Building Outdoor Spaces with Purpose
I’m Jared Markle, owner-operator of Diablo LawnScape, a licensed C-27 landscape construction and design company based here in Clayton. This marks my 17th year in business, with a continued focus on building outdoor spaces that are functional, durable, and designed to perform well over time in the East Bay’s unique climate and terrain.
Diablo LawnScape specializes in full design-build landscaping, including patios, driveways, retaining walls, and outdoor living spaces, along with irrigation systems, drainage solutions, outdoor lighting, and drought-tolerant planting. Our outdoor living projects often include pergolas, fireplaces, and outdoor kitchens designed to extend how homeowners use their property throughout the year. Each project begins with careful planning, site evaluation, and honest conversations about how the space will be used day to day.
Much of our work involves helping homeowners rethink how they use their outdoor areas—whether that means replacing a lawn, improving drainage, upgrading irrigation, or creating an outdoor environment that supports both daily living and entertaining. In addition to larger projects, we also handle smaller service work, from repairing sprinkler heads and valves to troubleshooting irrigation issues and upgrading existing systems. No matter the size of the job, the goal is always to fix problems correctly and set the system up to perform better long-term.
When we design and build a project, the goal is always longevity and usability. I am fortunate to work alongside a strong team of professional craftsmen, including carpenters, masons, and heavy equipment operators whose work makes every project possible. We focus on proper base work, drainage, material selection, and construction methods that hold up over time. A well-built landscape should feel intentional, function correctly, and avoid unnecessary maintenance or costly repairs down the road.
As we move through the next three months and closer to spring, this is the ideal time for homeowners to start thinking about outdoor living projects. Design development, budgeting, and permitting often take longer than expected, and once spring arrives, construction schedules tend to fill quickly. Whether you’re considering a new patio, driveway upgrade, retaining wall, pergola, outdoor kitchen, or fireplace, early planning allows time to make informed decisions, refine the design, and secure a spot on the schedule before peak season hits.
During January, February, and March, homeowners can benefit from addressing a few key items early. Winter rains make it easier to identify drainage problems, irrigation systems can be repaired or upgraded before peak use, and landscape designs can be finalized ahead of spring construction schedules. Now is also a good time to refresh mulch to protect soil and retain moisture, and if you’re reading this in January, it’s the ideal window to prune roses and crape myrtles before new growth begins.
Through my role as an expert contributor for Clayton Living, I’ll be sharing practical, straightforward insights each quarter to help homeowners plan ahead, avoid common pitfalls, and get the most value from their outdoor investments.
