Summer in Minnesota is short but sweet, and it’s the perfect season to make the most of your landscaping and garden spaces. Whether you’re dreaming of relaxing outdoor living spaces, tackling new backyard landscape ideas, or keeping your lawn and flowers thriving, smart planning and design are key.

Since 1953, Otten Bros has been helping Minnesota homeowners create beautiful, low-maintenance yards with quality plants, landscape design, and hardscaping features like custom retaining walls and paver walkway designs. Here’s how to get your yard summer-ready, with tips and trends perfect for our local climate.

1. Choose Low-Maintenance Plants for Summer Success

The hot, sometimes dry Minnesota summers require smart plant selection. Low-maintenance plants not only reduce watering and upkeep but also keep your garden looking vibrant all season.

Otten Bros Summer Favorites:

• Black-Eyed Susan for sunny borders

• Purple Coneflower to attract pollinators

• Little Bluestem grass for texture and drought tolerance

• Serviceberry shrubs for year-round beauty

These native and hardy varieties are perfect for low-maintenance yard designs and are readily available at Otten Bros’ Garden Center.

2. Incorporate Hardscaping to Reduce Lawn Care

Summer is for enjoying your yard, not mowing and weeding all weekend. Hardscaping like concrete patios, paver walkway designs, and custom retaining walls reduces grassy areas and adds structure.

Hardscape Ideas to Consider:

• A sleek concrete block retaining wall to manage slopes or garden beds

• Stepping stone walkway designs for easy garden access

• A landscape design front walkway for impressive curb appeal

Our team of landscape designers and trusted retaining wall contractors in Minnesota can help create lasting, low-maintenance outdoor solutions.

3. Stay on Top of Summer Watering & Drainage

Between thunderstorms and dry spells, landscape drainage is a common concern for Minnesota homeowners. Proper grading, strategically placed retaining walls, and thoughtfully designed walkways can prevent water pooling and soil erosion.

Otten Bros Tips:

• Water deeply in the morning to reduce evaporation

• Use mulch around plants to retain moisture

• Talk to our landscape specialists about landscaping and water drainage solutions to protect your garden beds and hardscaping
  

4. Maximize Outdoor Living Spaces

Summer is all about living outside. Thoughtfully designed outdoor living spaces, from cozy patios to inviting fire pits, add comfort and function.

Otten Bros can help you:

• Design a durable concrete patio for entertaining

• Integrate garden beds or low-maintenance plants around seating areas

• Add pathways and easy backyard landscape designs for stress-free maintenance
  

A professional landscape design company ensures your space works for relaxation, dining, and play all summer long.

5. Summer Garden Maintenance Checklist

To keep your garden and residential landscaping looking its best:

✅ Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms
✅ Keep an eye out for pests and diseases
✅ Weed regularly to prevent competition for water
✅ Refresh mulch as needed
✅ Inspect hardscape elements like retaining walls or patios for cracks or settling

If your yard needs a mid-summer upgrade, Otten Bros offers expert landscape design in MN, from small touch-ups to complete transformations.

6. Design with the Future in Mind

Summer is a great time to plan your next project, whether it’s a luxury landscape, functional landscape gardening, or updated backyard landscape design ideas.

Partner with Otten Bros for:

• Sustainable, low-maintenance landscape design
  
  
• Beautiful, functional landscaping drainage solutions

• Creative, customized landscape design ideas that fit your space
  

Final Thoughts

Summer is short in Minnesota—make every day outside count with smart landscaping, native plants, and durable hardscape features from Otten Bros. Whether you’re relaxing on your concrete patio, walking your garden paths, or enjoying a lush, low-maintenance yard, our team is here to help.

Ready to upgrade your yard this summer? Let Otten Bros help you grow a beautiful, easy-care landscape!