Get the Party Started with our new Kitchen Packages

Start entertaining outside with beautiful outdoor kitchens or bars. Outdoor kitchens and bars are consistently rated as the most sought after improvements to residential landscapes. With new features such as warming drawers, outdoor refrigerators, and outdoor TVs, your outdoor kitchen can include all of the conveniences of your indoor kitchen. With our Outdoor Kitchen and Bar Packages, you can choose from functional and affordable options. Each component is precut including the granite countertop. It’s easy to expand in the future. Install the Supper Club today and add a Deli Island later! Grill surrounds, bars and BBQ stations can often be built on existing surfaces, or create an entirely new space with our package options such as:

• The Deli Island
• The SupperClub
• The MicroBrew
• The Happy Hour
• The Smoke House
• The Pizza House
• The Prep House

Learn more at greenscapesmadison.com

Save with our New Outdoor Living Packages!

Are you dreaming of a space for a quiet night by the fire? Maybe it’s an outdoor living area for large family gatherings or a kitchen and bar for entertaining by the pool? Based on customer feedback, we are happy to introduce our new outdoor living packages. We have designed a package for every budget and landscape with six patio offerings, kitchens, bars, fire pit, fireplace, and pergola upgrade options.

As a leading landscape design and build contractor Greenscapes offers the experience and knowledge required to tackle even the most complex hardscapes. By using the latest 3D design software and construction techniques we create outdoor living environments that are built to last. All of our hardscapes are built on an open graded base. This allows water to freely flow through our landscape with no frost heave or settling. Our experienced outdoor living team can help you choose the right color, material, and design to create a patio space that best suits your lifestyle. Define your space by adding features like seat walls and pillars. Set your patio project apart with custom quilting or banding by adding additional colors or varying materials.

Our Patio Packages start under $5,000 and can be expanded and customized with options such as fire pits and fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, bars, pergolas, LED lighting, sounds systems, plant packages, water features and more. The opportunities to create your own outdoor oasis are endless!

Fall Maintenance for Patios, Walkways and Driveways

As those fall colors in the trees begin to flutter to the ground, try to remember to regularly blow or sweep the surfaces of your driveway, patio and walkways.  While autumn leaves can be quite beautiful, cool nights and warm days will cause condensation which, when mixed with leaves, can stain your concrete pavers.  In addition to leaves, certain trees, like the glorious maple, have whets called samaras (aka ‘helicopters’) which can be very abundant, particularly after higher stressed seasons.  In order to promote seed growth, Mother Nature designs samaras to dissolve with only small amounts of moisture; the downside is that they can stain even more easily than a leaf.

Besides sweeping the surfaces of this debris, sealing paver surfaces can also help stains from penetrating too deep into the surface of the stone, making them easier to clean.  If you have not already sealed your paver project and live in an area with an abundance of leaves, you may choose to consider sealing.

As patio season winds down you should also consider removing any furniture, planter urns or barbeques from your patio.  While some of these items may be marked as rustproof or ‘exterior grade’, it only takes one screw, bolt or nut that wasn’t rust proofed to cause an unsightly stain when subjected to the rigours of winter weather.  If you do find a rust stain on your pavers, it will be a little harder to clean off but not impossible if you use a rust remover specially designed for pavers.

A well installed paver driveway, walkway or patio is designed to stand the test of time.  With just a little proactive maintenance these paver surfaces will continue to look great for many years to come.

Outdoor Kitchens - No Reservation Required

The history of grilling dates back some 500,000 years. It wasn't until the 1950s though, when George Stephen took controlling share of Weber Bros Metal Spinning Company, that backyard grilling was born. Stephen cut a harbor buoy in half, added a grate and cut in holes to control temperature. At the same time, World War II concluded and as Americans migrated to the suburbs backyard cooking would never be the same.

We have come a long way from a charcoal grill being our only option in the backyard. Eventually, larger grills with more prep space and a side burner became available. Soon after outdoor refrigerators and tiki bars were all the rage. As we progressed into a more full-service outdoor kitchen and bar options, they were typically built with a footing and masonry. Masonry outdoor kitchens were cost prohibitive and found only in the most expensive of homes. This was still the era of vacation homes and time shares after all.

Staycation wasn't a word found in our vernacular at the time. Since then both spouses began to work at full-time careers, the time share or family cabin became too time-consuming or expensive to hold on to. While we certainly still enjoy a trip to somewhere tropical during our time off, more and more Americans are investing a would-be vacation fund right into their own backyard. Here, the expense is a real estate investment and memories are made right at home.

Today's outdoor kitchens offer enough options to overwhelm any consumer. The best designs are as functional as an indoor kitchen eliminating the historical back and forth from one to the other. With modular systems like necessories outdoor living kits, the design can be as simple as a grill and table, or as elaborate as a full kitchen with an oven, prep station, refrigerator, sinks, warming drawers, fireplace, outdoor TV and more.

Depending on the complexity of your vision the completion of your outdoor kitchen can be a daunting task. Here are some tips to guide you through the process:

• Function
• Traffic flow
• Do you prefer one large open space or dividing the yard into sections such as the kitchen, living room, bar, and fire pit area?
• How will you entertain? 
• How many people overall would you host? How many children or elderly guests would typically attend? This may change your flooring choices.
• Scale
• If you have a small backyard, don't overdo it. Sometimes the best option is an all-inclusive grill island where the grill, prep and bar are all in the same place.
• Mechanics
• The mechanics of where water will flow and where electric and gas run will play a role in the functional design. You don't want to spend a lot of time designing something that becomes physically impossible, not permittable, or cost prohibitive.
• What distance from the house should the kitchen be? You don't want to be too far away, but you also don't want the grill filling the house with smoke either.
• Sinks
• Will you hook up to water from inside the house or just a seasonal connection?   
• The Working Triangle
• Just like an indoor kitchen, consider the relationship between prep, grill and storage spaces. 
• Budget
• Will you complete the entire project at once? Today's modular options mean you can complete the project in stages if needed. You'll want to have a solid plan in place for the finished product and ensure you don't end up spending more just to stage the process out.
• Once of the greatest expenses will be the appliances.
• While it pays to buy quality outdoor appliances, do you really need the largest available? If you don't plan on large gatherings, get smaller appliances. This will save you money on reduced counter space as well.
• Ambiance
• Unlike indoors, you are typically entertaining while working in the kitchen outside. Be sure to include areas where guests have access to you while you cook. Don't forget about setting the mood by incorporating optional features like:
• decorations
• outdoor televisions
• lighting  
• water features
• Weather
• So you are all set to have the party of a lifetime and its raining and cold outside! Be prepared by planning for the worst.
• incorporate a pergola or arbor
• patio heaters
• outdoor Fans or misters
• insect screens

Find out more

Unilock Authorized Contractor

Extraordinary Projects Start With An Extraordinary Contractor

When planning a landscaping project, there are dozens of important decisions - among them: choosing the right colors and style. The most important decision of all is choosing the right contractor for the job. The truth is, even the best designs and materials can be ruined by poor installation and workmanship.

Quality Workmanship - Guaranteed
Unilock Authorized Contractors are part of an elite group whose work and business practices have met demanding standards. Unilock conducts on-site inspections of the contractor's work and conducts client satisfaction reference checks before a contractor is considered for the program. Once Unilock Authorized Contractor status is granted, these inspections continue annually, and the contractor must re-affirm that they will continue to:

• Construct all projects in accordance with the Unilock Installation Standards
• Follow the Unilock Authorized Contractor Code of Ethics
• Participate in continuing education courses
• Offer a minimum two-year workmanship guarantee

Expect More
Unilock Authorized Contractors are true professionals who are experienced in proper site preparation, grading, base materials and compaction so you can rest assured that your project will look great and structurally perform for years to come. But that's not all - with a Unilock Authorized Contractor you can expect:

• Knowledgeable design advice
• A comprehensive estimate
• Quality base materials and installation practices
• A great looking project that stands the test of time

Peace of Mind
Unilock believes so strongly in the Authorized Contractor Program, that should an AUC be unable to fulfill their warranty obligations, Unilock will step in and repair any major structural failures of projects due to workmanship where Unilock product was installed residentially, for a period of two years from the date of installation.

Continue Reading

Curb Appeal

Scale
All curb appeal design relies on the size and shape of the house. This is the canvas on which you apply your function. If the house is very tall and a great distance from the road, it doesn't matter how much you like annuals as you will never see them from the street. That doesn't mean you can't incorporate an annual bed, but you may have to consider some islands or raised beds to break up both the horizontal distance and the vertical space. Use massings and repetitive groupings as individual specimens will not be viewed by passers-by. Consider where larger shade trees and foundation anchor selections will be placed first. The larger trees and shrubs should properly frame and/or accent the lines of the house. Hardscapes can further break up vertical lines and shift focus. use raised beds, pillars, large pots or decorative fountains to set up your functional spaces.

Function
In many Madison area neighborhoods, the front yard functions more like a typical back yard. While it may be due to the small size of the backyard, it's commonly a desire to attain a shorter social distance to nearby neighbors passing by. In today's landscape designs expanding front walkways into full-fledged patios is more and more common. Your first consideration should always be how the space will be used. Is this just an entrance or do you want space for a small bistro table to have your morning coffee at? In the end, all curb appeal design is about leading you to the front door but this doesn't necessarily mean the shortest and most direct route.

A Room with a View
Consider all of the viewing points, not just the view from the curb. If you plan on a small patio area you may want some screening. What rooms have windows facing the front of the house, do any of them need screening? Perhaps you want to include an offset island planting on which you can plant an annual massing visible from inside the house. While your goal is curb appeal, don't forget your view is most often from the inside.

Don't Over Do It
Design and install only what you know you can take care of. You don't want to create a monster you can't keep in control and you don't want to turn off potential buyers when it comes time to sell. Buyers want to see beautiful entrances yes, but you don't want them to interpret it as a maintenance nightmare either. Most importantly, don't forget about the house! Complete all facelift work on the house first and then finish the landscape. I can't tell you how many costly repairs and replacements we have made after home improvement contractors damaged the landscape trying to complete their work. Maybe it is a fresh coat of paint, new siding or some planter boxes, shutters, gutters or replacing some windows. No matter what it is, it will require free access to the front of the home. Always complete this work first

Celebrate Earth Day with Permeable Pavers

The first Earth Day took more than forty years ago in the United States with more than 20 million Americans participating in coast-to-coast rallies to raise awareness for a healthy, sustainable environment.  Now, April 22^nd is celebrated as Earth Day in more than 184 countries around the world.

Here in North America, Earth Day coincides with the time of year when homeowners return to their gardens.  For those homeowners who are considering changes to their outdoor living spaces, many are looking for ways to ensure that these changes are as environmentally friendly as possible.  One approach, worthy of consideration, is permeable pavers for patios, driveways and walkways.

Did you know … that many urban areas face problems of excessive storm water volume and poor water quality due to runoff?  When we replace natural vegetation with impervious pavements, we reduce Mother Nature’s ability to naturally infiltrate rainwater, which can contribute to flooding and pollution of natural water systems.  While traditional methods of dealing with this problem include redirecting excess runoff to detention ponds, a permeable paver system offers a more efficient solution by treating rainwater at the source and reducing storm water runoff.

Permeable paver products such as Eco-Priora™ and Eco-Optiloc™ from Unilock (pictured above) are designed with space in between the paver units that allow rapid penetration of rainwater into the sub-base and subsoil.  This space is filled with clear, fine stone chips which allow rainwater to flow through the pavement surface and ultimately back into the natural water table rather than off the pavement and into municipal storm water management systems.

Design options for permeable pavers have never been better.  While permeable pavers were initially designed with utility in mind for large scale commercial projects, this has changed.  Permeable pavers are now available with premium finishes, like Unilock’s Town Hall pavers which are cast from original brick street pavers for an attractive, time-worn appearance.

 Many homeowners choose permeable paving because they want to make a positive impact on their own environment, but others are considering it because they live in a city where new legislation limits use of impervious surfaces on residential properties.  Even if a homeowner’s city hasn’t yet set these limits, in order to maintain maximum flexibility for future projects, it makes sense to consider permeable for projects today.

For more detailed information on permeable paving, follow this link: Permeable Paving

Spring Maintenance for Paver Driveways, Patios and Walkways

It’s spring cleaning season and yes, even your outdoor living spaces deserve some TLC!  Here are some preventative maintenance steps you can take at this time of year to ensure your project continues to look great through this patio season, and beyond.

Inspect the perimeter of the project: Look for areas where the joints between the stones are getting larger (commonly referred to as “creep”). “Creep” can be caused by stresses of the winter months or heavy use that has caused the stones to push out. Be sure to lift any areas along the edge that need repair.  Usually, this is just a matter of a few stones along the perimeter.  Be sure to clean the sides of the pavers before reinstalling. If you do not remove the sand from the sides of the stones it will be very difficult to get them back into place properly.  If the joints were filled with polymeric sand you may find that it is stuck to the side of the paver.  If this is the case, wet the stone to help soften up the sand and then use a putty knife to scrape the material off the sides of the paver. If there is no edge restraint installed, you should consider installing some.  There are a number of great “invisible edge” restraints available that are easy to install and are just spiked down into the base materials.   It is very important that the edge restraint is sitting directly on the compacted granular base, not the soft soils surrounding the project, as the spikes will not hold in the softer materials.  If you do not have a good base to spike the restraint to, you should do a little excavation and install a good stable base.

 Inspect the surface for any dips:   Dips in the pavement surface are usually caused by base or sub base settlement; new homes that have had a lot of property grading prior to the building of the home are more prone to this. Settlement should always be addressed, as it can cause water to pool on the surface which can create a hazard (winter ice!) in the short term and will lead to deeper dips in the long term. Identify the area that has been affected and mark with chalk. The most difficult part of this job is getting the first stone out!  If possible, try to start at an edge and work your way to the problem area. If this approach is not practical then you can try a couple of screwdrivers down either side of a stone to pry it up. Blasting the sand out with a hose first makes this much easier. Always start with the smallest stone in the pattern, as it will be the easiest one to get out. Once you get the first stone out, you can get under the other stones and the job becomes much easier.  When you have removed all the stones, re-level the area with the appropriate amount of sand and reinstall the stones, taking care to clean side of all the stones. You can tamp the stones with a block of wood placed on the surface and hitting with a hammer.  Never strike the surface of the stone directly as this can damage the paver surface.

       Inspect the surface for stains: You will be surprised what a good cleaning will do after a long winter to bring life back to your paving stones! If there are no serious stains to address, then a good pressure wash will do the job. If a pressure washer is not available, use a bit of dish detergent in some water and clean the area with a stiff bristle broom. For stains, or a paver surface requiring more serious cleaning, consider using a specialized concrete cleaner.  The most import tip to remember with any concrete cleaner is to read the instructions. There are right and wrong ways to use these products. The wrong way will diminish the effectiveness of the cleaner and may even lead to discoloration of the paver. Test the cleaner in a small unobtrusive area to make sure you are happy with the results before applying to the entire surface.

4.       Inspect the Joints:  If there are small weeds in the joints remove them.  Weeds are caused when seeds blow into joints and then germinate; they do not grow from beneath the pavers. This is one of the reasons why it’s so important to ensure that the material in the joints is in good shape. If your project has regular, un-stabilized sand in the joints, you may need to top it up so the joints remain full. If your project utilizes a stabilized sand (Polymeric or Unilock Easy Pro for example), or if you have used a joint stabilizing sealer on top of regular sand, this is less likely to be needed.  However, if this type of jointing material is in need of repair the best approach is to remove all of the old material and start fresh with new material.

5.       Consider Sealing: Sealing a paver surface is not necessary, but some homeowners like the way a sealer can enhance the color of their pavers and provide some stain protection.  If you chose to seal your paver project, you will need to re-seal every 3-5 years. High traffic areas like driveways will need to be re-sealed most often, but you should never apply sealer more frequently than 2 years. When selecting sealers, you can choose between a high gloss sealer, which will enhance the color of your paving stones or a matte finish that will simply help protect the pavers. Also, if you are re-sealing it is very important to use the same sealant as originally applied, there are a number of different sealants out there all having their own formulas. One of the critical components of re-sealing is that the new coat should dissolve the first coat and bond together to create a consistent surface protection. If you apply different sealers, you may not get this bonding action or you may have a chemical reaction that will turn the sealant milky. If you do not know what sealant has been applied previously then do a small test of an obscure area of pavers and see how the new sealer reacts.

Following this little bit of preventative maintenance every year will protect your investment and keep it looking great for years!

Greenscapes Again Earns Super Service Award in Multiple Categories by Angie's List

Greenscapes Earns Esteemed 2015 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects Greenscapes consistently high level of customer service

Greenscapes has earned the service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of service provided to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2015.

"We are very excited to inform our staff that thier hard work and customer service has earned the Angie's List Super Service Award in multiple catergories for the second year in a row."

“Only about 5 percent of the landscape companies in the greater Madison area have performed so consistently well enough to earn our Super Service Award,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “It’s a really high standard.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2015 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade; the company must be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

###

Angie's List helps facilitate happy transactions between more than three million consumers nationwide and its collection of highly rated service providers in more than 720 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to health care. Built on a foundation of more than 10 million verified reviews of local service, Angie's List connects consumers directly to its online marketplace of services from member-reviewed providers, and offers unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.

Greenscapes of Madison Awarded Best Of Houzz 2016

Greenscapes of Madison

Awarded Best Of Houzz 2016

Over 35 Million Monthly Unique Users Nominated Best Home Building,

Remodeling and Design Professionals in North America and Around the World

Madison, Wi, January 10th, 2016 – Greenscapes of Madison has won “Best Of Customer Service” on Houzz®, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. The premier landscape design, construction, and maintenance contractor was chosen by the more than 35 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.

The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 35 million monthly users on Houzz. Customer Service honors are based on several factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2015. Architecture and interior design photographers whose images were most popular are recognized with the Photography award. A “Best Of Houzz 2016” badge will appear on winners’ profiles, as a sign of  their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz.

“Anyone building, remodeling or decorating looks to Houzz for the most talented and service-oriented professionals” said Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing for Houzz. “We’re so pleased to recognize Greenscapes voted one of our “Best of Houzz” professionals by our enormous community of homeowners and design enthusiasts actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”

Follow Greenscapes on Houzz

About Greenscapes

Our team of professionals offer superior customer service setting a high standard for innovative design and quality construction. Greenscapes provides award-winning landscape maintenance for commercial, condominium, and residential properties. Our snow removal services for Commercial properties in the Madison area offer reliable care with an unmatched attention to detail.

About Houzz

Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device. From decorating a small room to building a custom home and everything in between, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community empowered by technology, Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice, buy products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas 

Why We Love September (And You Should, Too!)

September is derived from the latin Septem as it was once the 7th month of the old Roman calendar. We all know 7 is a lucky number. There's 7 wonders of the world, we describe ourselves as being in seventh heaven. Even though it became the 9th month of the year (thanks Caesar?), if you ask me, September is the best month of the year. We kick it off with a three day weekend that signals us to get outside and enjoy the final weeks of summer. It has the best weather of any month and that's true pretty much no matter where you go in the US. Football has reclaimed its rightful place at the helm, and kids are off to school again.

Summer goes by in the blink of an eye and September seems to be a month where we can slow down a little, take a deep breathe, and enjoy. Take stock of what you have accomplished since the snow melted and make a plan to complete what simply fell off the plate. All too often, we don't appreciate being healthy until we get sick. It won't be long before you are relegated to staring into the backyard from your kitchen window dreaming of the perfect weather and green grass. Well guess what? The grass is green and the temperature is perfect. Take a long nap by the pondless waterfall, invite some friends over for a barbecue, or gather the kids by the fire pit for some s'mores this weekend. Make some memories you can call upon this February from that kitchen window.

Outdoor Living Trends

Have you taken notice of the tiny house movement? Consumers have spoken and bigger is not necessarily better. This is especially true when it comes to our outdoor living environment. Current trends don't point to scale, they point to detail, craftsmanship, comfort, sustainability, and convenience. Even in expansive outdoor landscapes, large spaces are now broken into several intimate areas used for different entertainment and activities. We are getting back to spaces where we can relax and reconnect. The word Staycation is now included by Merriam-Webster as "a vacation spent at home or nearby." The concept has now evolved to the point where we are constructing spaces for a daily retreat, not just a vacation at home.

Water

I have been involved in landscape design and construction for over 25 years now. Through my work experience and education the most exciting and fascinating thing to me in all that time is water. Landscaping is a blend of art and science. To me, water is the perfect representation of this. Scientifically, it is the only natural substance to exist in all three physical states at temperatures that naturally occur on earth. It is the most important resource in the world, sustaining all life. Whether it is a natural lake, small reflecting pool, a decorative fountain, or a pond or pondless waterfall, we are captivated by it. We find solace and healing in the sound of flowing water and by the shimmering surface of our favorite lake shore. Perhaps this is a deep primitive connection as we know we can not survive without it. Or maybe it is simply beautiful. Either way, the incorporation if water into our living environments is becoming more of a necessity than a convenience.


Fire
Outdoor fire pits and seat walls became a staple of all well rounded outdoor living environments in the last few years. They provide the perfect evening gathering place for the family. Modular block and fire rated adhesives have now lead us right to the outdoor fireplace. After many years of push back I finally accepted a gas fireplace inside our house. While they are available, you won't find me giving up the smell of a campfire on my outdoor patio for an outdoor gas fireplace. That isn't to say a gas fire bowl is out of the question!

Lighting
There are a lot of things in my field that excite me, but as I get older there seems to be fewer and fewer innovations that astound me. The Luxor system by FX- Luminaire did just that during the 2014 season. Elegance is the word the comes to mind first. The basics of lighting design remain the same, the difference now is that you can even program and automate alternating lighting design principles as the evening progresses. Light your patio table with an overhead light during dinner at 100%. At 7:00 as the party moves to the fireplace the seat walls and pillar lights increase to 80% and the table light slowly dims. As the party continues all backyards lights dim to 10% and the backdrop splash lighting increases to 60%. When the night is over all lights go dark except the pathway lights to the front gate. Better yet, lets say you came home early and the kids decided to have some uninvited friends over while you were gone. Pull out your smart phone, click your programmed "Party is Over" button and every light beams up to 100%!

Learn More

These are not your Mom's Pavers

I laid my first patio over 30 years ago. My father paid me 1 cent per brick laid and I hauled them 10 at a time in my radio flyer wagon. I thought building a patio was the coolest thing a 10-year-old could do and I spent the entire summer doing it. By August, I'm pretty certain I didn't think it was that cool anymore. Naturally, the bricks were 4" x 8" Holland Pavers as this was the only option for nearly the next 15 years. There is an astounding variety of colors, we could purchase red, brown, or black. The next summer I was provided with gloves and a spray bottle and tasked with ant patrol and weed removal. Thinking back, I have no idea what was in the bottle, but it certainly didn't work. By the end of the summer, most of it looked more like a garden and the ants had turned it into a large encampment. When I was 13 Dad threw in the towel and once again paid me 1 cent per brick to dust of the radio flyer, take the patio apart, and stack them in the back woods. Between this and mowing our 3 acre lawn with a push mower, I was told I would be "building character instead of a patio". At the time, I wasn't sure what he meant by that. I certainly didn't refer to the giant brick stacks in the woods as a character? I came home after baseball one day and a new poured concrete patio had arrived. Dad was pretty happy the following summer and so was I. There were no weeds to pull and no ants to be found. That didn't last long as we had 3 sections repoured and several of the steps mud jacked through my high school years. As the saying goes, "There are only two kinds of poured concrete; brand new and all cracked up."

Thankfully, I didn't have to call my sons to arms with the same patio battle. With the introduction of polymeric sand, ants and weeds growing through the patio is ancient history. New glues allow us to provide bonding even stronger than mortar and paver colors, shapes, and patterns have evolved to allow us incredible design options. Professional grade pavers today can have a compressive strength up to 4 times that of conventional poured concrete. Mudjacking is not in my boys future either as repairing a paver patio is as simple as pulling up a few pavers, adjusting the base, and simply relaying them. Borders, accents and inlays allow us to include intricate details that move not only the eyes but assist in defining space and controlling traffic flow. In future posts, I'll discuss each of these topics and we haven't even mentioned permeable pavers, seat walls, fire pits, or outdoor kitchens yet!

Read on

Why the Next 10 Years of Landscape Design Will Smash the last 10

"Landscape Architecture" was first loosely tied to the relationship between built and natural forms in the early 1800's. George Oskar redefined the concept in the mid 1800's through his design of Central Park in New York. Not only did it then become a professional title, but it now referred specifically to the composition of landform, paving, and construction. While we tie the title and more "scholarly" applications to this more recent history, Roman Gardens have been around since 60BC. Originally born of necessity, these gardens were a function of life providing water, food and shade. The aesthetic aspect of gardening advanced rapidly in Japanese and Chinese Cultures with substantially different takes on design process. Chinese Gardens continue to be designed as natural, reflective and interactive environments. While Japanese Gardens are often designed for a specific outside viewing points, Chinese Gardens are meant to be viewed from within with centralized structures. The Renaissance brought the use of proportion and line to the private garden. Not surprisingly, this formal use of spacing was furthered by the founder of analytic geometry, Renee Descartes. The rich history of landscape architecture has provided design theories which we still use today. What has changed is the methodology and materials used in today's landscapes.

Landscapes of the past focused heavily on growth while the future will focus on sustainability. The future of landscape design will also continue to focus on our ability to blend. We blend art and science, morphology, size, the built and the natural worlds. The use of new products and technologies are not only changing how we design and how we construct, but how we live. The last 10 years have brought the indoors out with the evolution of outdoor living. While this has been profoundly focused on entertainment and comfort, it has included more shade structures, shade trees, permeable paved surfaces, and has effectively created spaces where we spend more time outside in the fresh air rather than in indoor, air conditioned environments.

The next ten years are filled with aesthetic awe and functional regeneration. The line between structure and environment will continue to be obscured. Slowly, you are already seeing the evolution take place all around you. Whether you installed LED lights in your landscape this year, visited one of the many green roofs in Madison, or took notice of the changes in parking lot design of newly constructed stores in our area. Plant selection, island layouts, and rainwater capture are drastically different from parking lots constructed even 5 years ago!

Schedule a Consultation Today

Shaping Up for Spring

As we finally begin our transition from winter to spring it seems the days of fresh mulch and budding plants are still all too far off. As the snow melts our landscapes are initially a fairly sorry site. We start winter off  welcoming blankets of clean white snow and we bid it farewell with black and gray snow sprinkled with garbage and unsightly turf.

If you spent some time planting last fall you might be enjoying some snowdrops or other early bulbs as the snow melts away. Hopefully you completed a thorough fall clean up which will make spring seem a little less daunting. While we might have to wait until late March to actually get into our landscape beds, you can rest assured the mess that lays before you will patiently wait for you! While you wait to tackle the beds and turf, now is the time for planning and equipment maintenance.

It's best to turn to the largest pieces of equipment first as they may require more substantial repairs. Typically, this means the lawn mower. Some items to address:

• Clean or replace
• Spark plugs, air filters, belts, oil
• Sharpen or replace the mower blades
• Check the tires & tighten any loose bolts

March is the best time for planning and designing new additions to the landscape as well. You are anxious for warm days and cool nights in the yard and you are spending a lot of time looking out the window anyway right? It might be time for some new or updated hardscaping such as a patio, fire pit, or outdoor kitchen. Or perhaps a new vegetable garden or additional planting beds are in order. While you consider your options and budget it is a good idea to contact a professional early at this time as professional contractors will book their season quickly. At Greenscapes, our construction division is typically already booked out 2 months by March 1st. If you are considering landscape additions this year contact us soon!

Sign Up for Spring Clean Up Services

Mastering the Art of Permeable Pavers

As development increases pervious surfaces are decreased. This removal of vegetation and natural infiltration points creates more runoff and increases the likelihood of flooding. Historically, large amounts of rainwater were stored in detention systems. These large storage systems wouldn't be necessary if we allowed a portion of that rainwater to infiltrate rather than flow away from the surfaces we construct. Decreasing run off is especially important in the isthmus area as city storm sewers flow directly into our lakes carrying pollutants such as phosphorous and sediment into the water. Residential properties throughout Madison can impact our lakes water quality as if they are all waterfront properties. One of the best management practices we use to mitigate run off is permeable paving.

Permeable paving doesn't just reduce flooding, it also increases groundwater recharge by allowing what falls in a given area to recharge locally rather than directing the water to another area. The further rainwater is directed, the greater the risk of a back up or failure of the storm water system. We measure runoff as a C Value or runoff coefficient. Asphalt, for example, has a C value of .85 meaning that 85% of the water that falls on it runs off. A typical lawn has a C value of .15, a permeable patio has a C value of 0! 

The design and construction of permeable patios requires specific tools and experience beyond what is required for a typical patio or brick driveway. Be sure your contractor is well versed in the materials and engineering required to take on a permeable paving project. 

For more information read Unilock’s Directions in Sustainable Design. You can also take it a step further and collect the captured water as in the video below.

watch video

Apples to Oranges; Raising the Bar & How to Get the Best Bang for your Buck

Enhancing your outdoor living space is often a large investment. It's also an investment that pays large dividends in your quality of life. When working with contractors inside or outside your home the process is very different than, for example, purchasing a vehicle. Unlike comparing prices on the same car, it is rare that two contractors propose exactly the same scope of work. Consider what you are getting for your hard earned money. It's a question of value, not necessarily price. Naturally, the car with few options purchased from a dealer with poor customer service is cheaper when compared to a dealer dedicated to customer service selling a vehicle loaded with options. If you want to compare the value of the vehicles themselves, you have to ask the dealers to price the exact same car. The next step is to compare the businesses.

Design
Home owners who have been through many large scale projects operate more like general contractors. They may pay for  an architect to draw a specific plan and write a detailed scope of work. Contractors then price the execution of the same project. The owner is left with only the companies to compare. This is rarely the case for projects under $40,000 as the cost of the plan and scope is too high. Most homeowners provide a general concept and let each company "run with it". This is great for inspiration and when price isn't much of a factor. What you should consider is working with a budget from the start. Ask each contractor what they can do for $10,000. Personally, I'm very upfront with budgets. I prefer not to waste time for either of us and a set budget provides a framework allowing for more design creativity. More often than not, we have an eye for a Mercedes and budget for a Kia. It's part of the professional contractors job to ground these lofty visions in reality. The typical response to this is, "I have no idea, we are just getting started." While you may not have said your budget out loud, you certainly have one.

The budget discussion works both ways too, I've had $100,000 landscape budgets for a $225,000 home at which they didn't plan on retiring. While I have experience in real estate, I didn't need a license to explain why that may not be the best long term financial planning. Be honest with your contractor and yourselves from the start. If you tell me you have no budget, I'll propose an outrageous number. Most likely you'll say I'm nuts and we will shortly arrive at a budget you didn't think you had. With a seasoned professional, this can and should be accomplished on the phone saving us both time and money. We haven't even met yet and we are now both comfortable with the parameters of the project. I know I can deliver on your realistic vision and we both know that we value each others time. Using the car dealership analogy, how different of an experience would it be if you told each dealer, "I have $35,000 to spend on a Mercedes." It's now up to them to show why they are the best dealer for you and how much value they can provide within your budget.

Products and Materials
The products and materials proposed for a project can represent 35% or more of the total project cost. When comparing products and materials you must also consider the manufacturer of them. Are they local, or at least a US Company, what are the manufacturer warranties? Are they an industry leader in their field? What is the relationship with the contractor, have they purchased from them before?
One contractor may be more or less expensive than the other based on different material types, quality, quantities, and/or measurements. Are there more or fewer plants, what size are the plants, are they locally sourced? Again, working with a budget narrows the differences in measurements and quantities, now you're working with comparing value.

Company
How do the consumer reviews about the contractor look? How about the individual representing the company? If he or she is an employee and not an owner you should feel comfortable asking how they like their job and the company they work for. How a company contributes to our local economy, and society for that matter, also affects their pricing. Greenscapes provides benefits like dental, health insurance and retirement. We have extensive training and safety programs. Our equipment is maintained by our staff as if it was their own. When you instill a sense of ownership in your crew, they will, in turn, treat your clients property as if it was theirs as well. We have incorporated environmental practices and reward our employees for volunteering in the community. Does that make us a little more expensive than the guy with no name on his truck who doesn't even pay taxes? In the short term it might, but what it certainly does is ensure you have a safe, high quality job being installed at your home. It's being completed by well trained and educated employees who are happy at their place of employment. In my experience, happy people do excellent work and excellent work makes for happy clients!

Unilock's Before You Start Guide

Getting Salty Over Winter Paver Care?

To Salt or Not to Salt?
Winter care of your pavers is about the same as your average Wisconsin concrete driveway or walkway although you have several advantages right off the bat!

Nearly all professional pavers have high compressive strength
and far lower water absorption rates than standard poured concrete. What's that mean to you? The pavers will not absorb as much water as there are far fewer small voids compared to poured concrete. This means less cracks as water is not freezing inside the paver itself. Most pavers also have a beveled or tumbled edge and possibly even a textured surface. This means better water movement off the surface of the paver and better slip resistance.

Plastic over Metal
If your snow blower or snow shovel have a metal edge, change it to a plastic poly edge. While you won't hurt most professional grade pavers with metal edges, you will leave behind enough metal shavings for rust lines to show up on the surface a few weeks later.

Don't get too Salty
De-icing substances, when used in proper amounts, will not damage good-quality concrete. They will, however, speed up the surface wear on some styles of pavers. Many of the exposed aggregate products and tumbled products are unaffected by virtue of their style. As a general rule of thumb, less is more.

De-icing salts:
• Sodium chloride (common rock salt) is the most popular de-icing salt. It is widely available and it will melt snow and ice at temperatures down to approximately 16° F (-9° C). Below 16° F (-9° C), rock salt stops melting snow and ice. Sodium chloride can damage adjacent grass, plants and metal.

Apply with caution and use as sparingly as possible.
• Mix with sand to increase effectiveness and to reduce the amount of salt used. Do not use calcium chloride,  potassium chloride or magnesium chloride. These will have harmful effects on the concrete.