MUSKOKA SUN - When it comes to landscaping your cottage property, less is often more — as in less manicured, more natural.
Steve Good of Good Earth Landscaping says the preference for a natural look is well established with cottagers in Muskoka.
“That’s been going on for years now,” he said.
People are moving away from golf course-style lawns in Muskoka, allowing their yards to have some wild elements. In an environmentally conscious region such as this one, it only makes sense: there are fewer chemicals and pesticides needed to maintain a bit of a wilder look, so it’s ultimately better for the surrounding area.
In choosing a landscaper, Good recommends some due diligence, much like choosing a contractor.
“We get a lot of people asking for references, and usually I try to provide them with (evidence of) similar jobs we’ve worked on in the past,” Good said.
While gardening is a labour of love, you can still get the look you want without putting in the necessary hours.
Using a landscaping service can help take the trouble out of making your cottage property beautiful. Local companies are well versed in native species and what works — and doesn’t — in Muskoka’s rocky soils and terrain.
Planting native species brings several benefits to your yard. They can help your cottage property with any number of things, including improved water quality and preventing shoreline erosion and nuisance wildlife.
But landscaping entails so much more than just gardening. Muskoka-based companies know that entertaining is a big part of cottage culture, and will work to make your yard ideal for that.
Many companies offer a full range of decks, steps, patios, walkways and more. According to Good, it is best practice for people to be informed when making decisions on their landscaping project.
“They want to know what they’re getting. They want to know what kind of stone they’re using,” Good said. “You want to make sure that everything’s suited to the area. We use a lot of local products, (especially) Muskoka granite.”
Of course, few cottagers want to spend all their time in Muskoka tending to the gardens. Many opt for a low-maintenance approach, making extensive use of mulch, keeping adequate space between plants, planting perennials and using hardy native species.
“We pretty the place up and make sure it’s weed-free for them, and that way all they have to do is turn on their irrigation system,” Good said. “That pretty much sets them up for the summer; very low maintenance.”
And whether using landscapers or doing-it-yourself, Good offers some helpful advice.