Family works together in landscaping business

With fountains and firewood, a Portales family is making a living together.

Stan Dement operates Outdoor Designs, a landscaping and firewood sales business, with his wife, children and their spouses.

A family project: Outdoor Designs started as a landscaping business a year ago and branched out into firewood in October. The business is relocating to 1525 S. Avenue D.

“It started basically from landscaping our own yard,” Dement said.

Dement’s sons and sons-in-law provided the muscle for the project, and he broached the idea of landscaping full time. The young men’s enthusiasm depended on the project, but Dement eventually decided to go into business.

Now, the men of the family work together all day, Dement’s daughters help with bookkeeping, and his wife manages operations.

“It’s just kind of a continuation of family,” Dement said.

Logs and rocks: Outdoor Designs specializes in waterfalls and pondless rock fountains, but also offers general landscaping, Dement said.

As for firewood, Dement sells juniper, pi