care that so many plants died. A few more have died and never really thrived. While others in the same location with the same watering requirements etc., thrive. So it's not neglect on my part. read more

While TOM Foster of Aqua Terra Landscaping is a knowledgeable and capable landscaper, beware of getting any and all agreements in writing including his costs and invoices. TOM Foster was the only available landscaper at a time when I was ready and able to fix up my sad-looking yards. The first time I met Tom, he drove to my house and took a cursory glance at my front and back yards. He then gave me estimates of "$30K for the front and $50K for the back." My front yard was terrible shape; in sore need of clean-up and attention. At that time I could not find another landscaping service willing to even give me an estimate. I knew little to nothing about landscaping costs let alone gardening and plants. I hired TOM based on his availability. I told TOM I knew nothing about plants and gardening. After hiring TOM he met with me semi-weekly to discuss landscape design possibilities. At each meeting I told TOM that $20-$25K was my maximum budget and available funds. Tom had shown me a rather elaborate yard design with many different plants, shrubs, trees as well as hard landscaping walkways and beds. I implored Tom to reassure me that his design could be achieved for less than $25K. I had grown fond of TOM's affable character and seeming trustworthiness. He rattled off the Latin names for plants to impress me with his thorough knowledge of botany and landscaping. He also promised me that, " If ANY OF MY PLANTINGS DIE, I WILL REPLACE THEM AT NO ADDITIONAL COST to you." While TOM beautified my yard, he did so at a cost that came in at over 100% above my stated budget. $40,000! After I finally told TOM that there was no money left, I never saw him again. Several plantings failed. The most critical of all the failed plantings were over 2 dozen decorative lavender plants he had installed along both sides of a new cement walk way TOM contracted with a buddy to pour. Tom installed a separate, designated underground series of watering pipes or designated irrigation system for all those decorative lavender plantings. The lavender plants died within months. I asked several gardeners to look at and access the cause for my loss. Each said that the plants were too wet from over-watering. I told ToM that the lavender was dying from being overwatered. I believe that TOM had not factored in that any kind of wind or slight breeze would spill water into the lavender from the adjacent lawn sprinklers. So, with Tom's specially installed underground irrigation for the lavender in addition to water spillage from the lawn sprinklers the plants were dying. TOM Foster refused to accept or believe that he had made a miscalculation aka "a mistake." And, despite his promise to replace any failed plantings at no cost, Tom charged me $750 for a new set of lavender plants to replace the dead ones. Tom insisted that the dead lavender (among other plantings he had put in) was somehow my fault. I payed TOM to replace the lavender based on my assumption that he was the professional and hence knew best. Then all the REPLACEMENT lavenders plants also died...quickly. I showed TOM that lavender plants which weren't situated near the new lawn sprinklers were thriving. TOM refused to admit that his irrigation systems were at fault. I quit the whole lavender fiasco after a third attempt at replacing them. Every time a plant or plants died I would text TOM to let him know so that he could make good on his promise to replace any failed landscaping "at no additional cost" I soon grew exasperated by Tom not responding; not even to tell me he was too busy but would get back to me. Several months passed without response from Tom to any of my texts. I grew exasperated with his lack of action and response on top of my frustration and cost with regard the failed lavender, (TOM told me that I was at fault for all his failed and continuing-to-fail lavender plantings). Finally I sent Tom a snarky text alerting him to the fact that the dead plants were still "d-e-a-d." TOM took offense to this text and responded with, "Cease and desist..." He said that my texted pleas were derogatory. He later apologized for saying that but at the time, I was shocked and ended up in tears. I let him know how hurt I felt. Tom continued to send abusive texts accusing me of being the root cause, (it was always my fault) Add childish name-calling statements (which he later apologized for) His reaction was more than unprofessional, it was abusive and Wrong. So, Tom knows a lot about plants and landscaping. But, watch out for being over charged. Do not take him at his word. Tom puts on a very charming and affable front BUT the guy is a bully. He refuses to admit his errors. TOM has issues with telling the truth and/or keeping his word. Watch out for your bottom line! Insist on a signed contract. No handshake agreements. TOM twice gave me invoices showing only a total owed. He had told me that his "printer was broken." That one is on me. I should have known better. read more

We had our backyard done by Tom and his crew of Aqua-Terra Landscapes. The entire experience was great. 5 stars. Tom helped us design a plan that included everything I wanted. He was great at selecting both a functional and beautiful design. One of the things I really liked about the process was that I got help selecting each and every plant that would go in my yard. The finished product was just as I envisioned, a cute, quaint butterfly and bird garden. read more

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I had to wait a few months to obtain their services but the wait was well worth it. Tom has a wonderful eye for design and he took my basic ideas and turned them into reality. Tom and Richard work hard every day and every hour and we now have a beautiful yard, front and back. read more

Tom and Richard did an amazing job! Tom took our backyard and turned it into something beautiful, unique, usable, and environmentally friendly. If you're looking for someone reliable, knowledgable and passionate about their work, then use Aqua-Tera. read more

A quick note to let anyone who may need a landscaper. Tom and his crew are a great group to work with. They have a great eye for creating a new design and using your ideas. Aqua-Terra has done three jobs for us with two being large (at least I think they were large). My next door neighbor also used him on a project. The whole crew is polite well mannered. I wished I had another project for him to do. read more

When you hire Tom at Aqua-Terra you are not just hiring a landscaper but someone with a lot of landscape design experience. He was meticulous and tried different materials until he found the look we both wanted. read more

I was very thorough in reviewing the work of the various landscape businesses in Chico before I selected Aqua-Terra Landscapes. Their garden designs were artistic, sensitive and flowed with a natural grace. Particularly, I was looking for an Asian touch in the overall design. I interviewed Tom Foster, the owner, and was pleased with his sincerity and appreciation for my ideas. We worked together to form a design that pleased us both. From the first morning when Tom and his crew arrived on the property, they were absolutely professional in creating my ideal garden. In fact, Aqua-Terra has been the most professional business that I have hired since coming to Chico. The crew was always on time, worked extremely hard throughout the day and was always pleasant and accommodating. I cannot say enough good about the excellent results. Tom continues to check back with me to make certain that everything is doing well and, twice, he and his crew have returned to adjust the water fountain when it became clogged with debris. If you are looking for an artistic garden, executed with the utmost taste and professionalism, then you will want to hire Aqua-Terra. read more

After talking to several different landscapers in town, I finally chose Aqua-Terra and I am so happy I did. Tom spent hours with me before the project started listening to everything I wanted to do before drawing up the plans. The finished project resulted in a back yard that reflects not only my dreams over the last thirty years, but Tom's creativity and experience. Tom is professional, knowledgable, and reliable, and also a craftsman with an artistic eye who holds himself to high standards. I especially appreciated the fact that as the project moved forward he was open to my suggestions for changes and made suggestions of his own. And as an extra bonus, he and his crew were a pleasure to have around. Since my yard has been completed Tom has been wonderful about responding to questions I have had. I am absolutely thrilled with my back yard and feel that I could not have made a better choice in landscapers. read more