As the snow melts, it’s time to prepare for the busy spring gardening season. Here are some tips to follow before spring is fully upon us.

Mulching
One of the key things to do in the garden during winter is mulching. Mulching helps to protect plants from harsh weather conditions and keeps the soil from freezing. It is important to use organic mulch, such as leaves, straw, or wood chips, to prevent the soil from becoming compacted. Another important task to complete in winter is to prune trees and shrubs. This will help them to grow healthy and strong in the spring. Pruning should be done right after the leaves fall from the trees, as this will make it easier to see which branches need to be cut.

Compost Your Soil
In addition to the tasks mentioned above, other things can be done in winter to help prepare the garden for the spring. One is to add compost to the soil. Compost helps to improve the structure of the soil, while also adding nutrients that help plants to grow. Another is to cover any flower beds with a layer of straw. This will help to keep the soil from freezing and protect the plants from the weather.

Clean Up Your Flower Beds
When the weather starts to warm up in the spring, you should remove straw and other debris from your flower beds. This will allow the soil to warm up and start to grow. Once the soil is warm, it is time to start planting. The best time to plant flowers and vegetables is early in the morning or evening when the temperatures are cooler.

By preparing the garden in winter, gardeners can ensure that they will have a beautiful landscape to enjoy in the spring. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you prepare your garden for the spring.

Winter tree pruning is done during the dormant season. This means some trees will be dormant during winter, while some trees will be dormant in spring. If you’re not sure what winter tree pruning is, here are the winter tree pruning basics.

Winter tree pruning is a winter lawn care task that helps you maintain beautiful trees and shrubs in the winter and the coming spring season.

Why You Should Prune in the Winter
There are many reasons winter tree pruning is good for your trees and shrubs. First, winter pruning cuts away winter damage. This winter lawn care task is important if you want your trees to remain healthy and beautiful during winter.

Tree Pruning Can Reduce Winter Hazards
Before winter, you can remove any broken branches that have not healed themselves from winter damage. By tree pruning, winter lawn care can help reduce winter hazards that could lead to lawn damage.

You Will Stimulate Growth
During winter, you can prune away winter damage that has already occurred. Winter lawn care and tree pruning can prevent diseases and insect problems from occurring when the weather begins to warm up.

Pruning your trees in the winter is a smart landscaping task because you can identify where you should cut, which means you are less likely to damage fruits, flowers, and buds. This also puts less stress on the plants/ Your trees and shrubs will thank you!

Ice dams are ice formations that happen on the edge of your roof. They form when ice forms in an area where it shouldn’t, like at the edge of a roof or gutter system. This ice then blocks water from draining off of your roof and before you know it, you have a big ice dam that has formed on the edge of your roof.

When ice dams form, you might notice that ice starts building up on the edge of your roof, and then ice will start to flow down your gutters. If there is a sharp change in the angle at which the ice meets water coming from an upper-level gutter, it can prevent ice from flowing successfully into a lower gutter. This ice in the upper gutter can then begin to build up and eventually a full ice dam will form.

Once ice dams have formed, they are incredibly dangerous when it comes to the amount of damage that an ice dam can cause when it forms on your roof. They pose a significant risk for roofs with older shingles as ice dam ice can cause the shingles to separate from the roof. Ice dams also pose a significant risk for ice back-up, which is when the ice starts pooling in your gutters and backs up under your eaves.

As you might imagine, ice dams are incredibly dangerous to your house – not just because of how they look but also because ice dams can lead to extensive water damage if ice backs up under your eaves.

If you notice ice forming on the edge of your roof, this is a sign that ice dams are developing and it needs to be addressed immediately. If ice begins building up in your gutters, get them cleared out before ice backup causes water damage to your house.

If your home needs ice dam removal, contact Dean Bjorkstrand today. Additionally, if you have snow plowing and shoveling or roof snow removal needs, Dean Bjorkstrand has a solution to meet your needs.

While winter may not be the most beautiful time of year, there are still some things you can do to make your landscape look even better in the colder months. Begin planning your landscaping in summer and fall, and don’t forget to add accents in the fall. The cold season can be challenging for plants, so they’ll need to be pruned and covered with snow. For winter interest, choose plants that provide texture and color. Luckily, there are many options for hardy and low-maintenance trees that can tolerate cold temperatures.

Decide which type of tree will thrive in your landscape in the winter. Evergreen trees, such as birch, are the best choice for the colder months, and a red osier dogwood is a great choice for a damp area. You can also choose ornamental grasses like plume grass to give your landscape some pizazz in the winter. Besides evergreens, many other plants will complement the cold season, such as pines and ash trees.

If you have a lawn and want to add color to your yard, choose brightly colored containers. Plants in containers will add a splash of color to your landscape, and brick walls make a good backdrop for colorful plants. If you’re thinking of adding flowers to your winter landscaping, consider using brightly colored flowers. Holly flowers have bright berries that look great in containers. And while a wood fence makes a great backdrop for flowers, plants will need protection in the colder months.

One of the surprisingly worst things that can happen to your home is clogged gutters. Why is that? Clogged gutters can lead to disastrous and costly repairs. The cost of repairing damage from clogged gutters vastly outweighs the cost of maintaining them. Here’s why you should consider having your gutters cleaned before winter.

Clear Out Summer Debris

If you haven’t cleaned your gutters since last year, there is likely a buildup of debris. This only gets worse with the falling leaves. Since summer weather can bring a lot of rainwater, the buildup of debris can damage your gutters.

Getty Repairs Done ASAP

Regular maintenance is key to ensuring your gutters are functioning properly. But if you notice any damage, it’s important to have your gutters inspected immediately. You want to make sure your gutters can handle the full force of leaves. Keeping leaves at bay is important for keeping your gutter running.

Winter Is Just Around the Corner

The reason why having your gutters cleaned in the fall is so important is because it’s crucial to have working gutters for the winter seasons. Your gutters can take quite the wearing during the wintertime, so they should be ready to handle the wind and snow. Ice can weigh down additional debris that is remaining in your gutter, which can lead to disastrous damages.

In these fleeting days of beautiful weather, many of us want to enjoy some time on our patios or lawn. However, there is a minor pest that seems to plague the yards and patios of homeowners in September: boxelder bugs.

Boxelder bugs seem to be virtually everywhere. You might be finding them crawling on your patio furniture, your window sills, and even worse–you. While they cause no harm to humans, they are a pest. They often leave stinky odors behind as well. But do they pose any threat to our yard and lawn?

What are Boxelder Bugs?

Boxelders are a type of black and red insect that primarily feed on plants, their favorite being their namesake, the boxelder tree. They are also drawn to ash, maple, and other shade tree saps. Luckily, they do not pose any serious threat to trees.

Why Are They Everywhere?

Boxelder bug invasions can be prevalent in the early days of Fall. This is often due to the cool nights and warm afternoons. However, it can seem like an infestation that happens overnight. They usually congregate on the southern sides of homes, looking for places to hide during the upcoming cooler months. Because they are small insects, they can easily maneuver between the cracks and crevices of homes.

Can You Prevent a Boxelder Bug Infestation?

The best form of combating boxelder bugs is being defensive. Make sure you go around your home’s exterior and cover any crack or hole you find. You can spray a soapy solution along your home and patio exterior as well to deter them away.

You see them crawling all over your patio furniture. You see them congregating at the base of a tree. You find them crawling across the kitchen floor. If you step on them, they leave a telltale odor and purplish stain on the floor. What are these ominous creatures that seem to be everywhere? Well, if they are about 1/2″ long, have a black body, and three red lines crossing their back, then they are Boxelder bugs.

Fortunately, for your lawn, boxelders pose no real threat. They are just merely an annoyance.

While many of us are still trying to beat the summer heat, it will soon be time to consider preparing for fall. Here are some tips you can follow to ensure your lawn and yard are ready for the cooler months.

Lawn Care Tips

You should always try to improve your grass cutting techniques throughout the year. Make sure your mower’s setting is set too high. How you cut and treat your lawn will be important even for the dormant, cold months. You should also consider mulching your grass as well, as it can help keep the grass hydrated longer. As lawn care professionals that create and maintain beautiful, lush lawns, we wanted to give some tips on how to help your lawn and trees beat the summer heat and prepare it for cooler months. Here are some of our best tips from the lawn and tree care professionals themselves.

Shrub and Tree Care Tips

Make sure your trees and shrubs are being adequately watered. The trick is to water them slowly, over time. You should also consider pruning your trees as well. Remove dead branches to avoid them from hurting your trees or shrubs. Cold and wet weather is more common in the fall time, which means the wind can be a risk for your tree with bundled, dead branches.

Your yard’s lawn and trees should be cared for throughout the year. As summer winds down, there are many things you can do to protect your yard for the colder months.

Whether you are experiencing a drought, or there is a municipal ordinance on water usage, chances are your lawn is in desperate need of water. A lush green lawn is a sight to behold, but for many Minnesotan residents, it is only but a dream. Maintaining your lawn requires a lot of water, however, many factors can prevent a homeowner from having a thriving lawn.

No matter where you live, conserving water is something we should all take part in, especially when it comes to our lawns. If you are concerned about your water usage and want your lawn to look as best as it can, follow these three steps on how you can conserve your water usage in the summer.

Give the Lawn Proper Nutrition

Your grass needs a constant supply of nutrients to balance its growth. A well-fed lawn will grow much deeper roots, which means it can absorb water and nutrients much more efficiently. In addition, with the proper nutrients, your grass will likely be more resistant to stress and diseases.

Cut Your Grass Correctly

Not many homeowners know that there is an art to mowing the lawn. Make sure to always change the direction of how you mow, as constant movements in the same directions can cause too much stress for the grass. If you can customize your lawnmower’s settings, aim for a 3-4 inch cut.

Watering Techniques

Mother nature can usually do the job of watering for you, but unfortunately, many times during the Summer we are ravaged by weeks of droughts. If you plan on watering your lawn, make sure to install smart watering devices. These can use plant, soil, and weather data to accurately water your lawn the most efficiently. This can cut down on overwatering, which will conserve water.

Every summer in Minnesota can have unpredictable weather. It could be rainy all week, but then suddenly, the rain hasn’t come in almost a month. Many states are subjected to periods of dry weather, especially in the summertime. During a drought, your yard will surely show that it is suffering, so many homeowners are wondering, what can they do to help their landscape survive during this tough time?

While it may seem hopeless, there are some steps you can take to save your lawn during a drought. Here are some tips.

Monitor the Weather
While the lawn grass is experiencing stress from the harsh drought, it is still growing. You will notice areas that are browning and thinning. The excess heat and lack of water are what prevent the grass from storing carbohydrates. Watering regularly can help keep the grass a bit healthy, and once the rain comes, it will bounce right back.

Over Fertilizing is a No-no
Spreading fertilizer on your grass during a drought may cause more harm than good. Over-fertilizing could end up burning the grass. The focus is to have your grass absorb water during the drought, not trying to fertilize it.

Forget Watering Cool-Season Grass
This sounds counterintuitive, but for cool-season grass, it is natural for them to go dry during the dry and warm seasons. Watering will be virtually useless. Breaking their dormant cycle can drain the reserves, which means the plant may not bounce back once their season comes.

Water Frequently
Unless your city has a water ordinance in effect, you should make sure that you are watering it enough to keep it alive. Warm-season grass has peak growth in the hot weather, so making sure it is hydrated is essential.