Everyone’s landscaping needs are different, but there are certain qualities all homeowners should look for when selecting a company to work with. Here are a few tips for choosing a reliable, trustworthy landscaper in the Twin Cities area.

Choose the right landscaping company to create your backyard sanctuary!

Customer-focused service

As a family-owned business, our name is on the line. That’s why our owner and designer, Mike Olson, personally meets with each client to gather information about the proposed project. Look for a landscaper who really listens to your needs and makes you part of a collaborative process. Also, make sure the company you choose has a top-notch Better Business Bureau rating and good customer reviews online. If possible, talk with previous clients and ask if they would use the company again. The highest praise is a return customer!

Creative, custom designs

Your home is a unique reflection of you and how your family enjoys the outdoors. There’s no cookie-cutter solution for your yard. Check out each landscaping company’s portfolio of work. If you notice that many of their patio designs tend to look the same, or that they have certain “fallback” plants that anchor every garden installation, proceed with caution. Make sure you’re selecting a company that will work with you to turn your unique vision into reality.

Local expertise

Plenty of companies can offer simple services like lawn-trimming and leaf-raking. But when you’re making your yard into your dream outdoor space, you want landscapers who have seen it all—who know the local microclimates, soil conditions, and seasonal weather patterns like the back of their hand. Look for a company that has been in business in the Twin Cities area for many years (Great Goats has been here over a decade!); they will have a deep well of knowledge to draw from when tackling any new project.

Transparent pricing & scheduling

That beautiful backyard deck won’t look so beautiful if it takes twice as long and costs twice as much as promised. Any company worth its salt will give you a clear estimate for pricing and timeframe—up front and in writing. Ask them to explain how the total price could change based on later design alterations and how they schedule their clients to avoid delays. At Great Goats, we include all of that information in your personal consultation with Mike.

Put us to the test! Give us a call today to learn about our services.

Marigolds are a natural mosquito deterrents. Plus they can add a bright pop of color to your yard or garden.

Minnesota might be known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes by the rest of the country, but here, we know the truth. It’s the land of 10,000 lakes and 100,000 mosquitoes. At any hardware store you can find an aisle full of products that will help keep those little bloodsuckers away, but did you know that some plants act as natural mosquito deterrents while adding beauty to your yard?

Here are 13 common plants that will thrive in your yard and help keep it mosquito free.

1. Lemongrass

Lemongrass won’t withstand our harsh winters here in Minnesota, but it will thrive over the summer months. It is an easy grass to grow that likes good drainage and full sun.

2. Catnip

Catnip is considered both a perennial and an annual depending on your climate. It can become invasive if it isn’t kept in check, but it is 10 times more effective than DEET for repelling mosquitoes. That makes the extra work of pruning it back more than worth the effort!

3. Marigold

Not only are marigolds natural mosquito deterrents, they also repel aphids, another pesky insect that would love to munch on your garden plants. Marigolds are easy to maintain and are good border plants for vegetable gardens. It is also easy to collect the marigold seeds in the fall for replanting the following year.

4. Rosemary

This herb is commonly used in cooking and is also ideal for repelling mosquitoes. It is an attractive plant for container gardens and requires little water. Plus, it is delicious in soups, and egg and meat dishes.

5. Wormwood

Wormwood is a perennial that has a silvery foliage and can be grown in full sun. It serves well as a border plant and has a strong smell to deter mosquitoes.

6. Mint

Mint is another plant that can easily get out of hand if it isn’t kept under control. However, it is a hardy plant that also does well in containers and also has many uses in the kitchen.

7. Floss Flower

Not only will the floss flower repel mosquitoes, but it also attract butterflies. It is an annual that grows to be about 6 to 12 inches and needs partial shade to full sun to thrive.

8. Cadaga Tree

The cadaga tree requires full sun to grow and while it repels mosquitoes, it will also attract other wildlife. If you worried about extra wildlife visitors wandering in your yard, you might need a fence for your garden if you plant this tree.

9. Catmint

Catmint is another butterfly nectar plant.  It grows to about 2 to 3 feet and is an excellent mosquito repellant.

10. Citronella Grass

Citronella grass is a popular plant that does well in all of the USDA zones. It requires partial shade to full sun and the oil from citronella grass is used to make mosquito repellent candles and other products.

11. Clove Tree

The clove tree is a shorter, flowering tree that produces clove spice, another common cooking spice. It needs partial shade to full sun.

12. Lavender

It’s hard to believe that lavender plants could repel anyone, but they do just that to mosquitoes. Lavender also produces nectar for butterflies and its flowers can be dried and kept in the garden to further deter mosquitoes.

13. Lemon Balm

Another perennial, lemon balm leaves can be used to flavor iced and hot tea and as a substitute for lemon peel. This plant requires partial shade to full sun to thrive.

By adding a few of these popular natural mosquito deterrents to your yard or garden, the time you spend outside will be so much more enjoyable.

Now that the snow has melted and winter seems to finally be coming to an end, it’s time to get ready for spring and warmer weather – and that means getting your lawn ready too. Spring is the perfect time to do a bit of maintenance and preventative yard work to make sure your lawn is looking its healthy and full year round. Below are six of our top spring lawn tips to get your lawn is looking its best.

A little yard maintenance in the spring can help your lawn look good all summer.

Spring Lawn Tips

1. Clean-up debris

   After a winter of wind and snow, it’s common to see lawns littered with organic debris and occasionally garbage that has accumulated in the yard. Take an afternoon to pickup any sticks, branches or other debris that may have ended up in your yard, and rake any leaves that were missed last fall.

2. Prevent weed growth

   The best way to keep weeds out of your yard is to be proactive in the spring. There are numerous, organic, safe products on the market that will help control weed problems in your lawn. Of course, if you’d rather not buy an additional product for your lawn, a trowel, a pair of gloves, and a bit of patience will work just as well if you’d prefer to weed by hand.

3. Tune-up your lawn mower

   Before summer hits and your grass really starts to grow, take a couple hours to tune-up your lawn mower. Make sure the oil is fresh and the gasoline tank is full. Replace the air filter and the spark plugs, and sharpen your blades to make sure they are cutting the lawn cleaning.

4. Prune plants

   The ideal time to prune plants varies between plant families. However, there are many perennials that are best pruned in the spring before new growth has started.

5. Perform soil tests

   The acidity levels in soil can range from 4 to 10 pH. Each plant has a prefered pH level. To ensure the grass in your yard is growing in soil it will thrive in, it is helpful to determine the pH level. Once the pH level has been determined, steps can be taken to increase or decrease the acidity as needed.

6. Check your sprinkler

   Lawns thrive best when they are given slow, deep soaks of water rather than frequent short sprinkles. Check your sprinkler system to make sure everything is working properly. That includes checking for wear and tear on the system, debris on the sprinkler heads, the correct water pressure and ensuring the valves are working properly.

What homeowner hasn’t looked at a worn-out concrete patio and dreamed of replacing it? Patio upgrades top the list of our most-requested landscaping projects. Any of them pique your interest? Contact us today to get started on your next project!

1. Paver and Flagstone Patios

It’s on just about everyone’s wish list of things to do…a classic, beautiful, durable brick patio. It’s longer-lasting and prettier than concrete. No cracking!

Paver bricks have gone from a “high end” patio option to a more practical option, thanks to increased popularity, more competition among contractors who specialize in paver brick installation (like Great Goats), and lower prices for higher quality paver bricks than 5-10 years ago.

Flagstone patios have the same durability advantage as paver bricks, but with the random beauty of natural stone.

2. Front Landscapes

Everyone wants better curb appeal…for themselves, for the neighbors. This could include a new front walkway, a new design for the front entry, areas for new flowers and shrubs in the front yard. And everyone could use another shade tree.

3. Out With The Old!

One of our most high-demand and most gratifying projects. Your house is 15-20 years old. All the shrubs are overgrown, dead or dying. This “look” is dating your home. We start by tearing out the old foundation shrubs and often, removing the old landscape rock. Now we have a blank slate to create a new design, using plants, colors and textures that you love and that bring your house into the “now.”

4. Fire Pits/Fire Places

The addition of a fire feature is both fun and functional. It’s a natural place for family and friends to gather and create “warm” memories. Kids love to roast marshmallows and s’mores, and there’s no better way to keep teenagers close to home than a fire feature. Neighbors become friends as the smell of a backyard fire lures them through the gate, refreshments to share in hand!

5. Backyard Landscapes

Your private retreat, with a place to sit and relax, areas to entertain, a water feature to unwind whatever’s wound too tight. Landscape lighting, cool breeze, the smell of what’s blooming today. Why would you ever want to leave…home.

What’s on Your Checklist?

Let us know what you need, and get on our calendar:

• ☑ Spring Clean Up
• ☑ Mulching
• ☑ Pruning and Trimming
• ☑ Flower Planting

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Take advantage of special savings on spring cleanup.  This offer is only available for a limited time, so contact us today!