​The more time and effort put in to preparing the base for you patio correctly, the better your patio will perform and the longer it will last.  You will need to dig down 9 inches to account for the depth of your base materials and pavers.  There will be 6” depth layer of Class 5 gravel, 1” depth layer of washed sand, and 2.5” thick pavers. Make sure to account for drainage when excavating your base.  You want all rainwater to run away from your house or any existing structures.  To accomplish this, there should be at least a 1/8”-1/4” drop for every linear foot away from the house.

Once the area is excavated and rough graded, use a plate compactor to go over the entire area and make sure the ground is firm. If you choose to install geotextile fabric under your gravel, now is the time to lay it down.  When adding the Class 5 Gravel, spread a layer of the gravel 2 inches deep over the entire surface using your flat shovel a rake.  If the gravel is completely dry and dusty, lightly spray it with your garden hose to cut down the dust and make it easier to spread with the rake.  Go over the entire area with the plate compactor, making sure to overlap each pass by about 3 inches.  Spread another 2 inches of gravel, and repeat until all the gravel is installed.  Pull string lines over your base at the final surface elevation and slope of your patio.  There should be a 3 inch gap between the top of the gravel and the string line.  Check the base in this manner in at least 2 spots to make sure your gravel is level.
Place edge restraints along all open edges (edges not against a curb, house, or other paving).  Secure the edges in place with 10 inch timber spikes driven into the class 5 gravel every 2 feet at minimum.  Edging for areas that are curved can be installed after the pavers are laid, but before final compaction.
Only spread and screed the sand once you are ready to start laying pavers or stone.  Otherwise any rain will ruin the screeding, and the sand can become a bathroom for any neighborhood animals.  That does NOT make for a fun installation experience! You will need to install the sand as you go to prevent walking on and disturbing the level sand as you lay the pavers, so make sure to start in a 90° corner if you can. To install the sand, place the 1” diameter PVC pipes several feet apart and parallel to each other directly on the class 5 gravel.  Spread sand between the PVC pipes using your shovel and rake to loosely level it.  Place the 2x4 timber on top of the pipes, and pull it across the surface several times until the sand is perfectly smooth.  Remove the pipes, fill in the indentations with sand and level it with the trowel. 

Laying Paver Stones
Again, start in a corner if you are able.  Remove the string lines from checking your grade, and reposition them to be used to make sure your joint lines (the small gap between pavers) are straight. Set up the string lines about every 4’ or so to ensure your joints are straight across the entire patio. Work from right to left then left to right, one row of pavers at a time, installing any borders first.  Set the pavers lightly into the sand, do not press or hammer in.  Try not to walk or kneel on the pavers before they are vibrated in with the plate compactor to ensure they will not settle unevenly.  Make sure to check the straightness of your joints against the string line regularly.  Otherwise just keep screeding the bedding sand, laying the pavers, and maintaining consistent joint widths.  You will most likely need to make some cuts at some point.  Have no fear, the masonry cutting saw may seem intimidating, but is very safe and easy to use.  Place as many full sized pieces up to the edge as possible, then hold the piece that needs to be cut in place and mark the portion that needs to be cut off with a piece of chalk.  Make sure to put on your hearing and eye protection, and make your cuts.  Once all the pavers are in place it is time to do the final compaction.  Make sure not to scuff the surface of your pavers by placing cardboard, a carpet remnant, or a rubber mat between the compactor and the pavers. Adjust joints to be consistent as needed, and replace any pavers that may have cracked during compaction.  Now it is time to fill the joints. You can either use the same washed sand as you used for the bedding sand, or choose to use Polymeric Joint Sand.  Polymeric Sand has many advantages including inhibiting weed growth and ant hills in your paver joints.  Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing Polymeric Sand. 
Finishing Up and Aftercare
Bring in soil to backfill the area above your edging between your new patio and the existing lawn.  Keep the soil about ½” below the patio to make sure to allow rainwater runoff. You can either incorporate this area in to a new planting bed, or seed or sod new lawn. Depending on the look you’re going for, and the functions your patio will serve you may choose to seal your patio.  Urban Landworks offers many types of sealers from invisible, to color enhancing, to a glossy wet look.  Make sure to use a hardscape cleaner prior to sealing your patio to ensure any stains are gone, and that the sealer will make a good bond with the pavers. Aside from that, sit back, relax, and invite some friends over so you can show off your new outdoor look. 

​As a young boy growing up in Bloomington, MN I found myself outside as much as possible.  Even through our tough winters, I found my place outside in the elements.  I found more joy in the outside world than being stuck inside.  At the time I didn’t think of the why, but it was where I was most comfortable.  As I grew older my passion for nature and being immersed in it grew. 
 
This passion has led me to find ways to manipulate the ground at my own home and to make it what I wanted.  Through years of failed attempts I finally started to understand that this place I created wanted to be shared with the ones closest to me.  This made the process even more exciting for me.  My focus has changed from when I was young but ultimately I am still striving for happiness through my family.  Instilling these values on to my children is a very important part of who I am.  This is who I am today.

​As a landscape designer for Urban Landworks in Bloomington, MN I have found that each person and family that we work with is in pursuit of the same thing…Happiness.  It is never presented to me that directly, but through the process of manipulating their personal landscape through a new design or perspective they all have the same goals.  Ways to spend more time outside, being proud to come home at the end of each day, getting lost in mature, spending more time with family and loved ones, more weekend enjoyment and the list goes on.   
 
A study of urban-dwellers has shown that people have higher well-being and lower mental distress when they live in areas with greater amounts of green space compared with when they reside in areas with less green space.
 
Your outdoor space, for some of us it’s a place to spend your weekends and evenings. To kick back, relax and enjoy the great outdoors. I am sure you will agree with us that feeling the sun shining on your face, the breeze blowing across your skin or breathing in the fresh air from all around you makes you a little or a lot happier than before.
 
Almost all of our favorite moments with family, friends and pets happen in our backyards. Spending time in your outdoor living space with your favorite people is a surefire way to create lasting memories for years to come. Even some of the events gone-wrong can become the stories that bring the heartiest laughs in the future. Creating these memories and connections to your loved ones is a surefire road to happiness.
 
Urban Landworks can help you find that connection in your own back yard.

Written by Matt Jensen 

​Commercial Lawn Care IN Bloomington, MN & Surrounding cities

During the Summer months commercial properties are expected to be well-kept and have green and healthy grass. As a property owner or manager, you understand the importance of quality lawn care in order to attract customers, clients, renters. When potential clients, customers or renters visit your property the outside appearance is the first thing they see. Urban Landworks, LLC is fully equipped to help you with commercial lawn care and snow plowing in Bloomington, MN and surrounding areas. We offer a wide variety of service’s including landscaping for commercial buildings and sites. We can fully customize our commercial lawn care services to meet your property’s needs. Here are a couple commercial lawn care tips.


• Deep watering is best for your grass as well as other plants. An irrigation system and specialized commercial lawn care can take care of this task for you. And, a sprinkler system can automatically water based on the type of plant, where it is located in relation to the sun and shade and how much rain has fallen as of late. Irrigation systems help maintain steady, efficient watering unmatched by hand watering. 
• After you are done mowing, leave the grass clippings on the ground. They can help with happier and healthier grass.
• Cut the grass to the correct length; not too long and not too short. If you mow the grass too short, this can cause the grass to turn brown or it can damage or destroy the root system. The mowing length mostly depends on the type of grass, but the general rule of thumb is to only cut about 1/3 of the blade. Longer grass blades encourage the root system to grow even deeper into the soil, which promotes healthy and green growth. 

Office buildings, apartment complexes, and hotels are our lawn mowing specialties. We have 20 years of experience serving properties in Bloomington, MN and surrounding areas.
If you are interested in getting a quote from Urban Landworks, LLC, please give us a call. 952-884-1672 or urbanlandworks.com. 
Below is a list of the cities we provide commercial, industrial, lawn mowing services in:
Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Richfield, Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Golden Valley, Shakopee, Savage, Prior Lake, Eagan,  Apple Valley, Lakeville, Burnsville,