Landscaping and Project Management in Crow Wing County, Minnesota


Planning an outdoor project at your lake home can mean juggling designers, contractors, materials, and timelines all at once. Without someone coordinating the pieces, even an exciting project can turn into a source of stress.


At EL Outdoors, we manage the whole process for you. As a family-owned business serving the Brainerd Lakes Area, we plan and coordinate landscape projects from first concept to final walkthrough, keeping the work organized and moving.

From scoping the project and lining up trusted contractors to overseeing timelines and the details on site, we keep your outdoor improvement on track. You get a single local point of contact and clear communication from start to finish.

Our Range of Landscaping and Project Management Services

We plan and coordinate residential landscape projects throughout Crow Wing County, Minnesota, managing the people, timelines, and details so your outdoor improvement comes together smoothly.

Project Planning and Scoping

We help you shape your project from the start, defining goals, scope, and priorities so everyone shares a clear plan before any work begins at your lake home or residential property.

Contractor and Vendor Coordination

We line up and coordinate the trusted contractors and vendors your project needs, scheduling their work and keeping everyone aligned so the right people are in the right place at the right time.

Timeline and Schedule Oversight

We build and manage the project schedule, tracking progress and adjusting as needed so your outdoor improvement keeps moving forward and the work stays organized from the first step to the last.

On-Site Project Supervision

We keep an eye on the work as it happens, checking that each stage is carried out properly and addressing questions on site so the finished result matches the plan you signed off on.

Design and Material Coordination

We coordinate design details and material selections, helping you choose well-matched options and making sure the right materials arrive on schedule so your project stays on course and on vision.

Final Walkthrough and Handover

We close out your project with a final walkthrough, reviewing the completed work together and confirming the details are right so you can enjoy your finished outdoor space with confidence.

Rain Garden Design and Installation

When rain runs off your roof, driveway, and lawn, it can pool in low spots, carry soil toward the lake, and leave soggy areas behind. A well-placed rain garden turns that runoff into something useful and beautiful. We design and install residential rain gardens throughout Crow Wing County, Minnesota, managing runoff with attractive plantings that protect your property and the lakes around it.

Drainage and Site Assessment

We study how water moves across your property, identifying where runoff collects and flows so your rain garden is placed where it will do the most good and work with your landscape, not against it.

Rain Garden Design

We design a rain garden sized and shaped for your property, balancing function and beauty so it captures runoff effectively while adding a natural, attractive feature that fits the character of your lake home landscape.

Native Plant Selection

We select native, water-tolerant plants suited to the Brainerd Lakes climate, choosing species that thrive through wet and dry spells while supporting pollinators and keeping your rain garden healthy year after year.

Excavation and Installation

We excavate and build the garden to the right depth and shape, preparing the soil and installing plants properly so your rain garden captures and filters runoff the way it was designed to.

Overflow and Runoff Integration

We connect your rain garden to the way water already moves on your property, managing overflow so heavy rains drain safely and your garden handles runoff without creating new pooling elsewhere.

Seasonal Rain Garden Care

We can care for your rain garden through the seasons, tending the plantings and keeping it functioning as intended so it continues to manage runoff and look its best for years to come.

Residential Drainage and Stormwater Planning

Water that does not drain properly can pool against your foundation, drown your plantings, and leave soggy, unusable areas across your yard. On lake properties, poor drainage can also send runoff straight toward the water. We plan small residential drainage and stormwater solutions throughout Crow Wing County, Minnesota, moving water away from your home and landscape through practical, site-specific approaches.

Drainage Assessment

We study how water collects and flows across your property, pinpointing the low spots and problem areas so our drainage plan targets the real sources of pooling rather than only the places you happen to notice.

Surface Grading Solutions

We plan grading that gently shapes the ground to guide water away from your home and toward better outlets, reducing pooling and helping your landscape shed rain and snowmelt the way it should.

Downspout and Runoff Management

We plan how roof runoff leaves your downspouts and moves across your property, directing that water to safe locations so it does not collect against your foundation or wash across your beds and lawn.

Water Redirection Planning

We design practical ways to redirect surface water away from sensitive areas, guiding it toward places where it can drain or soak in safely without creating new problems elsewhere on your property.

Planting-Based Drainage

We use planting-based solutions such as rain gardens and water-tolerant beds where they fit, letting your landscape help absorb and manage runoff in a way that is both functional and natural looking.

Small Stormwater Planning

We plan small residential stormwater solutions scaled to your property, keeping the work practical and site-specific so it addresses your drainage needs without the scope of a large commercial stormwater project.

Bring Your Outdoor Project to Life With EL Outdoors

At EL Outdoors, we coordinate residential landscape projects across Crow Wing County, Minnesota, turning ideas into finished outdoor spaces. With 10 years of local experience and a family-owned approach, we manage the planning, people, and details so your project moves forward smoothly and you stay informed at every stage rather than chasing updates yourself.


If you have an outdoor project in mind and would rather not manage it alone, we would be glad to help. Reach out today to talk through your ideas, and we will map out a clear plan and coordinate the work from concept to completion.

Frequently Asked Questions?

  • What does landscaping and project management involve?

    We handle the planning and coordination of your outdoor project, including scoping the work, lining up contractors, overseeing timelines, supervising the job on site, and walking through the finished result with you so everything comes together properly.

  • Do you coordinate the contractors for my project?

    Yes. We bring in and coordinate trusted contractors and vendors, schedule their work, and keep everyone aligned, so you have one local point of contact instead of managing several separate crews and schedules yourself.

  • Can you manage a project while I am away from the area?

    Yes. We keep you informed with clear updates throughout the project, so owners who live elsewhere or visit seasonally can move an outdoor improvement forward without needing to be on site for every step.

  • How involved do I need to be in the project?

    As involved as you would like. Some owners want to review each decision, while others prefer to set the direction and let us manage the details. We adapt our communication to the level of involvement you want.

  • What kinds of outdoor projects can you coordinate?

    We coordinate residential landscape projects of varying sizes, from plantings and softscape work to larger outdoor improvements. Reach out with your idea and we will let you know how we can help bring it together.

  • What is a rain garden and how does it work?

    A rain garden is a planted, shallow basin that captures runoff from roofs, driveways, and lawns, letting it soak in and filter naturally. It reduces pooling and keeps soil and runoff from washing toward the lake.

  • Where should a rain garden be placed on my property?

    Placement depends on how water moves across your land. We assess your drainage first, then position the garden where it will capture runoff effectively without creating problems near your home's foundation or other sensitive areas.

  • What plants are used in a rain garden?

    We use native, water-tolerant plants suited to the local climate. These species handle both wet and dry periods, support pollinators, and keep the garden healthy, so it stays attractive while doing its job managing runoff.

  • Do rain gardens help protect the lake?

    Yes. By capturing and filtering runoff before it reaches the water, rain gardens reduce the soil and surface pollutants that would otherwise flow into the lake, making them a practical choice for lakefront and near-lake properties.

  • Do rain gardens require much maintenance?

    Once established, rain gardens are fairly low maintenance, but they do benefit from seasonal care. We can tend the plantings and keep the garden functioning as designed so it continues to manage runoff and look its best.

  • What drainage problems can you help with?

    We help with pooling water, soggy areas, runoff collecting against foundations, and water heading toward the lake. We assess how water moves across your property, then plan practical, site-specific solutions to move it where it belongs.

  • How do you decide the right drainage solution?

    We start with an assessment of your property, looking at grading, low spots, and how water flows. From there we plan the mix of grading, redirection, and planting-based solutions that best fits your site and your needs.

  • Can drainage work help protect the lake?

    Yes. Managing runoff keeps soil and surface water from washing into the lake. On near-lake and lakefront properties, good drainage planning is an important part of protecting both your landscape and the water it borders.

  • Do you keep drainage projects residential in scope?

    Yes. We focus on small residential drainage and stormwater planning, keeping the work practical and matched to your property rather than taking on large commercial stormwater systems that fall outside the scope we perform.

  • Which areas do you serve for landscaping, rain gardens, and drainage?

    We coordinate projects, design and install rain gardens, and plan drainage solutions for properties in Crosslake, Gull Lake, and Pequot Lakes, along with surrounding communities throughout Crow Wing County and Cass County, Minnesota. Contact us to confirm your property falls within our service area.

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