SWEET DREAMS

Preparing your garden for winter

As the season draws to a close there are a few basic things that we recommend be done prior to “putting your garden to bed”  for the winter. 

1. It is important to clear the leaves from your lawn.  Leaving the leaves on your lawn can smother the turf and encourage disease.
2. Cut down perennials after they have turned brown and died for the season.  Like the leaves on the lawn, leaving dead perennials standing could harbor disease. When they have been turned brown and killed by frost, cut them back and remove the debris. This gives them a fresh start in the spring.
3. Cover your perennial beds with a 2” layer of compost.  Hybrid roses and blue hydrangeas should also have a compost mound at their base.  This covering will protect them from a harsh winter.
4. Put your hoses and pots into your garage, shed or basement.  This will protect them from freezing and cracking over the winter season.
5. Make sure all your outdoor spigots are turned off ,and if possible, the water to the spigot is turned off inside the house. 
6. If you have an irrigation system, be sure to have it properly shut down and drained.
7. Water features, if not heated, should be drained, and the pump removed and stored where it won’t freeze.  If you have any outdoor landscape features that you can’t remove, cover them with a tarp.
8. Cover your outdoor grills and furniture if needed.
9. Clean your gutters.  Leaving leaves and debris in your gutters can lead to ice damming and damage to your roof.  Check that your downspouts are clear and working properly.  If you have debris filters for your downspout, be sure the are also cleared of any debris.

Bring The Essence of Nature into Your Living Space

Nature’s Perspective is proud to be the official distributor of Flux Designs Organic line of custom furniture and outdoor sculptures. Each product is meticulously hand crafted by skilled artisans in Wisconsin. This Organic furniture will add grace and dimension to your outdoor environment, or as an indoor piece, bring the peaceful essence of nature into your living space.

Styles are limitless and can be incorporated into many functional items: Some examples are trellises, garden, arbors, gates, fences, deck handrails, plant holders, green wall structures, bird baths, gazebos, fire pits, tables, candelabras, fireplace screens, wine racks, counter brackets, cabinet and door pulls, window grates and light fixtures. Truly, whatever you can dream up. Custom orders are welcome. Stop by our showroom, we have trellises and tables in stock.

Large Coffee Table. 24”x 48” Top. 18” Tall. $1650 each   

Medium Coffee Table. 36” Dia. Top. 18” Tall. $1000 each

Outdoor Concrete Side Table. 18” Dia. Top. 28” Tall. $400 each

Small Trellis. 24”wide. 36” long. $225 each  

 Large Trellis. 36″w x 90″l. $750 each

Arbor. 7’6” Tall. 36” Wide. $2000 each

An ILCA Member for 25 Years… and Counting

President Tom Klitzkie and Vice-President Barbara Schwarz attended the 50th anniversary celebration of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association on October 23 at the Marriott O’Hare in Chicago. Their company, Nature’s Perspective Landscaping, received a special award for 25 years of continuous membership in the ILCA. They are proud to be a member of an organization that strives to promote excellence in landscaping.

ABOUT ILCA

Since 1959, the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association has enhanced the professionalism and capabilities of its landscape contractor members by providing leadership, education and valued services while promoting environmental awareness within the landscape industry.  The association serves as a forum for the free exchange of ideas among landscape contractors, their suppliers and the government, working together to create a greener, more beautiful Illinois. More information can be found on their website, www.ilca.net.