"@MuddLakeCo so nice to see Bob Kratch @NARI tonight!"
If you are interested in attracting hummingbirds to your garden, you can do it by planting this native wildflower. Looking rather delicate, this wildflower can withstand the heat of July….or will stand proud and tall (2-3′ tall) in a foot of water. But this plant prefers consistently moist, average garden soils. They will look their [...]
Many places in the Twin Cities have already established the odd/even policy for irrigation with one exception – new turf. It is just common sense to conserve water. The demand is high for water during hot, dry periods and you can do your part to help the city water systems maintain safe operating levels [...]
Keeping our lakes and streams fresh and clean and our drinking water supply healthy is a concern we all have. One great solution to the problem is a Permeable Paver System. The paver system filters and cools the water before it hits our lakes and streams. It also gives water a chance to percolate back [...]
Wondering how a permeable paver system works? Here is some helpful information from the ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute). “Permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP) is comprised of a layer of concrete pavers separated by joints filled with small stones. Water enters joints between solid concrete pavers and flows through an “open-graded” base, i.e. crushed stone [...]
Illustration Courtesy Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service, CLICK TO ENLARGE. Minnesota’s most notable attraction is its ever famous waterways, including streams, rivers, and lakes. We are truly lucky when it comes to the natural richness and beauty of our region. However, with each passing year, we grow closer to losing our north woods heritage. Water [...]
Water quality protection. Proper landscaping reduces nitrate leaching from the soil into the water supply and reduces surface water runoff, keeping phosphorus and other pollutants out of our waterways and preventing septic system overload. Reduced soil erosion. A dense cover of plants and mulch holds soil in place, keeping sediment out of lakes, streams, storm [...]
1. Plant and preserve trees. In addition to adding thousands of dollars to property values, mature trees will reduce heating and cooling costs, prevent erosion, help your yard retain rainwater, and provide habitat for birds and wildlife. Trees reduce CO2 by storing the carbon as cellulose and releasing the oxygen back into the atmosphere. So, [...]
Southview designer, Bob Renaud, was honored this spring by the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association with a design award in the “Sustainable Environment” category.