From the historic homes on East Wisconsin Avenue to the lots right on Lake Winnebago, Neenah yards come with real character — and real challenges.
Neenah grew up on paper-mill money, and you can still read it in the neighborhoods. The stately homes along East Wisconsin Avenue were built to impress, and their grounds deserve the same care. We handle those properties with a light touch — restraint that fits the architecture rather than fighting it.
Then there is the water. Neenah sits on Lake Winnebago, wraps around Doty Island, and catches wind straight off the lake. Shoreline lots deal with erosion, gusts that shred tender plants, and drainage that has nowhere easy to go. We plan for all three before the first plant goes in.
A lot on the water is a gift and a headache. Wind off Lake Winnebago dries out and batters anything too delicate, so we choose tough, wind-tolerant plants and set windbreaks where they earn their keep. Where the bank meets the water, we stabilize soil with deep-rooted natives and stone so a hard rain does not carry your yard into the lake.
Erosion is patient. We would rather solve it with grading and planting now than watch it eat a shoreline over a few seasons.
The old homes near East Wisconsin Avenue call for landscapes that match their age and scale. We favor classic, structured plantings and quality stonework over anything trendy. Walkways and walls get built on deep compacted bases so Wisconsin's freeze-thaw cycles do not heave them out of line within a few winters.
French drains, dry creek beds, rain gardens, and regrading that end standing water in our clay soil for good.
Learn moreEngineered retaining walls that terrace slopes, stop erosion, and reclaim usable yard — built to hold through freeze-thaw.
Learn moreNative-forward gardens, trees, and shrubs chosen to survive Zone 5 winters and thrive with less water and upkeep.
Learn moreA custom, buildable plan for your whole yard — drainage, plantings, and hardscape that fit your property and our climate.
Learn moreInterlocking paver patios built on deep, compacted bases so they never heave or crack through a Wisconsin winter.
Learn moreLow-voltage LED lighting that makes your home safer, more secure, and stunning after dark — through every season.
Learn moreOur place near the lake took a beating every winter. They fixed the drainage and the beds have held up beautifully since.
Regularly. Lake Winnebago lots need wind-tolerant plants, shoreline stabilization, and smart drainage. We plan for all of it up front so your investment holds up against wind and water.
Yes, and we enjoy it. The historic homes near East Wisconsin Avenue deserve landscapes that respect their scale. We match materials and plantings to the architecture instead of forcing a modern look.
About ten minutes south of our French Road base in Appleton. Close enough that the owner is on your Neenah project in person, not just on the schedule.
DrainagePuddles that linger for days after rain or snowmelt are a clay-soil signature in the Fox Cities. Here is how to diagnose the cause and match it to the right fix.
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DrainageA rain garden turns a soggy problem into an asset — capturing runoff, soaking it into the ground, and feeding pollinators. Here is how they work in Fox Cities clay.
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Cost GuidesA retaining wall is a structure, not just a stack of stone. Here is how the main materials compare on cost and durability — and why drainage behind the wall decides its lifespan.
Read articleOwner-supervised design, hardscaping, and planting for Neenah, WI and the surrounding area.
