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.
Home Remodeling is Now at Rock Solid!
The team at Rock Solid is excited to announce that we’ve officially expanded our team to begin offering home remodeling services in the Twin Cities! You already trust our team of professionals to revitalize your landscape, and now we’re excited to bring that same level of expertise to your indoor … Read More …
Efflorescence on Concrete: Where Does It Come From and How Do I Get It to Go Away?
Your brand-new patio is finally installed, and you’re all ready to roll out the barbeque and invite everyone over–until you notice the white, powdery dust emerging from its surface. This emergent residue is known in the landscaping industry as efflorescence, and while it doesn’t affect the … Read More …
Sprinkler Tech / How Wifi Has Become Important in Your Landscaping & Irrigation
WiFi for Your Smart Sprinkler System? It’s More Important Than You Think! From cell phones to e-books to smart refrigerators, it seems nearly everything is online these days. And although the internet and the outdoors may feel like polar opposites, your landscape today is more reliant than ever on … Read More …
These 5 Flowers Are Perfect for Attracting Native Bees
The benefits of bees are endless. They’re responsible for pollinating nearly 85% of the food crops eaten by both humans and animals, and their pollination efforts are what help plants grow year after … Read More …
Your Lawn in A Drought: What to look for, how to care for it, and preparing for the next one
Lately, it’s been pretty dry here in Minnesota, and many are wondering how to care for their lawn without the rain. Droughts can reverse all the hard work you’ve put into your lawn this season, but with proper lawn care in a … Read More …
Why, when, and how to divide perennial flowers
Grow your garden with sweat equity Free plants! FREE?!?? What gardener can resist free plants? By spring, most gardeners are itching to get their hands into the dirt. One great way to do that *and* increase your plant stock for free is by dividing your perennials. It’s a pretty straightforward … Read More …
Create a Handicap Accessible Garden Design
If you or someone you know has impaired mobility and a passion for gardening, then you have come to the right place. Too often, those with disabilities face challenges as they attempt to engage in their favorite activities. This is especially true working outside in the garden. There are plenty of … Read More …
How Landscape Lighting Can Improve Visibility and Safety
Many assume that adding landscape lighting is nothing more than an aesthetic decision. However, the value of well-placed lighting goes far beyond visual appeal. Landscape lighting has an incredible ability to improve the … Read More …
5 Advantages of a Sprinkler System for Your Yard
On the fence about installing a sprinkler system? Maybe you’re thinking that it’s too expensive or complicated, too time-consuming to manage, or just not worth it for the results that you get. And that’s all true … for a badly installed … Read More …
Incorporating Feng Shui & The 5 Elements Into Your Landscape Design
Feng Shui has been bringing balance and harmony to homes for hundreds of years, but did you know you can also use the ancient practices of landscape design? Certain colors, objects, and even plants can be arranged to promote … Read More …
Spring Cleaning? Here’s Why You Need to Hire a Professional
We’re still early into 2023, but before you know it, springtime will be here. Springtime brings warmth, but it also brings uncertainty as you may not know where to go with your lawn. How do you undo winter’s damage? Where should you take your lawn in 2023? These questions can be difficult to answer … Read More …
Rip Rap Retaining Wall — Your Best Option for Shoreline Restoration & Erosion Control
Erosion is a natural part of the earth’s lifecycle, but lakeside property owners know that its effects can be drastic. As the water gradually breaks down and washes away land, owners are left with decreased property value and degraded plant and animal habitats. But shoreline deterioration isn’t … Read More …
Home and Garden Shows — The Cure for Cabin Fever
Cabin fever can be ruthless. Fortunately, we’ve got the cure. Go ahead. Take a breath. Head to one of many Minnesota home and garden shows! Once there, reawaken your senses to the aroma of earth and grass. Delight in the sounds of trickling waterfalls and garden ponds. Skip across flagstone pavers … Read More …
Sprinkler Winterization and Maintenance
Do you feel it? The crispness in the air? Or maybe your experiencing the bountiful vegetable harvest and the start of sweater weather! We’re entering the fall season and pretty soon you’ll start seeing the pumpkin decorations everywhere. It a sign to book your Read More …
The Advantage of Boulder Retaining Walls
The natural curb appeal of boulder landscaping in retaining walls or a boulder garden is one of the hottest trends right now. Not only are boulder retaining walls a timeless, sophisticated addition to your yard, they’re also durable and aid in preventing soil erosion. Even though they’re hot … Read More …
Sprinkler 101 — Which Sprinkler System Should You Use for Your Yard
As Minnesotans, we look forward to our summers! They often feel too short — but just like you, we soak up every minute of the heat and summer sun. And when it’s really hot and dry in July and August, our lawn can take the brunt of the hot sun. This can be alleviated by investing in an Read More …
The Plus Side of Permeable Pavers
Your hardscape design is crucial to the overall flow and usability of your yard. It creates the blueprint for your space and it helps defines walkways and spaces for entertaining, outdoor cooking, or just relaxing. With that in mind, beautiful, distinguished landscapes tend to use Read More …
Five Reasons You Need A Smart Sprinkler System
Not looking forward to your summer water bill? Water is one of our most precious resources and according to recent studies, up to 50% of water used for lawns is wasted due to ineffective watering practices. This is one of the major reasons to invest in a smart sprinkler irrigation system. A smart … Read More …
No Mow May? Spring Lawn Care Tips
The sun is finally shining in and around the Twin Cities and the gardening tools have been pulled out of the corner of the shed. It’s amazing how quickly trees start budding and foliage starts popping up from the ground. Soon bees will start buzzing around looking for nectar. These bees are why we … Read More …
Hardscape Landscaping Trends to Connect You with Nature
If these past two years have taught us anything, it’s that our family’s health and wellness is an important focus and we’re seeing this shift in outdoor design too. Outdoor living spaces are on the rise. The reason is that quality, strategic landscape design not only provides a more functional … Read More …
Outdoor Lighting Improves Your Nightscape
Have you gone for a night drive and your eye is instantly pulled toward a beautiful home? What drew your eye? Was it that the home was lit up to bring focus to a stunning stone pathway, a paved driveway, or an amazing entryway? Outdoor lighting strategically placed to highlight your home or … Read More …
5 Ways Landscaping Improves Home Value
First impressions are everything! And your home’s impression and value doesn’t start at the front door, it starts right at the sidewalk. Your landscape is a vital component to make your home stand out. Whether you’re thinking of selling or just want to upgrade your home’s appearance, your landscape … Read More …
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 …
Bring The Inside Out — Outdoor Living Spaces
With spending more time at home this past year and a half, it’s given us time to create the outdoor living space of our dreams. It’s also shown us the importance of creating an outdoor living space that is not only beautiful, but … 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 …
2021 Outdoor Lighting Trends
When you add outdoor lighting to your outdoors space, it instantly adds beauty and increases usability of your yard during the night. Subtle landscape lighting can make a huge impact for minimal cost. Install outdoor lights to … 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 …
The Benefits of Topdressing and Mulching
Topdressing your lawn and adding mulch to your gardens are two important spring lawn care maintenance tasks. These tasks not only help your lawn and plants establish strong roots, but keeps weeds at bay. So, by paying attention to your … 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 …
Is a Smart Sprinkler System Worth It?
The main advantage of a smart sprinkler system is the reduction in water usage which ultimately reflects on your monthly water bill. We have smart phones, smart watches, smart thermostats, not only for the convenience, but because these … 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 …
Is There A Bad Time to Aerate Your Lawn?
Wondering when to aerate your lawn in Minnesota? The short answer — Fall, particularly after Labor Day and throughout September. Now for the long answer — Timing is one of the most important factors when it comes to lawn aeration. If … Read More …
How to Care for Your New Sod Installation
When you’ve had sod installation service done and have created a beautiful lush green lawn, you need to protect that investment and make sure it looks amazing for years to come. This newly installed sod requires special care for the … 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 …
Illuminate your Landscape Design
Once the sun goes down, your landscape changes as focal points shift, shadows lengthen, and your outdoor living spaces become cozier. With the right outdoor landscape lighting, you can set the ideal mood, accentuate plants, … 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 …
The Importance of Spring Lawn Care
It’s officially spring! In other words, it’s time to start thinking about getting your yard ready for the summer. Proper spring MN lawn care will establish a healthy, thick, beautiful lawn and garden throughout the whole summer. Vole … Read More …
Fall Yard Clean Up Tips — Step Up Your Lawn Care & Landscaping Game
Yard clean up and preparation NOW pays off next year! As we watch summer shrink away in the rear-view mirror, it’s tempting to think that lawn care and landscaping duties are done for the season. Well…not really. Not at all. Fall is a very productive, proactive time. What you do over the next six … 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 …
Introduce perennial flowers to your landscape to support pollinators
Recognize national pollinator week The role of pollinators and perennial plants is integral to the ecosystem's health. Among the 200,000 insect species of pollinators are bees, butterflies, beetles, and flies, which help support the agricultural ecosystem. In addition to insects, there are more … Read More …
Spring Lawn Care Tips for a Healthy Yard All Season Long
Help your lawn and yard spring to life and stay healthy Confused about what to do and when for springtime lawn and yard care? The team at Rock Solid has created a handy (and FREE!) 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 …
4 Steps to Get Your Landscape Design Project off the Ground
Thinking ahead now saves time and money later Ever suffer from yard envy? That’s when you’re walking or driving around a neighborhood wishing your yard looked as great as that one. Maybe this is the year to get a landscape design … 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 Minnesota summers can get hot and dry, causing a drought. So what exactly happens to your lawn during a drought?
- Faded appearance. Drought thirsty lawns lack vibrant color and will lie flat after being stepped on. Prolonged drought will result in … 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 …
Trends in Outdoor Lighting
See the light(s)! For those who are gone all day, but ready to play at night, outdoor lighting illuminates the way for after-hours living. Why stumble around in the dark when you can see the light with these latest … 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 …
