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Lakefront custom landscape design with paver patio.

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

Residential yard with custom landscape design.

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

Custom landscape design incorporating a fire pit and patio.

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

A custom deck on a lakefront property.

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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3 Ways to Get the Landscaping Ready for Summer

While the right design adds a boost of aesthetic appeal year-round, summer is when landscaping truly shines. Yet, to get it to that stage, homeowners need to complete a few simple maintenance steps in spring. Follow these three measures to keep your lawn the envy of the neighborhood. 

1. Trim Back the Foliage

  1. Trim Back the Foliage
    To pave the way for optimal summer growth, you need to begin shaping shrubbery and trees around your lawn. The goal is to remove any dead or damaging sections to prevent them from stealing vital nutrients from other areas of the plant. The step also helps you create and maintain a visually-pleasing shape. Be sure to pay close attention when trimming plants near the home. You want to remove any branches or leaves that may provide access to warm-weather pests. This is also an excellent time to pick up any remaining winter debris, like twigs and leaves.  
  2. Add Mulch
    Wood mulch is a popular aspect of landscape designs because of its aesthetic and functional qualities. Not only does it create a visually impactful contrast next to grass and plants, but it also keeps the soil moist. For that reason, it’s an incredibly beneficial tool during hot and dry summer months. If your design features mulch already, consider replacing it with new materials for optimal performance. 
  3. Mow Regularly
    Most homeowners know that mowing is an essential step from spring to fall. However, not everyone understands the importance of frequency. Keeping the blades below three inches throughout spring and the beginning of summer helps reduce the risk of pest and wildlife infestations that are attracted to long grass. It also creates that perfectly polished finish that so many are after. 

Set your landscaping up for success by starting off with the right design from JK Landscape Construction in Clearwater, MN. Homeowners across the Stearns and Wright counties turn to the skilled team for eye-catching, high-end lawn layouts. From sod placement to landscape lighting and mulch, the local business is committed to enhancing properties using quality products. Browse their services online and request a consultation today at (320) 558-4445.

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3 Ideas for Designing a Multi-Functional Outdoor Living Space

From decks and seating areas to fully functional outdoor kitchens, there’s no shortage of fantastic ideas for outdoor living spaces. The ideal one for your home shouldn’t be about what’s trending; it’s one that centers around your lifestyle. Here are some ideas to help you prioritize your wants and optimize your outdoor space.

3 Outdoor Living Space Ideas 

  1. The Entertainment Space
    If barbecues are essential, consider building a space that facilitates cooking and dining. Add an outdoor kitchen, complete with appliances and ample space for food preparation. In conjunction with your outdoor kitchen, you’ll need plenty of room for seating. Keep your kitchen and seating area close so you can easily carry food to hungry guests or talk while cooking. 
  2. The Pool
    Use the space around a pool to create comfortable places for people to lounge and dine. Divide the area into quadrants as you start to design your space. One long side could be designated for lounging, for example. Place several chaise lounges on that side with umbrellas and tables for placing cool drinks. Use one side for food and dining with a grill and a table for dining al fresco. On the two short sides, you can add additional seating or consider a water feature, such as a waterfall or fountain. 
  3. The Indoor to Outdoor Space 
    Blur the lines between your indoor and outdoor space by creating a seamless flow between them. Imagine a back door to your home that leads to a patio covered with a pergola or screened-in porch that fluidly transitions into the outside. Fill your outdoor covered area with the comforts of the indoors to make it feel like an airy room of your house. Consider comfortable seating for entertaining, like wicker sofas and rattan chairs, or place a day bed or hammock out there for afternoon naps in the sunshine. 

If you’re looking to upgrade your outdoor space, turn to JK Landscape Construction in Clearwater, MN. They specialize in creating gorgeous outdoor spaces ranging from outdoor kitchens to decks and paver patios that will make you the envy of the neighborhood. They take the time to work with you to determine what you want out of your outdoor space and make it a reality. Learn more about their services online or call them today at (320) 558-4445 to get started.

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A guide to landscape lighting

Once you plant foliage, add mulch, and install hardscaping in your lawn and garden, you might want to showcase your outdoor areas at night. Strategically placed lighting will transform your landscaping after the sun goes down, showcasing your favorite parts of your lot and making the whole space feel more magical. Here are a few ideas on where to put lights in your landscape design.

4 Lighting Ideas for Landscaping

  1. Highlighting
    If you have trees, bushes, or trellises you want to stand out at night, install spotlights at their bases. Experiment with the distance of the lights. Putting them closer to the greenery or objects you wish to feature will illuminate them more precisely while placing them further away will highlight a broader area.
  2. Path Lighting
    Adding lighting to walkways and pathways in your lawn and garden will make them more accessible at night. Angle the lights downward to create a soft glow that won’t cause a glare or install in-grade lights directly into the surface of the pavement.
  3. moonlighting
    If you want the illusion of natural moonlight throughout your outdoor areas, install lights high up in your trees. Angle them downward to create beautiful shadows throughout your garden. Select bulbs in a warmer temperature for a soft glow that will make the space feel enchanting.
  4. Silhouettes
    If you want to feature any perfectly trimmed bushes or topiaries in your landscaping, add lighting behind them. Doing so will silhouette them against the light, accenting their unique shapes.

When you’re ready to beautify your outdoor areas with landscape lighting, get in touch with JK Landscape Construction. They offer landscaping, hardscaping, water features, and patio installations to clients throughout Clearwater, MN. Call (320) 558-4445 to get started on your landscape design, request an estimate, and book an appointment. Visit our website to learn more about the many outdoor living solutions they provide.

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