Landscape Design Services in Milwaukee

The Homeowner’s Guide to Sustainable Landscape Design

If your property is in need of some landscaping work, don’t forget to consider the environment before jumping in. After all, it’s everyone’s responsibility to look after our planetary home and to keep it clean and thriving.

Thankfully, choosing a sustainable landscape design is possible by making some very simple choices.

Wondering what those choices are? Keep reading for a full guide of simple landscape ideas to keep your property environmentally-friendly and safe for yourself and your family!

pretty landscaped lawn with sustainable design and mulch

Overload on Plants

Plants create the oxygen that allows us to live and breathe. So, whether you like shrubs, trees, bushes, grass, or flowers, don’t hold back!

When it comes to adding plants to your landscape, the more you plant, the better it is for the environment. Not only will this produce more oxygen, it will also help to filter harmful toxins from the air.

In order to pack as much greenery into your property as possible, brainstorm some creative ways to add plants to each aspect of your landscape. For example, think up some unique driveway flower bed ideas, conceptualize ways to add in potted plants around your property, and consider ribbon driveways to add a little extra grass.

Incorporate Composting

Composting has an unfair reputation of being complicated and annoying. However, this is only true if it’s done improperly. When executed well, composting is a simple way to create a rich, natural fertilizer for your home’s landscape.

Just decide whether you would like to create a cold or hot compost, and then research what waste from your home you can use. Then, simply combine the materials, stir, and add water. Composting is a vital part of all sustainable landscapes.

Conserve Water Usage

The next time you’re home on a rainy day, do some detective work. Where does the water around your property pool? Where does it drain?

By figuring out these patterns, you can plan where to place water-loving plants around your property in a way that harnesses the natural flow of your property. You can also collect water runoff, which can then be used to give your plants extra hydration without ever running a tap.

Conserving water is one of the best easy sustainability projects that helps our environment in a big way.

Stay Away from Harsh Chemicals

Some products used in landscaping can be harmful to us, our pets, and our planet. Make sure that you research each and every product that you are using on your property to support sustainable landscape design. Pesticides, in particular, can contain harsh chemicals to watch out for.

Stay Indigenous for a Sustainable Landscape Design

Did you know that plants that are indigenous to your area require less water, fewer pesticides, less fertilizer, and work in harmony with your local fauna? It’s true! Choosing indigenous plants for your landscape is one of the simplest sustainability ideas that you can incorporate into your life.

Ready for Your Own Sustainable Landscape?

As you can see, a sustainable landscape design is achievable for everyone through just a little mindfulness. By cutting out harsh chemicals, composting, conserving water, and keeping things local, we can all do our part in maintaining a healthy environment.

Have any questions or comments, or are you ready to dive in and start designing your own sustainable space? Feel free to contact us for professional help. We service the Milwaukee and Menomonee Falls areas.

The Best Milwaukee Landscape Design Trends For 2018

With a new year upon us, we took some time to research 2018 Milwaukee landscape and design trends. And our top five picks are intended to bring both style and serenity to your home.

We noticed one very strong theme in all our research, and it may not come as a much of a surprise to you, considering many of us are simply looking for a little bit of respite. Next year, even landscaping and design trends are going to lean hard into peace and tranquility.

landscaped garden

So, let’s raise a glass to that: May 2018 be our year of peace, even along our garden paths. Here’s a look at some of the best ideas to help you get there.

Forest Bathing

Japanese gardens often provide the greatest levels of tranquility. You can all but feel the peace humming through the air. And, in 2018, many Americans will be embracing shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing. That simply means going for a walk in the forest to bathe yourself in soft streams of sunlight and nature’s sweet embrace.

At your Milwaukee home, this could mean planting thick rows of trees, shrubs, and flowers along a gorgeous stone path. Maybe you’ll even add a jewel to this crown in the form of a small, arched bridge.

Zen Garden

One of our favorite design trends that is coming in strong in 2018 is the zen garden. So, guess where your forest bathing could take you: To a small zen space that leads to a relaxing water feature. A zen garden typically boasts smooth stones and a gorgeous array of sweet succulents.

Can you imagine a mini-waterfall at the end of your shinrin-yoku? Your morning routines could morph from huge gulps of coffee to huge gulps of fresh morning air.

Meditation Garden

If this is where 2018 is headed, we’re totally on board. What do you say we let 2018 be our best year yet?

A meditation garden could help each of us embrace the fine art of simplicity. Perhaps you’ll put your meditation garden beside your zen garden. All you’ll need is a gorgeous stone bench and some soft, ornamental grass to sway softly in the breeze.

If your early mornings are going to include some mind-changing meditation, you might want to face your garden east so you can drink in the morning light.

Grow Your Own Protein

What goes hand in hand with a healthy mind? A healthy body! And we can help you get there with your very own protein-based garden. This includes edamame, broccoli, spinach, kale, quinoa, and more.

And while you’re focusing on your proteins, why not round this all out with a full-scale vegetable garden? If organic is key, why not entrust this to your own two hands? Juicy tomatoes, cabbage, and plenty of herbs could be found right outside your own front door.

With a little design work and some careful planning, you can watch your very own garden spring to life.

Design Trends to Bring You Peace

We invite you to take a look at our design and construction process.

You’ll see we specialize in softscapes for your shinrin-yoku, hardscapes for your meditation garden, and sustainable landscapes designed to bring synergy between your Milwaukee garden and available resources.

Even after the job is done, we’ll still be posting resources for you, including our new tree, shrub, and perennial guide. So, give us a call today at 262-252-4260. We’ll help you design your 2018 around waterfalls of peace and happiness.