Modern, native gardens for San Francisco
Seed Studio is a residential landscape design studio with extensive design experience in San Francisco. We specialize in designing small, space-efficient gardens that thrive in the various microclimates and soil conditions across the city.
Our landscapes reflect a modern simplicity in design while being grounded in California’s native plant ecology, creating beautiful gardens adapted to the urban environment. That means fewer visits from the gardener, stronger resilience to drought, and outdoor spaces that get better with time.
From Potrero Hill to the Richmond, Noe Valley to Pacific Heights, Corona Heights to St Francis Wood, we’ve worked across the city’s varying conditions and neighborhoods.
Space-efficient design
San Francisco's outdoor spaces are compact, but that doesn't mean the scope of work is. Our clients want spaces for entertaining, quiet relaxation, children and pets, often all within the same small footprint.
Integrating multiple uses and features while maintaining a clean, coherent overall design is a core strength of our practice.
Microclimate adaptations
The city's topography and marine coastal setting create a wide range of localized conditions. Wind and fog flow in from the ocean, hills and ridgelines redirect those flows.
The results are temperature gradients, differing wind profiles and available sunlight, which require specific adaptations from one neighborhood to the next.
Soil conditions
Below the surface, geology and soil conditions are equally varied. The city sits on everything from actual sand dunes, nutrient poor Franciscan hillsides, serpentine outcrops with solid rock, and infilled wetland areas.
Each presents a distinct set of challenges and opportunities for landscape design, drainage, and planting.
We guide every project through a clear design process
From initial design concept through construction documentation, our creative process clarifies the possibilities, helping you make informed design decisions. The result is a project that is focused, and moves forward with clarity and purpose.
We partner with a range of trusted professional consultants, contractors and craftsmen, assisting in selecting the most suitable team for your project’s needs.
Experience you can depend on
Seed Studio was founded by landscape architect Steve Ritchey. Inspired by his passion for nature and a love of design, Seed Studio is the culmination of his experience in the disciplines of landscape, architectural and ecological design.
With over 25 years of experience, his work as a landscape designer is shaped by a deep knowledge of California’s native plant communities and a commitment to designing outdoor spaces that reconnect his clients to the landscapes around their homes.
“Steve Ritchey of Seed Studio is a talent and was really cool to work with. He designed a beautiful, unique, clean, modern space for us. Our beautiful backyard is a testament to his vision and commitment. ”
“We really feel like the money we spent engaging with Seed Studio was some of the best value for the dollar we’ve ever had. We’ll work with Steve again, and highly recommend him to you as well :)”
“Steve listened to my general plan for the outdoor space and came up with an original design that incorporated both my rough plan and his excellent vision. The end product is the roof deck I always dreamed of, it really couldn’t have turned out better. I would recommend Seed Studio without hesitation.”
Frequently asked questions
A few typical questions we get from potential clients in San Francisco:
How much can I fit into my small backyard?
Small lots shouldn't limit what a garden can do. Most of our SF clients want spaces that work for multiple use cases. Entertaining, relaxing, gardening, room for kids or pets typically happens all within one small footprint.
Creating distinct spaces within a typical rectangular lot allows small gardens to feel generous instead of cramped. Elements that stealthily serve multiple functions allow gardens to feel comfortable whether entertaining with friends or just the two of you. Hidden functionality while keeping the design coherent and thoughtful is our specialty.
What's a typical budget range for a San Francisco landscape project?
Budgets vary widely depending on the scope of work, site conditions, and level of detail in the design. A small planting renovation has a very different budget than a full property transformation with hardscape, office sheds, and features like outdoor kitchens.
Our services are generally best suited for project budgets starting around $100k and up to achieve the results you see in our portfolio. During our initial consultation and site visit, we discuss budget openly to make sure the scope of work aligns with your expectations. Our goal is to calibrate budget spending to achieve the most important outcomes for each specific client, and no higher.
What can I expect as far as permitting requirements?
It all depends on the scope of work. Many of our projects move forward with only basic, over-the-counter permits required. More extensive projects involving slopes or retaining walls, decks, stairways, drainage modifications, or new structures typically require a more intensive permit review process.
We research the specific permitting requirements for each project during the initial design phase and coordinate permit submissions as part of our work. If outside consultants such as structural engineers or surveyors are needed, we coordinate and integrate their work for a seamless process.
Do I need a landscape designer or a landscape architect?
Though these terms are used interchangeably, the distinction matters. A licensed landscape architect has formal professional training and state licensure to handle the full scope of a landscape project, from permit coordination through construction documentation.
A landscape designer typically focuses on smaller projects with planting design and other elements at a conceptual level without the technical training and legal license for more fully scoped projects.
Seed Studio is founded by licensed landscape architect Steve Ritchey, which means we have the technical and legal credentials to take a project from initial concept through full permit and construction ready design documentation.
What can we do for you?
Share a few details and we’ll do our best to get back to you within one business day.