Although fall is nearing, it is not too late to start (or finish!) landscaping projects. There are several things you can do to add to your landscaping in September. There are also ways you can prepare for the upcoming cooler months. 

Install a firepit or outdoor fireplace

Firepits offer a cozy space to spend quality time with your family and enjoy the fresh air all year long. While firepits are often associated with summer nights, they are perfect for fall and winter because they provide warmth. The cool night air can be just as enjoyable as the warm, summer evenings!

Firepits also increase your home’s value because they are highly desirable, and they give your backyard (or front yard) a wow-factor. It’s almost as if you are adding an extra room to your home because you have one more place to hang out with family and friends. Why stay cooped up inside when you have a firepit in your yard?

Plant bulbs in your landscaping in September

Fall is a great time to look for deals on bulbs and scrubs. The demand is not as high in the fall so prices will be low or discounted. Many bulbs – tulip, crocus, daffodil, hyacinth, anemone and iris – are cold tolerant and can easily spend the winter underground.

Continue to maintain your lawn 

Grass continues to grow up until the first frost so keep mowing it to it’s ideal height (3 inches). If your grass is too long, it will mat and be vulnerable to fungi like snow mold. 

Raking is an important part of lawn maintenance in the fall. Too many wet, soggy leaves can smother the grass and plants, making it difficult for them to receive oxygen. However, fallen leaves can provide excellent nutrients for your grass. Instead of raking the leaves, chop them up with your mower and turn it into a soil-enhancing mulch.

Many people neglect watering in September because they believe the growing season is over. It’s essential you continue to water through the fall (up until the first frost) to keep the grass roots well hydrated, giving them all the success they need to survive the winter and be ready to come back strong in the spring!

Enjoy your landscaping in September!

Summer isn’t quite over yet! There are still plenty of warm days to spend time outside and enjoy the yard and landscaping you have. Soak up the final warm days before you have to start your fall clean-up.

Call Great Goats Landscaping

We’re a local landscaping company that loves to collaborate with homeowners to create a one-of-a-kind landscaping design. We’d love to help you with your landscaping in September. Give us a call!

While landscaping is often associated with spring and summer, there are still plenty of things to do with your landscaping in the fall. 

Do prep for spring

Fall is a perfect time to plant trees, scrubs, and flowers because the soil is still warm from the summer, which is excellent for root development. Planting in the fall allows your plants to have time to prepare for the growing season in spring.

In the fall, plants aren’t stressed by the heat. If you wait to transplant in the spring, your plants will have to devote more energy to acclimating and surviving, rather than blooming and thriving.

Do plant bulbs in your fall landscaping

Fall is a great time to look for deals on bulbs and scrubs. The demand is not as high in the fall so prices will be low or discounted. Many bulbs – tulip, crocus, daffodil, hyacinth, anemone and iris – are cold tolerant and can easily spend the winter underground. 

Don’t forget about curb appeal

When preparing your landscaping for the cooler months, you don’t want to end up with a blank slate. You can still have pristine landscaping in fall! 

Do maintain your landscaping in the fall

It’s important to maintain your yard through the fall months. Keep leaves from suffocating your grass and plants, and make sure all the weeds are pulled out. Fall is also a great time to freshen up the mulch around your trees and flower beds. 

Do continue to enjoy your yard in the fall

Planting and preparing for spring are not the only things you can do in the fall. You should continue to enjoy your yard and landscaping! Install a firepit or outdoor fireplace for the cool, fall evenings. Or, sit on your patio and breathe in the crisp air while watching your landscaping change color. Fall is one of the best times to be outside!

Call Great Goats Landscaping today!

Great Goats Landscaping is a small, local business that loves collaborating with homeowners to create a one-of-a-kind landscaping design. We offer a variety of services, and we’d love to help you get your landscaping ready for fall. Give us a call today!

Firepits and outdoor fireplaces are a backyard must! They offer a cozy space to spend time with your family and enjoy the fresh outdoor air all year long. 

Now is the perfect time to install a firepit or outdoor fireplace and get ready for fall!

A firepit offers year-round enjoyment

Firepits are often associated with summer nights, and while they are perfect for summer, firepits can be used all year long. Because they provide warmth, you can gather around your firepit or outdoor fireplace on cool fall nights or even into the cold winter months. 

Enjoy quality family time around the firepit

Firepits and outdoor fireplaces are a perfect place to make memories. Share stories and spend quality time with your family around the comfort of the fire in your own backyard. Roast hotdogs and s’mores or simply sit and enjoy the cool night air while bonding with your family.

Firepits add a special feature to your yard and landscaping

Installing a firepit will create a statement piece or a wow-factor in your backyard. Turn your backyard into something truly amazing and add an extra room to your home. You don’t have to stay cooped up indoors when you have a useful backyard and beautiful oasis to spend your evenings.

Firepits add value to your home

Firepits and outdoor fireplaces are highly desirable. Potential buyers will be happy to see the amenity and relieved to not have to install it themselves.

Firepits don’t have to be pricey

Firepits are a great addition to your backyard because they aren’t very expensive. It’s true, some designs and styles are pricier than others, but most simple firepits are very affordable. You can go as simple or elaborate as the budget allows!

A variety of designs and styles

Firepits are one-of-a-kind. They come in a variety of sizes and styles so you can customize them to fit your backyard.

• Modern and sleek
• Traditional and rustic
• Round or square
• Gas or wood

There are so many options to choose from! It’s time to get creative!

Call Great Goats Landscaping today!

Great Goats Landscaping is a small, local business that loves collaborating with homeowners to create a one-of-a-kind landscaping design. We offer a variety of services from lawn mowing to landscaping to custom backyard home offices to firepit installation! Give us a call today and we’ll get to planning.

Are you looking for a way to transform your landscaping? Steps and outdoor stairs are a great way to do this! Stepping stone paths are one option, but if you want to take things up a level, consider adding a stairway to your landscaping. 

Why add outdoor stairs? 

Add a stairway to combat a sloped or uneven yard! It can be difficult to maneuver a sloped yard; steps will increase the accessibility of your yard and landscaping. 

Not only will an outdoor stairway help you safely move about your yard, it will also add dimension to your landscaping. Depending on the material you use and the size of the stairway, you can transform your landscaping into something grand and elaborate or something cozy and practical. 

Adding steps is both practical and fun. The dimension makes your yard seem larger than it is and the accessibility that stairs provide make your yard that much more usable. 

What materials can I use for steps?

There are many materials to use for steps in your landscaping. If you want a natural look, opt for something like stone or brick. If you want something more modern and unique try wood or old railroad ties. 

• Stone 
• Poured concrete
• Flagstone
• Wood
• Brick
• Railroad ties

What can I plant next to an outdoor stairway?

One way to seamlessly incorporate a stairway in your landscaping is to plant flowers along the sides. This will help the stairs look like a natural part of the landscaping rather than something added.

• Plant perennials like tulips or daffodils that will pop up every spring, adding a happy touch for a couple months.
• Hostas are a great option because they also bloom every spring, and there are so many different varieties. It’s easy to create a versatile look using only hostas!
• Rose bushes are another great option, but be careful not to crowd the stairs too much!
• Marigolds are a beautiful choice because they are smaller than others and will create a clean row along your stairway.
• Consider a combination of flowers, plants, and bushes for a truly diverse and original look!

Call Great Goats Landscaping today! 

Great Goats Landscaping has been transforming yards in the metro area for decades! We love collaborating with homeowners to give yards both useful and unique landscaping designs. We offer many more services besides landscaping designs. Consider us for lawn mowing, yard maintenance, or even snow removal in the winter! 

Looking to add a little extra something to your backyard but don’t want to go all in on a big landscaping project? A patio might be just the thing for you!

A patio is an added living space

For many months of the year, a backyard patio provides the perfect space to sit outside. Read a book, sit around the firepit, play games, and share a meal with family…the options for things you can do on your patio are endless! 

Since we have to be inside during those cold, winter months, it’s important to get out of the house and be outside as much as possible while we can!

A patio gives the kitchen a break

Instead of using your oven or stove on a hot, summer day, fire up the grill! Not only does it keep your house cooler, but also you won’t have a kitchen to clean after dinner!

They are low maintenance 

Patios are a great option for updating your backyard landscaping because they require little-to-no maintenance. You don’t have to worry about replacing or replanting every year. Once it’s built, it’s there to stay! The most you’ll have to do is clear off dirt and debris from time-to-time.

Patios are for creativity

Looking for a way to get creative with your backyard? A patio is a perfect option! You can opt for a traditional look with stone pavers, or you can

• incorporate woods and metals
• add pallet furniture for a more rustic feel
• include pops of color with your seat cushions

Don’t forget a string of lights! Hanging lights make that perfect summer night feel complete. 

A patio is perfect for entertaining

It’s fun to have a group of friends or family over, but sometimes your house can be too small to accommodate everyone. And, if you’re holding an event inside, you likely have to clean beforehand.

A patio provides more than enough space for a large gathering, and you don’t have to clean in advance! 

Call Great Goats Landscaping today!

At Great Goats Landscaping, we believe in creativity and collaboration. We’d love to work with you and build a patio that meets all your needs. We do much more than just patios! We offer full landscaping services, including regular lawn maintenance. Give us a call today!

Adding a water feature is an amazing way to enhance your landscaping. Not only do they look beautiful, but also they are a practical addition to your yard. Here are five reasons why you need to add one to your landscaping today!

There is a water feature for everyone

Ranging in all sizes, shapes, and styles, a water feature can mean anything from a small fountain amongst your flowers to a waterfall or a pond. The great thing about them is you can choose one to match your personality, as well as something that fits your landscaping style.

Looking for inspiration? Consider:

• Natural pond
• Small coy or fish pond
• Waterfall 
• Rain curtain
• Bubblers
• Modern-design fountains
• Traditional-design fountains

Water features bring wildlife to your yard 

Water features are an excellent way to attract birds, bugs, and butterflies. It’s a great way to see interesting critters and native pollinators and further diversify the appearance of your landscaping. They also act as a water source for wildlife which is especially important during times of drought when they may not be able to find water elsewhere. 

Water features brighten your mood 

The sound of a waterfall or bubbling fountain is relaxing for your body. It’s also beautiful to look at. Adding a water feature enhances your landscaping oasis, and it will cool the temperature in your yard making it all the more pleasant to be outside soaking up that vitamin D! 

Boost your curb appeal with a water feature

Any well-maintained water feature is going to be an attractive addition to your landscaping. While it may not increase your home’s market value, it will certainly draw potential buyers in because it is a coveted piece for many people. 

A great way to fill out your space

If you have an awkward amount of empty space in your landscaping, a water feature is just the thing for you! Depending on the size of your yard, you might need a small fountain, a large pond, or something in between. 

Call Great Goats Landscaping

Water features are just one of the many services we offer! Great Goats Landscaping would love to help you with all your landscaping needs – whether that’s mowing, mulching, or installing a water feature! Give us a call today, and let’s get to collaborating on your landscaping!

There are several easy ways to spruce up your landscaping and create an amazing first impression for potential buyers! Curb appeal is important whether you’re selling your home or not. Here are 4 ideas to boost your curb appeal:

Add planters to your entryway

Planters are a great way to make your home more inviting. A fresh pop of color will make any guest feel welcome! Keep in mind, the planter size needs to be proportionate to the plants. If the planter is too small, the plants will be crowded. You also don’t want the planter to be too big either because that can lead to root rot. 

Also take note of the amount of sunlight the flowers or plants need. Make sure they aren’t baking in the sun all day. On the other hand, make sure they’re not in too much shade if they require sunlight. 

Boost your curb appeal with mulch

Fresh mulch instantly brightens flowerbeds and the areas around trees. Adding mulch is a cheap way to make your yard look fresh, updated, and virtually maintenance free!

There are many mulch options varying in price. If you want to cut costs, consider using grass clippings, shredded leaves, or pine needles.

Stay on top of those weeds

Weeds can make even the most beautiful landscaping look tainted. The good news is, it’s not too hard to keep your yard weed-free. Mulch is a great way to choke out weeds, and you can even make your own herbicide. 

Add light to boost curb appeal

Illuminating the entry of your house is a perfect way to show off your home. It makes your house look inviting and lets people know you’re home (even when you aren’t).

Adding a light to the entrance of your house is a great place to start. From there, you can illuminate the walkway to your home to give guests a clear idea of where to walk. 

Call Great Goats Landscaping Today

Ready to boost your curb appeal? Give Great Goats Landscaping a call today so we can collaborate and create a unique landscaping design that fits all your needs and desires! 

A stepping stone path is a beautiful addition to any landscaping. Stepping stones and pavers are both practical and aesthetic. Not only do they give your landscape a clean, finished look, they are unique too! 

Stepping stone paths spark creativity 

While stepping stone paths are fairly common in many landscaping designs, no two paths are the same. Stepping stones come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. There are many ways you can lay them too: a straight path or a curved design, for example. Here are a few material options:

• Classic brick
• Smooth stone 
• Rustic railroad ties
• Unique wood rounds 

Each of these materials come in various shapes and sizes and can be laid close together or spaced apart. There are endless possibilities for how you could design your stepping stone path! 

Stepping stone paths are easy!

Stepping stone paths are a great way to upgrade your landscaping quickly. It doesn’t take long to lay down a path and you’ll be amazed how it transforms your landscaping from simple to professional in a matter of hours.

They are also low maintenance! Most materials are very durable, so you won’t have to worry about replacing or repairing. They will last for decades! Cleaning the pavers is as simple as hosing them off or giving them a quick sweep. And, they look great in the winter when the rest of your landscaping doesn’t look as nice. 

They promote safety

With a clearly marked path, it is much easier to navigate your yard and garden. They will keep you from stepping on your flowers and plants or tripping on uneven ground. 

Call Great Goats Landscaping today!

Stepping stone paths and pavers are just one of the many services we offer. We believe landscaping is a creative and collaborative process. We’d love to talk to you about your goals and dreams for your landscaping and help you make it happen! 

Be sure to check out these landscaping ideas on a budget if you’re looking for inspiration! 

With an unusually hot and dry spring, many lawns did not receive enough water in the growing season. It doesn’t look like rain is coming anytime soon, and our landscaping is suffering! Here are a few tips to keep your landscaping looking as fresh and healthy as possible during a drought.

Adjust your mower height during a drought

It’s ideal to keep your grass between 2 and 4 inches long, with 3 inches being the go-to length. In times of drought, keep your lawn closer to 4 inches or even a little longer. This will help the grass roots grow deeper and it will provide extra shade for the soil. Shaded soil means it will be able to conserve more moisture.

Are you following these 6 mowing tips for a healthy lawn?

Water cautiously in a drought 

While we all prefer lush, green lawns, your neighbors will overlook your browning grass because they’re going through the same thing. Only water when necessary. Wilting grass or flowers is a good sign that they probably need some water. 

Watering in the early morning hours before the sun hits your yard is the best option. If you water during the day, the sun will scorch the wet blades and leaves. Your lawn and landscaping will be able to receive and retain more water in the early morning versus other times of the day.

Finally, water as much as possible in one session. It’s much better to saturate the ground once a week rather than lightly watering every day. The goal is to get the water to the roots, not just the grass blades or leaves we see. Plants are able to retain a lot of moisture under the soil and not nearly as much above the soil.

Skip fertilizing and herbicide usage

When you apply fertilizer, you are helping your lawn and plants grow. However, growing takes a lot of energy – energy that the plant doesn’t have during a drought. Imagine running a marathon after you haven’t slept in days. Even with water and proper nutrition, it would still be difficult to get through that race!

Herbicides can be stressful on lawns, even when they are receiving enough water. During a drought, weeds will be able to grow even with herbicides because your lawn and landscaping aren’t strong enough to fight them off. 

Call Great Goats Landscaping today!

We’re pros in all things lawn and landscaping! We’d love to help you navigate this drought and figure out how to make your yard work for you. You can still have a beautiful yard even in the dry months!

Now that we’re into the summer months, it may seem like the planting and landscaping window has passed. A common misconception is that April and May are the only times to plant and work on your landscaping. Good news: it’s not too late for you to landscape! 

What kind of landscaping can I do in the summer?

While it’s great to get a start on your landscaping in the spring, there are still many things you can do in the summer!

• Plant grown flowers, trees, and bushes: plenty of nurseries and garden centers sell plants that are grown and ready to be placed in the ground. 
• Use a birdhouse or feeder to attract birds to your yard and bring it to life. Add milkweed to attract butterflies!
• Add a fireplace to your patio or a firepit to your yard – a perfect way to spend a summer night! 
• Consider a water feature such as a pond, waterfall, or fountain for a relaxing and unique element of your yard.
• Include a retaining wall or a stepping stone path to create dimension.
• Maintain what you already have! Follow these 6 tips for mowing your lawn and check out these inexpensive weeding hacks!

Which season is best for landscaping?

Believe it or not, fall! Fall is a great time for landscaping because the weather is still warm but is pleasantly cooling off. You can have an entire landscape installed in the fall as long as you water consistently until the ground freezes. Landscaping in the fall also means you get a great deal on plants because garden centers and nurseries are trying to get rid of everything before winter. Fall is also the perfect time to plant tulip and daffodil bulbs so they’ll pop up in early spring!

Call Great Goats Landscaping today! 

Great Goats Landscaping has been making clients happy for over 15 years. We pride ourselves in our quality work and believe the design process is a collaborative one. We’d love to help you meet your landscaping goals this summer. Give us a call today! It’s never too late to landscape!