Considering a Clover Lawn? Weigh the Pros and Cons

August 9, 2024/in Lawn Care, Sustainable Landscaping/by Mary Monday

Clover lawns have emerged as a popular trend in landscaping due to their eco-friendly, low-maintenance, and visually appealing qualities. Unlike traditional grass lawns, clover, particularly white clover, offers several advantages. One of the main reasons for its popularity is its resilience. Clover is drought-tolerant and stays green even in dry conditions, reducing the need for frequent watering. Additionally, as part of the legume family, clover naturally enriches the soil by fixing nitrogen, which enhances soil fertility without the need for chemical fertilizers.

If you are considering making the transition to a clover lawn, here are some benefits and challenges to consider.

Benefits of a Clover Lawn

Clover lawns offer several benefits that make them an attractive alternative to grass lawns.

Minimal Maintenance – Clover spreads quickly but is naturally a shorter growing plant than grass, meaning it doesn’t need frequent mowing, reducing the time and effort required for lawn maintenance.
Superior Drought Resistance – It is drought-resistant, requiring less water than most grass varieties, and it stays green even during dry spells. Like any plant, in severe drought it will require some water.
Natural Soil Enrichment – Clover can grow in very poor soils and naturally adds nitrogen to the soil, reducing the need for artificial fertilizers.
Effective Weed Control – The dense growth habit helps prevent weeds, reducing the need for herbicides.
Erosion Prevention – The robust root system helps protect against soil erosion, ideal for sloped landscapes.
Pollinator-Friendly Habitat – Clover lawns support biodiversity by attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies, promoting a healthier environment.
Year-Round Greenery – Clover stays lush and green throughout most the year, even in colder months.
Cushioned Feel – Clover lawns offer a lush, soft texture that is comfortable underfoot
Pet Friendly – Clover is not as sensitive to dog urine which can help eliminate those brown patches in the yard. It’s also perfectly safe if you have pets who like to munch.

Challenges of Establishing a Clover Lawn

While clover lawns offer many benefits, they also come with certain disadvantages and challenges:

Uneven Appearance: Clover can have a patchy look, especially when mixed with grass, as it doesn’t always grow evenly. Some homeowners may find this less visually appealing compared to the uniformity of traditional grass lawns.
Shorter Lifespan: Clover doesn’t handle heavy foot traffic as well as grass and can wear out more quickly in high-traffic areas. Over time, this might require more frequent reseeding. When used in combination with turf grass it is generally not an issue.
Sensitivity to Deep Shade: Clover prefers sunny locations and may struggle to thrive in heavily shaded areas. In such conditions, it can become sparse or fail to grow altogether. In partially shaded areas where grass is sparse it will happily grow to fill in empty spaces.
Attraction to Bees: While clover lawns support pollinators, this can be a drawback for people who are allergic to bee stings or want to avoid bees in areas where children or pets play.
Staining: Clover can be more prone to causing green stains on clothing and shoes than grass.
Invasiveness: Clover can spread beyond the lawn area, potentially becoming invasive in garden beds or neighboring lawns. Managing its growth can require additional effort. If neighbors regularly have their lawn treated for weeds it won’t be a problem.
Initial Establishment: Establishing a clover lawn can take time and patience, as it may not fill in as quickly as grass. During this period, the lawn may look sparse or uneven.

If you are considering introducing clover to your landscape, work with our professional team to maximize the benefits and mitigate the challenges. With 40+ years of experience in helping our clients achieve the lush, green lawns they want, we can help you make the best choice for your specific soil and topography. Call 262-252-4260 or contact us at www.amerlandscape.com

Transform Your Yard with a Rain Garden: Why and How to Establish One

July 10, 2024/in Sustainable Landscaping/by Mary Monday

Is there anything better than looking out your window over a lush landscape and vibrant garden? With June’s unusually rainy weather, we are reaping the benefits with greener lawns and growing garden beds. However, managing stormwater can be a challenge, especially during heavy rains. Enter the rain garden – a beautiful and eco-friendly solution to this common problem. Here’s why you should consider establishing a rain garden and how to get started.

Why a Rain Garden?

Mequon Naturalized Stormwater Management

Rain gardens are designed to collect and absorb runoff from roofs, driveways, and lawns, reducing the amount of stormwater that flows into storm drains and, ultimately, our rivers and lakes. Here are some key benefits:

Environmental Impact:

Rain gardens help filter out pollutants from runoff, improving water quality. They also recharge local groundwater supplies, contributing to a healthier ecosystem.

Flood Control:

By capturing and absorbing rainwater, rain gardens help prevent localized flooding and erosion. This is particularly beneficial in areas with clay soil, common in the Midwest, which can be prone to waterlogging.

Biodiversity:

A well-designed rain garden attracts birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects, enhancing the biodiversity of your yard.

Aesthetic Appeal:

Rain gardens add visual interest to your landscape with a variety of colorful, water-loving plants that thrive in wet conditions.

Getting Started

Creating a rain garden is easier than you might think. Here’s a simple guide to get you started:

Choose the Right Location: Select a low-lying area at least 10 feet away from your home to prevent water from seeping into your foundation. Avoid areas with heavy foot traffic.
Assess the Soil: Conduct a soil test to determine its drainage capacity. Most rain gardens perform best in sandy or loamy soil. If your soil is heavy clay, you might need to amend it with compost or sand.
Design and Size: Plan the shape and size of your rain garden based on the amount of runoff you need to manage. Generally, rain gardens should be 1/3 the size of the impervious surfaces draining into them.
Select Native Plants: Choose native plants that can tolerate both wet and dry conditions. Some excellent choices for Midwest rain gardens include coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and blue flag iris.
Dig and Amend: Dig a shallow depression (6-12 inches deep) and amend the soil if necessary. Create a berm on the downhill side to help retain water.
Plant and Mulch: Arrange your plants in the garden, placing taller species in the center and shorter ones along the edges. Apply a layer of mulch to help retain moisture and reduce weeds.

By establishing a rain garden, you’re not only enhancing the beauty of your landscape but also contributing to a healthier environment. With a bit of planning and effort, you can create a stunning rain garden that benefits both your home and the ecosystem.

Our designers are pros at identifying the perfect location for a rain garden within your landscape. Work with our team to create one in your yard. Start the conversation by calling 262-252-4260 or visit our website at https://amerlandscape.com/contact/.

How a Rain Garden can Save Your Lawn

July 28, 2019/in News, Lawn Care, Sustainable Landscaping/by American Landscape

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!

What is a Rain Garden?

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.

Conserves water and reduces pollutants

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

Inhabits wildlife and drives out the pests

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.

Biodiversity adds a touch of beauty

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.

Rain gardens require little to no maintenance

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.

A Final Word on Rain Gardens

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!

Getting a LEED Certification for Your Wisconsin Home

May 28, 2019/in Sustainable Landscaping, News/by American Landscape

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.

What’s a LEED Certification?

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.

How do I get a LEED certification?

There are a few steps in the LEED certification process:

1. Register your project

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.

2. Apply for LEED certification and wait for the review

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.

What type of projects can earn LEED certification?

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

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

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!

Creating a Greener Home

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!

How a Green Roof Could Improve Your Building

January 15, 2019/in News, Sustainable Landscaping, Green Roofs/by American Landscape

A green roof is more than just a roof—it’s a natural-looking, beautiful way to support the environment in a developed area. The times of grey, rock-bedded roofs and blacktops are being overtaken by more environmentally aware efforts, and the results are worth it.

From its start in ancient Egypt to evolutionary phases in Europe, green roofs have come a long way. And the ecological benefits they can provide are needed now more than ever. Which is probably why there are more green roofs in Milwaukee now than ever before too, like this one on the Milwaukee Public Library.

If you are thinking about getting a green roof, understanding the benefits and considerations should be your first step.

What Are the Benefits of a Green Roof?

They Reduce Pollutants in Water

Because green roofs absorb rainwater, they reduce wasteful runoff, which promotes healthier soil and water.

According to research from Michigan State University, 60%to 100% of stormwater is absorbed in green roofs. Reducing runoff into existing soil and water sources reduces the flow of pollutants, which improves soil and water quality. And that’s not all—green roofs also lower energy use.

They’re Energy Efficient

Green roofs provide natural insulation that can reduce energy emissions and, subsequently, a building’s carbon footprint.

According to the British Columbia Institute of Technology, in the colder months heat is retained and in summer the vegetation absorbs the heat from direct sunlight. Just how much can a green roof save you? The National Parks Services estimates that green roofs can save $200,000 over a 40-year span, with two-thirds of the savings coming from reduced energy.

They Support Agriculture and Vegetation

Giving your roof a platform for growth breathes new life into the atmosphere, literally. The EPA’s study on reducing heat islands illustrates that allowing vegetation to grow on your roof promotes plant growth while reducing pollutants.

Here’s how it works: The most common pollutants emitted from buildings are carbon dioxide and monoxide. And, as you may or may not know, plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. So, by having a green roof on your building, you can effectively prevent the emission of this pollutant into the atmosphere. This is great for the plants and the atmosphere.

Considerations for Green Roof Installation

According to an article from Forbes, a leaking green roof is a common myth (among many). In fact, in a well-planned green roof, the root barrier absorbs water, so it’s unlikely to leak. True, a missing root barrier could lead to leaking, but if the roof is properly planned and maintained, it shouldn’t. This is why it’s important to work with a qualified and experienced green roof landscaper and installer. Neglecting to do so could mean long-term structural damage to your property.

A few other things you will want to keep in mind include:

There are three types of green roofs you can choose from: extensive, intensive, and semi-intensive.
An extensive green roof is considered the most cost-efficient.
Extensive green roofs consist of small grasses, sedums, and herbs that require low maintenance.
Intensive green roofs are larger in scale but offer more room for vegetation, as well as increased biodiversity.

Which is right for your building depends on your space, goals, and budget.

Contact Us for a Consultation

No matter the type, a green roof can have a positive effect on the environment and your property. Whether you’re hoping to improve your property’s looks or carbon footprint, a green roof can help. And there are plenty of other sustainable landscaping options available too.

If you’re ready to learn more, contact American Landscape. We’d love to help you bring your roof to life!

How to Choose the Best Cold Climate Plants for Milwaukee Gardens

November 21, 2018/in News, Landscape Design, Sustainable Landscaping/by American Landscape

Planting a beautiful garden in a place like California is a no-brainer. The weather is nice year-round and you can tend to it 365 days a year. The same can’t be said for Milwaukee.

Milwaukee winters are a challenge. Most days have a high below freezing from late November to early March and as little as nine hours of daylight. So, how do you create a beautiful garden? The answer is cold climate plants.

Not sure what plants are suited for Milwaukee’s climate? No problem. Read on to learn everything you need to know!

Choose Cold Climate Plants Suited to Your Hardiness Zone

The United States Department of Agriculture produces a map of the US that divides the country up into hardiness zones. These are zones that are optimal for specific plants to grow. It is updated every year to reflect any potential changes in climate throughout the country.

Milwaukee is firmly within hardiness zone 5b. When you consider whether you want to place a plant in your garden, be sure to check its hardiness zone. Most have a range of zones in which they can grow.

So, what plants are best for hardiness zone 5b? A lot!

Perennials

There are plenty of perennials that work very well for zone 5b gardens. A perennial is a plant that lives longer than two years. In fact, most live longer. Perennials that work well in 5b include echinacea, poppy, peony, and lavender for ground cover.

Trees and Shrubs

If you’re looking for seasonal color in your garden, try deciduous trees like the Autumn Blaze maple, Pin oak, or Cleveland Select pear tree. Gingko trees are also a great option, but be sure to look for male trees so you don’t have to deal with a stinky garden.

If you prefer evergreen, plant trees like the Colorado Blue spruce, white pine, or hemlock. Look into juniper, boxwood, or yew for shrubbery.

Go Native

Native gardens are a great way to pay homage to the land on which you live. Native gardens consist of plants, trees, and other vegetation that grows wild where you live. These plants are well adapted to your area, and in fact, thrive there.

In Milwaukee, a native garden means that you have a miniature prairie around your home. These low maintenance plants include grasses like prairie dropseed and little bluestem. For flowers, look for purple coneflower, prairie blazingstar, cream false indigo, and smooth aster.

Native garden bonus: Native gardens are an excellent way to attract wildlife like hummingbirds and butterflies. In fact, they are very beneficial to wildlife that is rapidly losing habitat.

Check Out Our Blog for More Info About Landscaping in Milwaukee

Cold climate plants a great solution for anyone who wants a beautiful garden in Milwaukee. Whether you select plants that are suited to Milwaukee’s climate zone or plants that are native to the area, you’ll end up with a beautiful garden you can be proud of year-round.

Need more tips about gardening in Milwaukee? Check out our blog for information about everything from winterizing your garden to attracting wildlife. Happy gardening!