Geist Nursery

Fred, who returned my call about getting a tree replaced. I had sent him a note with a photo of the tree that was damaged and since removed. I said I wanted to discuss options to replace and asked about getting something the same size. He said that was an estimate of $150 dollars and hung up. In my email I mentioned I wanted to discuss other landscaping options too. The bottom line: I'm glad I did not use these folks based on the rude response. Maybe he had other issues going on. But still no way to treat a customer.

Fred Richwine really knows plants and their interactions to create a stellar yard. The first time we used them was about 2 years ago to replace trees lost by the Ash Bore. He helped us build a barrier to reduce visibility to our backyard neighbors. The Colorado Blue Spruces, pines and other plant life really filled in the space. Then, we hired Geist Nursery to help us redefine our back yard after we put in a pool. He designed the plans perfectly and had a crew working right away before the winter came. Its great that you get such personal service from a professional botanist who really knows what works best in Indiana. Plus, its great that you get to hand pick the items you want in your yard - not some large wholesaler that decides for you. Honest and trustworthy - a very well-run family business in our community.

We purchased a tree and mulch from this company on May 3rd. We have yet to have anything delivered or a phone call from them. On monday we were told delivery on Tuesday or Wednesday if the rain didn't stop them. On Wednesday I was told that on Tuesday they were down a person for deliveries and on Wednesday the bobcat was broken. Today I called them (Thursday) and I got the same excuse that they were down a delivery person. With no estimated time of delivery for tomorrow. I am giving them through Monday before I report them to my credit card company for fraud charges for none delivery of product. They have been non-responsive in any contact unless I have called them. Whitney has been no help in this matter with whom I've been talking to. I will not be recommending this company to any of my friends or business associates.

It went perfect. It was great. It was a complicated pattern.

They were very meticulous in trimming the tree - took about two hours. Picked up all the branches and raked the area under the tree. The tree looks great! I would recommend this company and plan to use them again. Earlier this year, we had them replace the shrubbery in the front yard. Again, when they were finished it looked great.

Fred Richwine is a pleasure to work with. He sees with different eyes than I do. His plan was simple yet creative. A bonus of working with Geist Nursery is that we got to pick the plants out ourselves. There were several spots on his design that he had open for our input. So the outcome felt like a collaboration. in addition, his crew was swift and clean. Fred is committed to excellenece. Fred did not like the look of one bed and had the workers redo it. When I pointed out that the design did not hide the unsightly downspout diverter, he fashioned a diverter out of stone that was in harmony with the bed. All in all, a wonderful experience.

The landscaping beds were a mess and Fred advised to get everything cleaned up and not plant anything new. Good advice as it turned out great. They pulled up all the weeds and dead stuff, and there was a lot, and redug the beds, mulched, pruned and trimmed down all the overgrown plants. It was a lot of work. The result is great, the beds are nice again and the whole house and yard looks very attractive. Fred's advice was good, as now that the beds are clean and helthy.lmost non-existent from weeds, grass and overgrown plants. Fred at Geist came out and estimated and talked with me as to the best approach: KISS (keep it simple stupid)! So he suggested a basic clean up and redefine the beds, remove weeds and dead things and don't plant

Great. Bid was prompt and complete, work was completed on as agreed and on time, owner checked in an followed up to ensure satisfaction, price was reasonable.

Fred, the owner promptly returned my call; however it did not go well. He seemed distracted and irritated from the beginning, starting with the message his employee left for him to call me. After I explained I was an Angie’s List member, and was interested in mulch service (delivery or replacement work) and potentially some future landscaping updates, he proceeded to tell me what he would not do. Examples were: “I won’t do drawings for you to use; I don’t want to work with anyone who does not want to work with me; I can’t just come and look at your place, if you want to work with me, I can work the plans up if you buy materials and work from me, otherwise, I am not interested.” He then said “hold on” as I was talking to him – he took a call on the office phone to tell them “I am on a call” then came back on the phone to continue to tell me what he does not do. I then nicely asked him “are you having a good day?” He said yes, at which point this very slightly changed his demeanor but he was clearly uninterested. He then said I could come by with pictures if I wanted to talk. I am going to pass this company by even though we are less than a mile from his location. I am sure he is super busy and can pick his customers, but customers also have to pick him. I recommend a change to the sales call focusing on what you do, not what you don’t do along with positive tone and attention.

We played phone tag a bit, but finally was able to get a quote. Price was very competitive. Just ended up choosing another vendor...I am sure I would have been happy with the end result of any of them!

The owner, Fred, was prompt in returning my call for an estimate. He came the next day and sent me an estimate within 2 days. I was not pressed to get the clean up done, so I gave them the option to do when they can. Within 1 week, they cleaned up the beds and once I got the invisible fence line marked, they came to finish up and lay the mulch. I have used 2 other landscape companies in the past, but Geist Nursery, by far, has done the best job. Everything was done superbly and more than I had anticipated. We will definitely be calling for them next year!!

It was a complicated wall, but they did everything as we asked. It turned out better than we could have imagined. Their price was more reasonable than other vendors we considered.

Everything went very well. I would use them again.

4/15/2013I am reviewing this company even though I was not able to make contact - or perhaps it is BECAUSE I was not able to make contact. It is possible that with my detailed message they determined that my request was out of the scope of their business; however, a professional and reputable company in my opinion would return the call and let the customer know that they are not in that line of work.

Things went very well Fred Richwine is a very creative landscape architect and came up with a great plan for our property. We got compliments all summer long. I would and have recommend Geist Nursery to friends.

Fred came to our home and discussed with us what we wanted done and made suggestions. He came out promptly. He drew up a sketch and plan. We then went to the nursery and looked over some of the plants he suggested and agreed what was to be done. The work took a couple of days with three people working. They were supervised by Fred. Later we realized that there was a problem with the location of three of the plants and that they were not really visible. My husband contacted Fred and he agree to move the plants to a different location at no additional charge. The work was done well and the appearance of the yard is much improved. I'm not really sure about the price. It seemed expensive but we had nothing to compare it to. (We had contacted two other landscapers. One never called back even after we called twice. Another came out but never carried through on a plan.) We would recommend this company but it would be good to get several proposals for comparison on price.

Fabulously! I had hoped to find information on non-standard choices (good-by boxwood and burning bush) for foundation landscaping and hearty choices for some hard-to-grow areas. The ladies at Geist Nursery are so generous with their time and information! They obviously LOVE gardening and respect nature and even suggested I bring in pictures of before - and after - so they could share the excitement. I was totally welcome and spent several hours each visit talking about what type of look I am trying to cultivate and how to achieve it - all within my budget. I should also point out that I don't have the funds for professional installation so I was not an "A-list" customer - which was not of ANY concern to Geist Nursery. The service I received was definitely "A-list" and I am looking forward to returning in early Spring for more fun ideas, lively conversation and super plants. I feel like I really have a relationship with the people there - not just a place to go and buy stuff. By the way, the selection of plants is diverse, healthy and includes some varieties I haven't seen anywhere locally. Bottom line: GO THERE! You will not be disappointed!

Geist Nursery are extremely professional and they did a good job, as far as cleaning up.

We have used Geist Nursery several times for various landscaping and mulching needs. We received an estimate in late March for the work we needed this year--primarily mulching and edging. We set a date that worked for both of our schedules, and their workers arrived on time and were very flexible because of ongoing weather challenges. They were very professional, courteous and meticulous in handling the job. They also pay special attention to detail and cleanup. We were very satisfied with our experience and would recommend Geist Nursery for anyone's yard and landscaping needs.

Geist Nursery were excellent. I had a picture and I gave the picture to Geist Nursery and said this is how I would like it to look and he tried making it look like the picture, he even made it look better than the picture. They listen to what you would like to have and I like the fact that it is a local family business and they help you making something better. They are just very good. It was a few years that they did the landscaping and they come every year and put down the mulch. They go above and beyond because I thought they would only put the mulch down, but they cleaned and raked without charging me extra.

I have used Fred for several years. He did original design of my landscaping and provides maintenance every year. He also built my porch that is beautiful. He always provides quality service and has responds promptly.

Stopped by the Geist Nursery to check out their selection of shrubs and trees. The owner's daughter waited on us and was very helpful. We described our out of control landscape at a house we just purchased and a neighbor's unsightly fence we want to hide. She offered to send her dad, a licensed landscape architect, to the house to make recommendations. He came and spent quite a bit of time walking around the yard making suggestions and answering questions. He did not try to sell us a lot of expensive plants. He made a little sketch of our beds as he walked around the yard and made a list of plants. Later, we went by his nursery to begin selecting the plants. So far we have planted 6 shrubs and 1 tree and all are doing well. We plan to do more planting in the fall. It is nice to have a family owned business right in the neighborhood which offers such good service and expert advice.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Fred and his team. He did a very thorough evaluation of our situation (we live in a very shady area) and thanks to them, we now have a beautiful lawn where we never thought we could get grass to grow. They were very reliable, responsive and just great to work with. We will continue to use them for anything in the future and have recommended them to several of our friends.

They did a good job. He did good work, and he was very accommodating. He a good personality too. His crew was great too. He has a great eye for landscaping and did a great job. We went with him after we got three other bids. Also he was very responsive, punctual, and professional.

1 1/2 year ago he pulled out the old overgrown stuff and redid our beds which was $10,000 worth of work. Last summer, he came out and put in some stepping stones and replanted some grass.