Winter Landscaping Projects for Your Lakefront Property

Many people don’t think of tackling landscaping projects during the winter. But every season brings its own landscaping opportunities, and winter is no exception. This is especially true for lakefront properties, where steep shorelines and remote locations make them difficult to access during the summer. When the lake or river freezes over, however, these areas become much more accessible. Continue reading as we explore various winter landscaping projects for lakefront properties.

Shoreline Transformation

If you have a steep shoreline on your property, you likely understand the difficulty of completing landscaping work on it, especially if heavy equipment is needed. Maintaining your balance to avoid falling into the water while working is no easy feat. But if the ice is thick enough during the winter, this problem goes away. We can drive any heavy machinery or equipment you need right up to the shore’s edge. This provides a large, flat working area. Is your shoreline crowded with brush, buckthorn, or small trees that obstruct your view of the lake and prevent you from planting your own flowers and shrubs? Winter is the perfect time to clear all that out.

Rip Rap Installation

Shorelines are a beautiful feature of waterfront properties, but they are vulnerable to various damage. The biggest danger facing your shoreline is erosion. If left unchecked, the constant beating of waves against the shore can cause significant loss of land. Critters such as muskrats often burrow along the water’s edge, which can destabilize the soil and create further erosion. Expanding ice during the winter also contributes to this issue. The best way to protect your shoreline from erosion is with professionally installed rip rap. We’ll transport the heavy stones across the ice and place them on the shore to shield your land all year long. When the ice melts, the rip rap will already be in position at the water’s edge.

Beach Sand Delivery

Inclement weather and the passage of time can gradually wash away your soft beach sand or harm its appearance. This is an easy project to take care of during the winter when you’re not as busy with other landscaping work. As with rip rap, thick ice makes it easy for us to deliver large quantities of fresh, high-quality sand without driving heavy machinery over your lawn. We can even place the sand on the ice along your shoreline, so that when it melts in the spring, the sand will drop into the water. This is an easy way to install new sand in your swimming area and protect your feet from sharp rocks and shells.

Contact JK Landscape Construction

As we’ve seen, winter landscaping is the perfect opportunity to transform lakefront properties. Whatever project you’re considering, the experts at JK Landscape have the knowledge and experience to help you accomplish it. Contact us today to discuss ideas for your lakeshore landscape!

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Transforming Your Backyard Oasis: The Art of Custom Landscape Design

A well-designed landscape does wonders to create a beautiful and relaxing environment. But the true joy of landscaping is designing a space that fits your needs and reflects your preferences. It’s an opportunity to express your personality and discover what environment best serves your lifestyle. And with the tools and materials available to modern landscapers, the possibilities are endless. Let’s dive into some of the options you have at your disposal for creating a truly custom landscape design.

Softscapes

The foundation of your landscape is its living elements, including grasses, plants, and trees of all kinds. But with so many different options, it can be difficult to choose what to plant. That’s where the experts at JK Landscape Construction come in. We have extensive knowledge of plant types and will examine your property’s climate, soil, and drainage to recommend the best plants for your landscape. Then it’s up to you to choose your favorites. Some people love trees that stay green all year round, while others love to watch the leaves change. Sprawling flower beds are popular for some, while others may want more room to grow their own vegetables. You can even add flourishes to your softscape with mulch, river rock, decorative boulders, and landscape lighting.

Hardscapes

Non-living elements, including stone, concrete, wood, brick, and metal, make up your hardscape. These materials provide a great way to add more accessibility and structure to your outdoor space. Your hardscape to softscape ratio is completely up to you and depends on what purpose you want your landscape to primarily serve. If you plan on entertaining often, you may want to install a patio of permeable pavers or concrete, perhaps with a fire pit in the center. Walking paths and steps can connect points of interest on your property, such as gardens, storage sheds, and docks. You also have the opportunity to build a driveway that suits your needs and heightens your home’s curb appeal. We’ll help you choose the right colors and styles to create the aesthetic you have in mind for your custom landscape design.

Outdoor Structures

The final layer of your landscape is where individual personalities often shine through the most. How do you like to spend your time outside, and what structures help you best achieve that? What feels most like home to you? A wooden or composite deck extends the comfort of your home into the outdoors, while a more sheltered screen porch can bring the fresh air and sunshine of the outdoors in. Outdoor kitchens are also growing in popularity as more people look to make the most of warmer months. A pergola can provide a bit of shade to any area of your landscape and add a touch of elegance.

Bring Your Dream Landscape to Life

You’ve done the dreaming, the brainstorming, and the visualizing. Now it’s time to put your plan into action. Reach out to the professionals at JK Landscape Construction. We’ll listen to your ideas and leverage our expertise to make your dream a reality. And if you’re not sure what you want your landscape to look like, we’re happy to help you discover that.

Here’s a testimonial from one of our satisfied clients:

“If you want your landscape project done right, hire JK Landscape! The crew exceeded our expectations in every phase of our project which included a total makeover on a new build lake shore site. Challenging aspects of the project included boulder retaining walls around the house and a steep lakeside hill. The fire pit and paver decking are also signature parts of the project. We couldn’t be happier with our landscaping project with JK Landscape.”

– Dwight G.

Ready to begin your own landscaping project? Contact us today to get started!

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Reasons to Hire a Professional Landscape Excavator

Many landscape projects may require dramatic modifications to your property. For example, correcting soil erosion or installing a drainage system involves moving large amounts of earth. Attempting to complete these tasks on your own can be quite difficult and often involves renting and operating heavy machinery. That’s where hiring a professional landscape excavator can save you a lot of time and stress. Continue reading to explore different types of excavation services and what projects they might help with.

General Landscape Maintenance

Sometimes, your landscape just needs a little love to keep it healthy and beautiful. A professional landscape excavator can remove unwanted or unsightly brush, overgrown plants, stumps, and even trees. Thinking about planting a new garden, shrubs, or trees? A landscaper can examine the soil and make any necessary modifications to help your new plants thrive.

Grading and Leveling

Grading is the process of leveling out your land or giving it a specific slope, and it’s useful for many reasons. If you are preparing to build a new house or other structure on your land, you’ll want to make sure the ground is level before laying the foundation. A professional landscaper can also compact the soil to ensure it’s sturdy enough to bear the weight of a building. Grading can also correct soil erosion and leaning by removing unwanted slopes, or it can add slopes to ensure proper water drainage. Grading can also remove unwanted or dangerous bumps and depressions in your lawn.

Installing New Structures

Professional excavation services can help you prepare your landscape for a variety of new structures, features, and hardscapes. Installing a new patio or driveway requires grass removal, soil grading, and compaction. If you’re thinking about installing a new basement, swimming pool, or pond, you’ll need a professional excavator to safely remove large amounts of earth and transport it offsite. They can also help you install a new drainage system such as a culvert or French drain to prevent water from pooling around your property. Building a new retaining wall or fence can also require landscape modification that is best handled by a professional.

Shoreline Repair

Lakefront properties are beautiful but come with unique challenges. A damaged or eroded shoreline can endanger your whole landscape and reduce the land on your property. A professional landscape excavator can repair your shoreline and install protective measures such as drainage systems, terraces, and rip rap.

Contact JK Landscape Construction

A professional landscaper can provide excavation services to aid you in many types of projects. Whatever project you are dreaming of for your landscape, let the experts at JK Landscape help. Our work is fast, efficient, and effective. Ready to start your next project? Contact us today.

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The Benefits of Adding Outdoor Structures to Your Landscape Projects

Landscape projects are often focused on natural elements such as trees, flowers, shrubs, rocks, and mulch. But adding outdoor structures to your landscape can bring your project to the next level, increase your property’s value, and improve your quality of life. Continue reading to explore various types of outdoor structures and the benefits they can bring to your landscape.

Outdoor Structure Options

The experts at JK Landscape Construction are experts in building and installing many types of outdoor structures. We’ll help you choose the right design and build materials for a structure that is beautiful and practical. Here are some of your options:

• Pergolas are a great way to add a bit of shade and shelter to your outdoor area while also giving your landscape an elegant, sophisticated look.
• Decks are versatile structures that can be built at varying elevations and different sizes using wood or composite materials.
• Porches bring the comfort of the indoors into the fresh air and sunshine of the outdoors.
• Boathouses keep your watercraft and other items safe from the elements when they’re not in use.
• Railings can be installed on your outdoor structures in various styles, colors, and sizes for greater accessibility and aesthetic appeal.

An Extension of Your Home

Outdoor structures like the ones mentioned above extend your living space into the outdoor areas that you’ve put so much effort into perfecting. Structures like decks and porches allow you to work, relax, eat, and gather with friends and family outside. Your home doesn’t have to be limited to your house.

Easy Way to Enjoy the Outdoors

With outdoor structures on your property, there’s no need to travel to a park or public place to enjoy the fresh air, sunshine, and sights and sounds of nature. Just step outside your door and relax in the privacy of your own backyard. This is especially valuable in Minnesota, where we need to take full advantage of the summer months while they last.

Add to your Property’s Aesthetic Appeal

Outdoor structures can transform your property into an elegant, inviting landscape that is sure to increase its value and curb appeal. You’ll love coming home to a beautiful landscape, and you’ll have the perfect place to entertain friends and neighbors.

A Place for Outdoor Furnishings

With a deck, porch, or pergola, you’ve never had a better place for outdoor seating and dining. Protect that outdoor couch from the elements and provide some shade for your table or grill. You may even want to install a TV or sound system for outdoor entertainment.

When you partner with JK Landscape Construction to build an outdoor structure, the possibilities and benefits are endless. We’ll meet with you to determine what best suits your needs, lifestyle, and budget. Whatever structure you choose, you can rest assured we’ll build it with superior craftsmanship and the highest quality.

Contact us to get started on your next outdoor project today! We can’t wait to work with you.

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Top Landscaping Design Trends for 2023

As we head into spring, exciting new trends continue to emerge in the field of landscape design. Staying up to date with these styles helps ensure that your home’s outdoor space has the latest and most innovative solutions. Continue reading our blog to learn about the top landscaping design trends for 2023.

Sustainable Landscaping

Sustainability continues to be a major trend in landscape design. People desire eco-friendly and low-maintenance solutions that are kinder to the environment. We see this trend reflected in the use of native plants, rainwater harvesting, and the incorporation of edible gardens. Using permeable materials for hardscaping can also help with water conservation.

Outdoor Living Spaces

With people spending more and more time at home, outdoor living spaces have become a popular trend. These areas are designed to be an extension of the indoor living area, complete with comfortable seating, lighting, and even outdoor kitchens. Fire pits and water features can add a touch of luxury to these outdoor spaces.

Technology Integration

Technology has been making its way into outdoor spaces for some time now. We expect this trend to continue in 2023, with the integration of smart irrigation systems, lighting, and even sound systems. The use of mobile apps can also help homeowners monitor their outdoor spaces and adjust as needed.

Multi-Functional Landscaping

Multi-functional landscaping has continued growing in popularity. This trend involves designing outdoor spaces that serve more than one purpose, such as combining a play area with a vegetable garden and using a retaining wall as a seating area.

Bold Colors

This year, we see bold colors making a comeback in landscape design. Clients are looking for bright, vibrant colors that make a statement in their outdoor spaces. For example, homeowners incorporate brightly colored plants, furniture, and outdoor décor.

Contact JK Landscape Construction

Style and décor consistently evolve, and that includes the areas outside the house. Are you looking to incorporate these 2023 landscaping design trends into your home? At JK Landscape Construction, we offer a full suite of innovative design and build services to transform your outdoor space from ordinary to extraordinary. Our experts specialize in decks, outdoor living, landscape lighting, water features, and more.

Contact us today for our service!

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