The Field Journal

Summery: Preparing your Michiana landscape for winter is fundamentally about managing water before the ground freezes. By clearing drainage exits, sweeping wet leaves, and using the correct de-icing salts, you protect the structural integrity and surface finish of your outdoor spaces. This guide outlines the exact engineering and maintenance steps required to prevent heavy clay soils and deep freeze-thaw cycles from compromising your hardscaping investment. The Chemistry of L

Summery; Stop fighting the soil:   Granger clay suffocates generic plants, and New Buffalo sand starves them; you must plant species adapted to your specific drainage reality. Anchor your beds mechanically:  Lightweight wood mulch floats away during heavy Michiana rainstorms; replacing it with decorative river rock over woven geotextile fabric permanently stops the washout. Plan for the snow plow:  Piling salt-heavy snow on delicate perennials guarantees winterkill, so hig