Q. How often should I water my lawn?

A. Generally, twice a week unless we are receiving regular rain. Overwatering promotes a weak, topical root system that can’t respond to prolonged droughts without wasteful daily watering.

Q. Is there a secret to controlling weed growth in paver patios?

A. No secret, but it can be very annoying. Polymeric sand in the joints of the patio material helps considerably. Beyond that, arm yourself with your favorite herbicide and spray upon first sight. The majority of weed growth is caused by weed seed blowing in from your neighbors lawn or happy birds dropping presents.

Q. Should I seal my new patio to protect it?

A. Concrete and stamped concrete need sealing immediately after installation. Most pavers and natural stone do not require sealing, although a satin finish sealer can prompt the colors to pop.

Q. What’s the difference between a brick versus a paver patio?

A. Spelling only. We use the brick/paver as generic terminology, although officially a brick refers to the material used to face a home, which is not suitable for a patio surface.

Q. Is there a standard for design fees?

A. I wish. We see design fees from complimentary to more than $100 per hour. As usual, the Midwest follows the lead of Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte, etc. which have been confidently charging design fees for years, as our company does.

Q. Any easy tips to transform my stale outdoor living space without ripping out everything?

A. Retrofitting is a great strategy that encourages us to tweak your present patio material and upgrade the landscape. Adding dramatic flowering pots and updated colorful furniture is invaluable. Never underestimate the value of a new outdoor rug or colorful cantilever umbrella.

Enjoy the summer!