Every year as the snow melts, we start getting calls about homes that are having water drainage problems. This year has been no different. In fact, it seems like every day we’re talking to another client about how we can help them improve the drainage around their home to prevent future damage.

This year has been particularly challenging for homeowners as melting snow has created ponds in their backyard and rivers down the driveway. Standing or flowing water always has the potential to damage property and should be addressed before the next heavy rain or snowmelt event.

Why worry about drainage?

We’ll be the first to admit – you probably aren’t going to get many compliments about an excellent drainage system. They aren’t as flashy as beautiful flowerbeds, but they just as important in making a landscape attractive and functional.

Without proper drainage, any time and money you spend on your landscaping could be wasted if heavy rains cause erosion or flooding. You also risk water seeping into your basement, causing damage to the foundation and other property you have stored there.

Over time, erosion and drainage issues can seriously impact home and property values, causing foundations to shift or sink and leading to expensive home and landscape repairs. It also can drown grass and other plants and create a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Good drainage can help

Installing an effective drainage system will help relieve any low spots on your property and ensure that water has a place to go during a heavy rain event. It increases the longevity of landscaping and can even add to the attractiveness of your property.

Great Goats Landscaping specializes in designing and installing drainage systems that can handle heavy rain events without detracting from the function and aesthetics of a property.

If your tired of having a lake outside your backdoor every time it rains, give Mike and his team at Great Goats a call today to see how they can help for a free consultation.

The snow is finally melting, and it won’t be long before spring is really and truly here. Unfortunately, on his way out, Old Man Winter always seems to leave a mess in his wake.

Here are some of the most important outdoor spring cleaning chores to tackle when you’re getting your yard ready.

Removing refuse (natural or otherwise) from your grass and planting beds

Nature and sometimes inconsiderate neighbors can leave a mess behind after the snow melts. Put on some thick work gloves, and start tidying up your yard. You’ll need to remove:

• Litter and dog feces
• Dead grass, leaves, pinecones, ect.
• Dead leaves and stalks on perennials

I know this is probably everyone’s least favorite part of spring, but if your tempted to skip this step, just remind yourself how much better your yard will look and how much more fun planting will be knowing that your yard is in order.

Preparing flower beds

If you are preparing an existing flower bed, add compost and fertilizer. If it’s an annual flower or vegetable bed, also turn over the soil. Remove any weeds that might have been left behind in the fall. If you are opening a new bed, you have a couple of options:

• Use a tiller to break new ground
• Use the “smother method” to kill grass and convert lawn space into a planting bed
• Build a raised bed

If you are breaking ground for a new bed, you can be sure that weeds are going to find it quickly. Used together, landscaping fabric and mulch are sometimes a good way to keep on top of weed problems. If you’d rather avoid landscaping fabric, a good layer of mulch or straw will work too.

Planting

Spring is a good time to plant trees, shrubs, and perennial flowers. If they are hardy perennials, feel free to plant them earlier. Tender perennials should be planted after the first frost date has passed.

New lawns can be started in the spring, and it’s also a good time to overseed an established lawn.

Pest and weed control

It’s often easier to get a head start of weeds, rather than waiting until they are established.  Spring is a good time to add herbicides. Always be sure to follow the directions and safety instructions. Pests can also pose a problem. Watch out for rabbits and deer and protect your yard and plants as needed.

Pruning shrubs

Trees and shrubs often benefit from a spring pruning. Dead limbs and winterkills are easy to spot and should be removed.

Trimming healthy branches requires a bit more care. Spring is a good time to prune:

• Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii)
• Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
• Lavender (Lavandula)
• Bluebeard (Caryopteris)
• Beautyberry (Callicarpa)

Wait until shrubs like forsythia, korean spice viburnum (viburnum carlesii), and lilacs (syringa vulgaris) have finished blooming in the spring to trim them. Trimming them earlier could effect spring blooms.

Dealing with mulch and perennial division

If you added a deep layer of mulch to help plants overwinter, you’ll need to carefully remove the mulch before it smothers growing plants. Monitor the perennials so they can come up unhindered in the spring.

Some perennials can also benefit from being divided. There are a few exceptions, but most can safely be divided in the spring.

We’re Hiring!

Looking for a not-so-average summer job? Great Goats Landscaping is looking for motivated, dependable landscapers to join our team. Learn more here.

Whether or not you plan to list your home on the market this spring, one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to increase your home’s value and make the living space nicer is also one of the simplest: paint.

It’s the least expensive investment for the biggest return. About 68 percent of realtors recommend painting walls and 62 percent recommend paint touch-ups.

Did you know Great Goats offers painting services during the winter months?  Contact us today for a free estimate!

There are a lot of things to think about when preparing to tackle a painting project.  Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Interior paint – select warm neutral colors

Neutral colors make it easier for potential buyers to imagine themselves living there because the paint goes with just about anything. Many buyers also don’t want to shell out extra cash to paint after closing.

Using beiges, tans, golds, grays and “greige”—a blend of gray and beige is a good way to create an inviting space. Avoid white because it is too stark.

Know which rooms to prioritize

Paint is the simplest, most effective, and most transformative way to change a space, the right kind of paint can make a small room look bigger and a cavernous room look smaller.

Tiny rooms can appear bigger if you paint with a lighter color. If you paint the trim and the walls the same color, you create the illusion of larger space. If you have a big room that you’d like to appear smaller, use a warmer or darker color which will also give the space a cozy feel. Lighter, neutral colors always photograph better because they make a room feel brighter.

The best places to focus on painting are your kitchen, bathrooms, entryways and foyer.

Paint types matter

Paint is more than just color. Different finishes and sheens can effect how the paint color looks, how easy a wall is to clean, and other factors.

Here are some good tips:

• Stick to flat or eggshell sheens on broad walls, as they will not show off the nail pops and unevenness in walls as much as a satin will.
• Satins and semi-gloss coats are better for durability and stain resistance.
• Use semi-glosses on the trim and doors to make it easier to clean dust and handprints.
• Use eggshell or semi-gloss in the bathrooms where there might be moisture and don’t forget to paint the trim and ceiling, not just the walls.

Getting your fall lawn and garden chores taking care of before winter isn’t always a priority.

Staying motivated to work in the yard and garden can be a little hard during this time of year. After a successful summer, it’s tempting to assume the yard can sit until things warm up again, but if you want another eye-catching lawn and garden next summer, it’s important to winterize your garden and flower beds before it gets too cold.

There are a number of late fall chores that can prepare your yard for a stunning year to come. Let’s take a quick look at some of the tasks that should be done before the snow hits the ground.

Essential fall lawn and garden care

During the fall months, you should at least try to maintain the health of your lawn. It’s fine if you don’t have the time or energy to improve things but try not to let your yard slide backward.

Weeding

A great place to start with fall lawn and garden care is by removing broadleaf weeds so they aren’t competing for nutrients and water. Avoid composting weeds, especially if they have already gone to seed. If a weed is particularly noxious, you may need to burn it to kills any seed and avoid it spreading.

Soil

Fall is also a great time to have soil tests done to check the acidity of your soil. It’s often possible to find a local business or organization that will do a soil test for you. In Minnesota, you can send a soil sample into the University of Minnesota for a small fee.

If your soil is acidic, applying lime can correct the problem (lime takes a while to start working in the soil so fall is a great time to apply). Alkaline soils can benefit from an application of sulfur.

Leaves

Everyone knows that its good to rake leaves in the autumn, but not many know why it is important. Removing the layers of leaves that accumulate in the autumn will help prevent bald spots in your lawn. Of course, raking or using a leaf blower are both good options, but you can also mow them with your lawn mower if you have a bagging attachment. Removing excess leaves from sidewalks, driveways and streets also prevent the nitrogen found in leaves from making their way into our local waterways.

Call Great Goats

Great Goats Landscaping is here to help you wrap up your fall yard and garden chores and to plan for next year’s landscaping projects. Give Mike and the team at Great Goats Landscaping a call today to see how we can help you create the yard you’ve been dreaming of.

Fall is the perfect time to schedule landscaping services to prepare your yard for the winter ahead. As the weather cools, plants absorb moisture and nutrients for their dormant months, making it an ideal time to prune or mulch. It is also a good time to plant or transplant perennials so they have time to establish themselves before the temperatures drop. Taking care of your yard now will have a huge impact on how it looks in the spring.

We’ve put together a list of our top fall landscaping tips to get you thinking about how your yard could benefit from a little love this fall.

Water! Water! Water!

Watering isn’t just for spring or summer. Plants need extra water in the fall to make sure they are healthy and able to withstand the freezing temperatures of winter. Hydrating plants fully before freezing helps prevent “winter burn” and helps make sure they will make it to spring healthy and thriving.

Wrap trees

Wrapping trees, especially young trees, with burlap will prevent sunburn and prevent rabbits and deer from eating branches. Wrap deciduous tree trunks with cardboard tree wrap or cover with corrugated trunk protectors to prevent damage.

Plant

Fall is one of the best times of year to plant and transplant perennial plants. Spring bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses should all be planted in the fall if they are going to make an early spring appearance. The best planting for other plants can be more flexible, but fall is still a great time of year to add landscaping trees and bushes.

Prune and tidy trees

Many trees and shrubs need a heavy pruning before winter starts. Some plants need help to prevent damage during harsh freezes. Other plants just need their size controlled for the next growing season.  Removal dead perennial branches. Keep in mind that there are some flowering plants like hydrangeas, lilacs, and viburnum that shouldn’t be pruned during this time of year. Spring blooms could be affected if branches are cut in the fall.

Fix troubled lawn spots

Fall is the ideal time to improve thin or bald lawn spots. Use a mixture of mulch, grass seed, and fertilizer and spread a thick layer in areas of your grass that seem to need some help. Water the area thoroughly and you should see a difference by the spring. You can also overseed, or plant directly into existing grass to improve the density and color of your lawn in the spring. It is often recommended that overseeding be done in conjunction with soil aeration.

Following these tips will keep your yard and lawn looking great and will set you up for a great spring. If fall is a busy time of year for you, Great Goats Landscaping can lend a hand. Our team has experience creating tailored-made plans for your property to achieve your landscaping goals.

The time and effort you put into your yard now will pay off in the spring so give us a call today!

Natural-stone has been used in landscaping and decorative construction for ages. From the Greeks and Romans to the English and French, countless cultures and traditions have combined stone and plants to create beautiful outdoor gardens and spaces.

Even today, natural stone accents can add to any garden regardless of space or budget. Even a small, simple area can use stone to enhance its beauty.

Here are some of our favorite tips when selecting and incorporating stone into your space.

1. Make stone the focal point

There are countless natural-stone options on the market that would make an eye-catching and unique focal point for your yard. Fountains, birdbaths, and sculptures can all be used as ornaments in your garden to striking effect. If real stone is out of your budget, replicas made with synthetic materials can be a nice alternative. Elevate the look by building a base or raised platform of natural-stone tiles.

2. Create a walking path

In garden settings, natural stone is the traditional choice for walking paths. Instead of concrete or gravel, consider slate or limestone tiles to add to the look of your walkway. Garden paths can be an eye-catching alternative to mulching between rows and plants.

3. Add stone to the patio

If you are looking to completely transform your yard or patio space, incorporating natural stone will have a huge impact. Consider looking online at courtyard designs and plans for inspiration. Then take the ideas you have gathered and incorporate them into your space. Elements that would benefit from natural stone include planters, walkways, raised platforms, decks and low walls.

4. Build a patio lounge

Building a patio lounge is another classic application of natural stones in the outdoors. In warmer climates, covered lanais often feature granite tiles because they tend to be cooler than other materials.  The same principle can be used in Minnesota during our warmer months.

Fire pits and summer go hand in hand. There is something about gathering around a fire in the evening with friends and family that is instinctively human. Fire pits draw people together and are an ideal place to relax, tell stories and get to know the people in your life a little bit better. If you’re thinking about adding a fire pit to your yard, here are a few design ideas to consider as you make a fire pit that is perfect for you.

Built-in or mobile

It’s typical to think of fire pits as a built-in feature of a yard, but mobile fire pits are equally common and have their own benefits. Movable fire pits are readily available at many garden supply and hardware stores. They come in a wide range of styles and designs and are easy to move around your property. However, movable fire pits tend to only last a season or two before they begin to deteriorate.

Build-in fire pits are much more durable, can last many, many years and require minimal maintenance. They also allow for more permanent design elements like a patio or seating areas.

Above- or in-ground

An in-ground fire pit can be a cost-effective option and is easy to build. However, above-ground pits are more common. A current trend is to create the feel of a sunken living room with the fire pit area. The surrounding wall offers built-in seating and helps block the wind while reflecting back heat, creating a cozy, warm outdoor room.

Placement

It’s easy for an above-ground fire pit to become the focal point of your outdoor design. Be sure to place it in an area where it balances well with the other design elements in your yard. A gas fire pit can be installed almost anywhere, but if you are burning wood, your fire pit will need to be 10 – 25 feet away from any structures depending on local ordinances. Als,o consider wind patterns and any smoke issues that might arise.

Materials and Shape

Fire pits can be built out of many different materials. The most popular are brick, natural stone, and concrete blocks. Round or square fire pits are the most common, but of course, the design options are limitless. Fire pit liners are generally recommended and are often required by local municipalities. Steel liners add to the safety of the fire pit and help reflect heat upward and outward.

Even in housing, first impressions are important. Curb appeal and landscaping is important if you are thinking about selling, or just want to present your home in its best light.

Using Landscaping to add value

It can be hard to know which elements will give you the most bang for your buck when you are considering updating your landscaping and increasing the value of your home.

Whether you’re thinking about putting your house on the market or not, everyone wants their house to make a good first impression, and landscaping is something you can work on now to add value to your home.

Here are a few tips to make your property shine.

Create a beautiful barrier

While you can’t change the size of your property or how close you are to the neighbors, you can add a little privacy by creating or installing a barrier. While adding a fence is always an option, a living, green barrier can be more subtle and visually appealing.

Shrubs that are evergreen and grow quickly can create beautiful hedges. If you’d like a larger border, evergreen trees like pine, cedar or fir, will add the same level of privacy but grow much larger.

Add color

Flowers and established landscaping can do wonders for creating a positive first impression. Many buyers or visitors will instantly notice a blooming garden.

To quickly add color, consider annual planters on your porch or deck. Flowering trees, shrubs or perennial plants will add more long-term color.

Create balance throughout the season

One landscaping trick is to consider when plants will bloom throughout the season and making sure you have continuous color all summer long. If you only plant spring blooms, like daffodils and tulips, your yard will be looking pretty bland by July. So plant a variety of plants in the same area – daffodils and tulips for the spring, coneflowers for the summer and mums for the fall. By adding a variety of plants you should be able to have color all summer.

Try adding edging

What looks better than a lush and colorful yard? A colorful yard with carefully designed edging! Edging is a crip border of gravel, stone or brick that is added to a property. It shows people that you are meticulous about the care of your home, inside and out. Plus edging gives you a tidy design without any added weeds.

June is here, and with it, the warmer weather has finally arrived! It’s time to spend your free hours outside, soaking up the sun and fresh air. While you’re out there, give your yard a little love with our top do’s and don’ts of yard care.

Do: Plant hot weather vegetables

Use the hot summer weather to your advantage and grow some plants that will thrive in the heat and sunshine.

• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Melons
• Squash

Don’t: Plant cool-season vegetables

There is a short window after the snow melts that cool-season vegetables will thrive before the heat gets to be too much for them. Usually, veggies like lettuce, carrots, peas, and radishes all do better in the early spring. As the weather begins to warm, they will quickly bolt, meaning that they will start using their energy to bloom and produce seeds, making their leaves and edible parts bitter.

Do: Water wisely and deeply

The early morning or late afternoon, when you’ll lose the least amount to evaporation, is the best time to water. Aim for the base of the plant to further reduce evaporation, and water your plants deeply and slowly.

Don’t: Waste water

While using a sprinkler timer is a great way to make sure your lawn and garden get watered on a regular basis, there are times that your plants simply won’t need the water. Let your plants tell you when they need a drink and only water then they are newly planted or have wilting or dropping leaves.

Don’t: Let your garden or yard go

In the summer, things in your garden can change quickly. Pests, drought, wet soil or disease can all have a terrible effect on your plants in a matter of days. Check on your garden regularly, especially after a heavy rain or a long dry spell. Prune any plants that seem to be taking over and when in doubt, rip it out.

If your yard is an overgrown eyesore that needs a little TLC, give Great Goats a call. We love clearing overgrown areas and transforming them into spaces that families can love and enjoy.

Turning a yard covered with brush and weeds into something useful can seem overwhelming. How do you even start clearing the area? Fortunately, Great Goats has experience transforming yards that are full of buckthorn and other thick vegetation into yards that are beautiful and easy to enjoy.

If you have an overgrown yard that is in need of a makeover, here are a few questions to ask yourself.

If you had a magic wand, how would you transform the space?

While the Great Goats crew can do some pretty amazing work, they aren’t quite magicians. Still, having an idea of what your ideal would be is a great way to start putting together a design plan. Together, we can find landscaping solutions that will give you a backyard you love.

How do you want to use the space?

The ultimate goal is to create a yard that you can enjoy and that fits your lifestyle. Maybe you need to clear an overgrown area and turn it into a space that would be perfect for a swing set. Or maybe you want a flower bed out your window that will attract birds. However you want to use your yard, Great Goats can help.

How much time do you want to spend maintaining your yard?

With so many beautiful plants that thrive in Minnesota, it’s easy to select plants that will fit into your lifestyle and that require the amount of maintenance that will work for you. We can create yards that are low maintenance enough to give you more time to spend playing with your kids or grilling for your friends. Or we can install flower beds that with a little love and care will give you vibrant blooms all summer long.