Landscaping can be an overwhelming project to take on. There are many factors to keep in mind when beginning the process of creating the outdoor space of your dreams. Whether you have acres to work with or just a simple patch of grass, you want to make it a place where you can enjoy the beautiful days of the year. Otherwise, your land is simply just wasted space. Keep these keys to landscaping success in mind when starting your outdoor project.
In today’s world, it is more important than ever to be conscious of our impact on the planet. Creating a sustainable yard isn’t about doing everything perfectly but it is about making an effort where you can. Understanding how to create a sustainable yard can have a bigger impact than you realize which can also lead to a lower maintenance yard. Consider the following tips when beginning to create a more sustainable yard.
Although the weather can be unpredictable, especially in the midwest, turning on your sprinklers every day has a huge effect on the sustainability of your yard. Grass and local plants will live through tough conditions and do not need an excess of water daily.
It is important to consider where your plants are coming from when choosing what to bring into your yard. Local plant species are specifically adapted to the climate and soil conditions of your yard so they will thrive with little to no fertilizers and chemicals.
Buying new seeds and plants every year can be a hassle in and of itself while also creating excess waste. Save energy and money by keeping last year’s seeds and plants to replant and propagate in the spring.
Bringing products containing chemicals into your yard can have a lasting impact on the soil and on the plants that grow within it. Fertilizers and pesticides contain chemicals that are potentially toxic to animals and young children as well as other plants.
Creating a sustainable yard is a huge step in the right direction. No habit is too small to make a difference, even if it means just collecting rainwater. When landscaping becomes more than saving water and propagating plants, consider American Landscape for your yard’s maintenance, care, and construction. Call the professionals at American Landscape to ensure a beautiful and sustainable lawn.
A rain garden provides a healthy solution to drainage problems that can save you time and money in the long run. With winter slowly rolling in, you’re probably already hoping for spring to come sooner. But all the wet weather ahead may be disastrous for your lawn. Heavy snowfall and rain can lead to problems with drainage that impacts your lawn. Here’s how a rain garden can save your lawn!
A rain garden is normally decorated with flowers, plants and other vegetation. Essentially, a rain garden is a depressed area in your lawn that mimics the look of a small pond. It is designed to absorb water and filter out pollutants, cleaning the water and soil. Rain gardens offer ecological and economic benefits while adding a touch of elegance.
The stormwater that runs off may leach pollutants into your lawn. A rain garden can help reduce the amount of runoff a lawn accumulates. According to a fact sheet from the United States Department of Agriculture, rain gardens can absorb thirty to forty percent more runoff than a regular lawn. This amazing benefit also helps water conservation and blocks the flow of pollutants from runoff into natural waters. The natural look and feel of a rain garden gives a warm welcome to wildlife.
How American Landscape can make your lawn more sustainable
Your lawn should be open to all wild inhabitants. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, rain gardens provide a habitable place for butterflies and birds. Of course, you don’t want all the animals flocking to your lawn. Fear not; according to research from Penn State, the rain gardens drainage abilities prevent standing water, which often attracts mosquitoes. Creating a space for wildlife is only part of a rain garden’s ability to add biodiversity.
The vast amount of vegetation and plants that can be hosted in your rain garden adds beauty to your lawn. The most important part of choosing plants for your rain garden is making sure they can withstand wet and dry conditions. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, choosing prairie flowers that are native to Wisconsin may be your best choice; they can withstand long periods of dryness, which works well with our iffy climate.
Taking good care of your rain garden is easy and adds longevity to your lawn. According to a fact sheet from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, simply weeding, watering and trimming your plants is the best practice for maintaining a rain garden. Rain gardens do a great job circulating water, allowing your plants to maintain good health over long periods of varying weather.
Rain gardens are fascinating, beautiful and ecologically beneficial. If a plain, green lawn isn’t cutting it for you, a rain garden may spruce up the liveliness of your home. Not sure where to start? American Landscape specializes in sustainable lawn care, and many other services. Give us a call for more information!
If you live in Milwaukee, you get to exposed to all four seasons. Unfortunately, winter can be a pain when it comes to removing tons of snow. The lake effect from Lake Michigan can bring on storms that are too much to handle on your own. Having a reliable landscaping company that specializes in snow removal can save you time and ensure your winter is a smooth ride. Here’s what you need to look for if you are thinking about hiring a professional snow removal service.
When you’re paying for snow removal services, it’s important to find a reliable company with the right credentials. Look for companies that carry certifications such as the Snow and Ice Professional Certification from Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA). Did you know that American Landscape is one of two companies in Wisconsin that carries national certification for snow and ice removal? Credentials say a lot about your business, but positive communication trumps all in the name of good service.
If you own a business or manage multiple properties, you may not have the time to check the weather. What happens when you’re unprepared for an incoming snowstorm? Time to clear the schedule and pick up a shovel. American Landscape provides clients with pre and post-weather updates to keep you in the loop. Did you know that in 2016, there were 129,051 car accidents in Wisconsin? According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 19,450 of those crashes were speed related. Knowing you have a reliable snow removal company comes with good communication, but also knows how to prevent accidents from different causes.
While snowfalls can be a real drag for getting around, ice can pose as something more than inconvenient. When you throw poor weather conditions in the mix of driving, sometimes being a cautious driver isn’t enough. Another statistic from the Federal Highway Administration shows that 24% of car crashes are weather-related. Having a company that can tackle all fronts to ensure you can drive safely is essential. With the harsh conditions that come with winter, it’s also important to have a snow removal company to turn to for additional services.
The winter limits the opportunity to do the necessary maintenance on your lawn and home’s drainage system. The moist and temperate climate that we live in gives way for ice dams to develop in a home’s drainage system. If a home’s drainage system is compromised, it puts a damper on your lawn’s ecological quality. It’s never a bad idea to consult a landscaping company that offers services to improve your lawn in time for spring. American Landscape offers a wide range of landscaping services that can improve your lawn’s sustainability.
There are many things to consider when looking for the right snow removal company. Good credentials, communication and a broad range of services are the most ideal candidates. A snow removal company may also be your best bet if you own multiple properties or don’t have the time to shovel and salt. For quality service in the Milwaukee area, call on American Landscape to get it done right.
Did you know that buildings account for 73% of Carbon Dioxide emissions in the United States? According to the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), getting your home certified as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) reduces your ecological footprint. If you want to go green, here’s how you can get started.
The LEED Certification works on a point-based system. Members who score 40 to 49 are certified, but you can work your way up to silver, gold and platinum memberships the more you score points. So, homeowners earn points by making their homes more environmentally friendly. Firstly, homeowners must apply for certification with the USGBC.
There are a few steps in the LEED certification process:
The USGBC will review your project to make sure it complies with occupancy, environmental, and property laws. The USGBC has an index of projects that comply with these rules for reference. After that, you’ll begin the application process.
You’ll have to fill out the proper paperwork and pay the certification fee. After your application is reviewed and your project is approved, you will be LEED certified.
Any project that helps the environment adds points to your LEED rating. According to the USGBC’s website, a building is rated on location & transportation, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy & atmosphere, materials, indoor environmental quality, innovation, and regional priority. Therefore, there are several projects you can do that can boost your home’s value and sustainability.
Green roofs are a roofing system made of vegetation and a waterproofing membrane. The objective of a green roof is to provide a drainage system that reduces stormwater runoff and reduces carbon emissions. A green roof is a sustainable landscape that can help you rack up points towards your LEED certification. According to a post from Green Roof Plan, green roofs can give you points for energy & atmosphere, water efficiency, and sustainable sites.
See our post on how you can improve your building with a green roof!
Also, homeowners can earn LEED certification points by installing rain gardens in the yard.
Rain gardens are drainage systems that help water & soil quality while providing a habitable space for wildlife. It also allows you to grow a diverse range of plants to add appeal. A rain garden can easily rack up points towards a LEED certification for water efficiency, sustainability, materials, and regional priority. Since a rain garden can act like a living thing, you can easily check innovation off that list too! If you’re interested in what a sustainable landscape can do for you, see our guide to building one!
Making your home greener is an amazing step forward as a homeowner. As more people look towards building sustainable landscapes, the rewards and benefits continue to grow immensely. American Landscape specializes in sustainable landscapes, so give us a call today to start going green!
The harsh conditions during winter in Wisconsin can attribute to dead grass in lawns. To prevent this it would help to know what grass needs in order to grow and survive. The following factors will allow you to assess, spot and stop your grass from dying.
Any shade of color that isn’t green can suggest there is something wrong with your grass. Grass that is turning brown or pink in small and large patches and mold growth suggests that your grass is dying. Dead grass will likely grow in patches across your lawn. If you suspect your grass is dying, it’s important to narrow down the potential cause.
For homeowners, lack of water is usually the cause for poor grass quality. While sunshine and warm weather can help keep your plants stay alive, it’s important to provide them with enough water that will allow them to thrive. Cold and dry weather can negatively affect grass and soil quality. With spring around the corner, you can access your lawn’s health to get ready for warmer months.
There are a number of potential causes that can kill your grass:
You can revive dying grass by pinpointing the cause and acting fast.
You should act fast if you see grass starting to turn brown. Assessing the problem before it starts will take you time and money in the long run. Need a hand with maintaining your lawn? American Landscape proudly serves southeast Wisconsin with all of your landscaping needs.