Your June Yard and Garden Checklist

Posted on June 22, 2017 by greatgoatslandscaping

Yard and Garden Checklist

By the end of June, it is safe to say that summer is officially here! Everything is green and the growing season is in full swing. If your yard is like mine, everything has been planted and is ready for a bit of maintenance.

After the exciting planting season of May, it’s tempting to sit back and enjoy your garden, but now is the time to do the real work of gardening – tending to your plants and harvesting the fruits of your labor.

Yard and Garden Checklist

Restart your gardening engines and tick off a few tasks from June’s yard and garden checklist.

Everyone

Water new and fragile plants as needed, especially during hot stretches
Refill any bare spots of mulch before weeds move in
Side dress soil with compost or fertilizer
Watch for signs of nutrient deficiency in leaves
Move houseplants outdoors and give them a bit of fresh air
Keep water in birdbaths fresh and clean for our feathered friends

Ornamentals

Deadhead frequently to encourage plants to continue blooming for a long season
Pinch back flowers like asters, monarda, and helianthus to make them stockier and full of flower buds
Vegetables
Stop harvesting asparagus and rhubarb so they can build up reserves for next year
Replace leafy greens like spinach that have bolted from the heat
Plant any remaining warm season veggies like tomatoes, peppers and eggplant
Continue blanching tender greens, celery and cauliflower
Plant new batches of bush beans every couple of weeks to have a continuous harvest
Stake tomato plants as they grow and pinch off any suckers if needed
Use a couple drops of mineral oil on corn silks within a week after they appear to deter corn earworms

Trees and Shrubs

Prune or shape evergreens as soon as new growth starts to turn a darker green
Do maintenance pruning of wisteria once it finishes blooming to keep it in check

Pests

Be vigilant for summer insects! Check leaves for eggs and nymphs regularly
Watch for four-lined plant bug damage, especially with plants in the mint family
Japanese beetles will be back in the summer months

7 Benefits of Perennials

Posted on April 19, 2017 by greatgoatslandscaping

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.

Landscape Design Ideas for Small Spaces

Posted on July 22, 2016 by greatgoatslandscaping

If your design dreams are big but your yard isn’t, you may think a landscaping company isn’t for you. But landscapers aren’t just for homeowners with acres of property under their feet! At Great Goats, we’re experienced at tackling the design and usability challenges that small spaces present. Here are some of our favorite landscape design ideas for small spaces.

Make a Statement

It may seem counter-intuitive, but incorporating one eye-catching feature actually makes a small space seem larger than one that is filled with lots of little decorations, statues, and tchotchkes. Give your small space a feeling of grandeur with a vertical recirculating fountain, a custom pergola, or a built-in brick oven.

Think Vertically

Installing hooks under the eaves for hanging planters instantly doubles your gardening space and frees up precious patio room for a grill and seating. Or consider a “living wall,” which uses a sturdy fence or wall to support succulents or other low-water plants.

Pick a Palette

We love color, but in a small space too many hues can look busy, which visually shrinks your space. Green plantings with natural wood or stone structures are an obvious pairing, making your patio into a calming, zen-style retreat. But monochromatic doesn’t have to mean boring. Add pops of color through outdoor textiles or container flowers, which are easy to replant as the seasons change.

Build in Extra Seating

Expand the usability of a small space by incorporating some low-profile seating along the edge of the patio or deck. By installing benches or a retaining wall, you’ll save square feet that would otherwise be taken up by bulky patio furniture. (Bonus: benches on a deck can double as storage boxes!)

The bottom line: No matter how many acres or inches you’re working with, we can help you create the backyard of your dreams! Call us today for a consultation.

Kid-Friendly Landscape Design Ideas

Posted on July 12, 2016 by greatgoatslandscaping

If you’re a parent or grandparent, chances are you’ve already heard that familiar refrain from your children at least once since school let out: “Mom? Dad? I’m booooored.” As parents ourselves, we at Great Goats love helping our clients create outdoor spaces that will keep kids active and entertained right in their own backyard. Banish boredom with these kid-friendly landscape design ideas!

In-Ground Swimming Pools

The house with a pool is the one where kids and their friends gather. Concerned that a pool will dominate your whole space? We can help you integrate a pool into your landscape with distinctive pavers, attractive plantings, and trees that act as privacy screens. We’ll also advise you on the best safety gates on the market.

Space for Sports

A wide-open lawn invites ball games and backyard campouts. But the key is choosing the right grass. We’ll help you select a hearty variety that can stand up to all your kids’ activities. With our full slate of lawn-care services, you can count on Great Goats to keep your lawn in top shape during the off-season as well.

Designated Play Areas

By fencing off a section of yard and installing a play structure, you create an instant mini-park within your own backyard. Kids love having their own special space, and parents love that toys stay corralled in one spot. And gone are the days of those plastic Fisher Price swing sets. With easy-to-assemble structures in classic hardwoods, your little ones’ play area will blend in nicely with the rest of your landscape.

Planter Boxes for Veggies

Here’s one we bet you hadn’t thought of! Growing vegetables from seeds instills excitement and a sense of responsibility in kids of all ages, and with the right design, in-ground or raised planter boxes can actually be an attractive part of your outdoor space. We can help you to site and install your veggie garden to keep it safe from kids and wildlife. Tip: strawberries, kale, and peas are easy veggies to start with.

Safety First!

For grandparents’ homes and vacation properties, where kids may not be part of the daily routine, we still recommend some landscape design additions geared toward safety. Consider installing low-profile fencing along steep drop-offs and gates around water features.

Pro Tips for a Great Summer Lawn

Posted on June 1, 2016 by greatgoatslandscaping

Want a major league lawn this summer? Back when our Minnesota Twins moved to their state-of-the-art outdoor stadium, Target Field, a local TV station profiled the hardworking grounds crew who keep the field in top condition. While you may not have a whole outfield to care for, many of the groundskeepers’ best practices are also good lessons for homeowners. Here are our pro tips for a great-looking lawn.

Your lawn will be a home run if you take care of it like the pros.

1. Get a Fresh Start

The Twins had the advantage of starting with a blank slate at the new park, allowing the grounds crew to build a great field from the soil up. If you’ve moved into a new home or are simply trying to rejuvenate a lawn after years of haphazard care, you may find that a complete reseeding is the best way to get the yard you dream of. At Great Goats, we can help by doing a soil analysis, removing dead plants, and selecting a grass and fertilizer that will flourish in your particular space.

2. Drainage is Key

Minnesota lawns take a beating from ice, snow, and rain. Every year, we’re treated to a few pictures of the Twins’ grounds crew shoveling snow off the field in an attempt to get it ready for play that evening. Target Field is actually built on a unique combination of sand and silt that absorbs water quickly and reduces flooding of the grass. Homeowners, too, need to consider drainage in any landscape project—no one wants to find out in the winter that their new patio is pushing water into the basement. Worried about doing it yourself? Consider having a professional flatten or regrade your yard to ensure that water is funneled away from your house.

3. It Pays to Maintain

Even when the Twins are on the road, the grounds crew is at the stadium conditioning the field. Lawn care might not be your full-time job, but you can take a page out of their playbook and make regular maintenance a priority. A little work now will save you from major work later. Staying on top of a couple of daily tasks (removing objects from the grass so they don’t create dead spots; watering on a smart sprinkler system) and a few weekly chores (weeding, raking, mowing) will keep your lawn looking great all summer.

4. Put on the Finishing Touches

Major league groundskeepers make those arrow-straight stripes through the outfield by dragging a giant roller behind their mower, and the Twins’ crew says drawing the chalk foul lines is a nerve-wracking task. The lesson for homeowners is that it pays to sweat the small stuff. Consider edging your lawn with a decorative border of flowers or wood chips to create a nice visual transition between grass and concrete. Or

Fire Pit Design Ideas: Gather Around the Fire in Style This Summer!

Posted on March 29, 2016 by greatgoatslandscaping

fire-pit-flagstone-patio-orono-mn

Ahhh, summer in Minnesota. Lemonade, lake days, and late nights spent outside with friends and family. It’s no wonder fire pits are one of the most-requested patio features in the landscape design business. A fire pit provides the perfect place to gather together, toast marshmallows, trade stories, and make memories. Even the Minnesota Twins’ stadium boasts a rooftop fire pit!

Here are some design ideas to consider if you’re thinking about adding one of these popular features to your outdoor space:

Location, Location, Location

Whatever size space you’re working with, a fire pit can provide a great focal point for entertaining. It’s important to consider how you want a fire pit to work into the flow of your patio. Will this be the primary gathering place for guests? Are you looking for quick access to the kitchen, or do you want the fire pit to be a “destination point” farther away on the property?

swimming-pool-landscaping-firepit-edina-mn

At Great Goats, we work with you to assess your outdoor space, and we take into consideration how you entertain.

Adding Fuel to the Fire

One of the biggest questions we get is gas vs. wood-burning. There are pros and cons to both. Wood gives you that woodsy ambiance and allows for bigger fires (just add another log!). There are no hook-ups to worry about, often making installation less expensive. Gas, on the other hand, offers quicker start-up and clean-up; it’s literally as simple as flipping a switch. And in some areas, local laws restrict outdoor wood smoke. We have expertise in both types of installation and can advise you on the best option for your home.

brick-patio

What’s Your Style?

Are you going for modern minimalist? Ornate Tuscan? These days, fire pits go well beyond the simple circle. Most of our clients opt for the classic beauty of traditional stone, but fire pits can be built from a variety of materials, all with different pros and cons: for instance, concrete can be molded into intricate shapes but is very heavy; granite is expensive but long-lasting. With our expertise in patio design, we can steer you to a durable option that matches the style you’re envisioning.

outdoor-fireplace-paver-patio-edina-mn

Call us today to set up a consultation, and make this summer extra memorable!

5 Tips To Get Your Lawn Ready For Fall

Posted on October 28, 2015 by greatgoatslandscaping

Ready-for-fall

We Minnesotans fall into one of two camps: we either enter the fall season rejoicing that we’re one day closer to winter or we ignore the changing leaves and wear our flip flops until the first snowflake appears. No matter which type of person you are, there is a good chance you aren’t thinking about your lawn as much as you were a couple months ago, but the cooler weather of autumn makes it an ideal time to prepare for next spring.

Your grass might be growing more slowly, but that doesn’t mean it won’t benefit from a little extra care. During the autumn, grass absorbs energy, moisture, and nutrients to prepare for a long, dormant winter. Give your lawn a little love now, and you’ll be able to see the difference in the spring.

1. Keep mowing

It might be tempting to stop mowing your lawn, but keeping your grass short will allow more sunlight to reach the crown of the grass and will decrease the amount of leaf that will turn brown during the winter. Set your mower to its lowest setting for the last two cuttings of the year, always taking care to never cut more than one-third of the grass blade at a time.

2. Aerate your soil

Aerating your soil lets oxygen, water, and fertilizer reach your grass’s roots. Fall is a great time to aerate and most hardware stores have gas-powered lawn aerators for rent that will remove small plugs of dirt and drills holes into the dirt.

Edible landscaping

3. Rake the leaves

Raking leaves can be a big job, but it’s an important one to get taken care of as soon as possible. Putting it off will only make the leaves more likely to get wet and stuck together and much more difficult to rake. Another option is to use a lawnmower with a collection bag or a vacuum system to remove the leaves. No matter which option you choose, be sure to get your leaves picked up before they become a wet, suffocating mess.

4. Apply fertilizer

Fall is the best time of year to apply fertilizer. Grass leaves might be growing more slowly, but the roots and rhizomes (the horizontal plant stem that lies beneath the surface) are still active. Adding fertilizer in the fall gives grass roots the nutrients they need to grow deep now and start out healthy in the spring.

5. Fill bald spots

The easiest way to fill any bald spots in your lawn is to use an all-in-one lawn repair mixture sold at most garden shop and home centers. Typically these ready-made mixes contain grass seed, quick-starter lawn fertilizer, and organic mulch. Before spreading the seed, use a rake to loosen the soil. Then spread a thick layer of the mixture over the area, water thoroughly, and continue watering every other day for two weeks.

Edina Landscape Dream Come True for This Family

Posted on October 9, 2015 by greatgoatslandscaping

Edina Landscaping ProjectReady to take your landscaping to the next level? Call 612-483-GOAT to get started! We’ve been serving the Twin Cities for well over a decade. Here’s footage of one of our favorite projects… #landscaping #MN #TwinCities

Posted by Great Goats Landscaping on Friday, September 11, 2015

A few years ago, a family in Edina was looking to upgrade their landscape. They had just finished a home addition and wanted a beautiful front yard to complement the work they had done. We worked with the homeowners to create a design to give them exactly what they were looking for – beauty and privacy with a golf course quality lawn.

edina-front To give them the type of lawn the family wanted, the Great Goats team stripped out the old lawn and meticulously graded the exposed dirt. Then we installed lush Minnesota grown sod. A curved border separated the lawn from the landscaped areas and gentle berms were added to give the family a rolling contour instead of the typical flat front yard.

We also landscaped the front entry and the foundation of the home and added an L-shaped garden with pine and birch trees, a flowering tree and lots of blooming shrubs and perennials. The final effect was a colorful screen that gave a sense of privacy from the street traffic in front of the home.

Edina-poolside Two years later, the Great Goats team found themselves back at the same address. The family had recently build a new wooden deck off the second story, added a concrete deck around their swimming pool, and enclosed the back yard with a new fence. Once again the family’s main concern was privacy. The open fields that surrounded their backyard were slated for development and keeping a sense of peace and seclusion was a high priority.

We planted evergreen and birch trees along the fence to create a natural screen. We also carried over the contoured feel of the front yard by installing gentle berms and a curved border along the planting beds. Flowering patio trees, blooming shrubs, perennials and ornamental grasses were planted to create natural and colorful points of interest around the yard. edina-landscape

Throughout the property, accent borders were added to enhance the naturalistic feel that the homeowners wanted.

Since first meeting the family, Great Goats has enjoyed maintaining and improving the landscaping of their property. We love taking a project from the very beginning and improving the site over multiple years to help homeowners create a yard that they truly love. We value our ongoing relationship with this family and have been thrilled to receive several referrals based on our work.

edina-landscaping

Tips for Late Summer Yard Care

Posted on September 27, 2015 by greatgoatslandscaping

Late Summer Yard Care

This is one of my favorite times of the year. With all the end of summer activities in full swing, I spend most of my time outside, trying to soak in as much sun before winter as possible.

Unfortunately, these end-of-summer days can do damage to your lawn. If your lawn is anything like mine, it’s starting to look worn. The heat, plus insects, foot traffic, and all those outdoor parties you’ve been throwing can easily leave lawns looking sparse and a little sad.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep your lawn looking healthy and inviting throughout the summer and into fall.

Know your lawn type and geographic location

Before you dive into improving the health of your lawn, it’s important to know what type of grass you are dealing with. It also helps to do a little bit of research and learn about the plant zone that you live in. Knowing your plant zone will help you determine watering, soil and lighting requirements for your area.

Check your lawn and landscaping for signs of stress

Once you have a better idea of what your grass needs based on your plant zone, it’s time to take a look at the condition of your lawn. Watch lawn for areas that are lacking water or being attacked by seasonal bugs or disease. Shade trees, overhangs from your house and other buildings and the shade from you house can help plants that less hardy. Plants that tolerate heat and dry conditions should be planted in direct sun.

Get your soil tested

If you notice that your lawn isn’t growing like your neighbors, there could be many underlying factors. Testing your soil can tell you a lot about what your grass and other plants might be lacking. Improper nutrients, PH levels, and other natural balances could all affect how your yard performs. You soil might also need aerating periodically to bring air into your soil and stimulate growth.

Prevent next spring’s problems now

A lot of problems that lawns face in the spring can be addressed in the late summer. Late summer pests can take a toll on plants that might not show up until next summer. Be vigilant and address any insect problems promptly. There are many pest control options on the market, but chemical-free solutions will always be the safest for you, your family, and the environment.

Choose the right fertilizer for late summer applications

Lawns require different fertilizer based on the time of year or maybe you are trying to build tuft or address a particular problem in a certain area of your lawn. Whatever you are hoping to improve about your lawn, seek advice before buying and spreading fertilizer. Your local nursery should have a variety of fertilizers and will be able to help you select the right one for your needs.

Trim bushes and shrubs

It doesn’t matter if your landscape is neatly manicured or has a more rustic look. Flowers and shrubbery should be trimmed and kept tidy to keep your yard from looking overgrown and unkempt. Never trim more than a third from bushes and shrubs. Bushes and shrubs should be trimmed in late summer, rather than in late fall so that any new growth has time to harden before the harsh cold of winter.

Money Can Grow On Trees With Edible Landscaping

Posted on August 19, 2015 by greatgoatslandscaping

Edible landscaping

Money might not grow on trees, but that doesn’t mean your trees and yard can’t save you money! Incorporating edible landscaping into all or part of your yard can give you the best of both worlds – a beautiful yard that also produces vegges or herbs for your kitchen.

Edible landscaping with vegetables

Using vegetables to create edible landscaping in your yard can be as beautiful as it is practical. Don’t believe me? Take a look at some pictures of historic European gardens. There is no denying they know what they are doing when it comes to efficiently using space while still creating an elegant yard.

Vegetables are a great way to add an unexpected pop of color and unusual texture to your flower beds and yard. Pole beans have lovely heart shaped leaves and will climb just about anything. Hot peppers ripen into bold, rich colors that complement many annual flowers.

Leafy greens and all the many colored plants that are perfect for salads are easy to slip in with the rest of your landscaping. Lettuces, for example, come in so many different colors and do well in window boxes. They can also be added to flower beds as edging plants. Some mustard greens and kale have beautiful colors in the fall and are a great way to add color late in the year.

If you’re still not sure about adding veggies to your flower beds, why not add edible flowers? Nasturtiums and violas are both edible and are a pretty addition to salads.

Edible landscaping with fruit trees and shrubs

With so many delicious fruits that are easy to grow, why not add a few to your yard?

Blueberries, currant bushes and raspberries are all fairly easy to grow and are pretty enough to be used decoratively.

Strawberries make excellent edging plants and provide good ground cover. They can be planted in long rows along the edges of flower beds or in a sunny area where you need ground cover. In the spring, they are covered in white flowers and in the fall, their leaves turn a rich russet color.

If you don’t have room for a full sized fruit tree in your yard, check out the new miniature and dwarf varieties that are now available. Some grow to be only four to five feet tall and can easily be grown in a large pot or barrel.

Edible landscaping with herbs

There is nothing like having fresh herbs on hand to add a little something extra to your cooking. It’s even better when those herbs are just out your front door.

Many herbs are versatile and can be grown successfully in pots or among other plants. Rosemary is one of the most decorative herbs. It can be shaped into clever topiaries and can be grown in pots or directly in the ground. Basil, tarragon, sage, chives and many other can all be mixed together in indoor or outdoor plantings.

Herbs like mint, oregano, and prostrate rosemary and chamomile all make excellent ground cover. Keep an eye on them though so they don’t get out of hand and take over the rest of your yard. Thyme is also an excellent groundcover for hot, sunny, dry areas. It forms a dense mat of foliage and does well among pavers or flagstones.