While It Has Been Raining We've Had Plenty To Do!

Let's face it, this has been more than a "cats and dogs" rainy season. In fact, we'll go so far as to say it's raining frogs. This eye-catching couple represented the massive population which thoroughly enjoys the rain and our pond in the back yard. They have brought in all their relatives. In the evenings there is frog choir practice and we truly enjoy the mixture of voices! During the day, as you see, they are keenly aware of what is going on around their established residence. Ruby and Megan, all the guys, and our dogs have to watch their steps.

We learn by doing but we do not learn by doing a job for the first time at your home! Although there has been a fire pit and a "surround" for years here, we decided to upgrade and update, oddly at just about the time we would be reviewing techniques and polishing skills at pre-season gathering (work). We keep up with trends, ideas, improvements, methods, and materials. We strive to keep our designs current while also maintaining a sense of longevity. Here's a look at our new fire pit area. Come see it in person! Zsa-Zsa will be there to greet you and show you around. (Olive may be working in the nursery or the office. In our new setup you see we have plenty of room for seating: at a children's picnic table, on a nearby bench, and along the wall built as multi-purpose. That wall also can be used as a serving area. We may end up putting a plant or two on the pillars. Who knows?


Then there is our greenhouse.

Can you say, "good to go"? We are! There little space left and we are awaiting a semi-truck delivery, once the roads are clear enough for heavy loads to travel on safely. We're pretty certain it will be today. But look at the inside already. Then there's the rock; we have a new one called bark rock - G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S, along with the more familiar shades of nature in everything from moss-loaded and lichen-covered boulders to flagstone of varying shapes/sizes, down to pea gravel. We'll be loading up daily to do some catching up. The two-hour a day work schedule we have managed will be changing soon.

As always, we appreciate your calls and notes. We gladly share our photos with you as inspiration as well as a little insight into who we are and what goes on around here.

Thank you.

We remain, 

Energy, You, and Landscaping

It is possible to improve the looks of your landscaping, get exercise and save on energy costs - all with a single decision to just do it. Start now with plans, selections, and then act while the weather is good. For years to come you will reap the benefits!

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, carefully positioned trees can save up to 25% of a household's energy consumption for heating and cooling.  The US Dept of Energy created computer models which suggest that 3 trees, placed properly will save $100 to $250 in annual energy costs. That pays for the trees and you're adding beauty and value to your homescape and surrounding area.

According to one newsletter, evergreen trees, with low growing branches, shield against cold winter winds. Plant them on the north or northwest. Deciduous (leaf-shedders) trees belong on the south and/or west as they offer shade in the summer and let the winter sunlight in to warm a home.

Don't take our word for it alone. Your best proof will be found at a park or wooded area on a hot day. The temperature under the trees can be as much as 25 degrees F/ 14 degrees C LOWER than being on blacktop. The shading and evapotranspiration (kids: that is the process by which a plant actively moves and releases water vapor) keeps park areas as much as 9 degrees F cooler. Neighborhoods with tree-shading may reach as much as 6 degrees F relief, while pre-treed (yes, we made that up) areas are scorchers.

So much for the heat of the day. Check out the winter impact.

There's this thing we all hear about called wind chill. For an outside temp of 10 F, with a wind speed of 20 mph, we will be subjected to a wind chill of -24 degrees F. Note the MINUS sign! Burrrrr. Hello! We have wind chill here in Central Illinois. Oh, it's not like South Dakota where as much as 40% of the heating bill can be reduced by windbreaks on three sides. But we are in a windy climate. A well-planned landscape can make a noticeable difference inside, outside, and what's in your wallet!

The federal government considers Illinois to have a Temperate climate. Here's more of their input.

The United States can be divided into four approximate climatic regions: temperate,
hot-arid, hot-humid, and cool. The energy-conserving landscape strategies you use should depend on which region you live in. 
Temperate

• Maximize warming effects of the sun in the winter.
• Maximize shade during the summer,
• Deflect winter winds away from buildings.
• Funnel summer breezes toward the home.

Sounds pretty easy, doesn't it? Well, that might be their job. If you want to read more, click the article title above. Or better yet, this one - our catalog! http://www.designer-landscapes.com/catalog.php Ready to start? We're ready for you to call. Our job is to really make it easy for you - we'll meet with you, talk with you, walk with you, work FOR you and get your property as efficient as you desire. You will have a "microclimate" that continues to improve over time.