How to Have the Gorgeous Green Yard You've Always Wanted in Just 5 Easy Steps

Have you ever driven past a gorgeous green lawn and wondered how it was achieved? Perhaps a neighbor has a beautiful yard and while you envy the yard, you wondered where they found time to work on it. If this you, then don't despair. While having that verdant lawn takes work, it doesn't necessarily mean giving up every spare minute you have. In fact, once your lawn is established, it is merely an issue of maintenance. Since for many, the biggest challenge is just getting started, here are the basic steps in building the yard you have always wanted.

1. Think about how your yard is used-storing firewood/toys, backyard sports, bird watching, outdoor entertaining, etc... and then sketch out a yard plan with these features included
2. Go green to have green by implementing ways to make the most use of water. You may even wish to consider an irrigation system set on a timer. Other ways to conserve water involve: arranging the flower beds and shrubbery to take advantage of water that will run off higher elevations- in regions where there is minimal rain, many resident opt for a rain garden; another choice for conserving water is using buffer strips of mulch and natural vegetation around ponds or beside streams to help retain the moisture keeping your yard looking good even when there has been little rain or water restrictions are in place.
3. Have a soil test done to establish your soil's condition. This is done by taking a sample of soil in to your local agricultural agency. The results will aid you in selecting fertilizer types, the amount of compost, etc...
4. You will also need to determine your soil's type (sandy, clay...) and check for compaction. If the soil is tightly compacted, you will want to use a tiller, or hoe to break it up. As part of the breaking up process, be sure to wait until after a heavy rain or a deep watering as this will make the job much easier. Then do the following: 1) Use a landscaping rake to smooth the ground then add at least 3 inches of topsoil. 2) Make any adjustments to the soil-compost, fertilizer, nutrients, etc... and 3) Rake and smooth the area(s) to be planted.
5. You are now ready to plant your lawn. Be sure to talk to a local gardener or landscaper to learn what types of grasses grow best in your region. The US is divided into 3 regions (Cool, Warm and Transitional areas) and each of them has specific types of grass that excel in them.

After your lawn has been planted keep foot traffic to a minimum and water at least 4 times a day to encourage growth. Also, you won't need to mow your lawn until the grass is at least 4 inches tall and then be sure to only cut ½ to ¾ of an inch. Viola! You are now ready to enjoy a beautiful green yard!

Learn more about how to get that gorgeous yard or to receive a free estimate, visit Advanced Irrigation, Inc. of Minnesota. Article independently authored by Janet Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Advanced Irrigation. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Tree Removal and Home Lawn Maintenance...

Ignoring Trees, Trimming and Overhanging Limbs Can be Costly

As the end of autumn arrives and the frigid temperatures of winter take hold, manicuring and prepping the lawn or irrigation system is usually the last thought on the minds of home owners. Oddly enough, however, this is the perfect time to examine the property and plan for the winter and spring. Other services which may be available are tree and limb removal, snow removal and even landscape design. Many irrigation and landscaping design companies may offer special pricing in order to drive business during the "off" season.

There are several steps to take in order to winterize the home and landscaping. Close attention to overhanging branches and dead or rotting trees should be removed. Every year the heavy snows and ice can place tremendous stress on trees and limbs causing them to fall without warning. The weight of the snow will easily exceed two hundred pounds and can cause trees and limbs to snap without warning.

Damaged roofing or downed power lines are the most common instances of these occurrences, but people are often injured as well. While most home owners may have a basic step ladder, it is not recommended for most home owners to attempt to remove tree limbs themselves. Larger branches or those limbs which are higher than 8 feet are best left to a professional and experience tree removal service, such as Advanced Irrigation, Inc. These landscaping professionals will have the proper safety equipment which many home owners do not own.

Another relatively monotonous chore is the removal of snow from the lawn and driveway. Snow throwers can make quick work of removing snow, but can be cumbersome to maneuver. An excellent alternative to injuring ones back is to contract with a local service provider to remove the snow as needed. It is important to keep the driveway clear and accessible for the possibility of any emergency response vehicle. Again, many irrigation or sprinkler service companies will offer additional services other than just irrigation.

Having a newly designed landscape can also be a wise project to undertake during the winter months. There are several benefits to the home owner when hiring an irrigation and landscape designer for the winter. Most home owners will not be competing for the landscaper's time thereby allowing the landscaper to devote as much attention as possible to the lawn and landscape project.

Many home owners will either be too preoccupied with work or the holidays gathering of friends and family, but neglecting some of the tasks above and more can be a very expensive mistake. It is important to consult with irrigation and landscaping company soon in order to get the desired results.

For a free lawn care & underground sprinkler system quote, visit Advanced Irrigation, Inc. of MN. Article independently authored by Dan Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Advanced Irrigation. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Year Round Lawn Care and Maintenance

Everyone loves a beautiful yard. You know the type. Those yards that have well maintained shrubbery, thick green grass and well tended flower gardens resplendent in all their color. Of course, that takes work, and not just during the warm month either! No matter where you live, taking care of your yard is a must. These chores can include everything from spreading mulch and fertilizer to weeding and cutting grass each week; but regardless of the season, efficient lawn care and maintenance are a part of life. Each season brings different jobs, all of which are vital to a beautiful yard.

Springtime lawn care and maintenance can vary depending on where you live; however, there are some things that remain the same whether you live in a warm or cool. These standard spring jobs include:

• Applying helpful compost tea (a mixture of compost, water and molasses that is sprayed on your lawn and plants)
• Mowing with low blade
• Pulling weeds by hand or spot spraying
• Dethatching and aerating (You can either rent the equipment and do it yourself or hire a professional like Advanced Irrigation, Inc. to do it for you)
• Applying helpful nematodes (micro-organisms in the soil that can be either useful or damaging), as needed, for grub control

With summer's heat comes everyone's favorite lawn care and maintenance job-mowing the lawn! However, additional summer jobs include monitoring how often and how much you water, observing the insects (some good, some bad) population, conscientious weed control, watching for lawn disease, and adding a calcium rich fertilizer.

As summer becomes fall, your lawn care and maintenance needs change. And, while weekly mowing may not be a part of your routine, there are other jobs that are equally important. The region of the country in which you live can dictate some of the specifics but basic jobs that should be on your fall "To Do" list are:

• Applying another round of compost tea-think of it as putting your lawn to bed
• Lowering the blades of your lawn mower as there is often a great deal of grass growth
• Removing any leaves and debris, followed by the application of a layer of compost to enrich your soil's components over the winter

About the time you are ready to relax and take break from lawn care and maintenance, winter arrives. Thankfully, there are just a few basic things for you to take care of:

• If you live in a cool region, be sure not to leave heavy items on the ground for indefinite amounts of time as this can damage the grass.
• For warm weather residents, it is necessary to continue watering, so your spring will have the perky freshness everyone can't wait to enjoy.

If you are eager to have a yard that the whole neighborhood is talking about, year round lawn care is a must. Take some time to make your yard the envy of all who see it

Contact Advanced Irrigation of Minnesota for a free lawn care and underground sprinkler system estimate!

Article independently authored by Janet Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Advanced Irrigation. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.