If the recent tragic tree accident at Punch Pizza makes you question the safety of your own landscape, that may be the only silver lining to an otherwise dark day in Wayzata. The large tree snapped and injured an Oregon woman who was dining on the restaurant’s narrow outdoor patio. The old tree on the edge of the scenic 14-acre Big Woods preserve reportedly was weakened by disease. But several factors can make trees susceptible to snapping at any time or toppling over in high winds.

I believe that when someone is in a safe and private outdoor space where one could be naked, the space creates an exceptional feeling of calm.

We all know the story of Peter Cottontail. A rabbit who finds mischief by sneaking into a garden to eat all the delicious vegetables. This is a tale that many gardeners have experienced themselves, with them finding their gardens ravaged by this cuddly critter. There are, however, many ways in which you can save your garden from these cute pests.

Here’s an idea for those who have children or those who embrace their own childish spirit: the runner bean teepee!

A long time ago I once met someone who, assuming “winter” to a landscaper is akin to drought to a fisherman or summer to a downhill skier, asked me “what is it that you landscapers DO in the winter??”