Straight talk on landscaping in our climate — what to plant, when to build, how to fix drainage, and how to get the most out of a short Wisconsin season.
MaintenanceA great yard should not eat your weekends. Here are the design choices that cut landscape maintenance for busy Fox Cities families without giving up curb appeal.
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Outdoor LivingGood landscape lighting does three jobs at once — beauty, safety, and security. Here are the techniques that work on Appleton homes, and why LED is the way to do it.
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Seasonal CareSkip the irrigation blowout and winter does expensive damage to your sprinkler system. Here is why it matters, when to schedule it, and how the process works.
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Seasonal CareThe work you do in fall decides how your landscape looks next spring. Here is the Fox Cities winterization checklist, in the order that beats the first hard freeze.
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Planting & GardensMost people plant in May. In the Fox Valley, early fall is the smarter window. Here is the calendar we actually follow, and how to keep a new tree from going into shock.
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HardscapingPoured concrete or pavers? In a freeze-thaw climate the answer is not obvious. Here is an honest comparison of how each holds up to Wisconsin winters.
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Cost GuidesA retaining wall is a structure, not just a stack of stone. Here is how the main materials compare on cost and durability — and why drainage behind the wall decides its lifespan.
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Outdoor LivingOur outdoor season runs about May through October. Here is how to design a space that stretches those months and stands up to the winter in between.
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Planting & GardensNative plants are built for our clay, our winters, and our pollinators. Here is why they belong in Fox Valley yards, and the ones that perform best.
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Planting & GardensA working list of fifteen plants that earn their place in a Fox Valley yard — hardy through our winters, forgiving of clay, and heavy on natives.
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DrainageA rain garden turns a soggy problem into an asset — capturing runoff, soaking it into the ground, and feeding pollinators. Here is how they work in Fox Cities clay.
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Cost GuidesTwo patios the same size can cost very different amounts. Here are the real factors behind a Fox Cities paver patio quote — and where the money actually goes.
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Seasonal CareThe right spring cleanup sets up the whole growing season. Here is the order to work in, when to start after snowmelt, and what you should not do too early.
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DrainagePuddles that linger for days after rain or snowmelt are a clay-soil signature in the Fox Cities. Here is how to diagnose the cause and match it to the right fix.
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