Category Archives: Fall

Minnesota Fall Landscaping Checklist

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By now, most outdoor, landscaping work in Minnesota has slowed down for the season. But maybe if you’re like me, there are a couple of things that could still be done before winter hits in full force. It seems like the weather was so up and down in September and October that some things just haven’t gotten done yet.

Minnesota

Minnesota Fall Landscaping Checklist

Not sure if you’ve got everything ready for winter? You want to make sure that your landscaping and yard is ready for winter so that when spring arrives, everything will have survived and be in good condition. 

Here’s an end-of-the-season, late fall, landscaping, and gardening checklist to get you started.

Mulch 

Mulch is one of the best and easiest ways to make sure roses and tender perennials have the highest chance of making it through the winter. Available in most garden and landscaping stores, mulch is reasonably priced and easy to apply. If they aren’t covered in snow, leaves make good mulch too. Straw is another option but choose the straw carefully. It if is full of seeds, you’re going to be pulling a lot more weeds next summer.

Wrap trees

Trees, especially new and young trees stand a much better chance if they are wrapped and protected from deer and other animals. If they aren’t wrapped, hungry animals can do damage to their bark through the winter months. 

Drain sprinklers and hoses

If you live in Minnesota and haven’t drained your sprinklers and hoses yet, it might be too late. Otherwise, if you can, bring them into a warm building for them to thaw. You might still be able to get the water out of hoses.

Remove annuals

Any annuals can be pulled and disposed of. Getting rid of them now helps ensure that your yard, garden, or flower beds are ready to be planted next spring.

Sound like too much?

If all of that sounds like more than you can handle this year, give Great Goats Landscaping a call. We specialize in landscaping and yard care and maintenance.

Start Planning for Spring Now

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We know it seems crazy to start thinking about spring before we’re even in the New Year, but hear us out! Now is the perfect time to think about what you loved and didn’t love about your yard this year. Make a list of what you’d like to change and start planning how you can make that happen in the coming year.

Here at Great Goats Landscaping, we’re already excited about what’s in store for 2019. We’ve been seeing a lot of great trends out there. Here are some of our favorites.

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More fire features

There is something about having a fire feature as part of a landscape design that people just love. If you’re not sure about committing to a built-in fire pit, consider getting a sturdy, portable one. There are many wrought iron, portable fire-pits that are beautiful and will last a long time. If you’re ready to commit to a permanent, built-in feature, a couple things to consider include if you want to use wood or natural gas and if stone, brick or another building material would look best in your yard.

spring deck or patio

Outdoor living spaces

We might have a short window of nice weather in Minnesota, but we love making the most of it. Lots of people are expressing interest in having outdoor living spaces with cooking space, fire pits, seating areas, and covered porches. In fact, it’s not uncommon to hear people say they want more outdoor living space instead of more flowers and gardens.

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Bringing the indoors out

When spring comes many people want to enjoy their homes, both inside and outside, without giving up comfort and other features they’ve come to expect. That means considering lighting and the ambiance it creates when designing a space. Adding a deck or patio can also extend the space of your home and feel like you’ve added another room. Making your outdoor space an extension of your home by making it comfortable and liveable will help you get the most out of it and really enjoy entertaining there.

Top November Gardening Tips

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It’s hard to admit, but with the cooler weather knocking on your door, long days in the yard are behind us for the year. November isn’t typically a month that people associate with gardening. Usually, we’re too busy thinking about turkey and when the snow is going to start falling to worry too much about our yard and garden. But if you’re not quite ready to give up spending time outside for the year, there are a few more chores that you can do outside to make your growing season next year a success.

November Gardening

Weekly Tips

  • It’s tempting to put away the lawn mower for the year, but lawns should be mowed until the grass stops growing. Meadow voles and field mice can damage turf and trees and shrubs if there is long grass that provides food and cover.
  • Give your evergreen trees and shrubs a last, deep watering, especially those that were planted this year. This will help the trees or shrubs hydrate before winter, preventing winter “burn”.
  • Once everything is watered, drain hoses and sprinklers and turn off any exterior hose faucets before they freeze.
  • Remove frozen or dead perennials from containers and hanging baskets and replace them with evergreen boughs, branches with berries and interesting seed heads for a festive twist
  • Use clean straw, pine needles or oak leaves to mulch tender perennials, newly planted bulbs and strawberries. Plants should be mulched before the temperatures drop to the teens but after the soil has frozen.

Steps were installed at a project in Eden Prairie to access a woodsy in the back yard. Great Goats also planted trees and shrubs that will be low-maintenance while thriving in the area.

Garden maintenance tips

  • If you haven’t taken care of your leaves by November, now is the time to rake and compost any leaves that haven’t already been gathered up. Smaller leaves from ash, honey locust and birch trees can be chopped with a mower or mulcher when dry and then left on the lawn.
  • Take care of your gas-powered equipment by changing the oil, sharpening blades, cleaning air filters and replacing spark plugs. You’ll thank yourself in the spring when everything is ready to go.
  • Clean bird feeders and stock up on seed and suet. Birds add color and activity to your yard in the cold winter months and birds will often stick around in the spring to build nests and raise their young.

November planting

  • Amaryllis bulbs are a nice addition to homes in the winter that can be outdoor plants in the summer. The bulbs are often sold already planted, and all you need to do is add water. With their long lifespans, they bloom well in the winter and can be foliage plants outdoors during the summer.
  • If you know you’ll be craving some color in February, now is the time to force tulip bulbs. Plant them in shallow pots, barely covered with their “noses” poking out. Water well, then cover in plastic and move them to a cool area that doesn’t drop below 35 degrees F. After about 12 weeks they can be moved to a cool indoor location and should flower within two to three weeks.

Our Top Fall Checklist

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With the leaves changing and the temps dropping, there is no denying that the cooler months are upon us.

deck or patio

Fall Checklist

Here’s a quick checklist to help you make sure that your yard and garden are ready for winter.

Prep your patio and deck

Taking care of your patio furniture and other outdoor items is the best way to make sure they last for a long time. Clean and cover patio furniture, empty ashes from the grill and store it, and drain fountains or ponds.

landscaping rocks

Lawn maintenance

Fall leaves are fun to play in and are beautiful, but leaving too many on the ground can kill grass and lead to bare spots.

A light blanket of leaves can safely be mowed and left to mulch on grass. A heavier covering of leaves should be raked and disposed of.

Clean gutters and downspouts

Clogged gutters can cause serious problems like basement flooding, wood rot, staining of siding and even cracked foundations. The best time to clean gutters and downspouts is in the fall after trees have dropped the majority of their leaves.

Store hoses and turn-off exterior water

A little work in the fall can prevent expensive water damage down the road. When water freezes in pipes or hoses, it can expand and cause ruptures and leaks. Drain and store any hoses and close any exterior water spigots on your home.

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Plant trees and bulbs

Fall is the best time to plant shrubs, trees, and bulbs that will flower in the spring. Tulips, crocuses, daffodils, and other spring flowers should all be planted approximately six weeks before the first hard freeze.

The best time to plant trees is when they are dormant, usually in the fall when their leaves have fallen. Planting in the autumn will give the tree roots time to establish themselves before new growth is stimulated. Bare-root trees, especially, should only be planted from October through April.

Getting the Most Out of Your Yard this August

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It’s hard to believe that September and fall are right around the corner – but don’t get out your sweaters yet! There are still plenty of warm days ahead to enjoy to the fullest. Get the most out of your August by spending as much time as you can outside.

Your yard is the perfect place to entertain friends and spend time with family. Here are some of our favorite ways to make the most out of your outdoor space.

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Bring the indoors out to your yard

Outdoor livings spaces can be elaborate designs with full kitchens and living areas, but they don’t have to be. Incorporating elements that are typically found inside can transform an outdoor area into a space that you love. Simple things like rugs, seating, cushions, and lighting can all be added to make your backyard feel more special. When you are looking at items to bring outside, be sure they are made to withstand the weather.

Add late summer color

Adding plants and color is a great way to add your personality and design taste to your yard. But sometimes visiting a greenhouse or nursery can be an overwhelming experience, especially when you are looking for plants that will add color in August. Everything that looks lush and beautiful there might not thrive in your yard. When you are selecting plants, choose ones that fit both your space and your needs. Consider if it will be planted in a sun, partial-sun or full-shade area. Then consider how much care and maintenance you’ll be able to dedicate to the plant. There are numerous options available that range from low-maintenance to those needing high levels of care. Choose plants that are right for you and that will thrive in your yard.

landscaping rocks

Mulch

Mulch doesn’t sound very exciting when it comes to enjoying your yard, but hear us out. A good layer of mulch goes a long way in keeping your yard looking tidy and your plants healthy. Mulch adds a finished looking to garden beds and borders. It also keeps moisture in and weeds out.

If you have some ideas you’d like to incorporate into your yard, give Mike and his team at Great Goats Landscaping a call. They can help make your dream yard a reality.

Getting Ready for Fall with Great Goats Landscaping

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As we move through the fall months, many homeowners are starting to get their yard and gardens ready for winter. At Great Goats Landscaping, we specialize in taking care of all the seasonal yard and garden outdoor projects so that you can get back to enjoying the last of the warmer weather before the snow starts falling.

Ready-for-fall

Getting Ready for Winter

It might seem too early to think about next year’s lawn or garden, but October is the perfect time to get a head start on the 2018 growing season. Adding additional nutrients to your lawn and flower beds, raking leaves and removing them from gutters, and caring for shrubs and perennials are all areas that require annual attention. A little extra care now can make your spring to-do list a little shorter. Plus, your yard and garden will be a more orderly, healthy and productive when it starts to warm up again next year.

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Great Goats Landscaping Fall Services

We offer a variety of fall landscaping services designed to get your yard and garden ready for winter and looking beautiful.

Some of the fall services we offer include:

  • Leaf removal
  • Final lawn mowing
  • Lawn aeration
  • Lawn dethatching
  • Fall fertilization of lawns
  • Shrub pruning and perennial cut back
  • Brush and buckthorn removal
  • Gutter cleaning

Each of these services helps prepare your yard for winter to make sure that it looks its best over the snowy months. Services like lawn aeration, lawn dethatching, lawn fertilization and shrub and perennial pruning encourage healthy growth in plants and prepare your yard and lawn for spring.

Great Goats Landscaping

We always believe that the client comes first and no matter what project we are working on, we strive to make our clients happy. We are a family-owned company that believes in the value of great work and would love to talk to you about your next landscaping project.

Extending Your Outdoor Living Space

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space

Here in Minnesota, we know that fall days mean one thing – winter is coming. But that doesn’t mean we need to retreat inside yet. Now is the perfect time of year to be outside as you can, enjoying the crisp weather and spending time in your yard before the snow starts to fall.

By adding the right landscaping, plants and a few other elements, you can have an outdoor space that feels like an extension of your home and is just as comfy and inviting.

Here are four tips for creating a space that you love and can enjoy as long into the fall as possible.

Stay consistent

As you are thinking about how you want to use your outdoor space, think about your home and the style of your house. Using complementary color and design themes can carry the feel of your home through to the outdoors and make your patio or deck feel like an extension of your house.

Consider using smaller details to add pops of color and sticking to neutrals tones when selecting the larger elements for your outdoor space. Color can be added with plants and other small touches. Remember that plants and smaller finishing details are easier to move around and replace if needed.

Consider your property

The layout of your property is just as important as the type and style of home you have. Take into consideration any elements that will affect your design like steep hills, slopes, trees and other larger plants.

Also, consider when you will be using the space and the position of the sun at that time of day. If you are planning on entertaining in the evening, for example, you would hate to install a deck that is directly in the sun’s rays.

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Add some heat

Nothing is more welcoming than a firepit on a cool fall evening. Fire pits are an excellent gathering point for friends and family.

Consider adding seating and other elements to make the area comfortable and enjoyable. Flagstone can also be used to add interest and design.

 

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The finishing touches

Lighting, plants and other finishing details can help a space feel polished and complete. Explore different lighting options to create a space that feels magical in the evening. Plants can help accent a space and add texture and color to a design.

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Is a Retaining Wall Right For Your Yard?

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After all the care you’ve put into your yard and garden, the last thing you want is to have it washed away and ruined – especially if you could have prevented the damage.

While soil erosion doesn’t affect all properties, it can become an issue in an area that slopes. Fortunately, by taking some preventative steps, your yard can stay beautiful and environmentally friendly, even during heavy downpours.

Preventing erosion

Erosion is the natural movement of soil from one place to another and can happen on both a large and small scale. Eroded soil can become unsightly, can block stormwater systems and is an environmental concern.

Retaining Wall

Add a retaining wall

For properties with steep slopes, a retaining wall or terrace will reduce soil movement and add depth and dimension to a landscape.

Retaining walls help homeowners protect steep areas on the property. They increase the amount of usable land on the yard, have environmental benefits and can help protect against water saturation.

Retaining walls also add visual interest to a space. Other landscaping elements can be used in conjunction with a retaining wall to complement the feel and look of your yard. Fences can be added if the wall is on the edge of a property, plants can incorporate pops of color and stonework can add a graphic design element.

Incorporating native plants

One of the best and most effective ways of preventing erosion is keeping soil covered year-round. Exposed soil is susceptible to erosion caused by wind and rain. Adding shrubs, grasses or mulch can significantly reduce the risk of erosion on low-grade slopes. Native grasses have a deep root system and provide more soil stability in the topsoil and subsoil. They also help water absorb into the soil more quickly. Incorporating native plants will attract pollinators and encourage biodiversity, which in turn leads to a healthy yard.

August Lawn and Garden Checklist

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A lawn and garden checklist might be just the thing you need to get motivated to be in the yard again this month.

lawn and garden checklist

August is usually one of the hottest months in Minnesota. The days are long and filled with the best parts of summer – afternoons at the lake, county fairs, and cool evenings with family and friends.

It can be hard to spend time in the yard during the day, but early mornings and evenings are the perfect time to enjoy your yard and garden and do a little maintenance.

Lawn and Garden Checklist

Here’s a lawn and garden checklist for the month of August to keep your yard lookings it’s best and to help you get ready for fall.

lawn and garden checklist

Lawn

  • Prepare for fall or late summer planting by leveling the area and removing any weeds
  • Aerate and dethatch your lawn
  • Keep your lawn mower blades at the highest setting to help your grass in the heat and reduce lawn maintenance

Yard and Garden Checklist

Annuals and Perennials

  • Spring and summer-flowering perennials can be divided and transplanted during the cooler time of day
  • Trim and fertilize containers to encourage another show of flowers
  • Manage late-summer pests like aphids, whiteflies, Japanese beetles and spider mites with a spray of water from the hose
  • Propagate plants by taking cuttings, layering and collecting seeds
  • Continue deadheading
  • Treat diseased plants and remove affected areas before the leaves drop

lawn and garden checklist

Vegetables and Herbs

lawn and garden checklist

Maintain

  • Water as needed. Early morning is the best time to water. Target plants directly and water deeply
  • Avoid mold, stagnation and mosquito larvae in birdbaths, water features, and hummingbird feeders
  • Continue weeding
  • Add compost and fertilizer to prepare for fall plantings

7 Benefits of Perennials

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It’s spring, and that means gardeners are starting to dream about their gardens and flowerbeds. The whole growing season is ahead, and everyone has visions of lush, blooming flowers or gardens full of produce. There are many benefits of perennials and they are often a favorite for growers because they are low maintenance and return year after year.

benefits of perennials

Benefits of Perennials

Choosing the right plants for your space can be as fun as it is challenging. There are so many factors to consider, but the first decision to make is whether perennials are the right choice for you.

Primary types of plants

There are two primary types of garden and flowerbed plants: annuals and perennials (though gardening aficionados will be quick to point out there are some plants, called biennials, that are exceptions and last two years).

Annuals complete their entire life cycle in a single year. Perennials, on the other hand, live for several years. After flowering and dying back, the roots remain and produce a new crop the following year.

Annual plants have benefits of course, but can also cause problems, especially in large-scale agriculture operations, for example.

Less annual maintenance

One of the biggest advantages of perennial plants is that they don’t need to be replanted every year. Gardeners can save time and energy by not clearing flowerbeds of last years plants, sowing seeds, and composting and mulching an area every year. Plus, once perennials are established, they generally need less care as their root systems are able to give them the nutrients they need.

Soil Structure

Because perennials remain in the soil for multiple years, the root systems help improve the soil structure. As they grow and spread their roots, the soil is aerated and channels are created for water to travel through the soil. This helps both the perennial plants and other plants in the area get the oxygen and water they need.

Nutrients

Perennials have a deeper root system than annual plants and are able to reach nutrients that are further down in the soil. They bring those nutrients to the surface where other plants are able to access them. Nitrogen, for example, is a particularly useful element for plant growth that perennials help draw upwards.

Water

Just like nutrients, the root systems of perennials also draw up water from lower in the soil profile. Again, this moisture becomes available to other plants with shallower root systems. It also helps prevent the soil from drying out and becoming susceptible to erosion.

Cover

When perennials die back, many of them retain their foliage. This creates a soil cover, similar to a cover crop, that protects the moisture in the soil from evaporation by the sun. It also helps maintain a strong soil structure and prevents erosion by wind and rainfall.

Propagation

Perennials may last a long time, but sadly, they don’t last forever. Fortunately, many perennials are easy to propagate by dividing the plant’s root system. Sections of the root clump are carefully divided and then replanted to produce new plants.

Variety

With a little bit of planning, it is possible to stagger the blooming of your garden. Annuals tend to all bloom in the same period, but with perennials, you can get blooming flowers from early spring up to the first frost.