The Right Design
One of the many great joys all Minnesota residence share is living through the seasonal changes. Although the summer months are limited, more and more households are trying to find ways to spend that time outdoors. In recent years trends have shown that households are investing more time and money to create outdoor living spaces.

When creating an outdoor living space, the first and most important step begins with a designer. A good designer will consider a number of different aspects when generating ideas. Architecture, safety, aesthetics, function, and usability are just a few. The key to a successful design is to focus on elements that you enjoy and incorporate them within the living space.

The Budget
A budget is another essential step when creating an outdoor living space. A design could be a simple fire pit or an elaborate outdoor movie theater. When you determine a budget that best suits you, keep in mind that landscaping is one of the best investments you can make for your home. “A nicely landscaped property can increase the value of your home by 15% allowing owners to recoup 100-200% of their investment at selling time. This compares with the investment recovery rates for kitchen remodeling (75-125%) bathroom remodeling (20-120%) and swimming pool additions (20-50%).” Money Magazine, February 2000.

So, you are ready to begin design and construction of your new and improved backyard, driveway, or patio?
Before you start it is important to assess whether or not you will need to obtain a permit for any aspect of the job. As you examine your wish list be aware that you may need multiple permits for the project. As you build or make improvements on your property the city you live in requires you to comply with ecological, structural and behavioral standards set down in the Comprehensive and Land Use Plans. These plans will vary depending on the city.

Requirements for permits may include such things as retaining walls, impervious surfaces, property line setbacks, tree removal, fences, structures and right of ways, to name a few. As you consider your timeline, note that obtaining a permit or multiple permits can be a lengthy process, and that the permits may have limitations on the number of days you will be allowed to work.

Also take into consideration your budget, as permits can range in price from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Do not be discouraged. You can still have the garden of your dreams. However, patience and careful planning will make obtaining a permit and implementing the design a great deal easier.

You may access additional information regarding the Comprehensive and Land Use regulations from you local city office or website.

Are Pavers Really Worth the Expense?
It’s no secret that installing pavers can be expensive. The one question that is asked again and again is, are pavers worth the expense? When it comes to designing and installing Hardscapes (The part of a building’s grounds consisting of structures, such as driveways, patios, retaining walls, and walkways, made with hard materials) homeowners are limited to three main choices.

The first and least expensive choice is asphalt. Asphalt is one of the most commonly used materials for hardscapes. It’s also one of the most frequently replaced materials. Asphalt carries the burden and expense of yearly maintenance, has a short life span (5-7 years), and typically is not used for walkways, patios, or steps leaving the front of your home aesthetically unpleasing. When asphalt sinks and cracks it becomes a costly repair.

The second least costly material is concrete. Concrete is offered in a number of different styles and colors. Although concrete offers more durability, a longer life span (10-20 years) and less maintenance than asphalt, it too has its tribulations. It’s a fact of life that each year in Minnesota we experience a freeze-thaw cycle during which time concrete WILL crack. One of the other great joys we all share in Minnesota during those seasonal changes characteristically includes snow removal. Typically when colored or stamped concrete is installed, the color (or dye) is applied to the top of the surface leaving it vulnerable to nasty scuffs, chips, or marks. When concrete cracks, it to becomes a costly repair.

The third and last choice is paving stones. Not only do pavers present the custom handcrafted look of elegance and beauty, the material is extremely durable and functional. Pavers offer the longest life span (40 + years) of any of the materials. The craftsmanship used when installing pavers was introduced over 2,000 years ago during the Roman era. Some of the roads constructed during that time are still being used today. With today’s technology and the advancements in the installation process pavers have become a superior Hardscape material. There is a myth that snow removal on pavers can be damaging. If installed properly a paver surface can withstand a shovel, snow blower, bobcat, or plow truck with ease.

During the manufacturing process, the color (or dye) is applied through the entire brick. This will eradicate any marks or scuffs from permanently appearing on the pavers surface. A second myth which is untrue suggests that installing pavers will invite unwanted ants or weeds. A product called Polymeric sand can be used in between the paver joints. This product contains an element which allows the sand to harden after a series of installation techniques. The greatest benefit Polymeric sand offers is its ability to reset itself during the seasonal changes which eliminates any cracking or shifting. The sizes, colors, textures, and patterns are almost limitless when it comes to designing a paver surface. Manufactures do an excellent job when it comes to offering a wide variety of styles to complement your home. If you want to add a touch of lasting elegance, beauty, and durability paving stones are certainly the path best traveled.

Why are they becoming so popular?
Outdoor kitchens have become one of the most requested design features in recent years. It raises the question, Why?

Many families value spending the short summer season outdoors. While some opt to make the investment in a swimming pool, others are finding more enjoyment in barbequing. It seems that both are close when comparing costs, however outdoor kitchens provide a better return on investment during the selling of a home. Potential buyers see added value to outdoor kitchens because essentially it is an extended living space of your home. A large array of features and options can be utilized when designing an outdoor kitchen. Built in grills, refrigerators, stainless steel cabinets, flat screen televisions, and ceiling fans are just a few. Outdoor kitchens offer the perfect setting to entertain family or friends and provide a great return on investment to homeowners. No wonder they have become so popular!

Spring and summer is the peak of the growing season for plants, when they flush with color and new foliage. Perennials add splashes of color during this exciting time. Come fall we see brilliant changes of color, but in the winter most go dormant and stop their rapid rates of growth. The perennials that once bloomed with vigor appear to be dead. We find that some people mistake the natural life cycle of their perennial plants for death. This misconception is the reason for this article, and for the review of a few common plant lifecycle definitions.

Evergreen - bearing foliage throughout the year. While they are green, they go dormant in the winter. There are two main types of evergreens. Needled varieties and broadleaf evergreens.

Deciduous - shedding foliage at the end of the growing season. Deciduous plants are identifiable by their bare branching structure in the winter. They are not dead, just dormant like evergreens, and will leaf out again in the spring. Some deciduous plants can be quite interesting in the winter due to textured or colored trunks and branches. Deciduous trees/shrubs known for winter interest include: Red Twig Dogwood.

Annual - anything, especially a plant, that lasts but one year or season. Annuals are known for their showy colors and last through the spring and summer.

Perennial - a plant which lives or continues more than two years, whether it retains its leaves in winter or not. All evergreen and deciduous plants fall into the perennial category as they continue more than two years. However, we typically categorize perennials as those plants known for showy, seasonal color, which die back in the winter and come again in the spring.

Though we are lucky to have a winter full of evergreens, it is the perennial bursts of color we miss most during the winter. Be assured that while their tops may die back for a season, they will come back again. The spring will bring with it not only warmer and hopefully no snow, but also new growth and color for the summer months.