It's that odd time of year where we have one foot in summer and one foot halfway to winter! Halloween décor is front and center at the big box stores, but a warm day by the pool is hardly out of the question. Schools are back in session, but one last holiday weekend helps us enjoy the summer sunshine just a little bit longer. As the last rays of summer heat dwindle and the days get shorter, we are all slowly switching gears to fall and thinking about what's to come. The cooling weather will be shaking leaves off trees in no time, so it's time to start thinking ahead to necessary tasks like keeping your landscape looking sharp once the warm weather season is behind us. After all, outdoor entertaining doesn't stop with the heat. Your backyard could be perfect for enjoying football games on an outdoor tv, cuddling up around the fire pit with a good snack (cast-iron nachos, anyone?), or sipping on hot cider while planning for the holidays! And for those still perfecting their outdoor space, the end of the season is a great time to start thinking about backyard upgrades to bring your space to life. So whether you're still reveling in the summer days or welcoming fall early, there is plenty to look forward to as we enter into the last leg of the year! 
When it comes to backyard fire features, there are plenty of options to customize your perfect set-up. Find out what works for you to incorporate a fire feature into your outdoor area that highlights your unique taste and enhances your landscape design. Here are just a few fire feature options to explore:

  • The Wood-Burning Firepit
  • The Outdoor Fireplace
  • The Gas-Fueled Firepit
  • The Portable Option

Click below to find out more and get inspired.
It's easy to forget that our outdoor areas are living habitats that require routine TLC to continue thriving. Here are some end-of-season updates to help keep things healthy:
Schedule Aeration and Overseed:
Aerating your lawn to relieve soil compaction by poking small holes throughout your grass allows oxygen, water, and nutrients to recirculate. Our Account Manager, Jason Fiddler, says, "Client's are sometimes reluctant to add aeration and overseed to their annual maintenance services, but once they do, they see the difference the first year. It is the best way to get nitrogen into your turf roots." Adding additional seed during this process allows more grass to take root, filling in any weak or bare spots on your lawn. The Pros are happy to help with your yard's aeration and overseed. It's the last call to get on our aeration schedule, so contact us today to book your services.
Check for Pests:
The Asian Longhorned Beetle is an invasive wood-boring beetle that attacks 12 types of hardwood trees in North America, such as maples, elms, buckeyes, birches, and willows. The end of summer is the most critical time of year to spot these beetles as adult activity peaks, so the U. S. Department of Agriculture is asking for the public's help. Help prevent the destruction of trees by checking your trees for beetles with: 
  • Shiny black bodies with white spots, about 1 to 1 1/2 inches long 
  • Black and white antennas that are longer than the insect.
  • Six legs and feet that can appear bluish.
Read all of the signs for potential tree damage here.
Check Your Birdfeeder Status:
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources announced most counties can begin refilling bird feeders. The following counties, many surrounding the Indy area, are still recommended to refrain from filling birdfeeders: Allen, Carroll, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Lake, Marion, Monroe, Porter, St. Joseph, Tippecanoe, Whitley. 
For those in counties where it is allowed and where sick or dead birds are present: Seed feeders should be cleaned at least once every two weeks by scrubbing feeders with soap and water, followed by a short soak in a 10% bleach solution to keep birds healthy and limit the spread of disease. The DNR continues to monitor the status of sick and dying songbirds in affected counties, and information is on their website.
Our latest Project Spotlight is a backyard renovation that is perfect for outdoor entertaining and relaxation at home. When the onset of COVID-19 derailed our clients’ plans to celebrate their major-milestone wedding anniversary, they decided to get creative and curate the perfect vacation-at-home spot instead.
Click to catch a 360° video view of this 1900 square foot oasis.
Project features include:
  • Paver patio
  • Gas fire pit with windshield
  • Modern style dual-level pergola with three sections
  • Outdoor kitchen with built-in grill and mini-refrigerator
  • Running bond walkway
  • Fiberglass hot tub 
  • Outdoor lighting
  • Outdoor audio system
  • Fiberglass pool 
Congratulations to our Employee of the Month, Dillon Duke!
Please help us in congratulating Dillon Duke as our September Employee of the Month! Dillon is a Crew Leader in our Hardscape and Construction Division and has been a consistent asset to our team. He takes ownership of his projects, taking pride in his work and running job sites like it's his business. He has an innate ability to visualize the direction of a project at the very start, making for extremely efficient project completion and preventative problem-solving! Not only does he excel at project development, he expertly leads his crew, delegating tasks appropriately and taking time to teach his crew members the little things they can do to perfect every detail of a project. If you see Dillon around your project this month, give him a shoutout! Thank you for all of your hard work, attention to detail, and dedication to the job Dillon! 
The Easiest Campfire Nachos
Pop a griddle over your firepit or throw a cast iron on the grill for these easy, shareable fireside nachos; perfect for a football game day!
Equipment
  • 4qt Dutch Oven or other large cast iron pan, with a lid
  • Firepit with metal grill grate or grill

Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon neutral flavored oil
  • ½ lb tortilla chips
  • 1 (7.75 oz) can El Pato hot tomato sauce or favorite salsa
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can black beans, drained
  • 1 large avocado, cubed
  • 4-5 green onions, sliced
  • Handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 small lime, cut into wedges

Instructions
  1. Lightly oil the bottom of a large dutch oven, to prevent the nachos from sticking.
  2. For the first layer, evenly spread ⅓ of the chips into the dutch oven, topped with ¼ can tomato sauce or salsa, ¼ can black beans, ¼ cup cheese, and a handful of avocado, green onions, and cilantro. Repeat for the second layer.
  3. For the third and final layer, use the remaining ⅓ portion of chips, ½ of the tomato sauce or salsa, ½ can black beans, ½ cup cheese, and the remaining avocado, onion, and cilantro.
  4. Cover the dutch oven and place on a metal grill over your campfire for about 10 minutes, until the cheese has melted. Carefully serve, the cast-iron pan will be very hot, with lime wedges.

*Mix, match, and switch up toppings as you prefer. Adding some pre-cooked protein like chicken or beef, to the layers could turn the easy fireside dish into a fuller meal.
Do you know somebody looking to upgrade their outdoor lifestyle? Maybe your friends saw your backyard renovation and are looking to revamp their outdoor oasis? Refer them to us, and we'll reward you for your efforts!

Refer a project of $10,000 - $24,999
to receive a $50 Amazon gift card.

 Refer a project of $25,000 - $34,999
to receive a $100 Amazon gift card.

Refer a project of $35,000 - $49,999
to receive a $200 Amazon gift card.

Refer a project of $50,000 - $99,999
to receive a $300 Amazon gift card.

Refer a project of $100,000 or more
to receive a $500 Amazon gift card.

Once the referral project is complete, we will send your reward!
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