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Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from Offshoots Productive Landscapes. Use it to sanity-check bids, then get the real number in writing.
Estimated range
$50 – $70
Typical landscaping service around $60
A neglected mud pit behind a city house, turned into a patio a March 2026 customer called beautiful and finally usable — that is the scale much of Offshoots' work happens at, in Boston backyards with no room to get it wrong. The Charlestown practice does both halves of the job: landscape architects draw the plan, and its own field crew installs and then maintains it. Kate Kennen started Kennen Landscape Architecture in 2004 and founded Offshoots in 2012 around productive planting and ecological design, with Shelby Chapman-Hale and Terry Kinsler as fellow principals. Ecology is the point here, not a garnish. A March 2026 customer asked for low-maintenance native plants, preferably edible, and got what they called the prettiest yard in the neighborhood. Another that month traded an expansive lawn for a permaculture-inspired landscape with a native meadow that has matured since. A November 2025 customer had a wild space designed, taken through the Conservation Commission process and installed, and said three years on that it had flourished. A March 2026 homeowner with a renovated Jamaica Plain house got a planting scheme echoing the nearby Arnold Arboretum. The work is not only residential. A March 2026 reviewer said Offshoots led the design of the Lynn Wolff Garden and has maintained it every season for nearly ten years. A May 2025 reviewer from the Mystic River Watershed Association described an eight-year partnership on Blessing of the Bay Park in Somerville, and a restaurant client in March 2026 had inspiration photos turned into scaled plans with furniture, planter and plant recommendations. In a March 2026 review, a firm that worked alongside them on a new single-family home in Jamaica Plain said Terry managed the project with Kate and the team. Google shows 4.9 across 30 ratings and Houzz 5.0 across 28, where the sub-scores split: 5.0 for work quality and communication, 4.8 for value. Houzz also puts typical project cost between $20,000 and $3 million, which is worth knowing before the first call. Kate Kennen, Shelby Chapman-Hale and Terry Kinsler are listed as registered landscape architects, and the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office certifies the firm as a Women Business Enterprise and a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. If you want a designed, ecologically serious landscape — natives, edibles, a meadow where the lawn was — and the same people to plant it and tend it afterwards, this is that kind of firm. Settle the fees for design, installation and seasonal maintenance separately, and check where your budget sits against their usual range before the first site visit.
Great team to work with, great listening and applying our request. We asked for low to no maintenance, native plants, preferably edible, and now it's the prettiest yard in the neighborhood. Thanks!
We hired Offshoots for landscape design, installation, and ongoing maintenance, and the experience has been outstanding from start to finish. The design team really listened to our ideas and came up with a plan that was both beautiful and practical for our property. They suggested plants and materials that fit the space perfectly and would thrive in our climate, which we really appreciated. The installation process was smooth and well organized. The crew was professional, hardworking, and respectful of our property. They showed up on time, kept the work area clean, and paid attention to the details that make a big difference in the final result. The finished landscape completely transformed our yard and looks even better than we imagined. We’ve also been very happy with their ongoing maintenance service. The team keeps everything looking healthy and well cared for, and they’re always proactive about seasonal needs like pruning, mulching, and plant care. It’s clear that Offshoots takes pride in their work and genuinely cares about their clients. We would highly recommend them to anyone looking for thoughtful landscape design, high-quality installation, and reliable maintenance.
Offshoots did a fantastic job designing and planting our small, urban back patio. The space was a neglected mud pit when we started, and Offshoots transformed it into a beautiful, usable patio. They really listened to what we were looking for and managed to fit an incredible amount of functionality into a small and very constrained space. I love watching our garden through the spring and summer as new plants and flowers emerge, one after another. Looking out the window at our lovely outdoor space even makes doing the dishes more enjoyable.
Originally seated on an expansive lawn, we desired a biodiverse and productive landscape, including a native meadow. Offshoots designed and installed a permaculture-inspired landscape on our property that has since matured and evolved. Through this evolution, we have come to know and love the rhythm of this place, which has deepened our appreciation for the thoughtfulness behind its design. Even greater is our appreciation for the ongoing work of Offshoots’ field horticulture team. They know this property intimately and care for it with both expertise and genuine investment. As the landscape changes, I rely on their knowledge and judgment to guide thoughtful adjustments. In the ever-changing meadow, they carefully curate species—managing invasives while promoting native host plants that support biodiversity. Thanks to their care, we are able to simply enjoy this beautiful place as it continues to grow and change.
We worked hand in hand with Offshoots to transform a new single-family home in Jamaica Plain into an urban oasis. Our clients were thrilled with all aspects of the project. Terry, with Offshoots, managed our project with the help of Kate and the rest of the team. Terry is fantastic to work with. He is a real team player and operates at a high level, demanding perfection. From planning/design to executing/assisting on all levels of landscape (masonry, hardscape, drainage, irrigation, plantings, fencing, outdoor kitchen, fire pit). This project received several Gold awards in Builder/Remodeler groups across New England, and we expect to receive more accolades with offshoots for current projects. We're now on our third project with them, and they continue to show the same level of care and pride in their work. Would highly recommend their services and thank you to the entire Offshoots team.
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Certified attributes are verified against the public registry. Others are the business's own statement.
2 changes recorded — last scanned Jul 17, 2026.
Detailed craftsmanship5.0
Custom sheds5.0
Fence & carpentry work5.0
Wood and block retaining walls4.9
Green roof specialist4.2