We should never underestimate just how important it is to maintain our lawns. Aesthetically, lawns increase property values, complement landscape plants, and can even enhance the quality of our lives. A lush green lawn provides a blanket for families to picnic on, a soft landing for children at play and a soft cushion for bare feet. Scientifically, a healthy lawn is great for the environment because a it generates oxygen for improved air quality. The grass ecosystem acts as a filter for the environment, thus reducing air pollution and noise in suburban areas. When it comes to property value, a healthy lawn improves curb appeal and can increase the value of your property by 15 to 20 percent.

Planning for a Lush, Green, Healthy Spring Lawn

The following tips will help ensure your springtime lawn is thick and healthy.

Maintain a Leaf-Free Lawn

There is probably nothing nicer than seeing a lawn sprinkled with red and yellow leaves, but unfortunately fallen leaves can lead to a very unhealthy lawn. Leaves become wet, stick together and suffocate your precious turfgrass. With each passing day your lawn receives less and less sunlight. Dead, moist leaves are an invitation to mold and lawn diseases.

Regular raking is an absolute must during fall. Fallen leaves can be disposed of by composting or used as mulch around rosebushes and other plants.

Keep Mowing

Continue mowing your lawn through fall. It will keep growing right up to the first hard frost. By late fall the blades on your mower should be dropped down by 1 to 2 inches. Continue mowing at this height until early winter when the lawn stops growing. Dropping your mower blade should be done gradually. A dramatic drop can impede root growth and lead to grass discoloration. Not only does regular mowing keep your lawn looking neat and tidy, it chops up unwanted leaves and deposits them as a soil-enhancing mulch.

Continue Watering

Although the temperature may be cooler during this time of year, your lawn still needs watering. While we understand there may be more dew, more rain and less evaporation in the fall, it may not be sufficient to ensure the grass roots stay healthy and well hydrated going into winter. Your lawn will continue growing throughout the fall, so if your lawn is not receiving a minimum of one inch of water per week, keep your irrigation system or sprinklers running until the end of October. Watering your lawn will sustain growth, so continue watering until the ground becomes cold and begins to freeze.

Aerate

One of the most important aspects of a well-maintained lawn is aeration. Aerating is the act of spiking or punching holes through the lawn to allow nutrients and air to reach the grass roots. Aeration reduces soil compaction and is vitally important for helping your lawn survive extreme conditions such as drought or waterlogging. Aeration assists with water preservation – as well as root development – and it allows oxygen to break down organic substances. It helps fertilizer nutrients quickly reach the root system.

It is recommended that a core aerator be used because it solves many problems by punching holes through the lawn and pulling up small plugs of soil.

Feed Your Lawn

Fertilizing during fall will make the difference between an ‘okay’ lawn and a truly spectacular one. Adding fertilizer with a mixture of potash and nitrogen offers the perfect medicine for a lawn that has been damaged by drought and/or the summer sun. Just before winter, fertilize your lawn again to assist with root establishment. Once winter arrives fertilizer treatment can no longer be applied.

Taking good care of your lawn during fall can improve your lawn’s capacity to store nutrients whilst simultaneously fending off plant diseases and fungi. Not only will your lawn look nice during fall, it will be well prepared to take care of itself during the coming winter season.

Related Information:

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• What Type of Grass Should You Use on Your Lawn in Minnesota?

Believe it or not, but it is not just metal that can corrode. Soil erosion can cause serious problems for your home garden, so steps must be taken to control it. When water flows across the ground, it can damage the soil. The faster the flow, and the more exposed the soil, the more damage it can cause. To help prevent these problems, you can cover or plant the slope to help minimize erosion.

One handy way to prevent water from flowing too fast is to construct terraces. Terraces will help break up the water and slow it down. Terraces are especially useful in places where it is difficult to grow gardens because of the terrain or the landscape. Terraces will help you create mini gardens that can be more flexible and hearty.

Terraces

Essentially, the key to preventing erosion is to turn one long slope into several more level slops. Rain will then absorb into the soil as opposed to running off into the sewer system, dragging soil along with it. Terraces can be treated like landings on the slope. You can cut out spots on the slopes to put in a terrace, and make sure that they are more level. They do not have to be completely level. 2% perpendicular will work just fine to create a more gently grade for drainage.

Spacing

Proper spacing is vital for ensuring an appropriate run off to prevent erosion. However, the spacing will vary depending on the type of slope. In general, shorter slopes create less of an opportunity for runoff, and thus, erosion. Terracing works best when you can split the slope into smaller segments with little chance of a fast moving flow. It is also helpful if you can install drainage pipes below the soil to capture extra runoff and redirect it. It should be perforated on the underside so that the water goes into the gravel bed underneath it.

Terrace Construction

Gravity is always working, so water will also naturally flow downhill. When you are installing and constructing terraces, make sure to make a retaining wall on the exposed side. The flowing water could push the wall outward and damage the wall, so make sure it is sturdy. You may want to consult a professional for help with this. In climates where there is freezing and thawing throughout the year, this is especially important. Make sure you also consult with local building codes to make sure that your retaining walls are in compliance.

Retaining Walls

Retaining walls do help slow runoff, but their main purpose is to hold the terrace and the embankment together against the pressure of the water. With terraces, the ground must be close to level. If you are just using retaining walls, then the ground does not have to be. The materials that you use for a retaining wall have to be sturdy enough to handle the pressure of the water and soil pushing up against it. However, it has be be porous so that it can adequately drain the water. It is usually suggested that drainage pipes should be installed about 24 inches apart, and 6 inches off the ground.

Soil erosion can have serious consequences for any garden. The topsoil is the most fertile part of the soil, and is vital for proper growth. Water runoff is the main cause of soil erosion, so you must take steps to prevent water from flowing too quickly throughout your garden. If you have a slope to your yard, it can be very difficult to manage. Terraces and retaining walls can help you slow down the water and keep your soil fertile for your plants.

Many homeowners are always on the lookout for ways to make their homes more appealing. Whether that means increasing the living space or just making it look better, they are always trying to find something that works. Installing a patio can make any yard look better, and will provide a comfortable place for guests and family to enjoy the yard. Here are the most common materials used in patio construction today.

Stone

Stone is a natural and durable option for your patio. If you use local stone, then it will be more environmentally friendly since it will cut down on transportation. Local stone should also blend better with your yard, since it will be from the region. Slate, limestone, and bluestone are all solid options that offer various benefits. Stone will give your space a more natural feel if you are looking to meld the natural outdoor setting with your patio. The drawbacks are that stone is heavy to move, and can sometimes be bumpy, making them hard to walk on. Stone is probably the most expensive option as well.

Concrete

Concrete is not as expensive as stone, but can still offer some benefits. Stone tablets can be removed and replaced easily, for one. If the slabs are interlocked, then they provide stability since they will not shift. If they are installed correctly on sand and given some space, they will be resistant to temperature changes and heavy loads. They do offer less in the way of patterns that other options, since they are strict geometric shapes. They can also suffer fading as time goes on which can make them look older.

Poured Concrete

Concrete is a sand and gravel mixture that creates a substance that will harden when left to dry. It can be shaped into almost anything, so it is versatile for any space. Poured concrete will not break the budget, and provides a durable, low-maintenance option that is easy to walk on. That said, mixing concrete is not easy, since you must be precise with the measurements and mixing process. It must dry correctly or else you may have issues with drainage, or it will crack as time goes on. If your patio is going over top of utility lines, then you run the risk of damaging them, which will create additional costs.

Tile

Tile might not be the first thing to come to your mind when you are thinking of a patio. They are more closely related to kitchens and bathrooms. However, tiles are a solid choice for the outdoors. They can provide a nice transition from outdoors to indoors, for starters. You cannot use just any tile, though. You must use tile and grout that are manufactured for use outside. The tiles must not absorb much water and should be resistant to damage from the freezing and thawing that comes with being exposed to the elements. Because of the weather, tiles can get slippery, so unglazed tiles might be the best bet as they are not as slippery as other tile types. Glazed or not, tiles can still be at least a little slippery, so be careful. Since they are so exposed to water and moisture, and that water tends to hold for long periods, algae could be an issue as well.

Brick

Brick might be the material most relate to home building, especially since they helped the third little pig survive. There are bricks designed specially for patio construction, so yours won’t fly away when the wolf breathes on it. Patio bricks are less porous, and you must the right grade for your climate. They do not have to be just red and linear. You can choose from a variety of colors, such as tan and black. They do not have the wide selection of the other options, though. They can also be susceptible to weeds popping through if installed on sand. They can also be uneven if not installed properly.

A patio can be a great addition to any home. They provide extra living space and a place to enjoy the outdoors. Choose your materials carefully to find the perfect pick for you.

The experienced professionals at Dean Bjorkstrand, Inc. can help complete all kinds of landscaping projects to increase the value of your home. to get started, you can reach us online or by phone!

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There are many of us out there who love having an attractive and well-maintained yard, but do not necessarily want to put in all of the effort needed to make it happen. Luckily, there are low effort and low energy options that can help fulfill your need for visual appeal while not causing you to lift too many fingers. Shrubs, for instance, might be just what you need. They can be beautiful, do not require much maintenance, and also provide extra noise-reduction and privacy benefits.

Shrub Costs

Just like any other landscaping project, there will be costs associated with installing shrubs. Different shrub types will cost different amounts, plus there will be differing time frames between trims. If you have a landscaping professional who does your maintenance, then the more often a shrub needs to be trimmed, the more it will cost. Make sure to choose a shrub that not only fits your aesthetic and low-maintenance requirements, but also fits your budget.

Low-Maintenance Shrub Types

Shrubs will generally last for a long time, so you do not need to plant them again every year. One time will be enough, and as long as you perform the necessary trimming they will be just fine. You can purchase shrubs at just about any home and garden outlet. There are several varieties, from flowering to evergreen and everything in between. It’s a good idea to consider what is native to your area. That way you know that your shrubs will grow well in your climate and stay strong throughout its lifespan. They will also better protect other native plants and species, such as bees and butterflies.

Flowering Shrubs

Using flowering shrubs are a great way to add a splash of color to a yard full of green. Having flowers may make you think that they will need extra maintenance, but there are several easy-care options available. These varieties include hibiscus, hydrangea bush, weigela, forsythia, and lavender, among others. The only maintenance needed with these shrubs is pruning off any dead flowers as you notice them. That way, new flowers can bloom to replace them. Before planting, make sure that they will have the right amount of sun to properly grow and develop.

Evergreen Shrubs

Evergreen shrubs will keep their look throughout the entire year. Maintenance will focus on keeping their shape and neatness. There are some varieties that will only need trimming once a year at most, which is about as low-maintenance as it gets. Some good evergreen varieties include dwarf boxwood, arborvitae, cypress, blue star juniper, and holly.

Privacy Shrubs

One thing that a lot of people love about shrubs is the added privacy they can provide. Fencing is always one way to keep your privacy, but shrubs can add an appealing natural backdrop to your yard. They can also help dampen noise from other yards so your yard can be more relaxing and calm. For privacy shrubs, you will want to choose varieties that are easy to control so that you won’t spend a lot of time and effort trying to keep them from spreading. Some good low-maintenance privacy shrubs include wax myrtle tree, boxwood hedges, buckthorn, and thuja green rocket, among others.

Soil Testing

The best way to make sure that a shrub is low-maintenance is to make sure that it is growing properly in the first place. A big part of that is making sure that the soil has the right nutrients to encourage growth. It is never a bad idea to have your soil tested and to choose shrubs that will thrive in that soil.You can pay big bucks for soil testing, or for a simple at home pH test it only costs a few dollars.

We all want our landscaping to look better, but we do not necessarily want to spend too much effort on it. Shrubs are not only a great low-maintenance option, but they can also add additional benefits like privacy and noise-reduction. You will never be able to find a plant that has no maintenance at all, but shrubs require very little effort and can look amazing too.

The experienced professionals at Dean Bjorkstrand, Inc. can help complete all kinds of landscaping projects to increase the value of your home. Reach out to us online or by phone today!

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The Minnesota climate is known for its extremes. It is very cold in the winters, and can get very hot in the summers. This can put a strain on your energy consumption and water usage. There are some things you can do outside of the home to help with that strain and keep your house warmer or cooler, depending on the season. They can also help conserve water as well.

For Homes That Are Too Hot

If your home has trouble getting cool in the summer, then try planting bushes and trees along the southern wall of the house. This will keep the sun off of your house for most of the day and keep heat off of your home. This will also block the sun in the winter, when you would want more heat. You can also plant vines along the wall. This will still block the sun, but not as drastically.

For Homes That Are Too Cold

With the deep freeze that comes with the winter, keeping a house warm can be very challenging. To keep the warmth in your home, try planting shrubs, trees, and bushes on the north side of your house. This will block the wind and prevent your home from cooling from wind chill. The best trees to use are evergreens, since they keep their foliage during the winter. Shrubs along the windy side of your home will also prevent snow drifts from building up along your walls.

To Conserve Water

Most of us are looking to conserve water to help protect the environment and even save money on our water bill. If plants with similar needs are grouped together, then you will have to water less. You can also use a type of grass that does not need as much watering. Tilling will help with water absorption and help roots grow deeper. Mulching will help keep the soil moist and also help keep weeds at bay.

Conserving energy and water have become a big priority for many people. While there are a lot of things you can do to your home to help, there are several things you can do outside your home as well. Use these tips to save energy during any season.

The experienced professionals at Dean Bjorkstrand, Inc. can help complete all kinds of landscaping projects to increase the value of your home. Reach out online or call 612-861-3919.

As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, our homes are more often seen in the dark. That means that what your home looks like at night becomes more important. Outdoor lighting is a great way to keep your house looking appealing, and can even change how your home looks to others. One of the ways this is achieved is through accent lighting. Accent lighting is any lighting that’s purpose is not to directly illuminate something. The amazing thing is that using accent lighting can help you completely transform the look and feel of an outdoor space.

Set The Mood
Accent lighting on the outside of your home can drastically change the mood of any space. For instance, if you have a yard that is vacant and spare, you can transform it into a comfortable looking space with some well placed lighting fixtures. Lanterns that stand on their own give off a comforting and warm vibe. Lights on the ground that lengthen the shadows of bushes or trees can make things seem more dramatic. The only limit is your own creativity, and the mood can be changed in any number of ways.

Highlights
There may be some aspects of the outside of your home that you want to highlight for visitors or passersby. For instance, in your backyard you may want to feature a pool or a gazebo. As opposed to simply having lights shining on it, you can have ground lights around the pool, or even in the water. Lights can also help define the edges of your property either by themselves or by highlighting bushes or fences that run along it.

Resale Value
There is no doubt that exterior accent lighting can also help increase the value of your home. If it is properly done and is visually appealing, it will attract potential buyers and make your home more attractive than the competition. It is also valuable as it helps reduce security risks. The more lighting there is outside of a home, the less likely burglars are to target it.

As with any home improvement project, you should always know before you start buying what you would like to accomplish. Make sure to have a plan for your lighting, and know what look you are trying to achieve. There is simply no end to the possibilities with outdoor accent lighting.

The experienced professionals at Dean Bjorkstrand, Inc. can help complete all kinds of landscaping projects to increase the value of your home. Reach out online or call 612-861-3919.

Installing a deck is an exciting way to upgrade your yard or home. The thing is, once you have put in a deck, you will probably want to spend time enjoying it day and night. There are few things more relaxing than kicking back on your deck on a nice summer evening. However, to do that, you will certainly need lighting for several reasons. Here are the benefits of deck lighting.

Safety

It probably goes without saying that the more light you have around your house, the safer it will be. Moving around on a deck filled with furniture and other yard items might be treacherous if it was difficult to see. More lighting can also help prevent crime, such as vandalism or burglary. Criminals are less likely to approach a deck or a house that is well lit. Besides, how successful is your deck party going to be if everyone is bumping into each other?

Aesthetics

Lighting fixtures can add to the overall aesthetic appeal of your deck, and enhance the ambiance. It can be a wonderful way to set the mood you want to set. For instance, if your deck is going to be used primarily for private time with a spouse, then the right lighting can make it more romantic. Or you can use lighting to make things more festive for a party. Another great idea is that you can use temporary lights that match up with whatever the theme is that you are going for at the time.

Day Long Comfort

The main benefit is that deck lighting will allow you and your family to enjoy the deck no matter what time of day it is. They will be able to sit quietly and read a book, or even sit and admire the stars. This may be even more important when the days get shorter. There should be no reason that you will have to avoid your deck, assuming it is warm enough, if the seasons change. Being able to use your deck more will also add value to your investment.

As you can see, there are several benefits to using deck lighting. If you are planning on installing a deck at your home, then be sure to include lighting in the blueprints.

Dean Bjorkstrand, Inc. can handle any of your landscaping needs for much needed elegance to your home. Reach out online or call 612-861-3919

No one wants to see any abnormalities on their home lawn. There are many alarming things that can appear in the grass, including powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is a common disease caused by a fungus, Erysiphe graminis. The disease mostly affects Kentucky bluegrass and fescue. The disease starts when spores are released by the fungus. The fungus spends the entire winter resting on plants, and releases the spores during the growing season. These spores get spread around by the rain and wind and infect grass blades.

Appearance

When a grass blade gets infected, it gets covered by a white, powdery substance. This fungal coating can be removed with your fingers, but it will not stay away permanently. Some will mistake the disease for flour or lime. After a time, blades that have been infected can turn yellow, and eventually die. This will thin out a lawn and leave it looking splotchy.

High Concentration Periods

Powdery mildew seems to thrive in the spring and fall. This is because the temperatures are cooler, but humidity is still high. The disease likes the shade, and other spots where the air circulation isn’t good. Environment plays a big part in how well the disease spreads, so managing it is a key component for controlling the disease.

Disease Management

There are many things you can do to manage the environment to protect against powdery mildew, even in established lawns. For instance, keeping your trees and shrubs well pruned will keep light and heat shining on your lawn, and lessen the amount of dark spaces. If you’re planning a new landscaping job, then you should try to space out any plants and new shrubs. This will not only keep shade at a minimum, but it will allow for better air circulation. There are grass types that you can use that are tolerant of the shade.

You must regularly maintain the grass by watering, dethatching, and fertilizing. Make sure not to water too much, however. Overwatering can create an environment in which the mildew could flourish.

We all want to protect our lawns against disease and damage. By following these tips and knowing what to look for, you can be prepared to keep powdery mildew at bay.

You may have heard of the Asian long-horned beetle, but have not really paid attention to what you’ve heard other than enough to know it’s not good. If you are in an area that is in danger of losing trees to this invasive beetle, like New York City, Chicago, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, and Toronto, then you’ll want to know a little more. Here’s what you need to know.

What Trees Does it Infest?

Hardwood trees, such as Maples, elms, willows, and birches seem to be the trees of choice for the Asian long-horned beetle. There is an area roughly 48 acres large that’s currently threatened by the beetle. This stretches all the way from the Great Lakes to New England. If these forests are damaged too much, then drinking water quality will be at risk, as well as several rare species. The red maples and the sugar maple would be particularly devastating to lose, as they are crucial for the maple syrup industry.

What Impact? Could the Asian long-horned beetle Have in Minnesota?

The beetle could destroy trees in any type of community, from rural to urban. If an infested tree is not removed right away, then it will become a breeding ground, and more trees will get infested. The USDA estimates that if the Asian long-horned beetle were to establish itself across the country, then 30% of all trees in urban areas could be at risk. Estimates show the damage could cost around $669 billion.

The beetle could completely annihilate the maple syrup industry, which is valued at $73.5 million. It is a major economic driver in several states, stretching from Maine to Wisconsin. It could have an impact on tourism. The fall colors and foliage on the East Coast and in the Midwest are big attractions. In New England, this type of tourism is estimated at $1 billion of revenue a year.

How to Prevent the Spread

As an individual, there is a couple of thing you can do. For one, if you go camping, do not move firewood from place to place. Burn it where you buy it. Inspect your trees. If you see small holes the size of dimes, or the shiny black beetles themselves, then you have a problem and should report it to the appropriate authorities in your area.