In case there was any doubt....

as our friends bloodroot and hepatica are showing us...SPRING HAS SPRUNG! Captured out on a new client site visit.

A Bee Lawn

This post from the U of M Extension service will turn upside-down your assumptions about what makes a good lawn. As the mantra goes..."a weed is just a plant in a place you don't want it." Click on the link for the full story: A Bee Lawn

Portfolio Update

Here's a little pick me up to get through the winter blues: check out www.avocadogreen.com for our most recent update. We've added six new completed projects and added recent photography to four more. Click on "portfolio" and then any of the first 10 thumbnails to see the results of our latest design collaborations!

If you're inspired, shoot us an email with any questions or to discuss that landscape project you've had tumbling around in the back of your mind.

Avocado Green web update

Hi all - just a quick note that we updated www.avocadogreen.com. Check out the Wasmer Residence....a great landscape installation completed in 2010.

Skyway Art

The Walker Art Center and AIA-MN are sponsoring a video art competition Videotect centered on the theme of the Twin Cities skyway system, that ubiquitous maze rather unique to Minnesota.

For any of you that have had the day-to-day experience of traversing the skyways, you may see the system in a whole new light after viewing a few of these videos. Some use humor, some dramatically re-frame the subject matter and almost elevate it to high art. Of note: Urban Mysteries by "Tucker" is particularly hilarious, and the entry by IDE(A) is rather haunting.

An aside, the IDE(A) submission was created in part by our friend Pete Sieger, an accomplished local architectural photographer. You can vote for your favorites until March 18th, and a screening is scheduled at the Walker for the end of the month.

Here's the link: Videotect

Permanent Lawn installation

Back in March we brought up the philosophical debate about what's truly "green" in the context of new permanent lawn technology. We had an opportunity to install a permanent lawn at a commercial application in south Minneapolis at Liberty Frozen Custard on 53rd and Lyndale Avenue. Go check it out....it is an amazing facisimile from a distance, and up-close it really holds up well. And it's particularly appropriate for this high traffic area and the retro-vibe of the establishment. Maybe there are other uses out there? Let us know your thoughts...

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones - a primer

Here's a great primer explaining the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones via the University of Minnesota Extension Service. There has been much talk of late of how plant hardiness zones may be shifting. This explains the system and how the Twin Cities is still pretty well-rooted in Zone 4a, even though we have many adventurous gardeners tempting fate and living life on the Hardiness-edge!

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones revisited