Calculate Your Landscape

Here's the scenario: you have a certain amount of yard to fill, and you aren't sure how many plants you'll need to fill up that space. You also might need to know how much mulch is required for an area, or how much stone or gravel you need to fill up a space. If you've ever been in this position, or you feel you might be one day, you will absolutely adore the Landscape Calculator tool.

If you're looking to fill up an area with plants, you can click the "Plant Calculator" image and enter the inputs for your dimensions. You'll need the area in square feet, the plant spacing you want in inches, and the number of trees in the bed. If you enter a 10 square-foot area and say you want 10 inches of space between plants, the calculator will come back and tell you that you have room for 6 plants.

In addition to plants, you can also calculate things like how much mulch you'll need for an area, how much stone or gravel you'll need for an area, or how long it'll take for you to mow a specified amount of turf. For landscapers or homeowners who are landscaping on their own, this is an incredibly useful tool.

Prepping a Christmas Landscape

The Christmas holiday will soon be upon us, and that means you'll likely be decorating soon (if you haven't already). The typical outdoor Christmas landscape design usually consists of outdoor lighting hanging from the home and on bushes, as well as various yard ornaments. If you really want to go overboard, you'll synchronize your lighting with music, like so.

As far your plant-related landscape goes, evergreen shrubs are great choices for the lighting in front of your home. If you have these types of shrubs, you can add different lighting colors to each shrub, giving them the appearance of Christmas tree balls.

Good picks for Christmas shrubs include shrubs in the Dogwood family. If you have Dogwood shrubs like the Artic Fire or Redosier Dogwood, you have shrubs that look good on their own, and will hold up well when strung with Christmas lights.

Beautiful Winter Landscapes

Those who live for the winter season have a bevvy of options when it comes to landscape design. By adding certain plants or trees, you can turn your yard into a winter wonderland that all of your neighbors will be jealous of.


Growing blue spruce trees not only provide a great look during winter (especially when covered with snow), they also act as fantastic windbreakers for your yard.


A weeping elm tree adds tons of beauty to your property. When icicles form and hand down from the weeping elm branches, it's truly a sight to behold.


Ornamental grasses add something to your yard that can stand out in the vast white acres of snow. These grasses act as a great foreground to other landscape elements in the background.


Adding a stone wall to your landscape is an excellent idea, especially in the winter months. This stone wall looks picturesque when covered with snow.

Interested in learning more about the ways Environmental Design can add to your landscape? Click here to read about the company, and when you're ready, fill out our form to receive a free estimate.

Winter Lawn Care Tips

Winter is quickly approaching, and contrary to what you might believe, your lawn maintenance duties don't hibernate for the winter like bears do. Certain actions during the winter can actually help your lawn grow even better when spring rolls around.

Fertilize

Around late fall or early winter, fertilize your lawn. This helps replace vital nutrients that can be sucked out of your ground's soil. When the weather takes a cold turn, the fertilizer will help keep your lawn well-fed and in good shape. This is a very important part of yard maintenance.

Clean Up

Before the serious cold weather comes and brings snow, clear your lawn of any miscellaneous items, including toys, logs, branches -- basically anything. These items can create dead spots on your lawn that you won't notice until spring arrives.

Fall Landscaping Tips & Ideas

The air is cooling down, the kids are back in school, you’re wearing a sweatshirt and the leaves are all turning yellow and red. Fall is here.

You might not think of this season as the best to hire a landscaper, but contracting landscaping services during these cooler months will prepare your yard for a great comeback come springtime. Here’s what should be done to your lawn or backyard during the autumn:

• Aerate the lawn: Is rain leaving pools on your grass? Have the lawn aerated, so the water and nutrients and water can reach the roots. For small plots, a garden fork should suffice, while a walk-behind aerator should be used for larger areas.
• One last mow: Yes, the lawn mower will be going into hibernation until it makes a miraculous return in late March or early April. Give it one last spin by cutting the grass one last time. Disease will have a harder time with shorter grass, and raking will be much easier as the leaves will have nothing to grab onto.
• Plant new shrubs: There’s nothing quite like a great head start to encourage plant growth. Planting in the fall will give roots a chance to establish themselves, as the soil will be cool and moist during the autumn.

You’ll also want to:

• Give young plants a good mulching
• Trim off dead limbs and remove dying perennials
• Feed your grass
• Winterize your sprinklers or irrigation system

Minneapolis landscaping company Environmental Design will get your lawn and yard ready to survive another winter. Contact us today by visiting www.EnvironmentalDesignLandscaping.com. 

Landscaping Photos

People do a lot of neat things with their landscaping. Here are some our favorites:

(From Exterior Worlds)

(From Landscapes Design)

(From Pondsmiths)

Looking to do something unique with your Minneapolis landscape design? Then get in touch with Environmental Design Inc. by visiting www.EnvironmentalDesignLandscape.com.

Minneapolis Landscaping Help

When it comes to Minneapolis landscaping, it never hurts to have some help. The summer heat is sometimes a roadblock to a healthy lawn or garden. Keep in mind the following tips when landscaping your Twin Cities property.

1. Removing drying flowers and seed heads will let the plant’s energies be focused on flowering instead of just seed growth, and this is especially great for annuals.

2. It’s best to apply fertilizer in spring or early summer.

3. Leave behind the last rose blossoms to encourage dormancy for the winter.

4. A slow-release fertilizer in the middle of the season encourages good plant performance until the first frost.

5. Mums and other akin plants should be pulled back to support flower production.

Could you use the service of a qualified Minneapolis landscaper? Let Environmental Design come to the rescue. Visit www.EnvironmentalDesignLandscape.com. 

Landscaping FAQ

The Environmental Design staff gets asked a lot of questions about landscaping. Here are some of the most common:

Why should I bother getting a landscape design?

Do you like your home messy? Or do you not want people to see it in disarray? Your lawn or yard is the same way: if left unkempt, it can cause people to have a negative perception about your home. In addition, it can cause you and your neighbors’ property values to decrease.

What is considered a ‘good’ landscape design?

A good landscape design is something that meshes together your surrounds and needs, all the while reflecting and enhancing your normal routine.

What qualities should I seek in my landscaper?

The most important thing to find is someone you can trust. You want to be sure that whomever you hire will accomplish the job, and not try to coerce you into a service you don’t need.

How much does it cost to hire someone?

Plan to budget 10-20% of your home’s total value to hire a professional landscaper.

How much time does it take to landscape?

It varies from client to client, and is dependent on the size of your property.

When it comes to finding a Minneapolis landscaper, consider Environmental Design. Visit www.EnvironmentalDesignLandscape.com. 

5 Ways to Improve Your Landscaping

Need to do something about your landscaping? Here are five easy ways to improve the look of your yard:

From the inside out

Do you usually look at your landscape design from inside your house? If so, think about what works and what doesn't next time you look at your flower bed. Pay careful attention to not only what you see, but what you don't see. What would be an appealing addition? Would some perennials or mulch help in creating a more eye-appealing view? Take notes, and you or your landscape designer can implement these changes.

Regular maintenance

A good landscape design isn't neglected. You can give improvements to any area with simple garden chores. Pruning, trimming and other simple cleanups can help in creating a more aesthetically pleasing landscape. Do this on a daily or weekly basis, so you're not forced at once to do one large cleaning, which could mean more money out of your pocket. If you have kids, get them in the act of having do yard work.

Edge

Edging landscape beds will improve the design's look, and make it easier to maintain. Choose a proper topsoil, and then surround the beds with a steel, aluminum, paver or other edging to give it the appearance of a finished look. This does take a good effort, but when done properly, the results will last you for years to come.

Adornments

Decorative stone and other adornments can add character to any landscape. If your dream design can be simply attained with some stone, then it's a great idea to start looking into possible colors. A classy birdbath and the right lighting can also improve your design's appearance, and give it a personal look that will have you stand out from your neighbors.

Upgrade your irrigation system

More than 30 percent of water usage is done outdoors. Some homes use up to 70 percent for sprinklers and other irrigation systems to operate. Upgrading your system to include water-saving amenities like high-efficiency nozzles and rain/moisture sensors will not only save you money on your water bill, but will also help improve the look of your property. Consult with your landscaper about the right system for your area.

Need help with your Minnesota landscaping? Get in touch with Environmental Design Inc. by visiting www.EnvironmentalDesignLandscape.com. 

Landscape Design Tips from Environmental Design Inc.

Thinking of redoing the landscape design of your Twin Cities outdoor living space, but are unsure where to start? Here are some simple tips from Environmental Design Inc. to help you get started:

Make a plan

You don’t want to rush out to the store and buy anything before you know what you’re doing. Sketch the design on paper, and you’ll know how much you’ll need and won’t waste any money.

Speak with a professional

Talking with an experienced landscape designer will save you from making costly mistakes. Get their input if you’re going to do the project yourself. This way, you can lock in an estimate if it becomes too much for you to handle.

Cheaper isn’t always better, but it’s sometimes good enough

Yes, you’ll want to save money, but when it comes to a project like this, you want quality. Talk to a local specialty shop about plants and ponds rather than going to a big chain store. On the other side, those stores might be better for things like mulch and pavers, as there’s little difference in quality.

Still need a little bit of help? Get in touch with Environmental Design Inc. by visiting www.EnvironmentalDesignLandscape.com. 

What Customers Have to Say About Environmental Design Inc.

The staff at Environmental Design Inc. loves to hear from our clients. Here’s what one Eden Prairie MN couple said about the landscape design we did for them:

“Thank you very much for the professional job and your willingness to assist with all of the details regarding our landscaping. I’m impressed with the results, and appreciate all of the efforts of you and your crew. We’ve enjoyed working with you.”

Bob & Melanie, Eden Prairie

No matter if you’re a current or prospective client, we would love to hear from you about your residential landscaping design. We are expert landscapers serving the Twin Cities communities. Call us today at 952.997.6533 or request a free landscaping estimate at www.EnvironmentalDesignLandscape.com.

Spring Means Landscape Design from Enviromental Design Inc.

Looking forward to spring in the Twin Cities after such a harsh winter? Environmental Design Inc., serving the Minneapolis & St. Paul MN areas, is excited about the end of winter as it means we can really get to work on custom landscape designs. Have you thought about yours?

The end of winter means the beginning of spring which means summer is nearing closer. Pretty soon, your outdoor living space will be the site of barbecues and other get-togethers. Is your area ready to hold such functions? Does your landscape architecture reflect the rest of your property?

If the answer is no or you're unsure, Environmental Design Inc. can help. We're professional landscaping experts, and when you need a landscape contractor in the Southern Twin Cities, think first of us.

Environmental Design Inc. is comprised of landscape design specialists who will create an outdoor living space of which you can be proud. Call us today at 952.997.6533 or visit www.EnvironmentalDesignLandscape.com for a free professional landscaping estimate!

Environmental Design Inc. Earns Coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award

Environmental Design Inc. has been awarded the prestigious 2010 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor bestowed annually on approximately 5 percent of all the companies rated on the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.

“Our Super Service Award winners are the cream of the crop when it comes to providing consistently high quality customer service, as judged by the customers who hired them,” said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List.

Environmental Design is a custom landscape design build firm, specializing in creating dynamic outdoor living spaces in the southern Twin Cities MN area.

“We are honored to win this award. It shows the dedication and level of service we provide to our clients,” said owner and designer Brian Rayman.

Angie’s List Super Service Award winners have met strict eligibility requirements including earning a minimum number of reports, an exemplary rating from their customers and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List, but members can find the 2010 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on AngiesList.com.

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