spring landscaping

4 Ways to Shape Up Your Landscape For Spring

Warmer temperatures will soon be around the corner. Ensuring your yard is at its finest will maximize your enjoyment of the outdoors. Early preparations to get your lawn, shrubs, trees, and flower beds cleaned up and fertilized is vital for the growing season ahead. After months in the deep cold, maintenance on your irrigation systems is a must. Now is also the time to start considering both landscape and hardscape improvements. If you are thinking of expanding or adding new plants or elements like patio pavers, sprinkler systems, or water features, we can help you build the spring escape you have been longing to enjoy all winter.

Here are our top 4 recommendations to enhance your landscape this spring:

Yard Maintenance

Even if you are pleased with your current landscape, regular seasonal lawn care and maintenance of shrubs, beds, and trees can transform your yard. It will also save you time, energy, and money in the long run. Proper care will extend the life and beauty of your perennial plants; keep your grass lush and vibrant; and prevent weeds from overtaking lawn and flower gardens. An essential spring maintenance checklist includes:

  • Raking old leaves and removing debris from plant beds and lawn
  • Trimming overgrown grasses along pathways and beds for clean-looking edges
  • Pruning trees and shrubs and checking them for damage or broken branches
  • Determining fertilization needs for lawn, trees, and plant beds
  • Applying pre-emergent weed control solutions
  • Adding fresh mulch to beds is not only aesthetically pleasing but helps with moisture and insulation
  • Inspecting irrigation and sprinkler systems for damage and repairing as necessary

Irrigation & sprinkler installation

Many property owners love the look and feel of a well-manicured lawn but also have experienced the investment it takes to keep a yard looking pristine. Dealing with over or under watering; sprinkler timers that go off in the rain; and dragging watering systems around your yard can be time-consuming, wasteful, and frustrating.

If you are looking for an innovative solution, an underground electronic irrigation system can allow you to spend more time enjoying your lawn and less time maintaining it. We install irrigation systems for both our commercial and residential customers using Hunter Irrigation products which are premium quality, highly

water efficient, extremely durable, and easy to maintain. Your irrigation system can be programmed to control several different zones and the right products installed to both smaller and extensively large areas. Best of all, our controllers are now all equipped with wifi; you can control your sprinkler system from the comfort of your cottage or from a destination on the other side of the world.

We are qualified professionals who can expertly design, install and maintain your system. Our irrigation systems are also specially designed to be water efficient and include wireless weather sensors which will shut off the system when mother nature is doing the work for you.

patio and pathwaysPatios and Pathways

Stone patios and pathways are an art form and require specialized planning and design to avoid shifting and drainage concerns. When stone patios and paths are done correctly, they can create a spectacular, cohesive look to your landscape. There are abundant design options due to the wide variety of stone materials and colours available. We exclusively use Barkman products as the pigmentation and quality can stand up to any harsh Canadian Prairie weather or heavy use in both private and commercial settings.

At Viking Landscaping, we understand the technical expertise required to create a lasting stone hardscape from the detail of preparing a pre-compacted screeded laying course to power compacting and sanding.

Whether you are looking for a roman circle gathering spot for your favorite anorak chair; a flagstone firepit; a winding garden pathway; or a combination, we can make sure the work is done beautifully and built to last. We also specialize in custom decks so you can make the most of every space and enjoy every moment out of doors.

bubble rock fontainsBubble Rock Fountains & Water Features

If you are dreaming of an oasis escape, you only need to step outside your door and experience one of our professionally installed water features. Water elements can enhance your landscape dramatically and certain types of water features can also create a cool break from the heat for children and animals.

Bubble Rocks

Bubble rock fountains are becoming more and more popular as they are a tranquil and simple way to add a touch of nature to any landscape. We can transform any large rock or boulder into a custom bubble rock fountain to enjoy. This feature can be artfully added to both small and large areas.

Ponds

When a pond is designed and installed properly, they create surprisingly self-sustaining and environmentally-friendly ecosystems. Bring nature to your backyard by creating a sanctuary for beautiful insects, birds and frogs, and fish while saving money on lawn care. Water from the pond is also handy to use on indoor plants and outdoor gardens. Ponds once they are initially filled do not require significant top-up; rain or a well-designed rooftop run off can also support low water usage.

Waterfalls

Waterfalls are also an excellent additional feature to incorporate into your pond. Or, if you are looking for a single waterfall element, pondless waterfalls are a breeze to maintain and are perfect for anyone wanting a little extra splash of something special in their yard that requires minimum attention.

Whether you are looking for a single water feature or a combination of several features, our team has the experience and skill to create any custom oasis. At Viking Landscaping there is no water feature project too large or small for us to design and install to your satisfaction.

Full Premium Landscaping Services

Viking Landscaping offers a full range of year-round and seasonal service options. If you are looking for maintenance services like weekly cutting and fertilization or want a custom-built landscape feature, there is no project or service we can’t deliver.

We take pride in our reputation and have been trusted by homeowners, commercial properties, and municipalities across Winnipeg, Calgary, and Regina for our quality of service and client satisfaction. Our company is built on long-term relationships, the highest quality products, and professional expertise. Contact us for a quote for all your landscape needs or view our gallery to envision what is possible for your next project.

5 ways to spring clean your yard

With the spring season upon us in Winnipeg and Calgary, it is common to think ahead about spending more time outdoors. Using your backyard whether it be for entertaining, barbecuing, or to just simply relax in the sun you want your yard to look great for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. A bit of extra landscaping work as the weather begins to warm up and the snow melts can help prevent weed growth, improve soil conditions, and help your plants grow at the start. Viking Landscaping Inc. can provide you with all your spring cleaning needs in Winnipeg and Calgary.

Ensure your yard is cleaned thoroughly

When cleaning your yard, you want to remove as much debris that collected during the winter. This can include removing dead grass, fallen leaves, branches, and other debris that may have been left behind. During this time, it is important to thoroughly rake your lawn and clean out any of your plant beds or garden by removing dead plants and debris. By eliminating debris, you can help improve airflow and sun exposure, while also helping prevent the growth of mold and bacteria that can harm your plants as well as prevent insects from invading your space.

rock gardensApply fertilizers and pre-emergents

Having a professional landscaping company like Viking Landscaping Inc. apply pre-emergent to help prevent the growth of weeds makes them easier to control over the summer. Using pre-emergents helps prevent the growth of weeds from germinating in your lawn while also providing important nutrients to your grass to help it grow at the start of spring. If you notice crabgrass or broadleaf weeds, then spot treatment can help get rid of these weeds.

Lawn aeration

If you are planning on using pre-emergents on your lawn, then you should aerate first. Viking Landscaping Inc. can answer any questions you have on the steps to ensure your lawn is healthy. Over time your soil will begin to compact naturally. This makes it hard for the soil to absorb air and moisture which makes it difficult for new grasses to root properly. Aerating the soil causes it to loosen up which leads to better soil access and water absorption. Core aeration is better than spike aeration as it removes a small plug of soil rather than distributing the soil.

Trim and prune plants

Trimming and pruning your plants in the spring is great as it encourages new and healthy growth and eliminates old growth. Depending on the plant type, removing damaged sections, cutting off certain areas or the entire top can help with plant growth. On trees and shrubs make any hard cutbacks that are necessary and prune trees and branches to help encourage new growth.

It is important not to go overboard when pruning trees.  Fresh cuts can attract insects and disease in warmer weather. It is important to remember pruning guidelines are dependant o the type of tree or shrub as well as the local climate. If you are unsure of how to properly prune your trees and shrubs, then the best thing you can do is contact a professional landscaping company like Viking landscaping inc. as we can answer any questions and prune your trees and shrubs professionally.

Plant and mulch

Test the soil conditions, add whatever nutrients are necessary, and plant any new plants or trees that need spring planting. Add as much compost as needed and ensure to mulch to protect new plants. If you notice bare spots in your lawn you should seed them. However, if you are using pre-emergents then you should not seed. If you are unsure about anything Viking Landscaping Inc. can answer any landscaping questions you have.

Contact Viking Landscaping Inc.

Viking Landscaping Inc. can provide all your landscaping needs in Winnipeg and Calgary. We provide services from basic lawn care and maintenance to creating full custom landscaping projects. Contact us today to book for the 2021 spring season.

Why You Should Choose Viking Landscaping Inc.

As the new year approaches you might start to consider or plan what work you would like to complete for your home in the new year. In the months ahead as we move towards the start of spring you may consider it time to do some landscaping work on your residential or commercial properties. Choosing the right landscaping company for your landscaping work is an important decision and one you should not take lightly. When you choose Viking Landscaping Inc. for your landscaping work in Calgary or Winnipeg, you are choosing a company that takes pride in the work we provide our clients. You can expect us to always be honest and upfront with our clients while providing landscaping work that will enhance the look of their property.

Our employees are the best of the best and are highly skilled in their craft. Our landscape designers and skilled stonemasons have been designing incomparable landscaping products that either meet or exceed our client’s requirements. We are extremely proud of our work and this is visible with the quality of work we provide along with our great service. We are a family run business with over a decade of landscaping experience and have built a longstanding reputation in the areas we serve for building great relationships and quality assurance.

Residential Landscaping Services

Viking Landscaping Inc. provides a variety of residential landscaping services in Calgary and Winnipeg. We take the ideas our clients come up with for their property and make them into a reality. We specialize in all aspects of landscaping from creating custom stone patios, installing irrigation systems in your lawn, adding new trees and shrubs to your property, and more. What we are trying to say is if it belongs in your yard then we can do it. A perfect example of our residential landscaping work is the Mahogany Island Project we completed for a client in Calgary. This project really tested us and showed what we are capable of as a landscaping company. With a lot of moving parts, we had to always stay on top of our game and worked with the client consistently throughout the projects as things changed. Upon completion, the client was ecstatic with the results and we were very proud of the custom landscaping work we were able to provide. Many of our clients return to us every season to continue working on their yards.

Commercial Landscaping Services

Along with providing residential landscaping services, Viking Landscaping Inc is proud to offer commercial landscaping services in Calgary and Winnipeg. We provide the same services to commercial properties that we do with residential properties. Along with the landscaping services we offer season maintenance services. Routine maintenance is important especially on commercial properties to ensure it is always looking it is best. With our maintenance services, we provide weekly grass cutting, flower and shrub bed care, weed and pest control, fertilizer treatments, and spring and fall cleanups. Ensuring your commercial property looks its best is important especially if customers visit your building as you want their first impression of your business to be a positive one.

Contact Us

Contact Viking Landscaping Inc. today for your residential and commercial landscaping needs in Calgary and Winnipeg. When you choose us expect no unwanted surprises and for us to show up on the start date on time and ready to work. We take pride in completing jobs on time and do not cut any corners and provide the highest quality of work. We offer a three-year stone warranty which is more than anyone else in the industry. We also provide our clients with an extended plant warranty available on all trees and shrubs. We guarantee you won’t be disappointed in choosing Viking Landscaping Inc.

7 tips to create your dream patio

Backyard patios have increased in popularity over the years and have expanded in functionality. The type of patio you have will determine how often it is used and how well it serves its purpose. If you are considering a backyard patio here are some things to consider whether you are working with a designer or designing, it yourself.

Functionality

The functionality of your backyard patio is an extremely important factor. Most people want too to use their patio as a place to dine, relax, and garden. When planning the design for your patio it is important to envision how you want to best utilize your patio. There are a lot of questions you should be asking yourself in the design process like how often do you see yourself using your patio and what type of aesthetics do you want? Do you want a large patio that you can use for large gatherings or a smaller more intimate setting? Consider what other features you would like to include like a gazebo, grill, or firepit.stone patio and fire pit

Location

Another important decision you will have to make is where you want your patio located in your backyard. Do you want it close or further away from your home? Is having a more intimate space important to you or do you like the idea of a more open concept? Place some chairs where you envision your patio to be. How does it feel to be there, and do you find it to be an enjoyable spot? Another thing to consider is that you might have a better view in some spots of your backyard. Carefully consider where you want your patio located and how you want it to function.

Dining & cooking

Patios are a great place to cook and enjoy dining outdoors. You may consider placing your patio close to your kitchen for easier access to bringing items outside. Consider placing your grill away from your home as you do not want to have any smoke enter. You may also want to include an outside kitchen island. This is perfect to prepare and serve food but can also be used as a place to sit and eat with bar stools.

Outdoor rooms

If you have the space for a larger patio, consider dividing it in individual spaces. You could have a separate area for cooking and preparing food, a dining area, and a fire pit. Having separate outdoor rooms from the main patio area can create a unique space and conversational area. Consider selecting your furniture before sizing the area to ensure you get what you want.

Fire pits

A popular feature of any backyard patio is a fire pit. They are a great place for family and friends to gather in the evenings. Having a fire pit can also make your patio the place where your friends will want to get together and relax. Ideally, you will want to have a wood-burning fire pit over gas for ambiance but gas burning fire pits are easier to use.

patio and firepit

Views

If some areas of your backyard have better views than others you want to take advantage of this. Having a great view can change the feel of your backyard patio. There are other ways to create a great view or visual interest by adding aesthetically pleasing focal points like sculptures or a birdbath in the distance.

Light and shade

Do you want to enjoy the sun when using your patio or sit in the shade? Maybe you would like the option to enjoy both? Consider planting trees, using a shade umbrella, or pergola to give you more options for your patio.

At Viking Landscaping Inc., we can make any feature you want in a backyard patio into a reality. Regardless if you are looking for a larger patio or something small our team always delivers and provides exceptional service. We make sure to leave our customers satisfied with our work and have been in the landscaping business since 2005. Contact us today for a variety of landscaping services.

Landscaping Features that Serve Multiple Purposes

It is common to see multipurpose features throughout homes that include many benefits. They can help maximize space, reduce costs, and minimize the amount of clutter in your home. These same benefits also apply to landscaping. Regardless of the size of your backyard, there are benefits in investing in multipurpose landscape features Consider these landscaping features for your Winnipeg landscaping or Calgary landscaping projects.

terra nova

Outdoor Pergolas

Outdoor pergolas provide protection from the elements whether you are dealing with rain or sunshine. Pergolas provide you with shade during the hot summer days and protect you from rainy days so you can still enjoy the outdoors. Pair your pergola with wraparound curtains on each side for a more private and intimate experience.

In addition to the protection and privacy provided by a pergola, you can add even more landscape features to it.  It can double as greenspace by adding planter baskets that can be hung from the structure, adding even more aesthetic appeal to the pergola, and providing more shade.

Built-In Seating Walls

Built-in seating walls have become a common fixture for backyards with an outdoor fire pit. Built-in seating walls can accommodate more people compared to traditional chairs. This helps create a more seamless flow when you are entertaining guests at your home. Another benefit is there is little work required to maintain seating walls, so you never have to worry about replacing anything like damaged or broken chairs.

While these seats provide a space for guests to sit back and relax, they also provide more benefits besides seating. These landscape features can also be used as a heat reflector or wind barrier. It can help keep your fire pit burning on windy evenings and keep your guest warm as it gets cooler in the evenings.

Vertical Wall Gardens

Just like any garden, vertical wall gardens help breathe life and colour into your backyard. Besides providing an appealing aesthetic they also enable you to maximize your grow space. Their height provides better air circulation to the plants and minimizes damage from pets or wild animals.

You can also use vertical wall gardens as a privacy screen that can block out neighbors or unwanted views, as well as a sound barrier to help reduce noise levels. The result is a beautiful landscape that feels in tune with nature.

Contact Viking Landscaping

Contact Viking Landscaping today for all your landscaping needs in Calgary and Winnipeg. We provide a variety of custom landscaping services and are confident we can help you achieve your dream backyard. We build long-term relationships with our clients and always work to exceed their expectations. We have over a decade of landscaping experience and always leave our clients satisfied.