Developing the Perfect Landscape Design

With winter just around the corner, considering landscaping for your yard is probably the furthest thing from your mind. However, fall and winter can be great times to plan what you’d like done in your yard. Some things can be done now, while others will need to wait till spring. Still, if you have a plan already worked out, you can get right to it as soon as the weather warms up again.

There are many things to consider when designing the perfect landscape. You can have something more formal looking or you may choose something with a more casual look that is easier to maintain. We specialize in landscape design in Edina and the surrounding areas, so we want to offer a few suggestions on what to consider when working on your plans.

While you may feel a formal English garden would be great for your home, you might want to reconsider. Formal English gardens require nearly around-the-clock care and maintenance. So, unless you can devote nearly all of your free time to caring for your garden or can afford to hire someone for full-time maintenance, you may want to go a less formal route.

For a more casual look, start thinking of your landscape design in terms of plants and flowers that complement each other but don’t match exactly. Find plants that have similar leaf shape or flowers that have complementary colors. Plan to have them planted in groups and not rows. Groups of flowers are easier to maintain, plus they make the landscape more interesting rather than having everything planted in straight rows.

You should also consider flowers and plants of different heights. In your plan, you can plant them together and it will again give your landscape a more interesting look.

Although Minnesota winters are not known for being mild and sunny, you can still find plants that will bloom even when it’s cold. Consider adding some of these to your landscape design to have a focal point for your garden for every season of the year. You may not make it outside as much during the winter months, but it’s still nice to have something to look at from inside your home when the weather is frightful!

If you need help with your landscape design, you can contact us. We can help you develop a plan that will look great and provide year-round enjoyment. We can even come to your home to set up the landscaping for you by adding plants, flowers and even hardscaping.

Would you like to learn more about landscape design in Edina? Call Advanced Irrigation at 612-599-8675 or you can contact us to get a free estimate.

Winterizing Sprinkler Systems

In the fall when it’s starting to turn chilly, one of our most popular services are fall blow outs. Also known as “winterizing,” this is an important task that should be done to sprinkler systems in Lakeville (and anywhere else where temperatures regularly dip below freezing during the winter) on an annual basis. 

Water that is left in your lawn sprinkler system can freeze when the temperatures get below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. When water freezes into ice, it expands and could cause the pipes, fittings, valves and other parts to crack or burst. Sprinkler systems with these types of damages can be expensive to fix. Winterizing sprinkler systems eliminates this problem because we will first drain the water out of your sprinkler system using the manual or automatic drain valves. After that, we used compressed air to blow the remaining water out of the system, which ensures there is none left in there that could potentially freeze and cause problems.

We will then make sure that main drain valve is fully closed, and that will keep the water from flowing back into the system. From there, we look at the timer and/or controller and turn that off as well. That keeps the lawn sprinkler system from running during the winter months, but it does not get rid of any of the programming.

Sprinkler systems usually come with rain and freeze sensors. These devices will detect if there has been a large amount of rain and will automatically readjust the sprinkler system’s programming to compensate for that. It will also detect if temperatures are below freezing and will keep the system from turning on. This is great for added peace of mind if you don’t have your lawn sprinkler system winterized before the winter or if temperatures plummet unexpectedly.

All of these steps ensure sprinkler systems will work as they should when the weather gets warm again and when you want to start watering your yard and landscaping again. A little bit of preventive maintenance this winter can go a long way and can help prevent expensive repairs and replacements for your sprinkler system.

These are just a few reasons you should look into having your sprinkler system winterized.

Would you like more details on sprinkler systems in Lakeville, or do you want to schedule your fall blow out? Call Advanced Irrigation at 612-599-8675, or you can contact us to set up your Free Estimate.

How to Properly Mow Your Business’ Lawn

The outside of your business is the first thing potential customers and employees see. So you want to be sure that you are always putting your best foot forward to give everyone a good first impression. While a commercial irrigation system for your Minneapolis can definitely help with this, another way to make sure your grass and landscaping look good is by mowing it properly. Here are a few tips.

You should be sure that your lawn mower’s blade are adjusted to the correct height. The general rule of thumb is two to three inches, but sometimes the height will depend on the type of grass you are mowing. You want to be sure the grass is short enough to look nice and well-kept, but you don’t want it so short that you damage the root system.

When you mow your grass, avoid mowing in the same pattern every time. Mowing in different patterns encourages your grass to grow more upright, plus it will help prevent ruts from developing in the soil.

Make sure that, when you mow the grass, that it is totally dry and not wet from a recent rain storm. Wet grass blades can clog your mower and break it or cause it to overheat. You should also be sure to regularly sharpen your mower’s blades. Dull blades will not make a clean cut and could cause your grass to not grow properly. It could also lead to disease or allow pests and insects to invade your grass.

Finally, when you are mowing, make sure you overlap each pass by at least a few inches. This is a great way to ensure you do not accidentally miss any part of your business’ lawn, and it will help ensure you do not end up mowing unevenly.

For more information on a commercial irrigation system in Minneapolis, call Advanced Irrigation at 612-599-8675 or you can contact us to get a Free Estimate.

Types of Hardscapes

Hardscapes are a great way to add some more personality to your yard. And not only that, they can be functional as well. Minneapolis hardscapes are especially pleasing to the eye thanks to the fact that we live in one of the most beautiful areas in the country. So what are some popular hardscapes? Here is a brief rundown of the types we install the most often.

Outdoor Fire Pits

Outdoor fire pits are a great way to entertain your family and friends. Plus, they can extend the amount of use and enjoyment you get out of your backyard. A fire pit is a nice way to stay warm and cozy even when the temperatures outside are a bit on the chilly side. Not only that, you can also roast marshmallows or just stare into the flames and relax. These types of hardscapes are a great focal point and they can really add that “wow” factor to your landscaping.

Retaining Walls

Both functional and beautiful, retaining walls can separate areas of your garden or landscaping, they can hold up soil at varying elevations of your yard or both. Retaining walls can be made with a variety of stones, and they can be made into a wide variety of designs too.

Patios

Patios will generally be level with the ground and can be made out of a variety of stone or bricks. They offer a flat and paved surface for outdoor furniture, and they are excellent for entertaining guests or for relaxing on your own. These types of hardscapes are incredibly popular, and they make a lovely addition to anyone’s home and landscaping. They are also a great way to enjoy the great outdoors without leaving the comfort of your own home.

Walkways

Walkways are a great way to get around your yard and garden. They help you and your guests walk around and through your yard by offering a firm and flat path. They can enhance the safety of your yard while also adding an extra element of beauty. Walkways are popular hardscapes for many different types of homes.

Are you interested in learning more about Minneapolis hardscapes? Call Advanced Irrigation at 612-599-8675 or contact us for a Free Estimate.