Don't cross your work when landscaping

This is one of the biggest problems I see while doing landscape consultations. Folks begin by making the front and sides of the home attractive and then later decide to work in the back area. To do this they frequently have to cross the original landscape work with heavy equipment. The best way to approach implementation of your design is to begin at the least accessible point in your yard and then work your way out. By doing this you never have to cross your completed work again.

Tips to make a small yard look bigger

Here are a few tricks that might help.
1) Don't use a lot of plants that are red or orange in color. Those dramatic colors draw you in and will actually make a yard look smaller. Think of using shades of blues and purples. Putting those colors in the back of your yard will make the yard appear larger.
2) Use elements to suggest space. Put an arch at the back of your yard. This will suggest that the area is an entryway to a larger area when actually the arch only implies there is additional space beyond.
3) Create a sense of persepctive. Use a large element in the front part of your yard to enhance depth. You can frame your yard with an ornmental tree in the foreground which will make the backdrop appear deeper than it actually is.

Softening boulder walls

In this area boulders are being relied on too heavily by landscapers and homeowners. They end up looking sterile and overwhelming. Here is an example of how to soften them. In the attached photo mossrose was used. It is an annual in the upper midwest that requires very little soil, can withstand sun and heat, and needs minimal watering if any. Another option is to use creeping sedum. They too require only a handfull of soil stuffed in to a crevice, watering only when first planted and will withstand sun and heat. Another option is to use fewer boulders and more native plantings. Instead of massive amounts of boulders, try a few boulder outcroppings combined with some native grasses.

Free book - water gardening

The Beckett Corporation has a free 48 page booklet called "Water in the Garden" that includes ideas and instructions for various water features. You will not even have to pay postage. Go online at http://www.888beckett.com/ for all the details. I am going to request one for our own use.

The three fives

Whenever I teach home landscape design classes I always tell participants how to get ideas and I always talk about the three - fives. The first of the three is to check out five good books at your local library (unless you live in North Mankato), visit five garden centers or related landscape companies and finally to visit five great gardens. These can be public or private, but you can learn a lot. Take lots of notes and photos. Four gardens that I have learned a great deal from are the Reiman Gardens on the Iowa State University campus, Munsinger/Clemens Gardens in St. Cloud, MN, the Minnesota Arboretum, and the Enger Tower Gardens in Duluth, MN.

Natural steps

Here is a nice alternative to the ususal concrete, timber or keystone steps. This is a set of natural steps with flat boulders that we designed for a lady locally to replace her rotted timber steps. They are rustic and very natural and in addition will last forever. Try something that is a little out of the ordinary in your landscape design. Consider non-traditioanl elements and ideas and you will be suprised with the result.

Horrid landscaping

Following is an example of terrible landscaping here in the Brainerd lakes area. In my opinion this is the worst example of a berm that I have ever seen. Note that the boulders that comprise the edging are perfectly in line and sitting on the surface. The ornamental grasses and evergreens are all perfectly spaced. The evergreens are all one variety, Colorado Blue Spruce, and are all the same height. There is quite simply no landscape interest here and this scheme does not look natural. I would encourage forum members to use fewer boulders in your landscapes and they should appear to be gently pushing up from the ground. You will notice that not all of the trees appear healthy. I would suggest the use of native trees, and varied species and heights. As far as the grasses go, it is preferable to use native species. You can do much better than this.

Landscaping with potted plants

Following is a photo from the gardens in Staples, MN that shows how potted plants can be used to enhance your landscape. You will notice that the pot sizes vary but blend in quite nicely. Also notice the compatible colors, with pinks, blues or purples and white in the distance behind. Too many contrasting colors always makes it look like the little kid in the candy store. Another plus for using potted plants is that you can extend your season here in the upper midwest. At the first sign of frost you can simply move your pots in to your garage for the night and put them back out in the morning when all danger of frost has passed. This was really quite nicely done and is something that any homeowner can do.

Acting as your own project manager

I recently finished a complete design for a client in Brainerd. He then supplied copies of the plan to five different landscape contractors and obtained quotes from each for the entire job. He wasn't pleased with the results so he decided to act as his own project managar. In doing so he found the nursery that had the plants at the best price. He then found the company that would do the irrigation system at the cheapest rate. Next he found the contractor willing to do all the earthwork and seeding at the best price. Finally he selected the landscape contractor with the cheapest rates to install the plants that he had purchased. By taking the time to do this he saved $7,500. I think this is a great example of how to save money on a large project.

Patio

So many people assume that patios should be constructed from concrete or pavers. Following is a photo of a nice alternative that features chilton flagstone. It is softer in appearance, allows for surface water to permeate more easily between the flagstone, minimizes runoff, looks more natural, and can be mowed right over. This particular job was completed by Lakeside Lawn and Landscape. I would encourage this type approach when creating your own home patio.

Hiring a landscape contractor

There are people who throw a wheelbarrow in the back of their pickup and call themselves a landscape contractor. Your landscaping is the first thing people see and can add a substantial amount of value to your home. So you should really spend some time in choosing a contractor and not just pick someone out of the phone book or classifieds without doing a little more research. Here are a few questions to keep in mind:
1. How long have you been in business?
2. Are there specific types of work you perform - are there things you can't do? If required, (such as for electrical work or irrigation systems) what is your license number? Don't just ask if they have a license or if they are certified, request to see a copy of their certifications.
3. Have you done similar jobs before?
4. Ask for references. Don't just look at photos. Go and see actual work. Photos can be manipulated.
5. Will you use your own crew or will you subcontract? How often will the supervisor (owner, etc.) be on site?
6. Will you provide a written estimate and contract?
7. What type of work schedule do you follow? What happens if your work is delayed due to weather?
8. Do you provide clean up?
9. What kind of guarantees do you provide - both on hardscaping and plants?
10. Do you carry workers comp and liability insurance?
Contractors generally require a downpayment, a payment halfway through and then a final payment at the end. If you are not satisified, make sure the work is corrected before making the final payment.