Capital Landscaping-Des Moines, IA

06/19/2026

We had some beautiful trees delivered yesterday and Vern unloaded them like a pro! The semi pulled back the cover and she unloaded those huge trees so efficiently!

06/18/2026

Mike is having a fun morning with the a mini machine! We needed to get into a tight spot and this mini excavator was just perfect!!

06/10/2026

It's always fun to share projects ideas with Megan at Hello Iowa.

Feeling inspired? Our designers can meet with you know for a fall installation. Give us a call at 515-244-2724.

Up your curb appeal and take your landscaping dreams to the next level with the help of experts. Monica Emerson of Capital Landscaping shares how they can help you embrace your outdoor space. …

06/08/2026

Sharing this wonderful explanation on why not to use landscaping fabric under mulch. Landscaping fabric has a place, just not under mulch. Did you know there are different types of landscaping fabric? Some types are used for under rock to keep the rock from working it's way into your soil, other types are for use in retaining walls or with other landscaping projects. None should be used under mulch.

The following credited to Home & Garden:

You laid landscape fabric under your mulch.
Thinking it prevents w**ds.

5 years later:
Weeds are growing THROUGH the fabric.
The soil underneath is compacted, pale, and lifeless.
Your plants are struggling and you don't know why.

Landscape fabric is one of the most damaging products
regularly installed in American gardens.

Here's what it actually does:

Blocks organic matter from reaching soil. Mulch
decomposes ON TOP of the fabric, never reaching the
soil below. Over time, the soil is cut off from its
food source.

Suffocates soil biology. Earthworms can't move through
it. Beneficial fungi can't expand. Soil microbes lose
oxygen exchange. The soil becomes biologically dead.

Creates a barrier to water. Over time, the fabric
clogs with fine soil particles and becomes nearly
impermeable. Water sheets off instead of soaking in.
Your plants' roots sit in dry, compacted soil.

Weeds grow anyway. Seeds land on mulch ABOVE the
fabric and germinate. Their roots grow INTO the fabric,
making them harder to pull than if there were no
fabric at all. You created a w**d problem that's
worse to manage than bare soil.

The fabric deteriorates. It tears. It bunches. It
works up to the surface. It looks terrible within
3-5 years.

What to use instead:
4 inches of wood mulch directly on soil. That's it.
Mulch suppresses w**ds, retains moisture, feeds soil
biology, and breaks down naturally.
Replenish mulch annually.
Cardboard under mulch for heavy w**d areas — it
decomposes within one season and is actually beneficial
for soil organisms.

Landscape fabric is a product that creates a problem
it claims to solve while destroying everything
underneath.

Rip it out. Mulch directly. Let the soil breathe.

06/04/2026

Oversized planters can be a challenge and expensive to fill!

We've got some tricks to make the process easier and more cost effective. Guess how many pounds of potting soil this took. Leave your guess in the comments!

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06/01/2026

Summer is here and we're ready for outdoor living! Are you?

Does your landscaping create a space you can't wait to get home to? Wish you had a space to unwind with the family and entertain your friends? We can help! Our designers will help you create the space you've always dreamed of. Give us a call 515-244-2724.

Gather some inspiration. Find more at CapitalLandscaping.com and we will take it from there.

05/22/2026

Another beautiful project coming together!

Our crews are hard at work installation a pathway and boulder walls. Does your landscaping need the professional touch? Contact us at 515-244-2724 or visit us online at Capitallandscaping.com

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

05/18/2026

Proud to sponsor the porch planters this year for Middlebrook Agrihood!

We are excited to have the opportunity to sponsor and plant the porch pots this summer at the farmhouse. If you've never been to the farm, swing by Fridays at the Farm for live music every Friday evening all summer long!

05/06/2026

Welcome summer with the landscaping of your dreams!

Our landscape designers are here to help with a custom design and our professional installation teams will make it a reality. From Ames to Cu***ng and Adel to Newton trust the team celebrating 28 years in business. Contact us at 515-244-2724

Need some inspiration? Check out our website at CapitalLandscaping.com

04/27/2026

We're Hiring for our landscaping teams!

Grow your future with Capital Landscaping! We are looking for experienced landscaping team members.

Apply today at https://capitallandscaping.com/job-application/