Creating Great Outdoors

Honoring Families and Balancing Life

“Honor Our Families” – Nurturing Our Personal and Professional Worlds

February 16, 2024

Welcome to the final day of our series on Cornerstone’s core values. Today, we explore a value close to our hearts: “Honor Our Families.” This principle is about recognizing and respecting the interconnectedness of our personal and professional lives and the importance of nurturing both. Understanding the Value: Work-Life Harmony: At Cornerstone, we strive for […]

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Process

“We Are Process Driven” – Balancing Structure and Flexibility

February 15, 2024

Welcome to Day 5 of our journey through Cornerstone’s core values. Today, we delve into a principle that guides our operational excellence: “We Are Process Driven.” At Cornerstone, being process-driven is about striking the perfect balance between following proven methods and being adaptable to unique situations. It’s understanding that while having structured processes is crucial, […]

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Landscape Good to Great

“Good is the Enemy of Great” – Pursuing Excellence in Everything We Do

February 14, 2024

Welcome to Day 4 of our series on Cornerstone’s core values. Today’s focus is on a principle that drives us to excel beyond the ordinary: “Good is the Enemy of Great.” At Cornerstone, we believe that good is just a starting point. We aim for greatness in every task we undertake, be it a small […]

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“We Are Overly Prepared” – The Power of Preparation

February 13, 2024

Welcome to Day 3 of our exploration into Cornerstone’s core values. Today, we shine a light on a key principle to our success and excellence: “We Are Overly Prepared.” In the fast-paced and dynamic world of landscaping and horticulture, being prepared is not just a precaution; it’s a necessity. At Cornerstone, we take this to […]

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Wordle Trust

“We Do What We Say” – Building Trust through Action

February 12, 2024

Welcome to Day 2 of our journey through Cornerstone’s core values. Today, we spotlight a fundamental principle that acts as the foundation of our trust and integrity: “We Do What We Say.” At Cornerstone, we understand that trust is the cornerstone of any successful relationship, whether with clients, team members, or partners. It’s not just […]

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SIMA Best Companies to Work For

Embracing Our Core: A Journey Through Cornerstone’s Fundamental Values

February 9, 2024

Welcome to our special blog series where we delve into the heart of what makes Cornerstone not just a workplace, but a community. Over the next six days, we will explore the five core values that define our culture and guide our actions, both as individuals and as a collective force. At Cornerstone, we believe […]

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ILCA iLandscape 2024 Cornerstone Partners Team Shot

Cultivating Excellence: Navigating the Landscape of Continuous Learning

February 1, 2024

Embracing Evolution in Horticulture and Landscaping Good afternoon, fellow landscape enthusiasts! 🌿 The dynamic realm of horticulture and landscaping demands a keen eye on industry trends and innovations, propelling our team at Cornerstone Partners to actively participate in industry association conferences and education sessions. Today, let’s uncover the substantial benefits of this commitment to continuous […]

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Protect Your Investment By Sealing Your Pavers

February 24, 2023

Interlocking concrete pavers, such as those used in patios, driveways, walkways, and hardscape designs, are porous, which means they will absorb water over time. They can also absorb other liquids, like oils and grease, which can leave them stained and unsightly. Sealing pavers can protect against wear and deterioration by providing a barrier to prevent […]

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Plant Health Care Tips – Powdery Mildew

January 16, 2023

If you notice a white or gray film on your plant’s leaves – almost as if they are covered in a thin film of baby powder or flour – there’s a good chance that the plant is suffering from powdery mildew, a fungal disease made up of spores, also known as Blumeria graminis. Powdery mildew […]

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Plant Health Care Tip – Spider Mites

January 15, 2023

Spider mites are a common garden pest that lives on the underside of the leaves of trees and shrubs and and in evergreens. It feeds on plants by puncturing the leaves or needles and sucking out the chlorophyll. For a non-evergreen type plant, this damage won’t be fatal, but it certainly weakens the plant and makes […]

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Prevent Your Evergreens From Browning Out This Winter

December 27, 2022

Evergreens, like boxwoods, arborvitaes, and junipers, are susceptible to winter burnout. This occurs during particularly dry winter months when the roots can no longer pull water from the soil to feed the plant. Instead, they rely on the moisture that is stored in their leaves, which causes evaporation. When evaporation occurs, the plant’s leaves or […]

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Trees Not Looking Healthy? The Answer May Be Below the Surface.

November 6, 2022

Roots are the lifeline of a tree, vital to its health and well-being. The root system’s main job is to absorb and transport much-needed water, nutrients and oxygen. It’s also responsible for helping to stabilize the structure of the tree, keeping it healthy and strong.  Most trees’ root systems expand well beyond the base of […]

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Aerating This Fall Gives Your Lawn A Head Start for Spring

September 6, 2022

In the autumn months, as flowers start to die off and leaves begin to fall, many property owners think there’s not much more to be done to their landscapes for the season. However, fall is the best time to give your lawn a head start for spring. One way to do this is through aerating. […]

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How to Correctly Water Annuals and Perennials

March 21, 2022

Everyone knows you need to water flowers, but are you doing it correctly?  The best time to water Did you know that the best time to water is early to mid-morning? This gives your plants enough time to dry off before evening. When the temperatures cool off at night, and if the plants are wet, […]

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Dress Up Your Landscape with Mulch

March 21, 2022

As we start to prepare landscape beds for our commercial and residential homeowners in spring, we also begin having conversations about mulch. Mulch has many benefits and should be considered a must-have for every landscape for various reasons. Benefits of mulch Mulch offers many benefits, including:  Giving your landscape beds a fresh, manicured look.  Protecting […]

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Solutions to Drainage and Standing Water Issues

March 3, 2022

All landscapes need water. However, too much water is never a good thing. When water on your property doesn’t drain well, or if it pools in your lawn, garden beds, or on sidewalks or driveways, it can lead to a host of problems. Downspout and gutter issues   Many things can cause poor drainage. When water […]

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Lawn Still Brown From The Summer? Unfortunately, It’s Not Coming Back

March 3, 2022

Unfortunately, if sections of your lawn have browned out and not yet recovered, it’s probably not coming back. Lawns that are stressed because of intense summer heat or lack of water and nutrients usually turn brown. This happens because the grass goes dormant and is trying to protect itself from further damage. However, if stressful […]

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St. Charles, IL Commercial Landscape Maintenance

The Best Time to Prune Your Trees and Shrubs? Winter.

March 3, 2022

Whether you own a commercial or residential property, pruning your trees and shrubs is a critical landscape task. When the branches of trees and shrubs become dense, they don’t allow light, air and nutrients to move through the plant’s canopy and its root system. Also, branches that are crossing over and touching can rub on […]

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How to Properly Water Grass Seed and New Sod

March 3, 2022

Planting grass seed or laying sod is like giving your lawn a fresh, new beginning. However, grass seed, in particular, can be very fragile. It’s important to follow guidelines to help promote growth, strength, and durability as the grass takes root. Whether you’re establishing an entirely new lawn or repairing sections of a damaged one, […]

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Guidelines for Watering New and Established Trees 

March 3, 2022

Trees need water like any other plant in your garden–whether they are newly planted or have been in the ground for years. Established trees are sometimes forgotten about over time, but they need moisture just like any other plant in your landscape.  Properly watering a newly planted tree A new tree can take up to […]

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Protect Your Plants This Winter with a Blanket of Mulch

February 22, 2022

Many of our residential and commercial clients people rely on mulch throughout the summer to protect their plants from the heat, seal in moisture and help keep the weeds at bay. But did you know that mulch can play a critical role for your plants during the winter months too? Mulch protects your plant’s fragile […]

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Barrington, IL Residential Landscape Design

Give Your Lawn a Head Start for Spring By Fertilizing Before Winter

February 9, 2022

Many customers ask: Is applying a winter fertilizer really needed? Our simple answer: yes. Lawn applications and treatments vary throughout a season. Some are designed to help your grass grow, while other lawn treatments help with weed control. The frequency and timeframe to apply also can vary. Winter fertilizer is applied once you are no […]

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Liquid Brine – A Snow and Ice Management Solution

February 9, 2022

  We use liquid brine on sidewalk and road surfaces throughout the winter for our commercial and HOA customers. It is an anti/deicing solution. It’s versatile and can be used either as an anti-ice application pre-treatment before a snow event or applied afterward as a deicer. It can melt snow and ice quickly, preventing them […]

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