At noon in July the brick fronts of downtown Ottawa throw a hard shade across the walk, and the narrow strips of lawn between building and curb ask for as much attention as any wide yard. Hardscape Elements LLC keeps grounds mowed, trimmed and edged, with the borders held tight against pavement, bed and stone. Detail is the whole difference between a property that is maintained and one that is only mowed: a clean cut line, a swept walk, corners that agree with one another. Valley summers run hot and suddenly wet, so the schedule bends around the storms rather than pretending they are not coming. What gets left behind should look deliberate — every edge intended, nothing ragged.