Winterizing Your Water Feature

Waterfront property along one of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes can make a summer in the Upper Midwest truly worthwhile. However, in the case of one client in Minnetonka, Minnesota , the deteriorating condition of that lakefront lawn was impeding their ability to enjoy outdoor life to its fullest. Thinning turf, uneven grading, and soft soil with poor drainage were making it difficult for their lawn to hold up to the rigors of regular summertime usage. Our client needed their back yard to perform two important jobs. The first was to expand their living space by making the yard a viable area for outdoor recreation and relaxing. The second was for the yard to act as a reliable connection between the patio and the beach, something the treacherous soil made difficult. With aging parents enjoying the space as well, a surface with sure footing was a must. Our team evaluated the lawn and came up with a plan to make our client's yard the functional, resilient, and beautiful space it had the ability to be. By strengthening the soil and increasing turf density through heavy topdressing, we were confident that we would be able to deliver a yard that was fully equipped for both the quiet moments and rambunctious fun of lake life.

New construction doesn't always mean there's no room for improvement. We saw that for ourselves at this residential property in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, just outside St. Paul . The new home featured a large backyard with a small pond as its central landscape element. Encircling the pond was a ring-shaped berm. While the raised feature added visual interest, the elevation changes around the pond contributed to ongoing runoff and soil movement, leading to severe turf damage and visible erosion. It didn't take long for the grass on the raised ring to became thin and patchy, with bare areas forming where soil had already washed away. Beyond the pond area, the entire yard struggled with poor lawn establishment following new construction, resulting in inconsistent growth and thin turf coverage throughout. This new homeowner contacted KG Landscape to help put the finishing touches on a new lawn that hadn't gone quite as planned.

Spot drainage problems early in Bloomington, MN. Learn the warning signs of yard water issues and when to call a pro. Get a free evaluation.

Your Bloomington builder's landscaping looked fine at closing. Here's why it's failing and what it takes to fix it properly.

Learn how compost-based topdressing restores thin, patchy lawns in Minneapolis. Discover the process, benefits, and best timing for this natural lawn care solution.

Terracing an Eden Prairie slope? These are the mistakes that cause wall failures and drainage problems within a few years.

Discover how underground piping systems and topdressing improve drainage and turf quality in St. Paul yards. KG Landscape explains the process and long-term benefits.

Faced with tight constraints in a small Edina backyard, our team devised a solution that created a comfortable patio along with increased privacy for our client.

By employing double-pass aeration and overseeding, we were able to replenish a South Minneapolis lawn that had suffered years of neglect and was failing to thrive.