HOW TO USE NATIVE PLANTS FOR LANDSCAPING AND RESTORATION IN MINNESOTA

DEFINING NATIVE

Native plants are plants that occur naturally in a particular region. In Minnesota, plants are considered native if they occurred here at the time of the Public Land Survey (1847-1907), which was conducted prior to and during the early stages of European settlement.

WHY NATIVE VEGETATION IS IMPORTANT

Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions where they naturally occur. Native plants work well for many landscaping and wildlife habitat plantings, because once established, they seldom need watering, mulching, protection from frost or continuous mowing. Native plants provide nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for native butterflies, birds and other animals. In contrast, many common horticultural plants do not produce nectar and often require insect pest control to survive. Many native grasses and wildflowers protect soil with their deep and spreading root systems, helping to prevent erosion. Areas with diverse perennial native plantings have less water runoff than ground covers composed of one non-native species such as

For more information about native plant communities, native plant species, and Minnesota ecology, access the web site for the DNR’s Ecological and Water Resources Division (www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco).

Read full brochure: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/assistance/backyard/gardens/native_plant/nativelandscaping.pdf

Read full article: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/gardens/nativeplants/index.html

LEAVE IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS AT EARTHKIND

EARTHKIND GARDENS IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN

EXCEPTIONAL URBANSCAPE DESIGN

Every outdoor project needs a plan. Let us help you imagine and design your outdoor spaces.

Plants are our specialty.  We have been in the landscape industry, in Minnesota, for 24 years.  We know what plants thrive in our climate and love to use native plants whenever possible.

SERVICE YOU CAN COUNT ON.

EarthKind is dedicated to providing you with a design, installation, and garden maintenance plan that is unique to your time and tastes.

Our first priority is to provide timely service, prompt answers to any of our client’s questions, and listen to our client’s needs. These are the tools for creating a unique design, a worry free installation, and a great after care program for your landscape.

CONTACT EARTHKIND

EarthKind is your local Minneapolis Maintenance Landscaping company that can offer you garden care for your residential home.  Contact us to learn more about us and to get a quote on your next backyard project.

EMAIL: [email protected]

PHONE: 612-834-8481

Minneapolis, MN

REQUEST A PROJECT QUOTE

Looking to get an estimate on one of your outdoor landscaping projects in Minneapolis, MN? Contact us for a project quote.

BACKYARD OASIS FOR WINTER WILDLIFE IN THE TWIN CITIES

WE ALWAYS DREAM OF OUR BACKYARD OASIS IN THE SUMMER, BUT WHY NOT ALSO DESIGN YOUR BACKYARD OASIS FOR WINTER TOO?

Connect with the winter season in a new way in your very own backyard oasis.  Enjoying the wintertime views out your window should be just as relaxing as the summertime views.

BY ENJOYING EXPERIENCES WITH NATURE,  DESIGN AND CUSTOMIZE YOUR BACKYARD OASIS TO YOUR NEEDS.

BIRD FEEDERS

Adding bird feeders to your backyard oasis not only is good for the birds, but it is also a way for your to connect to nature in the wintertime.  It is pure enjoyment to see the animals come up and say hello!

TURN TABLE SCRAPS INTO FOOD

Have you ever thought of your table scraps — such as fruit and bread (but not white bread) — any seeds and unsalted nuts, particularly peanuts, are all great food sources for birds?

ADD WATER SOURCE

Water fountains and ponds are beautiful in summertime and make sure they are designed to use all year around.  Fresh water is vital to keep animals alive during the winter months.

The vessel will need to be high up, that way rodents do not fall in. Make sure you check the water hasn’t iced over, something that’s especially important if you have a pond. Not only will that trap invertebrates and frogs inside, but it reduces oxygen for fish. You can place a small floating object, such as a ball, on the water surface to prevent it from completely freezing over. Never put boiling water over the ice, this could harm and even kill the fish living below. 

DON’T PRUNE YOUR FLOWERS

They may not look pretty, but leaving the dried heads of various flowers means that it’s easier for birds to forage seeds during the winter

Learn more by reading the full article: https://www.discovery.com/nature/how-to-create-a-backyard-oasis-for-winter-wildlife-pictures

CONTACT EARTHKIND

EarthKind is your local Minneapolis Maintenance Landscaping company that can offer you garden care for your residential home.  Contact us to learn more about us and to get a quote on your next backyard project.

EMAIL: [email protected]

PHONE: 612-834-8481

Minneapolis, MN

REQUEST A PROJECT QUOTE

Looking to get an estimate on one of your outdoor landscaping projects in Minneapolis, MN? Contact us for a project quote.

PLANTS THAT SURVIVE WINTERS IN MINNESOTA

It is that time of year when the holidays are ending and a New Year is here and we are ready for winter to be over and springtime to be here in Minnesota.  The thoughts of seeing your yard or outdoor landscape in color when the sun is shining warm on our skin.  We imagine being in our backyards, enjoying the season as much as we can before we know it, it is winter again.

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT PLANTS SURVIVE THE WINTERS IN MINNESOTA?

When designing your landscape in Minnesota, you have to be careful to make sure you know what plants survive winter and which plants do not survive the winters in Minnesota.

Refer to the following USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map in relation to the listed hardiness zones for each plant.

PLANTS THAT SURVIVE WINTER

These are just a few quick ideas when you start to think about your outdoor landscape in the wintertime.  Contact LandCraft with any other questions and we are happy to customize your outdoor landscape in Minneapolis, MN.

1. Coneflower (Echinacea)
   The coneflower does not maintain its beautiful coloring in freezing temperatures, it does come back in the spring, strong as ever. You just need to properly take care of in the offseason.
2. Lily of the Valley
   Delicate plant appearance, but the lily of the valley is a tough plant. It has a poisonous nature that makes the plant resistant to deer and other animals in the winter.
3. Blue Spruce
   The perfectly picturesque winter plant. And looks beautiful covered in snow.
4. Wintergreen Boxwood
   This is another plant that looks great in a snow blanket. This type of boxwood is more resistant to common boxwood pests than any other variations.
5. Catmint
   Its fragrant nature makes it a great, hardy alternative to lavender.  Resistant to deer.

CONTACT EARTHKIND

EarthKind is your local Minneapolis Maintenance Landscaping company that can offer you garden care for your residential home.  Contact us to learn more about us and to get a quote on your next backyard project.

EMAIL: [email protected]

PHONE: 612-834-8481

Minneapolis, MN

REQUEST A PROJECT QUOTE

Looking to get an estimate on one of your outdoor landscaping projects in Minneapolis, MN? Contact us for a project quote.