The Garden Kingdom

- 3711 IL-157, Glen Carbon, IL 62034

For homeowners and businesses across the Illinois Metro East region, transforming an outdoor space often requires the specialized knowledge of a full-service general contractor in the landscaping and outdoor living industry. The Garden Kingdom, based in Glen Carbon, IL, positions itself as a comprehensive resource for projects that span from foundational lawn care to complex, custom-built outdoor environments. Led by an individual with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Illinois, the company integrates architectural, horticultural, and engineering expertise to create well-designed, functional, and aesthetically pleasing landscapes.

The firm's philosophy appears to center on providing a complete outdoor solution, moving beyond simple lawn maintenance to full landscape development. This extensive capacity is appealing to local users seeking a single contractor for a multi-faceted project, such as integrating a new patio with custom water features and seasonal planting. One satisfied customer highlighted this benefit, noting that the company not only provided a fair bid for a patio but, through the vision of Ken Knoll, "came up with some really good ideas that gave us much more than a patio." This indicates a strength in design-build projects that enhance overall outdoor living spaces.

However, potential Illinois clients should also be mindful of the importance of detailed service agreements and transparent billing. A separate customer review expressed significant concern regarding lawn maintenance charges, alleging a two-hour labor charge for a job that took under 15 minutes, with inadequate cleanup. This highly negative feedback underscores the critical importance of clear, upfront communication regarding pricing models—whether based on hourly labor or a flat-rate per job—and ensuring all service expectations, especially for cleanup and debris disposal, are documented in the work agreement to prevent potential misunderstandings and disputes. As a professional service, the execution of routine maintenance must match the high quality expected from their design and hardscape work.

The Garden Kingdom is conveniently located in the thriving community of Glen Carbon, Illinois, allowing them to serve a wide radius of the Metro East and surrounding areas, including Madison, St. Clair, and potentially parts of Missouri. This local presence is valuable for timely service and project management.

The physical address is:

• 3711 IL-157, Glen Carbon, IL 62034, USA

In terms of physical access, the location is confirmed to offer key accessibility features, which is an important consideration for commercial clients and residential customers visiting the facility or design center for consultations:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot

The Garden Kingdom is a multi-specialty contractor, blending the skills of a landscape architect and designer with a full-service maintenance crew. They offer an exceptionally broad range of services, catering to both the hardscape construction and the softscape horticultural needs of residential and commercial properties throughout Southern Illinois.

Their services are extensive and include:

• Full Design and Installation Services, including Landscape Architecture and Development
• Custom Outdoor Living Spaces, Fire Pits, and Outdoor Kitchens
• Hardscape Construction: Retaining Walls, Stone Patios, Walkways, Steps, and Deck Structures
• Water Features Lighting and Irrigation System Installation and Service
• Year-Round Maintenance: Proactive Maintenance Programs, Lawn Mowing, Weeding, Pruning & Trimming (Tree & Shrub)
• Lawn and Plant Health: Lawn Fertilization, Lawn Aeration, Lawn Seeding, and Tree & Shrub Fertilization
• Seasonal Enhancements: Sod Installation, Spring & Fall Clean Ups, Leaf Removal, and Annual Color Installation
• Holiday & Event Decorating: Professional Christmas Lighting and Seasonal Decor Installation and Removal
• Winter Services: Commercial and Residential Snow Removal

The company’s highlights center on their expertise in design, their full-service approach, and their ability to handle specialized, year-round projects. This makes them more than just a lawn service, but rather a full outdoor partner for their clients.

• Landscape Architect-Led Design: The company owner, Ken Noll, holds a Landscape Architecture degree, providing clients with a professional level of design, planning, and knowledge that encompasses engineering, horticulture, and aesthetic vision for complex projects.
• Design-Build Capabilities: The ability to handle the entire project from the initial consultation and custom design to the final installation and long-term maintenance is a significant advantage for Illinois clients who prefer a single point of contact.
• Hardscaping Focus: They specialize in permanent, high-value hardscape additions, such as stone patios, retaining walls, and outdoor kitchens, which are key for increasing property value and outdoor enjoyment in the Midwest.
• Seasonal and Specialty Services: Offering specialized services like Christmas Decor/Lighting and Snow Removal ensures they remain a valuable resource for maintaining property appearance and safety throughout all four Illinois seasons.
• Commercial and Residential Scope: The capacity to serve both homeowners and commercial properties demonstrates the resources and staffing necessary to manage projects of varying size and complexity across the Glen Carbon region.

For residents and businesses in the Glen Carbon, IL, and surrounding Metro East communities seeking design consultations, service estimates, or to address ongoing service questions, contact information is as follows:

• Address: 3711 IL-157, Glen Carbon, IL 62034, USA
• Phone: (618) 288-0101
• Mobile Phone: +1 618-288-0101

For homeowners in the Illinois Metro East looking for a transformative outdoor project, The Garden Kingdom is worth considering for its deep well of professional design and build expertise. The combination of a certified Landscape Architect at the helm and a team capable of executing complex hardscapes (patios, walls) and sophisticated softscapes (planting, lighting, water features) provides a high-level service that goes far beyond basic lawn work. The positive feedback highlights their strength in creative problem-solving and delivering high-quality final construction for large-scale enhancements.

However, the contrasting review regarding an alleged overcharge for a simple lawn service and poor cleanup cannot be ignored. This feedback is a crucial warning for potential customers regarding maintenance-level contracts. What is worth choosing, therefore, comes with a strong recommendation for clear, protective steps:

• For Design and Build Projects (Patios, Walls, Kitchens): The Garden Kingdom’s design capabilities and technical expertise appear to be a major selling point and are worth selecting if their vision aligns with the customer's goal.
• For Routine Maintenance Services (Mowing, Cleanup, Pruning): Illinois clients should demand a detailed, written breakdown of service charges before any work begins. If a flat-rate price is not provided, a clear, documented hourly rate agreement, including the maximum anticipated time and clear scope of work (e.g., disposal included), is essential to protect against unexpected costs and ensure satisfactory cleanup.

By leveraging their strong design background for major projects while conducting necessary due diligence on pricing for routine services, residents of Glen Carbon and the Metro East can best utilize the comprehensive offerings of The Garden Kingdom.

The Garden Kingdom

3711 IL-157, Glen Carbon, IL 62034, USA