Lake Michigan Lawn & Landscape

Last week was a busy one that started with 250 perennials delivered to our doorstep. The order included Black Eyed Susan, Cora Belle, Hosta, Russian Sage, Shasta Daisy, Coneflower, Nepeta, Brunnera, Bugbane, Crane's Bill, Bee Balm, Gro-Lo Sumac and a huge assortment of Daylily in a variety of eye-popping colors. This order is split between two job sites but oh, I would love to keep them all myself! All of the plants were in great shape, healthy and beautiful. Even our old Boxer Theo was impressed. He took a break from chasing ground squirrels to check out our order. Theo has always been one to stop and smell the posies.  :)

While I was unloading the delivery truck Jason was busy prepping the job site. I had the better end of that deal for sure! Jason moved 20+ yards of topsoil & 10 yards of mulch to create a new lawn area and 5 new landscape beds. First, a new lawn area was cleared. Topsoil was added and the entire area was hand-raked and hand-seeded. It's a labor of love but well worth the effort. You just can't throw caution (or grass seed) to the wind when you're working on Lake Michigan! By next spring the handwork will really show and this lawn will be a treat for bare feet.

The new landscape beds were next. Jason put a lot of thought into this design. Bed locations ranged from full sun to shade. Perennials had to be hardy enough to withstand the freezing temperatures and fierce winds coming off Lake Michigan. The beds had to provide color throughout the season to attract the eye and beneficial insects. There was poison ivy to contend with and the beds needed to incorporate a good mix of deer resistant plants. 

Deer resistant plants really do help deter deer but a hungry deer will eat almost anything. No plant is 100% deer proof. Speaking of hungry deer, two fawns (still with faint spots) came out of the cornfield last week to munch on our fallen apples. Theo is not happy about this. He thinks the apples are his treats and the fawns really cleaned up on his stash.

The first two beds were installed on either side of the driveway entrance.
Before he was finished Jason had picked up 2 new customers!

DRIVEWAY BED #1 BEFORE

DRIVEWAY BED #1 UNDER CONSTRUCTION

DRIVEWAY BED #1 INSTALLED

DRIVEWAY BED #2 UNDER CONSTRUCTION

DRIVEWAY BED #2 INSTALLED

At the end of this project 134 perennials & shrubs had been planted.
​We're looking forward to watching these beds fill in.

It's not too late to install your landscape project.
(And it's never too early to schedule your fall cutbacks & clean-ups!)
​Visit our Garden page to see what the Pillywiggins can do for you.