Rock Solid Landscape & Irrigation

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Rock Solid Advice

From the biggest patio to the smallest blade of grass, there isn’t much we don’t know about landscaping, lawn care, and irrigation systems. We’ve got lots of information to share in this blog, and we hope it proves helpful. Of course, if there’s a topic on which you’d like more information, feel free to contact us and let us know.

When to Prune Your Trees and Plants

Fall yard clean-up is on all our minds! There’s something satisfying about seeing your yard ready for the winter months. From raking up leaves and removing annuals, to mulching your perennial garden beds. It is during this fall yard maintenance routine that the Rock Solid experts are often asked … Read More …

Planting Year-Round For The Birds

Birdwatching is one of the fastest growing recreational activities in Minnesota even in the winter as not all birds fly south during the cold months. It is actually pretty amazing to observe the different songbird species that have adapted to our Minnesota winters. And although they appreciate our … Read More …

Not Enough Sun? Design an Attractive Shade Garden

Not sure how to make the shady areas of your yard attractive? You can still make north facing or less sunny locations in your yard stunning and show-stopping by selecting the right shade plants and hardscapes. The shady areas of your yard tend to be cooler, and the soil retains moisture longer, so … Read More …

Common Critters That Damage Your Lawn

Take care of your lawn all spring so large brown spots don’t appear in summer. When your lawn is thick and healthy, it can be one of the most appealing parts of your yard, but when it’s damaged by critters and insects, it quickly becomes unattractive. Even with proper Read More …

How to Read a Plant Tag

Don’t you just love stepping into a nursery and seeing all the plant options? It’s easy to quickly fill up your cart with plants of different colors and textures. Here’s a tip for when you get home — don’t throw away that little plant tag! Even if it’s a plant you’ve added to your garden before, new … Read More …

Design Trends for Patio Pavers

As the desire for outdoor living spaces becomes more popular, the creative options for the foundation of the space, the pavers, has multiplied. Homeowners are saying goodbye to the concrete square patios and choosing beautifully designed pavers. Read More …

6 Landscape Design Projects You Can Start Planning for Right Now!

Ready, set … is it spring yet? Snow. Flurries. Screaming wind. Yup…it’s official. November has finally arrived. For those among us who live for soft, warm breezes, BBQs on the patio, and grass that tickles our toes, the countdown to spring has begun. And as long as we’re thinking about next April, … Read More …

Minnesota Shrubs for All Seasons

Spring blooms to autumn shades — choosing and caring for shrubs in your landscaping Shrubs and trees form the backbone of your landscape to accentuate your perennials and annuals. Shrubs fill the sunny, shady, dry, moist areas of your yard or create stunning transitions between different areas of … Read More …

Garden Plants That Help Pollinators Thrive

Did you know that one third of our plant-based food sources depend on insects for pollination? Pollinators are an integral part of our food supply chain and unfortunately, their populations are rapidly declining. This decline is mostly due to loss of habitats and limited plant diversity. This rapid … Read More …

How to Create a Butterfly Garden

Butterflies are important pollinators that also add color, life, and interest to your backyard. With fewer and fewer available habits because of urban sprawl, creating a butterfly garden in your yard can help increase their populations. A butterfly garden can be any size from carefully selected … Read More …

Making Your Yard a Joy, Not a Chore

What’s your biggest complaint about gardening and yard maintenance? Our guess is that you said, “weeding!” We’ve never met someone who actually enjoys weeding. The other common complaint is that it takes too much work and effort to make the yard look nice. However, it is possible to have an amazing … Read More …

The Benefits of Fertigation Systems

Fertilization Made Easy! Have you ever walked down the fertilizer aisle at your local garden store? It can be overwhelming with so many choices — Do you buy liquid or granular fertilizer? What ratio of nutrients is best? Which fertilizer should be applied in the spring? Why do you need to … Read More …

Design Tips for Perfect Outdoor Kitchens

Are you looking forward to the days of having friends over and enjoying a meal together in your backyard?  Or trying out some new recipes on your BBQ or in your pizza oven? With the summer coming, we’re going to be spending more time outside and less time isolated in the house. Is your yard and … Read More …

Our Commitment to Your Safety

COVID-19: What we're doing and what you need to know. Dear Rock Solid Landscape & Irrigation Customers: Rock Solid remains operational and able to continue to service our customers. We are closely monitoring events and the government mandates as the health and safety of our employees, … Read More …

Home and Garden Shows — The Cure for Cabin Fever

Update: The North Suburban Home Show on Saturday, March 14, 2020 has been canceled. Due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak, these events have been rescheduled in efforts to comply with the recommendations of the CDC and MDH. Of course, this new show dates can change as the health of the country … Read More …

Why Choose Permeable Pavers for Your Hardscape Project

Benefits of Installing a Permeable Paver System If you’re planning a hardscape project — a patio, walkway, driveway — for your property, you’ll need to decide on the type of surface to install. Choose wisely because the health of the lakes and streams in your area may depend on it. What’s more, one … Read More …

Smart Technology for Lawn and Garden Care

Sprinkler systems can run remotely with an app on the phone What once seemed so futuristic has become almost commonplace: the smart home. With a few swipes on your phone, you can turn on the porch lights and crank up the air conditioner before you even arrive, thanks to smart technology (can we … Read More …

A Survivor’s Guide to Irrigation

If you survived the Minnesota winter (which ended approximately five minutes ago), congratulations are in order. In all likelihood, you’re ready to kiss your grass, roll around in it for a while and then dance a jig across your lawn. Who cares what that nosey neighbor, Mrs. Slackjaw, thinks?  It’s … Read More …

Six Landscaping Ideas & Trends to Try

Spruce up your space this spring Nobody expects your grounds to be the gardens at Versailles, but if your backyard consists of nothing but crabgrass, a decomposing picnic table, and a rusty swing set, you might want to consider updating your outdoor space. Why not try some new Read More …

Dog Days To-Dos — Lawn Care Tips

Keep your lawn from looking “RUFF” The signs are all there — Christmas decorations are out at Target, parents are counting down the days until school starts again, you’ve accepted that you’re probably not going to be beach-body-ready until next June. The dog days of summer are upon us. And probably … Read More …

Drought and Irrigation

How to win a turf war with Mother Nature We’ve been pretty lucky so far this season. It seems like we’ve had just about the right amount of rainfall. However, there is a LOT of summer left. Let a week or two or five of no rain come to pass and your lawn will suddenly start to look combustible. As … Read More …

Trends in Water Features

Come on in! The water’s fine! Thinking about adding a water feature to your outdoor living space this summer? Great! Water features add visual appeal, soothing sound, and a calming peace to any patio or garden area. … Read More …

How to Choose a Good MN Landscape Company

4 questions to ask before you say, “I do.” Choosing a MN Landscape Company can be a little like choosing a mate. It’s important to learn as much as possible ahead of time to ensure your ultimate satisfaction with the relationship. The following four questions should help you weed out … Read More …

From Lawn Care to Lawn Chairs

A checklist for your summertime backyard event It’s that time of year again…grads graduating, brides and grooms marrying, families reuniting and you…you’re freaking out. Your lawn is nowhere near ready for that party, reception, or gathering you’re planning you need help NOW! First, get a brown … Read More …

Lawn Irrigation Tips — how much water is just right?

Improper irrigation can be a real horror story!First it’s too much rain, then there’s not enough. There’s either a flood or a drought, feast or famine, too hot or too cold. As a homeowner you start to feel a little like Goldilocks. All you want is a good-looking, healthy lawn. So how much water … Read More …

Oh, deer!

4 essential items for deer-resistant gardeningIf deer were actually like Disney characters, prancing through the forest and making mischief with rabbits, we’d all get along. Unfortunately, deer have a tendency to go off script, wreaking havoc with your hostas, gobbling up your garden, and just … Read More …

Fall Yard Clean Up. Do We Gotta?

More than one good reason for fall lawn care The signs are all there — Christmas decorations are out at Target, parents are counting down the days until school starts again, you’ve accepted that you’re probably not going to be beach-body-ready until next June. The dog days of summer are upon us. … Read More …

Sprinkler Irrigation Systems

5 Sprinkler Myths Busted! As you survey the grass in your yard that is starting to look more like the Serengeti than a Minnesota lawn, you’re probably regretting putting off putting in that smart sprinkler system. Still you had your reasons, right? Well, today is the day we bust the myths about Read More …

Summertime Patio Ideas

It’s time to really enjoy outdoor living When we say “outdoor living” we’re talking about something more than pitching a pup tent in your yard. This summer, why not really rev things up in your outdoor living space? We’ve got summertime patio ideas for you that are going to make you want to move … Read More …

Four outdoor living trends you’re going to love

There’s more to outdoor living than sleeping in a tent! Minnesota residents know three things: (1) Where “up north” is located; (2) That it’s called “pop” not “soda”; (3) And that the golden days of summer last about as long as $50 at Target so you better make the best of them. How to do that? … Read More …

The best time to install irrigation systems

The secret to a green lawn Remember that first hot day of summer when you turned on your AC, only to discover it had died a tragic death over the winter? And remember how when you called the repair person they told you they’d be happy to come out and fix it…in July when things slowed down a little? … Read More …

Springtime Lawn Care 101

Your refresher on MN lawn care It’s widely known that Minnesotans enter into a kind of conscious amnesia every winter. We choose to forget about spring and summer, playing ball on the lawn, barbecueing on the patio, watching the flowers grow. It’s a coping mechanism to get through the snowdrifts, … Read More …

What does your lawn say about you?

Smart irrigation sprinkler systems + smart homeowner = gorgeous green lawn Ever take those quizzes on Facebook? You know the ones…what does your name mean? What kind of dog are you? Well, we’ve got one. What does your lawn say about you? Is it thick? Dazzling green? Evenly lush across your entire … Read More …

The Dirty Dozen — Top 12 Spring Gardening & Landscaping Tips

Don’t be fooled by the recent smattering of days with temps in the 60s. Only transplants from warmer climates let themselves get excited about spring arriving in March. After all…this IS Minne-snowta! So, while we’re cautiously optimistic enough to put away our boots and mittens, we’re not … Read More …

That’s a wrap! But before we say goodbye…

Did you hear that? It was the sound of the year whooshing by us at about a million mph. It seems like it was just a minute ago we were slathering on SPF 50 and planting our veggie garden in the broiling sun. Now it’s winter coat time and heaven help us…the stores are putting up their holiday … Read More …

Sprinkler madness — lawn irrigation systems offer hope!

Every season, right about now, we see a fair number of homeowners suffering from sprinkler irrigation madness. Find out if you’re at risk by asking yourself the following:

  • Do you feel like you might lose it if you have to move your sprinkler one more time?
  • Did you have to sell … Read More …

Landscape Companies MN — How to choose the best one

Travel down Highway 10 on any given day and you’ll see there’s no shortage of trucks with logos advertising landscape companies in MN. However, a truck, a shovel, and a power mower does not a landscape company make. Choosing from the countless landscape companies in Minnesota to find the right one … Read More …

How intelligent is your sprinkler irrigation system?

Let’s do a little time travel this month, shall we? Flash forward to July. It’s hot and hazy and you’re surveying your crunchy brown lawn. You’re wondering, “What went wrong?” Now, we don’t like to say “We told you so” (well, actually we do) but, if you’d had us install that Read More …

MN Lawn Care — It’s about time!

Between the polar vortex and record snowfalls, I don’t know how much more of this winter we could stand. No doubt about it, we’re hardy in Minnesota and we persevere (and I must say, we do it with style) because we know the payoff is coming…spring! Glorious spring—grass growing, birds chirping, … Read More …

Procrastinators Guide To Getting Lawn Care Done

If you’ve been a Minnesota resident for more than a year, you know that come November, we’re living on borrowed time. It could snow at any moment — before Old Man Winter moves in you’ve got to stop procrastinating and start in on those last few Read More …