Year: 2018

Winter Shoreline Restoration

The chill in the air likely has reminded you that the cold weather is on its way. Now is the ideal time to aerate and overseed your lawn if it needs thickening up. Of course, all too soon it will be time to rake up all of the leaves.

You may think that’s all you have time for this year. There may be some projects you didn’t get around to. If you’re on a lake and your lakeshore needs some attention but you put off having it done because you didn’t want to sacrifice using it during the summer you are in luck.

It’s not too late to make shoreline improvements!

Did you know that we may be able to complete your shoreline restoration project during the winter months? In some cases, the frozen lake actual makes access to your shoreline more convenient. For some homes that don’t have access to the shoreline through the yard, winter is the only time to get this done.

As with all of our shoreline restoration projects, we first take the time to learn how you want to use your shore. Some clients want a durable, natural shoreline and we can install native plants that serve as a filter and create a lovely appearance. Other clients want to have a sand beach installed or expanded, we can create a place for recreation and sand castles too. We can also create a combination shore that includes areas of sand beach and area for erosion control.

Many customers what to add boulders to their shore, which is both attractive and effective at protecting your property. For those projects we create a 3:1 slope, install 6-12″ rip-rap (fieldstone boulders), on top of heavy shoreline fabric for a durable shoreline. We follow all DNR, city, and watershed requirements and permits.

Whatever style and function you’re looking for we can help you achieve it. Doing so over the winter months gives you the freedom to enjoy it all next season. We understand how short the summers are here in Minnesota and want you to get the most out of yours.

If you’re not getting the most out of your lakeshore consider having us out this fall to discuss ways to improve your property. If the weather gets cold enough and the lake ice is thick enough we can transform your shoreline and have it ready for the spring thaw!

Yard of Your Dreams

Many Minnesotans long to live on a lake. There is something in our DNA that makes us crave lakeshore. For those fortunate to have lakefront property they often find that while it is fantastic, it is also a ton of work. It can be downright overwhelming.

Many lakeshores aren’t very useable. Which can be really frustrating. Here at Danielson Brothers Landscaping we specialize in creating lakeshore that is enjoyable and sustainable.

In the case of this Forest Lake property we defined the property borders, created a sand beach, built a stone path between the dock and a custom fire pit area. This property had a water drainage culvert that was previously an eye sore, but through our landscaping it became an attractive feature.

Landscaping that is well done adds both beauty and function. For this project we created definition, which helped create a sense of privacy through plantings of taller grasses at property borders. The sand beach is an area this young family can truly enjoy with soft sand under foot and no weeds to wade through to get to the water’s edge. Hanging out near the water is a favorite activity, so we created a flagstone path connecting the dock to the fire pit. The fire pit is surrounded with boulders and crushed rock, so it is both pretty and practical. The perfect place to gather and relax.

This project created a beautiful backyard, a place to play, a space to relax, and all with the lake as the focal point. But we didn’t leave the front yard out! Along the path leading up to the front door we created a water feature to welcome guests. A waterfall is near the front door and a babbling stream flows down along the path. This brings the water to the street side of the home with visual interest and a pleasing sound.

You may not have lakeshore but your yard still has the potential to be an oasis. We love starting with a blank canvas and transforming it into a special place. Your yard really should be a special place for you and your family to relax. We have the expertise to make the most of your space, incorporate the activities you’d like to enjoy in your yard, and keep it low maintenance.

If you spend more time feeling discouraged about your yard or working on it rather than enjoying it consider having us out for a consultation. We’d love to create the yard you’re dreaming of.

Fall Is The Best Time To Plant

It almost pains me to bring up the fact that summer is coming to close. Over the next few weeks I hope you soak up all it has to offer.

As you adjust to the change of season you may ponder what needs to be done around the yard. Fall is about more than just raking the leaves. Fall is a great time to make additions to your yard to enjoy in future months and for years to come.

Most people get excited to plant things in the spring but fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs. It is during this time that trees and shrubs stop putting their energy into growing the parts we see and switch to focusing on root growth. This makes it the ideal time to plant trees and shrubs so they can be well-established come the following summer’s heat.

You will need to plant prior to the soil temp dropping below 55 degrees Fahrenheit at six inches, which in this area usually means you have until mid-October.

An added bonus to purchasing trees and shrubs in the fall is they are often on sale and perhaps best of all, you can see what the foliage looks like in the fall. If you want to add some fall color to your yard shopping when the leaves have begun to turn makes it much easier to preview what you’re getting.

For best results you’ll want to dig a hole twice as wide as the pot or root ball of the tree, this large hole will encourage establishment of lateral root growth. Many people dig a hole that is too narrow and too deep, the upper-most root should be just beneath the soil. If the roots are tangled together, loosen and straighten them as best you can.

After you’ve got you tree planted watering it is super important. It is easy to forget when it isn’t hot that your new tree is still thirsty. A little splash now and then isn’t going to cut it. A new tree will need a gallon of water for each inch of trunk diameter per week. A four inch trunk means four gallons of water per week until the ground freezes.

Some trees benefit from being wrapped to prevent damage from frost, sun, and animals. This can be done in November. Mulching around the base will help with moisture retention and prevent the soil from heaving as the temperature fluctuates. If you decide to wrap you trees, remember to remove it in March.

We’ve got kids, so our schedule often revolves around the school calendar. If yours does too, think of it this way, plant before MEA, water until frozen, wrap and mulch by Thanksgiving, remove wrap by spring break.

If you take the time this fall to correctly add a tree to your yard this fall you can reap the rewards for years to come. Happy Planting!

Help, My Lawn Looks Awful!

You’re not alone if your lawn is looking less than lush. Our weather has been on a hot and dry streak so unless you have an irrigation your lawn is likely suffering.

Here at Danielson Brother’s Landscaping we don’t offer lawn maintenance services but we know a well-kept lawn certainly makes our landscaping look better.

If your lawn is turning brown don’t despair. It isn’t really dying. Rather it is just shutting down, by going dormant to conserve energy. In most cases your lawn will return green as ever in the spring. So don’t panic. Much like a mother, who’s been at home with the kids all summer your lawn just needs some rest and a little help.

If you just can’t stand brittle blades of grass here are a few things you can do to show your lawn some love:

Water it an inch per week. More if you have sandy soil, which much of the northeast Metro does. This watering should ideally take place in the early morning before much of it will be lost to evaporation. The total should be delivered in 1-2 waterings. For those without underground irrigation, there are some pretty nifty timers that work with your standard hose and sprinkler setup. I’ve also had good luck with the sprinkler that come on a metal stake, they cover a large area with ease and you can figure out a few good spots to place them and leave them in place for added convenience.

Get your mower blades sharpened. You can have this done at most hardware stores. There’s also a few retired guys out there who sharpen blades for less than five bucks while you wait and that’s hard to beat.

Set your mower to not cut the grass so short. Blades that are cut to about three inches is ideal. This allows the roots to grow longer and the blades provide shade for themselves.

There was a bumper crop of crab grass this year. Even if you put down crab grass preventative you likely have some growing where you don’t want it to. The good news is, it is green. No really, the good news is that it will die. It is an annual plant so this year’s bounty doesn’t necessarily predict your lawn’s future.

Weeds can thrive in conditions that grass cannot. It is unfortunate but true.

To recap, you have two options one is let the grass be and try again in the spring and the other is to water it in hopes of reviving it for the remainder of the season. The choice is yours but know that it will likely be fine either way.

According to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture applying a late season fertilizer in mid to late October will benefit your lawn come spring. The grass will store the nutrients and be quicker to grow and green up come spring time.

If crabgrass is an issue in your lawn you’ll want to apply a pre-emergent treatment in the spring, typically in early April. You will need to then wait eight weeks before seeding. The timing is crucial and tricky and weather dependent – so it can be frustrating. Stick with it and you’ll get that lush lawn eventually!