Decks
Decks are essentially outdoor floor space that’s directly attached to your home. Usually, they’re made out of wood, often cedar or redwood, both of which have oils that discourage insect infestation. Sometimes, they’re made out of composite wood, which is made out of recycled wood which won’t crack or warp.

Pros – Decks are ideal for areas that need a platform instead of a structure that takes up a lot of ground space. This is because decks are usually elevated to some degree. They’re also a smart choice if you have large trees that you don’t want to risk harming. They can be built around these plants without touching the root system.
Cons – Since they need support structures for the floors, decks are better left to a professional to design and build. This tends to make them more expensive than patios. They also require more maintenance, since they need to be sealed at least once a year to protect against insect or water damage. 

Patios
Originating from the Spanish word that means “courtyard”, patios are a part of your home’s hardscape. It’s basically a paved area alongside your home, often with sliding glass or French doors.

Pros – Since there’s less grading involved, and most materials are easy to manipulate, it’s a good candidate for do it yourselfers. You can also make them out of anything from recycled concrete slabs to gravel, and they’re generally less expensive than decks. They also take less maintenance.
Cons – If you have large trees, they’re not a good fit. They can’t be built without risking damage to your plants.

Regardless of which choice you make, both decks and patios add beauty and functionality to any home.

Undecided on which outdoor gathering area would work best for your home and your overall landscape plan?  ALD designs and installs decks and patios – give us a call and we’ll work with you to produce just the right space. 

There’s no avoiding spring rain in Minnesota, but when it comes so soon after the ground as thawed, it can cause damage, from plant loss to interior water damage.   This can happen even if you’re not near a river or lake, because excess water is hard for thawing ground to absorb.  We’ve found that the most effective way to handle this problem is through proper landscaping.

Why Landscaping Matters
The main cause of basement flooding is improperly graded yards. Land has natural peaks and valleys, but when builders work on a house, the yard can end up with the wrong grade. If the land slants towards the house, water naturally drains to it. If there are dips in the land, this encourages water to collect, and eventually spill into the foundation. Once water gets inside, floor boards will warp, appliances will warp, and mold and mildew will grow.

Rerouting Water
Before you start digging, take a look at your gutters and downspouts. If they’re not functioning properly, water can be coming off the roof and landing right by the building’s foundations. An easy way to remedy this problem is to install sloped leaders to the gutters and set them to lead water at least 10 feet away from the home.

You can also alter your downspouts so they empty into an either above or below ground basin to be used later. Rain barrels are also a great option.

Regrading
If your gutters and downspouts are alright, then it’s time to fix the yard’s grade. If there are too many low points in your yard, regrade for one inch per every five square feet of land.

Another option includes exterior perimeter drains, which can be either surface or subsurface. If your soil is mostly clay, the surface option is best for you, while soil which is primarily sand or silt works better with subsurface drainage.

While you may be able to correct smaller flooding issues, if they’re too severe, it’s time to call a professional in. The expense of having someone else fix the problem is minimal when compared to the cost of repairing water damage.

If you notice areas of standing water from the recent rains, even after the rest of your yard has dried up, you may want to arrange for an on-site consultation to discuss drainage solutions. 

Steep Hills Are Not the Place for Turf Grass

Lawns on steep hills are difficult to maintain.  Grass cutting is impractical, and moving a lawn on a steep incline is downright dangerous.  Water run-off can quickly demolish your beautiful green lawn, making it a mudslide waiting to happen.  But with the right landscaping, you can take that hill and turn it to your advantage.

Cover Your Front Slope with Spreading Perennials

If your front yard contains the hill, consider replacing that swath of green grass with an easier-to-maintain riot of color with a variety of blooming perennials and foliage plants.  The variety of heights, colors, and textures will set your home off beautifully, and what an inviting welcome to your guests!

Because sloping terrain is generally well-drained, consult a professional landscape designer who has experience with the best plants for this area.  Native species generally do well regardless of the terrain, since their water and soil requirements are more adapted to the Minneapolis area.    Perennials that don’t need dead-heading will cut down on maintenance, and they won’t need to be replanted each year.

Hillsides Are Ideal Places For Waterfalls

Here’s your chance to use what Mother Nature gave you to create a landscape feature that’s attractive, soothing, and inviting to both wildlife and humans.  If you’ve got a natural water source such as a stream, so much the better.  If not, a water supply can be installed to produce a totally natural-looking effect.

Natural rocks and boulders break up the water, and they also help reduce the possibility of soil erosion while providing visual interest.  We can choose native stone to make it appear that what’s on your hill is just what the glacier left behind thousands of years ago.  Native grasses and wildflowers do well inter-planted among large rocks.  They add color and texture interest.

Break Up Your Hillside With Rock Garden Tiers

Just because nature gave you a steep hill doesn’t mean you’re limited to the angle of your slope.  A series of stone or masonry walls filled with rock garden tiers can produce flower beds on a variety of levels.  And natural stone steps can lead the way to other areas of your yard as well.   Terraces can be designed to accommodate small pergolas, arbors, trellises, and even quiet resting spots with stone benches surrounded by shrubs or small shade trees.   And paths don’t have to be straight.  In fact, if your slope is extremely steep, a walkway that slowly meanders downhill, curving here and there, is safer and more visually interesting.

Focal Points on Hillsides Add Interest

Accents such as bird baths, statuary, fences, gazing balls, etc. provide lots of interest for the eye.   If you’ve been blessed with a steep slope in your yard, view it as a challenge to turn a boring stretch of slanting green into a feast for the eyes and a delight to wander through.  And don’t forget the landscape lighting so that you can show off your natural paradise even at night.

At ALD we delight in taking landscape challenges and turning them into beautiful visions of nature.  If you’ve got a hard-to-handle feature in your yard, give us a call.  We’ll work with you to turn that problem into a gorgeous feature. 

With the right landscape planning, you can.  It’s likley that you can find just the right relaxing “resort” in your own back yard.  Nature can be incredibly soothing, and no matter what your yard is like – or how big your space is – there are things you can incorporate in your overall landscape design to provide that peaceful spot.  Here are some ideas.

• Add a water feature.  The gentle sound of water is extremely refreshing and relaxing at the same time.  You can add a small bubbling or recirculating fountain, a koi or reflecting pond, or even a bird bath.  If the terrain in your yard allows, perhaps a small waterfall could even be added.  Imagine sitting alongside this pond, dipping your toes and enjoying the sound of falling water!
• Find a shady nook.  If you’ve already got a stand of shade trees, tuck a bench or a few comfortable chairs under them for the right spot to escape with your favorite book.  No trees?  An arbor or small pergola covered with vining plants can provide the shade as well as privacy.
• With the right touches, decks and porches can be great quiet spots, too.  Shrubbery placed close to your deck or porch, some lattice work, and a few container plants can create a ‘nature nook’ if you’re short on yard space.
• Don’t forget the finishing touches.   Low-voltage lighting makes your peaceful spots inviting at night as well.  And if you add a fire pit or fireplace, you can extend your outdoor enjoyment into the cooler months as well.

Next time you’re thinking about booking a resort vacation, consider investing that sum in creating a resort in your own back yard with a landscape design that gives you some serenity close to home. 

Unlike harsh floodlights and bright spots, low-voltage path lighting casts a soft glow, gently illuminating those areas of your yard – especially walkways and stairs – which safety or aesthetics  make good candidates for lighting.  Dark stairs and walking paths can be treacherous, even if you think you know your way around your yard.  But some strategically-placed path lights such as those shown here can light up your walkways and stairs with a warm and welcoming glow.

In addition to added safety, low-voltage path lighting allows you to highlight areas of your landscape you want to bring attention to, define spaces, and gently guide your visitors around your yard.

Outdoor landscape lighting is relatively small and unobtrusive, and it doesn’t require much maintenance.  Periodically you’ll need to make sure your lights are cleared of debris, such as during fall leaf season, or snow in the winter.  Bulbs need changing from time to time, although they are relatively long-lived.  And when it comes to design, you’ve got a lot of options.  Low voltage lighting can be mounted or installed in a variety of areas:

• In mulch beds alongside pathways, as shown above
• Under stair risers or beside steps
• Under roof or pergola edges
• At the base of trees and shrubs
• Overhead on tree trunks to cast a romantic downward glow
• On fences or masonry walls

Low-voltage lighting lets you turn your yard into a magical place after dark.  A lighting plan that fits with your home’s decor as well as your overall landscape design can make your yard just as beautiful and inviting after dark as it is during the day.  Not only will your landscape be a safer place to take a stroll, you and your guests will enjoy lingering in the invitingly soft glow.

At ALD we design and install outdoor lighting layouts to put your home and landscape in a favorable and attractive light.  We also offer regular maintenance if you desires. 

Furniture custom crafted from natural stone provides a unique touch to your landscape.  While stone can be rugged, when properly crafted it can provide a natural elegance that no other materials can match.  Plus it’s exceptionally strong and naturally durable.

The “Fire Table” shown at right brings a variety of elements into play – the smooth lines of the finished stone table providing a great surface for either serving refreshments or propping up your feet.  Can’t you just imagine serving roast-your-own shish kebabs on your patio while you enjoy the ambiance created by the sound of flowing water?  Who needs to travel to a resort when you can have this atmosphere in your own back yard?

Our custom-designed outdoor furniture pieces are truly works of art that are extremely functional as well as beautiful.  And since each piece is handcrafted, we can design outdoor furniture that reflects your own personal tastes.  The stones we use are carefully selected from  local quarries, so you can be confident that your furniture pieces will feel at home in a Minnesota landscape.

If you’re interested in learning more about our unique new line of outdoor custom stone furniture, please give us a call. 

With small yards, a landscape design plan is even more important, because your space is limited.  Whatever landscape elements you add must be proportionate to your space so they don’t  dominate the overall appearance of your home and lot.  As this photo shows, colorful blooming flowers nestled among decorative foliage plants, give the right shot of color to an otherwise neutral palette.  The scaled-down hardscaping and strategically placed accents such as this boulder  and suspended light fixture highlight the home and provide a burst of curb appeal, even with just a few feet of lawn between the house and the street.

What’s important with landscaping small lots is to make every inch count.  While you might not have the space for a large stand of trees, shrubs and trees on a scale fitting your lot can still provide shade.  Scaled-down outdoor spaces such as patios can still find a home in your yard.  While a full-size pool or fountain is out of the question, smaller water features – even a stone bird bath – can add a refreshing, soothing feel to your yard.

Tiers and layering garden levels can give the impression of a larger space.  No room for a garden?  Perhaps we can help by finding a corner to tuck a raised bed into.    And if you don’t have the space to spread a garden out, why not up?  Roses and other climbers can give you a vertical garden when you lack ground space.   And no matter how small your lot is, you’ve probably got the room for a few stone planters.

Small lots are often in neighborhoods where the homes are close together, and privacy is at a premium.  Stone walls, cedar fences, or vine-covered trellises and arbors can provide the seclusion you crave, even in tight quarters.  And don’t forget the finishing touches, like low-voltage lighting.   A small lot can still make a big impact with the right landscape design that coordinates your outdoor spaces with the style of your house.  Bringing landscape visions and dreams to life is what we’re here for, no matter how big your lot is!

Why Grow Edible?
There are plenty of reasons to incorporate edible plants into the ornamental flowers and shrubs already in your Minnesota garden.

• Save Money:  When you grow what you eat instead of going to the grocery store for it, you already saved money on transportation and branding.
• No Mystery:  A frightening fact about buying produce from the store is that you don’t know what was used on it as it grew or what kind of coating may have been put on it to preserve it for the trip.
• Beauty and Function:  Many plants, like cucumbers and runner peas are wonderful to look at. They can add more color and texture to what you already have.  The okra plant commonly used for Cajun cooking and Southern stews is actually in the hibiscus family and bears beautiful blossoms as well as edible pods.

There are many other ideas to support adding plants you can eat to your landscape, but in the end, the meals you share with your family will be worth the effort.  Growing edibles doesn’t require a full-fledged produce garden plot; with a little creative landscape design, you can incorporate fruit and vegetable plants into most garden beds, or you might consider container gardening on your deck or patio.

Hardscapes

The hardscape always gets built in the beginning of the landscaping installation, due to its permanent nature. That’s because it’s made up of the retaining walls, patios, pathways and other fixtures that won’t change from year to year. 

• Shape and Protection:  The primary role hardscaping plays in Minnesota homes is to provide a solid shape to the property. Walls and pathways offer a guide for people to walk along and give us a place to put plants.  These elements also prevent too much water absorption and run off, which protects valuable soil and structural integrity. Although some materials, like bricks and gravel, absorb some water, it’s not enough to cause problems.
• Recreation and Appearance:  Hardscaping also includes things like pools, gazebos, patios and outdoor kitchens. These all provide easy places for entertainment and food preparation.  Fountains and statues, which add character and charm to a garden, are also included in this category.

Softscapes

In many ways, the softscape is the exact opposite of the hardscape. This involves plants which change from year to year and season to season. The trick to beautiful landscaping is designing the garden around what is already there, which is where the softscape comes in. 

• Color and Flow:  Plants offer property color, whether it’s from a pallet of greens from foliage or rainbow of colors from flowers. They also offer a garden a sense of life and flow, due to how branches or vines curve and sway in the breeze.  They offer the sense of tranquility and relaxation which is so sought after when it comes to outdoor surroundings. 
• Permanent or Temporary:  Another unique note softscaping adds to a home is that it can either be permanent or temporary. Trees will last for years if properly planted and cared for, while annual flowers will last only a year before they’re gone.

When these two aspects of landscaping are balanced, you’re left with a lovely, relaxing outdoor environment ready to be enjoyed.  If your yard is a little “off balance” but you’re not sure just what it needs, please give us a call.  We delight in helping Minnesotans bring their landscape visions to life. 

Wildlife in your yard can be extremely beneficial.  Bats, many birds, and frogs and toads will eat insects.  Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds can assist in flower pollination, which is especially important if you have fruit trees.  Modern development and industrialization has reduced the habitat for many birds and butterflies, so you can do your part to provide a haven for some with these tips.

• Reduce the amount of your turf by replacing some of it with native grasses and wildflowers in your yard.  Birds and butterflies are more likely to be drawn to familiar plants.  An added benefit of using native plants is that they require much less water and are generally weed-resistant.   That means less herbicide and fertilizer is needed, as well as less watering.    Your county extension agent may be able to give you information on specific plants and grasses which grew in your area before it was developed.  The Minnesota Native Plant Society is also a good resource.  Replanting with original plants is called “habitat gardening,” and it is growing in popularity.
• Provide a variety of sheltering areas – shrubs of various sizes, tall grasses, and trees can provide nesting spots and cover for a wide variety of species.
• Eliminate chemical pesticides and fertilizers and opt for organic methods instead.
• Provide multiple water sources.  Birds choose water sources at different heights.  Some prefer running water, so a bubbling fountain is one option.  Others choose water in low areas; a flat-basin bird bath set into a rock garden works well.  And remember bird baths will attract birds of various sizes, so put some larger stones in your bird bath to provide perches for the smaller ones.   Small ponds provide water for some birds, as well as drinking areas for larger animals such as deer.
• Consider leaving dead trees in place in some spots.  Some birds are cavity nesters, and dead trees provide the perfect housing.
• Keep your feeders full.  A variety of seeds, fruit, and nuts will attract a variety of birds, but you can’t go wrong with black-oil sunflower seeds – they’re among the most popular with birds.  And keep those feeders full during spring and fall migration seasons; you’ll attract temporary visitors that you might otherwise miss.  Your local Audobon Society or other bird-watching chapter should be able to tell you what kinds of birds frequent your area and what types of food they prefer.
• If you have a cat, keep it indoors, or supervise it outdoors.  Cats are a major threat to the bird population.
• Install raptor decals on large windows which catch the sunlight.  This will eliminate (or at least reduce) the amount of birds crashing into your windows because of the sky reflection.
• If hummingbirds are your favorite visitors, include the plants they are most attracted to in your garden beds.
• Plant butterfly-enticing flowers in your garden bed.  You can also add milkweed around a pond, which will encourage monarch butterflies.

If you’d like a more wildlife-friendly landscape but don’t know where to start, we can help you incorporate some of these ideas into a unique landscape design that will reflect the vision you have for your yard as well as your enjoyment of wildlife.