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Landscape Design                                   sales@naturalelementsinc.net

Natural Elements meets with you to discover your landscape priorities.  Unlike many competitors, there is no charge for this initial visit, we want to meet you and understand your needs before we introduce charges.  We strive to truly listen and to help you vocalize your needs and desires.  Once we take careful notes from you, we inject our own experiences and ideas to help talk you through your project and make sure that we’re all on the same path to evolving your outdoor space.  At the end of our meeting you will have a choice to make…to proceed with the design or not to.  The design process takes a small financial commitment on your part. 

When you tell us to draw a design for you, we’ll take measurements and provide a professional landscape design complete with plant names and measurements and an illustrated design, drawn to scale, for your project space.  Along with the over-sized illustration and plant list, Natural Elements will provide an estimate for the design installation.  The cost of the design is due upon design presentation.  Once the presentation meeting occurs, you’ll have another choice; to proceed with all, some, or none of the project.  As always, we encourage customers to be as involved in their landscape as possible, this exposure really helps in educating home owners and it aids in later plant care quality…you know your landscape and it knows you!      

If you decide to have Natural Elements schedule your project, we’ll ask for another deposit, based on the prices of the estimated project component or your choosing.  We’ll get you scheduled and the ball is rolling!  Once a certain amount of the project is installed by Natural Elements, we’ll deduct some or all of the cost of the design fee that you already paid, that’s right…a FREE DESIGN!  It all depends on what you have Natural Elements install for you. 

Landscape Installation                          sales@naturalelementsinc.net

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Good Choice!  Now you’ve agreed to have Natural Elements install some or all of your landscape investment.

Our first step is to ensure the safety of all involved.  We’ll call in the utility lines across your property…in the installation area…and have them marked with flags and turf paint.  It is the responsibility of the homeowner to have affected sprinkler heads marked and/or moved.  We’ll gladly have them moved for you, if requested.  In addition to sprinkler heads/lines, Natural Elements is not responsible for damage to electric dog fences nor other un-marked obstacles, but we’ll do our best and work with you, minimizing any potential damage.    

Once, the lines are marked we’ll usually begin with the “hardscape” and stone features first, then the plantings, then the edgings and mulch, rock or other topping options.  The delivered plants may be in your yard for a day prior to installation.  Feel free to look at these specimens, and do not hesitate to have us add to your order at this time.  You may want a few more plants or products for an area that perhaps we had not discussed in the project initially. 

Since ideally we’ve designed your space, we…as mentioned repeatedly…have prescribed the use of various native and select, hardy, non-native plants to help your landscape to be as durable as possible.  The added bonus is that you will likely see an increase in wildlife activity in your outdoor space and a parallel improvement in your enjoyment of your new space. 

Once the components of your project are installed to your design specifications, barring shifts due to utility line markings, we’re almost done.  If there is lawn damage, you’ll have made the choice to repair the sod yourself, or to have Natural Elements repair it for you.  After the sod repairs, you and a Natural Elements team member will walk through the project with you to ensure you can identify the plants, and to provide follow-up care advice.  At this time the final payment for the project is due.

2007 Example of native-focused installation of a small front-yard orchard in Edina:

After installation, please take care to water you new plants regularly as plant death due to negligence is absolutely not warrantable.  However; do not hesitate to call or email us for follow-up advice to help you get acquainted with your new plants and features of your new landscape.  

Get out and enjoy your new outdoor living space!

   Landscape Product Delivery             sales@naturalelementsinc.net

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   Natural Elements has an extensive listing of products.  Our customers need only to call or email us to get any of our plants or hardscape products, (mulch, rock, soil, sod, boulders, etc.), delivered where you want, when you want.  Take your measurements and use our helpful calculators to estimate how much of the product that you need and let us know what you need and when you need it…then we’ll get you a delivery estimate, right away!

If you are having difficulty deciding which product to order, depending on your location, we may be able to stop by to provide a sample, or to aid you in product measurements.  We’ll do our best to get you a digital image of your selected product, especially for plant selections…upon your request. 

This service is recommended for customers who have a Natural Elements design performed but want to install their new outdoor space by themselves!

Wall Installations (Natural Stone & Block)    sales@naturalelementsinc.net

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Natural Elements loves natural stones, outcroppers, and walls!  We feel that, with the right natural stones; whether gray trap, limestone, granite, or whatever…your landscape will look original to your site, blend better, look better, and be far more pleasing than other hardscape options.  It’s your landscape and these stones make you want to spend time in it!

Here are a few examples of ashlar natural cut-stone walls (Check out our "Specials" tab for pricing):

Natural Elements, will measure, order, deliver and install your outcroppers or walls per your design specifications or per your request.  Our goal is a project that serves your utility needs while magnifying native/natural beauty.   

Call or email today for a quote!

Shrub and Small Tree Trimming      sales@naturalelementsinc.net

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Natural Elements will perform your shrub and small tree trimming!  We always strive to leave plants in natural form, however; it is likely that people planted your shrubs and trees, not God, so…we then sometimes must trim. 

There is big difference between trimming properly and buying a Home Depot machine and butchering plants beyond recognition.  By using lopers, hand tools, select hand and machine shears, and a lot of patience…we can usually get your plants back to a more natural look and feel. 

Our tree trimming is restricted to what we can reach with a pole saw.  If there are higher or more hazardous limbs to be addressed, we use a very select arborist whose interest is in the tree’s health more than his immediate revenue.  As with all of our trimming projects, we strive to trim when plants are least likely to be damaged, usually in dormancy or after flowering, if possible.  Call or email today for a visit and an estimate!

Patios (Concrete & Block)                sales@naturalelementsinc.net

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Often the cornerstone to a truly useable outdoor space is to have Natural Elements install a patio for you.  Patios can be used for entertaining in a host of ways from serving dinner and enjoying a fire pit to simply providing an outdoor play area for children.  It is so nice to allow the kids to play outside, out of the mud and wet yard…especially on those early-Spring days when the temps are rising while the soil is just too wet to play hard upon.

Natural Elements can simply install the patio, or your patio may be part of an overall design.  You can choose from the natural beauty of a flagstone patio; an affordable stamped, dyed, acid-etched, antiqued concrete patio; a classic paver patio; or simply crushed stone for your patio needs.  It all depends on you and your needs.  We’ll customize any patio to your needs and budget!    

Example of a small Chilton Flagstone Firepit, installed in Eagan in 2007.  Available with a "raised" pit or "flush", you choose.:

Lawn Care                                         sales@naturalelementsinc.net

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Natural Elements Lawn & Landscape has provided lawn services since 2002.  We strive to help our customers to use less water on their lawns and to minimize the use of lawn chemicals to hopefully even wean some homeowners off lawn chemicals altogether.  The best defense against weeds and other lawn invaders is simply, a healthy lawn.  We even provide and encourage the use of organic fertilizers for our eco-friendly customers.

Natural Elements provides:

- Lawn mowing on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, both commercially and residentially

- Lawn fertilizations and herbicide treatments, organic and non-organic

- Lawn de-thatching (Power raking).

- Overall property maintenance including snow removal and seasonal trim work!

Call 952-270-3385 or email today for a quote!

Sod Installation                                  sales@naturalelementsinc.net

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Even though we prefer our projects use seed instead of sod, sometimes sod is a great lawn solution and Natural Elements promotes the use of Highland sod!  Highland Sod is grown on light farmland, which allows a deeper root system to form, holds a higher moisture content, and has less risk of disease, therefore a thicker, greener, healthier turf. It takes longer to harvest (12 to 18 months) insuring more maturity when you receive it. We strongly recommend Highland Sod for your home and high traffic areas.

 
Pallet of Highland Sod

We will also use peat sod if you prefer.  Peat sod is grown in peat soil, with a high water table. It receives a high level of moisture, which results in fast growth and is ready for harvest in 6 to 12 months. Peat Sod is recommended for irrigated areas.

 
Rolls of Peat Sod

Installation of your new sod:

You have a yard scattered with pallets of freshly cut sod. It is of your best interest to have it laid and watered, within 24 hours of its harvest. The least amount of stress the turn endures the better results you will have.

Preparation of soil: Prior to the arrival of the sod, soil preparation needs to be finished. Remove any weed matter and rocks. This can be done by Natural Elements Lawn & Landscape doing a finish grade for you, or if you choose to do the preparation yourself, you can hand rake your soil, to make a smooth bed for your new sod to continue a strong root system.

How to start: Make an outline of the perimeters of your yard. (keep in mind landscape borders, driveways, and property lines) Always start in the back of your home, and work towards the front. This ensures access for equipment, in the event that you should be over or short in quantities.

As each area is completed, start watering immediately.  After the turf has been laid, water until it begins to feel squishy when you walk on it. The water should have soaked through the turf, and into the top soil. Check by lifting up the ends of the rolls of sod. NEVER ALLOW THE SOD TO DRY OUT UNTIL IT IS COMPLETELY ROOTED.

With the exception of long periods of hot dry weather, an inch of water per week should keep your lawn green and in good condition. Should Mother Nature need a little assistance, it is better to water your lawn deeply once a week, instead of doing a little each day. This encourages deeper rooting, and better overall health of your lawn. Another important reason for weekly watering is that many weeds are shallow rooted, and a little water every day is exactly what our little lawn enemies need to flourish!!

Of all the elements needed to keep your lawn healthy and green, none is as important as NITROGEN. Nitrogen promotes leaf and stem growth, makes lawns greener and more luxurious. In addition to nitrogen, two other key components essential for a healthy lawn are Phosphorus and Potash. They both promote general root development and rhizomes (underground runners, from which develop new stems and blades) First feeding should take place two weeks on either side of April 15th, depending on the spring. Second feeding, around Memorial Day. And the third feeding should be two weeks on either side of Labor Day. This feeding helps prepare the grass for our harsh winters, and keep it green through out the fall.  Ask Natural Elements Lawn & Landscape Inc. for a top quality fertilizer and weed control plan. If you self-fertilize, please note the recommended rates of application, percentages, and conditions of application. 

Newly installed sod should not need mowing until it has begun to take root. If it is growing up, then you can assume the roots are growing down. Raise your mower to the highest setting of cutting, for the first few times. A bluegrass lawn should be cut 1 1/2 in. in the spring, and fall, and 2 in. in the hot season.

For your sod quote call 952-270-3385 today or email us. 

Buckthorn Clear-outs                       sales@naturalelementsinc.net

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The enemy:

Buckthorn is a major problem here in Minnesota and one of Natural Element’s staff should meet with you for a thorough explanation of the invasive species and its treatment which includes:

- Removal and Disposal

- Re-installation of native and desirable plants

- Application of a good suffocating “frosting” of mulch

- Determined annual maintenance to keep further invasions at bay.

Email us today for a complete PowerPoint presentation as presented at the Dakota County Fair.  It will provide descriptions, ideas, and treatment solutions for you, while providing even more resources.  Remember, Natural Elements specializes in woodland restorations and would love the opportunity to come out and take care of it all for you!

Clean-ups                                           sales@naturalelementsinc.net

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Natural Elements will come out and perform annual clean-up and disposal projects for leaves, sticks and other debris on your property.  The pricing all depends on your specific needs so call 952-270-3385 or email today for a meeting.  You may include trim work in the clean-up to maximize your dollar!