Rocks With Soul: Landscape and Masonry For Indoor and Outdoor Living

Cool and Creative Container Gardens

2010-05-03T08:24:00.000-07:00

Local Renegade Gardener™ Don Engebretson calls containers “the throw pillows of exterior design.” Don will be giving a thorough and illuminating hands-on demonstration when he teaches “Crafting Cool & Creative Containers Seminar” at the Hedberg Nursery near Stillwater on Saturday, May 15, from 9 am to 11 am. The seminar is free and open to the public. We'll have coffee and treats while we unlock the secrets to designing beautiful container arrangements.

Don Engebretson is quite a character. In his words, “I gardened for years before it occurred to me to grow plants in containers. I was a man, damn it, and grew my plants in the ground – where they belonged. I wasn’t going to fool around growing pansies in a pot. But now ……. I’ve become an absolute “container junkie." Don's a home-grown lad turned national authority on landscaping and garden design. He'll teach us how to use containers as singles and in groups, demonstrate the design secrets to creating artistic, long-lasting container arrangements, and share his tips on creative ways to use containers throughout the landscape.

Another person everyone loves at Hedberg Nursery is Mike Philion, the branch manager. He's looking forward to hosting Don's seminar. "We’ve recently taken on an exquisite line of handmade Asian Clay Pots and we’re excited to see how Don decorates them," Mike said. "Our full service nursery--including annuals, perennials, native plants, shrubs and trees plus eco-friendly fertilizers and soils--will be available for Don's use. We hope people have fun and get a ton of ideas of what they can do in their own backyards.”

Hedberg Nursery is located off Highway 36, about one mile east of I-694. Look for the Hedberg billboards and orange flag on the north side frontage road.

It's definitely worth a Saturday morning drive out to Stillwater. If you're in the area, please drop in. This is sure to be a popular class so we're asking folks to register online at www.hedbergrocks.com/doityourself/SeminarsAndEvents or call Hedberg Nursery at (651) 748-3158 to reserve your spot. Mr. Philion and his team will have special discounts for seminar attendees - and it's the perfect time to shop for plants.

Hedberg Nursery features specialty perennials, native plants, raingarden materials, trees and other eco-friendly supplies. And, of course, containers. I hope to see you at Hedberg Nursery on May 15th!

For more information visit www.hedbergrocks.com.

Best Things About a Rain Barrel

2010-04-18T14:17:00.000-07:00

I was going to was poetic about how much I love my 75 gallon rain barrel, but I'll spare you the superlatives and give you a list and a short anecdote instead.

1. Rainwater is the best thing to use for plants, much better than treated tap water.*
2. Rainwater is free. A rain barrel will pay for itself!
3. You can water your gardens from a rain barrel, even on restricted watering days.
4. It gives you a source of water outdoors before/after the outdoor water supply is turned on/off.
5. You get to reuse our planet's most important resource slowly and allow it to soak back into the soil.
6. You can reduce stormwater runoff, 55 or 75 gallons at a time. Urban runoff is the number one cause of pollution in our lakes, rivers and streams.

I installed my rain barrel last summer and used it throughout the season to water my nearby gardens. In October, after we winterized the irrigation system and turned off the outdoor water supply, my beloved dog went for a joy run in the marsh and returned coated with stinky mud. He's large and bathing him indoors isn't an option. Think of any comedy film you've seen with a big dog being bathed, shaking and running around and I guarantee you it has happened at our house. He loves getting hosed down in the yard, but with no outdoor water, what to do? Rain barrel to the rescue! We still had 40 plus gallons stored up. Bathing the dog hardly put a dent in that supply.

The same thing happened last week. I know, I should keep better tabs on our large, mischievous dog. It's just that he has big brown eyes and he pretends to be good - until he gets to the edge of the yard. This time he rolled in something so fiendishly vile that ignoring it wasn't an option. Our outdoor water isn't on yet (it's Minnesota - it could still snow). Thank goodness we had a half barrel of collected rainwater from recent rain events with which to bathe him. Now he's clean and smells good (for a dog) and he feels extra soft, to boot.

With our early - and mostly dry - spring I've needed to water my April flowers. The rain barrel is coming in more handy than I expected!

If you're interested in getting a rain barrel, there are several options at different price points. Make sure the rain barrel you select has an outlet for overflow so that excess water doesn't pool around your home's foundation and that it has a screened lid to prevent mosquito breeding. Other than that, go with the style and color you like. My rain barrel pictured above is available at Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies for around $249. It's made of heavy duty plastic, contains recycled material and holds 75 gallons. It has a planting groove in the lid to add some beautiful flowers and vines. You can get a recycled oak wine cast rain barrel at Hedberg for about $220. It holds 55 gallons and has a rustic look. They smell great, too. ;-)

Finally, you can find inexpensive plastic rain barrels in various colors around town that hold 55 gallons. Hedberg is offering beige and green plastic whiskey barrel style containers for only $65 when you preorder online at www.hedbergrainbarrel.com now through Memorial Day, for pick up June 12 and 19.

*Some experts recommend you do not water vegetables with water that has run off an asphalt shingle roof.

10 "Must Have" Features in Today's New Homes

2010-02-08T07:30:00.000-08:00

Home features, like fashion, change over time. With the move toward smaller homes with more cost effective architecture, what was "in" a few years ago isn't hot anymore. Casual living, entertaining and flexible spaces are key to what today's home buyers want. You can read a full article on this topic provided by Marketwatch on Yahoo Finance.

At this year's International Builders Show in Las Vegas, Lavender Design Group presented an analysis of AVID Ratings most recent survey of home buyer preferences, reporting the following ten "must have" features in new homes:

1. Large kitchens with islands

2. Energy efficient appliances, high-efficiency insulation and high window efficiency

3. Home office/study

4. Main floor master suite

5. Outdoor Living Room

6. Ceiling fans

7. Master suite soaker tubs

8. Stone and Brick Exteriors

9. Community Landscaping with Walking Paths and Playgrounds

10. Two plus car garages

Desirability of features varies according to a buyer's stage in life - first time buyers vs. relocating vs. empty nester - but overall the move is toward features that promote economy of space and family togetherness.

What's important to you in home design?

3 Important Things You Need to Know About Sustainable Landscaping

2010-01-28T07:06:00.000-08:00

I've been studying eco-friendly building and landscaping products and practices for several years. Early on the question arose, "Why all the fuss?"

Why? We have a real problem. That's the first important thing.

1) Water is our most precious resource and there's a real issue with both the quantity and quality of water. Even here in the land of 10,000 lakes, we experience drought, watering bans and peak shortages of municple water supplies that compromise emergency services like fighting fires. As for quality, urban run-off is the #1 cause of pollution in our lakes, rivers and streams. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency estimates that 40% of our waterways are impaired by conventional pollutants. For the enjoyment of our generation, our grandchildren and generations to come, we have to stop this alarming trend.

The good news is the second important thing: several "best management practices" exist for reducing urban run-off and pollution and reusing that most precious resource.

2) Capturing the rain that falls on your property and allowing it to soak into the soil dramatically reduces stormwater run-off and filters out pollutants. Several sustainable landscaping techniques can be used.

Raingardens
Trees
Permeable paver driveways, walkways and patios
Rain barrels
Rainwater harvesting systems
Reponsible lawn care
Keeping storm drains clear of debris

The third important thing is that YOU can have a direct impact on solving the problem by doing something, no matter how small.

3) Take action now. It's not hard to take a small step, and then another. You can turn the powerless "What can I do?" into the adrenaline rush of "We are making a difference!" See how a neighborhood in south Minneapolis is Going Blue thanks to the leadership of concerned neighbors. A quote written on the Berlin Wall said, "Many small people in many small places doing many small things can alter the face of the world." Do something small - it adds up.

Learn more about raingardens and sustainable landscaping.
Invite your neighbors over for a presentation and discussion about the issue.
Explore the BlueThumb.org website.
Find out what funding is available from your local watershed district.
Ask a professional landscaper for help.

For more information about Sustainable Landscaping, download the class schedule for Hedberg's Sustainable Landscaping Day on March 11, 2010 featuring case studies and presentations from leading experts in the field. Call Tina at 763-392-5909 with questions.

Are you already practicing sustainable landscaping? What are you doing in your yard to help your local environment? Leave a comment and let me know!

What To Do With Crusty Snow

2010-01-01T13:14:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! 2010 got off to a great start in the Twin Cities with sunshine, below zero temps and no wind. It looked so wonderful through my porch window that I decided to take the dog outside and play. I zipped up my hooded parka, pulled on my moon boots and fleece gloves, put on sunglasses and headed into the cold brilliance. The dog bounded across the patio and dove shoulder first into a snowbank to roll with doggy abandon. I've heard animals align their spines by rolling on the ground. I like that he's giving himself a snow bath.

We set off across the yard, and within a few paces I realized this was going to be much more of a workout than I'd bargained for. Freezing rain last week had created a six-inch deep crust over a foot and a half of snow. The crust was strong enough to hold the bunnies that scamper across our yard, but not me or the dog. Every stride I took involved stepping up onto the ice crust, pausing atop it for a brief instant, then crashing through and sinking into the snow. A snow step aerobics routine worthy of significant Wii Fit points.

The dog was struggling with the same problem, flying around the yard in a leap-sink-leap motion. It was too nice to go back indoors, but the crusty snow was no fun to walk around in. It was too cold and crumbly to make snowballs or snowmen. I love making things out of snow. Here's a snowman I built in October 2009 during a ridiculously early snowfall.

What could be done with this hard crusted snow?

I built a dry stack garden wall. I broke up random chunks and fit them together. Granted, I didn't base it properly and the construction technique is crude, but I like the way the sun shines through the chinks.

It was slow going at first because the dog kept trying to eat the wall, but I distracted him with icicles and work continued apace. Note the detail at the top of the wall. I think if a person took time to cut rectangles out of the crusty snow it could be made into an amazing fort or igloo.

After the wall was done we sat in the snow, soaked up the low sunshine and listened to the chatter of chickadees visiting a bird feeder in a nearby tree. It was a perfect way to start the new year.

Have you built a snow fort? Comment on this post with a link to a picture so we can see it. How did you spend your first day of the new year?

Trees Are Good For Your Bank Account...and the Environment

2009-12-17T12:00:00.000-08:00

Today I attended a seminar about trees. Evergreens, shade trees and ornamental trees. In 2010 Hedberg will be reselling top quality Minnesota-grown trees to landscape installers and to the public at our nursery in Stillwater.

We all know trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, so they're important for our air quality. Until a few weeks ago I didn't realize how important they are for our local water quality as well. It's true. I was working with Julie Westerlund from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District on a grant application to help a south Minneapolis neighborhood reduce and clean up stormwater run off and learned that trees are highly effecitve at doing just that.

Trees help manage stormwater flow by intercepting rainfall on leaves and branches and slowing the rate at which water runs over the surface of the land so it can seep into the ground. Trees draw water down into the soil and use it. A study by Center for Urban Forest Research reported that a typical medium-sized tree can intercept as much as 2380 gallons of rainfall per year. Trees are also natural pollution filters. Their canopies, trunks, roots, and associated soil and other natural elements of the landscape filter out polluted particulate before the runoff reaches storm sewers. Trees use nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium byproducts of urban living that can pollute our waterways.

Now I get it, they're great for critters and will help save the plant, but what's this about my bank account? Properly placed deciduous trees can reduce the summer heat load on a house by
10% to 30%, cutting air-conditioning costs. Well-placed evergreens can reduce winter heating requirements by a similar percentage, acting as a break against cold winter winds. And as the trees grow and mature, so do the savings.

And get this. The Council of Tree & Landscape Appraisers (CTLA) estimates that a mature tree in a residential landscape can have a value of from $1,000 to $10,000.

Good for the planet, blossoming heralds of spring, pleasant to sit beneath in the summer, lovely colors to behold in the fall, sign of hope in the winter and a great return on investment. Hmm, maybe we should all plant a tree or two this spring.

I can direct you to top quality trees. Call me at 763-392-5909 or visit our Stillwater location this spring. Here's a link if you want to browse tree selections online.

Field Trip to the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum - Waterosity and Scarecrows - Ski-U-Mah!

2009-09-22T13:23:00.000-07:00

What's fantastic about having July weather in September is getting out and enjoying it. The Hedberg Marketing Team (Tina, Gail and Angel) journeyed west to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to catch the Waterosity exhibit and learn how to "go green with a splash." Thirteen original exhibits illustrate fresh thinking about people, plants and water. Bringing together the voices of artists, scientists and horticulturalists, "Waterosity" celebrates our most precious resource through thought-provoking and playful installations. Hurry out to Chaska to see it, though, as it closes October 4th!
Blue Thumb created one of the Waterosity exhibits, showing various native plants and how they mitigate storm water runoff by absorbing rainwater through their deep root systems. The display also incorporates metalcraft sculptures. It's located by the permanent permeable pavement exhibit (try saying that five times fast).

While you're there, you can listen to an audio tour on your cell phone to learn more about the exhibit. Hedberg is a Blue Thumb Partner and we're particularly proud of what the group is doing to raise awareness of Clean Water Through Planting. Fact is, 78% of land in Minnesota is privately owned, so it's up to each of us to do our part to protect our waterways. What you do in your yard has an impact near and far.

The Arboretum features more than 1,000 acres of magnificent gardens, model landscapes, and natural areas-from woodlands and wetlands to prairie-with extensive collections of northern-hardy plants. You can walk its 12.5 miles of garden paths and hiking trails, or drive Three-Mile Drive to see gardens and collections. Waterosity displays are scattered throughout the Arboretum, making it a fun activity to spot them all.

Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies has been a supporter of the Arboretum for years, and on our way through the grounds we came upon a series of stone wall segments. Being true stone nerds, we had to stop and investigate, and to our delight we found that our company had helped sponsor the display. We've also helped build ponds and waterfalls at the Arboretum, and we look forward to many future collaborations.

We found a lot of stone used in walls, steps and pathways winding through glorious gardens with bright flowers, bees and people enjoying a perfect autumn day.

Did I mention the scarecrows? We're not talking Oz type straw fellows. There are many to find, including a Golden Gopher in the garden. These are our favorites.

Finally, it's apple harvest season. Be sure to stop by the nearby Apple House and get yourself a fresh picked peck or two of Minnesota apples. Yum!

Stone – Not Just for Outside Any More!

2009-09-22T12:44:00.000-07:00

Today's guest blog is submitted by Gail Schaal, Events & Promotions Coordinator at Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies. Fresh off the Parade of Home(SM) Tour, Gail was inspired by the use of stone for interior decorating.

Is it time to redecorate your living room or family room walls, or for that matter, your bathroom or kitchen walls? Most people would think their only choices would be to paint or wallpaper with maybe a little tile thrown in there, too. Today’s growing trend, however, is decorating interior walls with stone.

Want not only your fireplace to be the focal point of your family room but the entire wall? Easy!

Want a kitchen backsplash with the texture, style and uniqueness of stone? Easy!

Want to create the brick wall loft look? Easy!

All of the above interior designs are made possible by using thin veneer – a cladding of stone under 2” thick. Thin veneer can be natural stone (the real stuff quarried from the earth but cut thin - ¾” - 1 ¼” thick) or a manufactured thin veneer (sometimes called cultured stone) - which is a combination of concrete and aggregates - colored with iron oxide pigments and cast in molds – to give the look of real stone.

Now matter how you look at it – Thin is in!
This is why:

COST Thin veneer is light in weight which makes it faster and easier to install. Generally, your mason can install thin veneer in as much as half the time of full veneer. Also because it is thinner, it weighs less and your freight cost savings can be substantial – approximately three times more of it can be shipped per truckload based on legal limits – than full veneer.

VERSATILITY Thin veneer can be installed without a brick/stone foundation ledge making it especially good for remodeling projects. Simply said - no footings are necessary. In general terms, you’ve got your sheetrocked walls, metal lath is installed – using galvanized nails or screws, a mortar scratch coat is applied, and then the thin veneer is installed. Thin veneer can be used as an accent wall, kitchen backsplash, wine cellars, columns, flooring, bathroom walls and much more.

BENEFITS You’ve brought the elegance of stone into your home, it’s virtually maintenance free and it will look great forever! Additional benefits can be sound dampening effects, extra fire protection and increased value to your home.

With all that being said, nothing gets a point across better than actual photos. Here are some of my favorites! You can see more here.

Hopefully, I’ve gotten you excited about the possibilities of stone for interior use.

At Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies stone showrooms – one on Highway 36 in Stillwater and one in Plymouth off Highway 169, you’ll experience floor to ceiling displays of local natural stone from quarries in Minnesota and Wisconsin and varieties that come from across the United States. We also carry stone from foreign countries plus several premier lines of manufactured stone. Our Naturally Affordable™ stone is real stone priced as economically as the manufactured kind. Your options are all covered at Hedberg! For more ideas, log on to our web site – hedbergrocks.com, stop in at one of our showrooms, or give me a call or e-mail. I will send you a CD filled with stone installation beauty shots. My direct dial is (763) 392-5920; my e-mail is gails@hedbergaggregates.com.

Bogs, Ponds and Waterfalls - Oh My!

2009-07-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

Earlier this spring, I spent a couple days learning how to build a bog/pond and a bog/pondless waterfall alongside a dozen amazing contractors. Led by one of the premier Certified Aquascape Contractor (CAC) pond builders in the state, Glenn Koppin of Aqua Par Lifestyles, we soaked up tips and techniques for building beautiful, natural-looking backyard water features. Water is essential to life, and I propse that it's an essential part of a satisfying outdoor living area. The critters like the habitat, we like the sounds and sight.

You may not automatically equate the word "bog" with "beautiful" but I'm here to tell you in the case of the water features local contractors are building, it's true. It's the most natural look and provides the best filtration. The way a bog and pond or pondless system works differs from a standard artificial pond in the way it delivers filtration. In a standard pond that we build, water is drawn by a pump up from a basin and pushed up through a filter mat, over a biofalls and either directly into a pond or down a waterfall or stream back into the basin. This provides circulation and filtration. It can, however, look artificial. Perhaps you've seen installations that look like water basically cascading out of a rock pile. A bog filters the water by drawing it down through layers of gravel in the lower basin and pumping it back up through layers of gravel in an upper basin. The effect is subtle and delightful, like a spring-fed stream. Beneficial bacteria that adhere to the rocks and gravel provide superior filtration. Many swimming ponds use bog filtration because of the greater volume such a system can accommodate. I prefer it for its aesthetic appeal. You can be very creative with a bog.

Maintenance is easier, too. In a typical installation you have one pump to remove in the winter. There are no nets or filters to clean. With a pondless system, where the stream mysteriously disappears into an area of rock or permeable pavers, you don't have winter or spring pond prep. You can turn a waterfall on and off, too, without harming your system. You can plant beautiful flowers alongside the stream and in shallow depressions. You can even create small areas for goldfish and water plants.

I have the perfect spot picked out in my yard - just off the stone patio I built on Mother's Day. I can't wait to create a lovely bog and pondless waterfall and immerse myself (pun intended) in the great hobby of water gardening. Of course, I'll be getting all my supplies and plants at Hedberg's Aquatic Addiction pond shop.

If you want to learn more about this growing hobby, visit http://www.watergardening.com/, the best online community for water garden enthusiasts. Happy ponding!

twincitieslive.com - TCL's New Patio!

2009-07-09T07:50:00.001-07:00

twincitieslive.com - TCL's New Patio!

Here it is, the patio Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies and the Parade of Home(sm) created for Channel 5.

Check out a couple more segments they've aired from the patio this summer.

Wolfgang Puck cooks on the Hedberg Outdoor Kitchen

Your Perfect Patio (featuring Damon Roth and Steve Hedberg)

Birth of a Television Patio

2009-06-16T07:32:00.000-07:00

What could be finer on a Minnesota summer afternoon than being outdoors on a patio? Producers at 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS’ TWIN CITIES LIVE (TCL) got a major upgrade to their set this season with the addition of an outdoor living space created by Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies and the Parade of Homes(sm) with help from a cadre of partners. It's an incredible paver patio with a fabulous grill island, fireplace, comfortable gathering area, and plantings that are the perfect backdrop to many of TCL’s lifestyle features. You can see its debut on TCL here.

How it came about: TCL producers went to the folks at Parade of Homes(sm), who asked Hedberg to help. We, in turn, asked our suppliers for product donations and enlisted some of the finest contractors we know to build it (see credits at the end of this post). The patio design by Dustin Kaercher knocked their socks off. It took just two meetings to finalize a plan that would provide functional and comfortable interview, demonstration and cooking areas and show off some of the latest trends in outdoor living.

Original Rock Designs started the build in May by covering plain whitewashed cinderblock with lathe in preparation for teriffic masonry work. You'll notice what a difference the transformation makes in subsequent photos. It doesn't look like the same place.

Tier One Landscape tore out a concrete slab and some asphalt and based a 22' x 17' area in the KSTP parking lot just outside the studio doors. It seemed like a small area, but Dustin's design packed in a lot of features without making it feel crowded.

Tier One installed a two-level Anchor Britton paver patio, Anchor Highland columns, an accent boulder from Mesabi Natural Stone and an Aquascape bubbling rock water feature. Original Rock Designs built the outdoor fireplace and Calise Outdoor Kitchens built the grill island.

Halla Nursery did the plantings and Priemier Fence installed the privacy fence, which not only secures the area but gives it definition and a cozy warmth.

I asked Steve Hedberg, founder of Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies, why it was important to build a patio for TCL. He said he wanted to provide a comfortable environment for TCL hosts and guests that would inspire viewers to create their own outdoor living spaces.

"A well-designed patio brings families together throughout the seasons, which is why outdoor living spaces are the latest trend in home improvement,” Steve said. “In this part of the country we are cooped up all winter and can’t wait to spend time outside, to make the most of Minnesota summers. What better way than in your own outdoor living room?”

Exactly. Let's get outside and enjoy these glorious days while we can, before we're in the cruel clutches of winter again.

We also designed the patio with the environment in mind. We used a sustainable landscaping model that included locally-sourced (produced within 500 miles of the Twin Cities) and recycled materials. The pavers and wall block from Anchor Block Company contain recycled fly ash and are manufactured locally. The masonry veneer was manufactured in Wisconsin by Buechel Stone Corporation. These materials are extremely durable and will not require replacement or refinishing over time. The accent boulder is recycled “overburden” waste from the Iron Range mining activities and supplied by Mesabi Natural Stone in Hoyt Lakes. The plantings, from Halla Nursery, are mostly low-maintenance and native to the region.

It was exciting hanging out at the 5 Eyewitness News/Twin Cities Live studios and being involved in the birth of a patio! Here's a shout out to our partners, who helped conceive, incubate and go through many days of labor to make it happen:

Parade of HomesSM (co-creator)

Tier One Landscapes (landscape installation)
Original Rock Design (masonry installation)
Buechel Stone Corporation (masonry veneer)
Anchor Block Company (pavers and wall block)
Mesabi Natural Stone (accent boulder)
Premier Fence (privacy fence)
Calise Outdoor Kitchens (grill island)
Aquascape Inc. (water feature)
Halla Nursery (planting)

Confessions of a Do-It-Yourself Landscaper

2009-05-13T13:50:00.000-07:00

Mom has always wanted a flagstone patio. For Mother's Day this year I decided to build her one.

Since I'm Mom, this means I agreed to build my own patio. If you remember from a previous post, our landscaping is proceeding in project installments. This phase, a scenic overlook at the top of the hill, is an extension of the paver patio and stone steps below.

To start, I marked out the walkway extension and an 8-foot diameter circle with spray paint, then selected a blend of flagstone at Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies Plymouth yard (where I work) and had a ton of class 2 base delivered in a bag (see photo below). I integrated pavers and flagstone leftover from the first phase project for design continuity.

Here's what a one-ton bag of gravel looks like. The delivery driver placed it exactly where I indicated and it was out of the way of our vehicles for the duration of the build.

Landscape Tip: if you want a project to turn out perfectly, hire a professional. Since I believe that only God makes things that are perfect, I can tolerate certain imperfections in my work.

Here are the tools I used.

Here are the tools I wanted.

Two other essential items: sunscreen and music. At my DIY pace of work, I was out in the sun a long time, so UV protection was imperative. Same thing with music. A lively beat from my iPod kept me going between water breaks with minimal fatigue. My theme song during excavation was "If Dirt Were Dollars" by Don Henley. Seemed appropriate.

I'm not going to give you the directions for how-to-build-a-sidewalk-and-patio here. The steps involved are better learned in person from an installation expert. Instruction is available from a variety of sources, including free DIY classes at Hedberg's Plymouth, Stillwater and Farmington stores. See the 2009 schedule here. It's important to know what you're getting into from a cost, time, tools and labor standpoint before you begin your project.

Mom's flagstone patio project took three weekends to complete. I was sore after my first day of digging and tamping, but my muscles got used to it and I'd like to think it was a good workout. The end result may not be wildly impressive to others, but we really like it. And in the end, that's what counts. Your satisfaction with your project.

I'll leave you with these observations on quality outdoor time...

It's Mother's Day morning and the house is quiet. I slip outside in my sweatshirt and jeans and resume digging the circle. The dog supervises from beneath a birch tree that is just starting to leaf out. Squirrels rustle in the ravine behind our shed. Goldenrod Marsh shimmers at the edge of the yard, beyond the cattails that are just now sending green shoots through winter-brown stalks. A family of geese waddles into the yard through a break in the marsh grass. While the fuzzy yellow-gray gosslings peck at the ground, the adult geese keep a wary eye on the dog, who is perfectly content to stay where he is. I pause to watch a pair of egrets swoop over the lawn, stark white against the green. They circle back to the pond and land where I can no longer see them. A juvenille heron perched in a tree in our neighbor's yard rasps his awkward cry. The hush of my shovel cutting through soil joins the robins' songs and cardinals' calls. The morning is perfect.

Naturally Affordable

2009-03-30T07:22:00.000-07:00

Today's guest blog is provided by Todd Harris, masonry specialist at Hedberg's Plymouth Masonry showroom.

Stone is a great material to use both on the exterior of your home and the interior. And we're not talking about just the fireplace. There are many stone products that you can use to enhance any room in the house. Stone is a versatile material that can be used on accent walls, backsplashes, wine cellars, columns, flooring, bathroom walls and more. You don't have to spend a lot of money to bring the elegance of stone into your home. It's virtually maintenance free and will look great forever. Talk about sustainable!

So what are your material options? Natural stone or manufactured product. Manufactured (a.k.a. "Cultured") stone is cheaper, right?

Not anymore! Naturally Affordable(TM) stone from Hedberg is real stone that's as economical as the manufactured kind. And it has the very look that manufactured stone aspires to.

Many of the masons we work with prefer working with natural stone because it's genuine stone through and through. Chipping, cutting and breaking doesn't impair the appearance of the natural stone as it would manufactured products. Manufactured products are made of lightweight cement and their surface coloration doesn't carry through the entire block. Natural stone gives designers and installers more flexibility and options.

Hedberg offers a broad selection of stone in its Naturally Affordable line. Over a dozen thin veneer choices and many times that in custom blends give you color, shape and style options to fit any application.

Come visit our showroom at 975 Nathan Lane in Plymouth and see hundreds of examples of stone installations. See how we can naturally enhance your home and increase its value with Affordable Stone. Call me with questions at 612-366-6272.

3 Keys to a Beautiful - and Affordable - Landscape

2009-03-20T12:05:00.000-07:00

It's not difficult to transform your yard into a harmonious collection of beautiful and functional outdoor living spaces. Just like with the inside of your dwelling, all it takes is money and desire. The easiest way to accomplish this is to hire a landscape design+build firm and let them create your paradise. It's what they do, and they do it well.

What's that? You have the desire part, but money's too tight to mention? I know how you feel. I felt the same way, and I found that don't have to transform your yard in one fell swoop (which would be cost prohibitive for many of us). You can do it in stages. You can do some of it yourself, even if you're not a landscape professional. Here are three keys to achieving a beautiful, affordable landscape.

First, plan it out. Plan it all out. Sketch out your vision of how it will look when it's all done, even if you don't know when that blessed day will come. You'll find that your ultimate landscape vision can be broken down into manageable projects. Then you can pick one and get started.

We started our landscape renovation project by building simple tiered retaining walls with garden beds along the back of our attached garage. The following year we hired contractors to remove a cracked concrete patio slab. They replaced it with an elegant Belgard paver patio and stone steps. The patio extends further into our yard and is a dream for entertaining. Plus, by having professionals fix the patio we no longer have water seeping into our basement after heavy rains. We saved money by reseeding areas ourselves where the sod had been removed and spent a couple weekends creating a raingarden beside the patio. We have since planted a couple trees, carefully leaving room for the third phase, which will involve an addition to the patio, a fire ring, and a stone retaining wall. The final phase will include a bog and pondless waterfall that cascades over the retaining wall and disappears into a basin of decorative rocks beside the patio. The water feature will include a RainXchange rainwater harvesting system.

If I didn't know where future pieces of the project would fit, we wouldn't be able to plan our small additions properly. The last thing you want to do is plant and later dig out plants or have to move landscape elements after they've been installed. Play it safe and smart and map out your grand plan from the start, even if it's just a pencil sketch on a napkin.

Second, call in the experts when it makes sense. Call Gopher State One Call at 811 to locate all underground utility lines and get them marked for free. Get material selection advice from a reputable supplier and hire a designer to help you with variables such as elevation changes and drainage issues. Attend a class to learn proper installation techniques, buy or rent the right tools and equipment. By all means, hire a contractor to do the work if you have any doubts. Don't skimp on quantity or quality of materials or labor. You'll be much happier with the outcome knowing it's done right.

Third, enjoy the experience! It's fun to see something grow from your vision. Some of us like digging, sweating and placing rocks, blocks and plants. Some people prefer watching the work from a lounge chair at a safe distance. Either way, take heart knowing you are improving your outdoor environment and adding resale value to your home. When the last piles of dirt are gone, the flowers are planted, and the furniture is on the patio, take a moment to relax and appreciate your new entertaining space or outdoor retreat. You've earned it!

If you need help with your projects this season, visit any Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies store or visit us online at http://www.hedbergrocks.com/.

Is there something you've added to your outdoor living spaces that you absolutely love? Tell me! I'd love to hear about your project! mailto:tplant@hedbergaggregates.com

Rainwater Harvesting

2009-02-15T16:14:00.000-08:00

Last month when we had our annual January thaw I noticed the low spots in my backyard where run off tends to pool. Drainage issue? Sure. Solution? There are several. I'm keenly interested in one that not only prevents swampiness, but also captures, stores and allows me to reuse the water where and when I want to. The solution is rainwater harvesting with a system called RainXchange.

We get soggy areas in our lawn from intense rains, and in Minnesota we get those throughout the growing season. A major source of stormwater runoff is our roof. If we could only divert the rain pouring off our roof and contain it for later use. Like, when we're subject to watering bans. That's exactly what RainXchange does.

Rainwater harvesting isn't a new concept. It's been around since ancient days. But methods for capturing rainwater from roof gutters have been less than elegant. Rainbarrels are effective for capturing and storing up to about 50 gallons. A good size Minnesota storm will drop a lot more than 50 gallons on your house. One inch of rain on one acre generates 27,000 gallons of water! More storage is needed.
You could invest in larger storage tanks and underground cisterns. Let me be frank - the former is ugly and the latter is expensive. RainXchange is a new system from Aquascape is eco-friendly and beautiful. The image illustrates how RainXchange works. Click on it and you will be taken to the RainXchange website to learn more.

The concept is simple and solid. It takes stormwater from your downspout, filters out leaves and other debris and directs it via a pipe to an underground storage basin that feeds either a pondless waterfall or fountainscape feature. The water circulates through the water feature, where it exchanges oxygen and is filtered through gravel. This cleans the captured water. In addition to supporting a beautiful water feature, the captured run off can be used to water your garden, wash cars, and even run your irrigation system, depending on the size of the storage basin and the design of the system.
A water feature enriches your landscape by providing lively sound and visual appeal. Water will attract wildlife and provides a retreat from your busy day. We have heard time and again how water features bring families together.

It doesn't have to be big or take a lot of space. You can tuck a RainXchange system just about anywhere on your property, and enjoy the double benefit of doing something good for the environment adding signifcant curb appeal to your home.

Prevent runoff and enjoy your own captured rainwater. It's an all around smart system!

Landscape architects and contractors can learn more about RainXchange at Hedberg's Contractor Education Day, March 14 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center. Registration is now open online for this full day event at http://www.hedbergaggregates.com/Contractor/ContractorEducationDay.aspx . Homeowner seminars on RainXchange will be held at all Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies locations starting in April. Registration information will be posted online at http://www.hedbergrocks.com/ in the coming weeks.

RainXchange is a trademark of Aquascape, Inc. and is distributed in Minnesota and western Wisconsin by Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies. Call 763-545-4400 for information.

You Rock My World and other unique gifts

2009-02-02T13:24:00.000-08:00

What do you give the person who doesn’t need anything? Obviously something they don’t need. Hopefully something meaningful and unique. With Valentine’s Day coming up I thought it would be fun to explore some options other than chocolate and jewelry.

My recommendation: engraved gifts. An engraved message shows you took time composing or selecting just the right words and your gift, like the sentiment, is made to last.

Engraved garden stones are fun to give and receive. You can have stones of any size custom engraved with your own message, or get a prefabricated design. One of my favorite custom messages was from a soldier in Iraq for his family. He had “I am your rock” engraved on a huge boulder and installed in the yard so they could see it everyday while he was deployed overseas. The wife of an avid gardener commissioned a garden stone for her husband that said, “You rock my world.” Say anything you want.

I bought a garden stone for my mother that says, “Grandma’s Garden.” It adorned her flower garden for many years, and even though she’s no longer with us, the garden and the stone remind us all of her love.

You can have bottles of wine custom etched with names, dates and special messages. We have given them to employees in gratitude for jobs well done and they make excellent wedding, anniversary and engagement gifts. Think how romantic it will be to pop the cork on a very special bottle after popping a very special question!

Engraved gifts and gift certificates are available at Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies, online at http://www.hedbergrocks.com/.

What are some meaningful gifts you have given or received?

Leisurely Landscaping

2009-01-11T16:13:00.001-08:00

Last week I attended the Minnesota Green Expo, the region's largest annual gathering of landscape professionals. After attending several educational sessions and walking the busy exhibit floor, I concluded that despite the tenuous state of the economy, landscape options are more abundant and advanced than ever. I was impressed by how much you can do to improve your landscape and how easy these features are to maintain. Winter is a great time to research and plan spring home improvements. Here are some ideas for starters.

Blue Thumb, an environmental organization of which Hedberg is a partner, claims that raingardens and native plantings are the key to leisurely landscaping. That makes perfect sense, considering these types of plants are hardy and perfectly adapted to our climate. Plant it and let it grow. Add 4 inches of mulch throughout the garden and weeding will be minimal. The root systems of these plants absorb excess water and mitigate storm water runoff to streets, filtering the water through the soil and keeping our ponds, streams and lakes cleaner. Environmental stewardship and landscape elegance. An all around good plan. Learn more at http://www.bluethumb.org .

Stone surfaces, such as patios and walkways, also reduce lawn maintenance. In fact, many of the most elegant landscapes I have seen contain little to no grass. No mowing? Easy! Like raingardens, permeable paver surfaces allow water to drain through gaps between the pavers into a course gravel base and subsoil beneath.

Another leisurely landscape trend I saw was convenience for outdoor living. Appliances of all sorts are now available for outdoor kitchens and outdoor fireplaces (wood burning or gas). For people interested in building their own outdoor bar or kitchen, Rockwood offers several plans and is introducing kits this spring that will contain all the block you need to build a backyard bar, fireplace, and more. For more sophisticated settings, Calise Outdoor Kitchens offers modular components and high quality stainless steel appliances, from grills and refrigerators to built-in blenders. Modular units are on display at Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies at 975 Nathan Lane in Plymouth (call 763-225-0540 for hours and directions or visit http://www.hedbergrocks.com/).

When it comes to relaxing, nothing soothes like the gentle sound of water. Fountainscapes are easy to install and require nothing more than an occasional top-off. Aquabasins are self-contained units that can be installed by homeowners or added to any landscape design. Statuary can be used in the fountain or any kind of rock can be drilled to create a fountain. The triple basalt column display at the Hedberg booth drew plenty of attention for its symetry and natural elegance.

Three other items of note that help create a leisurely landscape: heat, light and mosquito control. Gas or electric heating elements help extend the use of your outdoor living space in our northern climate. Lighting is not only a practical consideration for getting around your yard at night, but low voltage illumination transforms your patio into a magical entertaining area.

Automated mosquito control - need I say more? A system that mists botanical oils around your outdoor living area twice daily. That's what I call leisurely.

You can learn more about Minnesota landscaping options at your nearest Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies or online at http://www.hedbergrocks.com/. Happy planning!

Landscaping in Belize

2009-01-04T12:40:00.000-08:00

The plants are tropical, the weather is [much!] warmer, and the hardscape materials are somewhat different, but the goal is the same: to create a beautiful space around your home. All over the world, stone plays a significant role in creating floors, walls, water features and defining walkways and planting areas.

Here are examples from a recent trip to the Central American country of Belize.

Retaining walls and garden walls made of natural stone, whether dry stacked or reinforced with mortar, create beauty that will withstand wind, rain and even ocean tides.

Native rocks are also used for edging.

Interlocking concrete pavers the exclusive paving system used on the main road on Ambergris Caye, a testiment to the durability of concrete pavers. They are also used at several of the resorts on the island. Pictured to the left is the bowling alley and paver patio at the Sand Bar.

Last but not least, to the right is a water feature integrated into the pool at the Xanadu Resort. Note the stone surrounding the pool as well as the boulder accents.

Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies is the leading provider of natural stone and interlocking concrete pavers in Minnesota, featuring native stone quarried within 500 miles of the Twin Cities, as well as exotic stone quarried around the world. Visit http://www.hedbergrocks.com/ for more information or stop by a Hedberg showroom to see floor to ceiling displays of stone selections.

What are some of your favorite stone landscapes from around the world?

Fire Up Your Fall! How To Build a Fire Pit In Your Yard.

2008-10-07T11:28:00.000-07:00

Looking for a fun and easy weekend project? Add a fire pit to your backyard! With as little as a steel ring and a couple bags of crushed rock, you can create a new family gathering place reminiscent of summer camping trips and vacations in the great outdoors.

Campfires, ghost stories and S'mores never grow old.

It's easy to install a durable fire pit and dress it up with a simple ring of boulders or pavers. You don't have to stop there. Landscaping trends today include a variety of stylish ways to bring warmth to your outdoor living space, from wood or gas-burning fire pits integrated in a custom stone or paver patio, to deluxe fireplaces, outdoor kitchens and old-world pizza ovens.

A fire ring can be installed so that it is flush with the ground, or built to your desired height above the ground. It's a matter of taste and function. And if your taste runs to something grander than you can install yourself, don't worry, you can hire a qualified landscape installer to bring your vision to life. Hedberg works with dozens of courteous, professional, award -winning contractors around Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We'll be happy to refer you. Call Hedberg at 763-225-0589.

To build your own fire pit:
1. Check with your city to see if fire pits are allowed.

The city or municipality you live in may have codes governing where you can install a fire ring, its size and other parameters. Be sure to check their website or call their office for compliance instructions.

2. Choose a site that complies with codes, is well away from fences, shrubs, overhanging trees and anything else tht might catch fire. Outline your fire pit (diameter about 5') using a can of spray paint.

3. Call 811 before you dig to locate underground utility and service lines. In Minnesota, contact Gopher State One Call at 800-252-1166 or 651-454-0002 or call 811. Call at least 48 hours before you plan to dig.

4. Dig the hole for your fire ring. The ideal diameter of the pit should be 4-5 feet. For an in-ground fire pit, dig down 12 inches. Place a 36" ring in the center of the hole. Line the bottom of the ring with sand, pea gravel or crushed limestone.

5. Fill the gap outside the fire ring with 6" of dirt and pack it down. If you plan to surround your fire ring with a circle of pavers, add 4" of Class II and tamp it down tight. Or if you're using small boulders to decorate your fire ring, continue filling with dirt and tamp that down.

6. Place the pavers or boulders around the fire ring, fill gaps with sand and you're done!

Tip: Only burn untreated wood that's dry and clean. Keep your fire small. Never burn garbage, plastic, leaves or brush - the smoke can be irritating, aggravate health conditions and upset your neighbors.

Above all - enjoy some family time!

Interlocking Paver Driveways Outlast Asphalt and Concrete

2008-09-24T13:03:00.000-07:00

Paver driveways have a reputation for being elegant, distinctive and long lasting -- and expensive. That last part isn't really accurate. A paver driveway is a much better investment than asphalt or poured concrete. Interlocking paver driveways outlast asphalt and concrete and are actually less expensive over their lifespans than other driveway options. A properly installed paver driveway does not crack, will last thirty or more years and is virtually maintenance free.

MyPaverDriveway.com is a new website sponsored by Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies and Anchor Block Company that illustrates the features and benefits of paver driveways and offers Minneapolis/St.Paul area residents an affordable entry level paver driveway package starting at $9.00/sq. ft.

“A paver driveway increases a home’s value and significantly boosts curb appeal.
No other exterior improvement project gives your property a faster face lift,”
said Michael Hatch of Re/Max Results/The Hatch Group. “In today’s sluggish
housing market a paver driveway gives the seller a distinct advantage.”

“I wanted a paver driveway but figured it was out of my reach,” said Michael R.
Johnson, Plymouth resident and new Anchor Paver Driveway Owner. “After studying the pros and cons of asphalt, concrete and pavers, I realized I was going to get a much longer lasting product – not to mention the increased beauty – with a
paver driveway. After purchasing MyPaverDriveway.com’s Standard Installation
Package, I also got the cost-effectiveness I was after. I would strongly
recommend an Anchor paver driveway over any other system,” concluded Johnson.

Environmental stewardship is another advantage paver driveways can provide. Certain pavers are manufactured and installed in such a way that they can handle storm water runoff better than concrete, asphalt, standard pavers and even turf. Permeable paving systems allow water to rapidly pass through wider joints and filter through a deeper base of aggregate. Contaminants are contained and excess water is absorbed into the subgrade below the driveway. This can be of particular interest to people who live near lakes, streams and other bodies of water they care to protect. Other paver characteristics related to green building are listed on the MyPaverDriveway.com site.

What to do with a paver driveway in the winter? Plow it! Shovel it! “Many people think you can’t plow or shovel a paver driveway but nothing could be further from the truth,” said Nick Sowka, Sales Director at Anchor Block Company. “A paver driveway handles the freeze-thaw cycles of Minnesota winters better than any other kind of pavement. It’s tough, beautiful and smart.”

You can learn more about the Standard Installation Package and the many options and upgrades also available at MyPaverDriveway.com. Full terms and conditions are listed on the web site as well as “Frequently Asked Questions”, technical information, financing options and project photos. Homeowners are encouraged to call (763) 225-0589 for a free estimate.

Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies is Minnesota’s largest wholesale and retail supplier of landscape hardgoods and masonry products – including the concrete products of Anchor Block Company, Minnetonka, MN.

The Patio Comes of Age

2008-04-20T17:22:00.000-07:00

Working at Hedberg we talk a lot about the changes in landscaping over the past 20 years. Remember when a patio was a plain (cracked, with weeds growing in the cracks) ten by twelve slab of concrete? Or if your parents were cool, you had 18-inch squares of exposed aggregate fit together and the whole thing was framed by timbers. Maybe there was a picnic table, or a couple folding chairs with plastic strapping for seats and backs. Charcoal grill, can't forget that. And this modest oasis was stuck right behind the house, maybe off the back steps or behind the garage. Cool, huh? It worked for us then, but today we want more.

People who come to Hedberg are looking for something that reflects their tastes and extends their usable living space into the great outdoors. Forget the poured concrete slab. It's ugly and limiting. Homeowners today have many beautiful choices of genuine stone or concrete pavers made to look like the real thing. Stone or pavers are far superior to poured concrete and in the long run they are much more economical. Not to mention they look so much better.

I was in St. Petersburg, Russia, last October and lost count of the streets, courtyards and vast public squares paved with granite cobbles. The climate in northern Russia is similar to ours in Minnesota. Heat, cold, freeze, thaw. Repeat. Three hundred years and counting on those pavers. Talk about durable! And they're classy. If granite isn't your style, you can choose different colors and laying patterns of clay or cement pavers. Some of them are tumbled to give an old-world look, some offer crisp lines for a contemporary design. If you like a really random, natural look, consider flagstone, which is in essence a thin sheet of rock broken into randomly shaped, liftable pieces and then laid in like a jigsaw puzzle. The gaps between the stones are filled with sand. For a really cool look you can encourage moss to grow in the joints, or you can go the opposite direction and use a fixative to bond the sand so no grass or weeds will grow through. But the nice thing about all these outdoor floors is, they are firm and even and they set the stage for your personal brand of outdoor entertaining or relaxing.

Besides the more fashionable and functional table, chairs and improved grills that still go on most patios, we at Hedberg have witnessed the emergence of luxury outdoor kitchens, complete with bars, refrigerators, blenders, stone or tile countertops, storage cabinets, pizza ovens and more. Outdoor fireplaces are becoming a popular addition to patios as the family (and neighborhood) gathering spot. And let's not forget the soothing sound of water as fountains, waterfalls and ponds increasingly join the backyard landscape to finish off a personal retreat. We're also seeing an increase in front yard patios, or courtyards, leading up to the front entry, where people enjoy an evening watching the kids play and chatting with neighbors. A ground level alternative to the old front porch. You can see photos of many interesting residential landscapes at http://www.hedbergrocks.com/.

Patios have evolved as our lifestyles demand more of us and we turn to our outdoors to expand with creative and pleasant living spaces. Hedberg can help you with project ideas or refer you to a qualified contractor for any kind of landscape project.

Have you spotted a new trend for outdoor living spaces you'd like to share? Email me at tplant@hedbergaggregates.com.

Rocks With Soul! Please mark your calendar for the 2008 Twin Cities Pond and Landscape Tour, July 19-20 and 26-27, where you can explore over 100 amazing backyards (without getting arrested). More information and photos at http://www.tcpondandlandscapetour.com/. The event raises money for Children's Cancer Research Fund, which is why this blog is called "Rocks with Soul." Hedberg, the other tour sponsors and the hundred families opening their yards for the tour all care about kids and want to make a difference by fighting childhood cancer. We hope you'll join us!