Minneapolis Winter Patio Inspirations
It can be difficult to find inspiration with regards to our patios and porches once winter hits. Getting the whole family involved in a DIY project can be both a mood booster as well as a productive way to use some of that pent-up energy we all feel during the winter months. If you have a garage or workroom with ventilation, try giving your wooden patio furniture or picnic table a facelift with a new coat of paint. In the summer, we’re so busy utilizing these things that we often forget they need some love too. Pick out a color or two...
read moreTime to Winterize!
As we prepare ourselves for the onset of winter, there are a few preventative measures that, if taken, will help to see our patios through the coldest months without detriment. Being that most of us use our patios for 3 seasons, it’s important not to neglect them during the winter- in other words, out of sight should not mean out of mind! Here’s a little to-do list to help you with your winterizing: Sweep & Seal Pavers This will prevent seepage and possible cracking as temperatures fluctuate. An added benefit is that it also helps offset...
read moreLate-Fall Lawn & Garden Preparations
It’s that long-awaited time of year for harvesting your apples and pumpkins- or taking a trip to one of the local orchards to harvest theirs! With so many tempting options here in Minnesota, you’ll no doubt be able to have your fill of apple cider and pumpkin bars this season. Hopefully, you had a successful bounty yourself, but if any of your homegrown apples or gourds have fallen and are spotty with disease, it’s important to get them off of your property since many of the pests that cause these diseases hide out and spend the winter in...
read moreFall Planting in Minneapolis
It’s the time of year for pumpkin spice and sweaters. That said, it might seem counterintuitive to be planting anything with cold temps encroaching, but in reality, fall can be the perfect time to set yourself up for success in the spring. With the cooler weather and frequent rains, planting trees, shrubs, perennials, and even flowers before the ground is frozen is a proactive and therapeutic way to spend these beautiful fall days. Garden shops generally run sales and offer discounts later in the season as well, so get out your gardening...
read moreRocking Out Minneapolis This Fall!
Decorative rocks have been part of the human experience for eons. From Stonehenge to cave drawings, our fixation with these geological wonders continues to evolve into today’s trends, as we still use rock and stone to decorate much of our home’s interior and exterior. When we think about landscaping, there are so many exciting, versatile, and durable elements at play when using rocks or stones that we just had to name a few! Boulders are a great way to add interest to your landscape beds. Acting as visual anchors, boulders create focal points...
read moreChoosing Kid-Friendly Patio Furniture for Your Minneapolis Backyard
Not only do kids like to be outside, they also yearn to be included in whatever the adults are doing. Keeping this in mind when deciding on patio furniture is a good idea so that your tykes are happy and your investment doesn’t get destroyed once playtime starts! From a safety perspective, choosing furniture and features with rounded corners and edges could help prevent bumps, bruises, or worse- impromptu trips to the ER. It’s natural for kids to get excited. Unfortunately, this excitement is sometimes accompanied by a loss of spatial...
read moreSolutions for Diseased Plants in Minnesota
Our Minnesota trees and plants are part of the beauty and charm of your yard. They increase your home’s curb appeal, offer shade in the heat of summer, and can even provide sustenance if you’re growing any edible plants like herbs, fruits, or vegetables. Once disease strikes though, it can be difficult (and expensive) to rebound. But it can be done! Having an arborist out annually to inspect your property for disease is one way to be proactive about protecting the health of your trees specifically. Sometimes it can be difficult to...
read moreTrending Patio Ideas in Minneapolis
Now that summer entertainment season is in full swing, our lovely Minnesota outdoor spaces are once again being utilized. Versatility and style are qualities we tend to look for when deciding to renovate or build outdoor additions to our homes. Whether you’ve been wanting to do more dining al fresco, more poolside lounging, or even trying your hand at a little gardening, now is the time to get the most out of these fabulous but fleeting summer months! Summer Kitchens: For many, the kitchen is the heart of a home, so why not bring that love of...
read moreLeveling Your Minneapolis Lawn
Whether you’ve had heavy items depressing your lawn, water pooling that didn’t drain, or natural settling over the span of your homeownership, leveling your property might be in the cards this summer. Not only is a lumpy lawn unsightly, but it’s also problematic for the health of your grass — and in some cases, your home’s foundation. We’re going to give you a few DIY pointers on how to level your lawn to save you from more severe issues down the line. To start, you’ll want to have a good soil mixture of 40% sand (sandbox filler works...
read moreHot Weather Lawn Care Tips For Minneapolis Homes
With the unseasonably high temperatures we’ve seen so early in the summer this year, we’re going to stress the importance of caring for your lawn in extreme heat. There are a lot of common misconceptions about the right way to handle hot, dry weather with regards to your grass and we’re here to bust the myths and protect your lawns! The first mistake a lot of homeowners make is overwatering. Here in MN we often get a torrential downpour followed by a heatwave and vice versa, yet we continue to maintain our irrigation schedule. The problem...
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