Fall News

9/1/11

Fall is Fantastic for Fertilization
In Fact, it's the Best Time of Year for It

Since top growth slows down (or stops altogether) in the fall, your lawn, trees and shrubs no longer have to continue the constant flow of nutrients and water to leaves and blades. Instead, they’re using this time to build up a storehouse of nutrients in preparation for new growth in the spring.

The storage process occurs in the plants' root systems. A heavy fall feeding makes more nutrients available and helps to trigger the process. The fatter and more extensive roots become from fall fertilization, the better growth you'll see next year. This is especially true for fall-seeded lawns and newly planted trees and shrubs.

Of course, improved growth isn’t the only benefit you can expect from fall feeding. With an extra dose of nutrients this fall, you can expect:

• Stronger resistance to insects and diseases.

• Enhanced winter color in turf and evergreens.

• Better water-holding ability, which can decrease the drying, browning effects of cold winter winds.

• Increased blooming in your flowering trees and shrubs.

Heavy fall fertilization is a vital part of any good lawn, tree and shrub care program. By meeting the nutritional needs of your plants this fall, you’ll be rewarded with a healthier, more beautiful landscape that you’ll love coming home to.

What’s Your System for Watering?

Supplemental watering in the absence of rainfall is sometimes easier said than done. Maybe you spend a lot of time away from home. Or, perhaps you just don’t have enough time in the day to set up those sprinklers. Either way, if your lawn, trees and shrubs didn’t get sufficient water over the summer, their looks and health are probably suffering.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could give your lawn and landscape plants all the water they need without even lifting a finger? With an automatic irrigation system, you can.

The great thing about automatic irrigation systems is their consistency. For example:

• Built-in timers can limit watering to the cooler parts of the day when less water will be lost due to evaporation.

• With independent station programming, these systems can be set to provide certain plants with more or less water than others depending on their specific needs.

• Smart controllers can even alter the amount of water applied to your property based on weather conditions and the amount of moisture present in the soil.

Automatic irrigation systems come in two varieties. You’re probably most familiar with sprinkler head systems, which release water from a distribution device attached to the end of a water pipe. These systems work best for spacious lawn areas. Drip irrigation systems, on the other hand, release water from tubes with holes in them. These systems are more suited to flower gardens and other planting beds. Depending on your landscape’s specific layout, just one or a combination of both types may be appropriate for your needs.

Fall is a great time to have an automatic irrigation system installed. Properly maintained, it will provide your lawn and landscape with the right amounts of water at the right times...for many hot summers to come. Not to mention, it can help to conserve water and lower your water bill!

Summer News

6/30/11

So What Is Hardscaping, Anyway?

These days, the term “hardscaping” is bound to come up in any conversation about landscape improvements...and for good reason. Hardscaping is a great way to bring added form and function to your property while complementing the existing plantings in your landscape.

If you’re unsure of what hardscaping means, here’s a basic definition: Adding structural elements to a landscape that are made out of hard (non-plant) materials. Common hardscaping materials include stone, brick, water, wood and lighting.

Properly planned and constructed, each of these items can transform the beauty of your landscape into a wonderful extension of your home. If you're thinking of improving your landscape with hardscaping, there's no time like the present!

Innovations in Hardscaping: Eco-friendly Pavers

Looking to add an environmentally friendly hardscaping element to your property? Consider creating (or renovating) a patio, terrace or garden path using recycled rubber pavers. These durable yet forgiving pavers come in a variety of colors and shapes. Some even come in mats that can easily be laid on top of an existing concrete patio for a quick and easy makeover!

Gardening is Good For You!

Working in your garden can improve both your physical and mental health. Here’s how:

• No time for the gym? You can burn around 200 calories an hour simply by weeding or cultivating soil. More strenuous garden work (hauling rocks, for example) can burn up to 600 calories an hour.

• Growing your own fruits and vegetables promotes healthier eating. After all, you’re likely to eat more of these nutritious foods if you’ve grown them yourself.

• Studies have shown that spending time in a natural setting reduces stress and can help to lower blood pressure.

The benefits are clear, so what are you waiting for? Do your body and mind a favor, and head on out to the garden!

Spring News

4/1/11

Don’t Leave Your Landscape in the Dark:
Show it Off with Outdoor Lighting!

Properly illuminated, your landscape will remain enjoyable long after the sun goes down. With strategic placement, landscape lights can enhance your property’s nighttime curb appeal. Plus, lighting can be used to increase both safety and security around your home.

First, you’ll need to decide what functions you want your outdoor lights to serve. For example, do you want to light up a path or stairway for easier nighttime navigation? Would you like to showcase a favorite planting or fountain? Are you hoping for a dramatic and striking effect, or are you leaning toward something more subdued?

There is no shortage of choices in lighting types and designs. From simple plastic lights to fancy copper fixtures, and from buried to surface-installed packages, there are all sorts of options. Plus, with low-voltage and even solar-powered landscape lights available, beautiful nighttime illumination can be achieved without sending your electric bill through the roof.

Here are some lighting types to consider:

Uplighting/Downlighting - Lights mounted below or above a plant or object shine up or down to highlight its features.

Path Lighting - Special fixtures mounted on short stakes cast pools of light downward to light a walkway or stairway.

Backlighting - A background area is flooded with light to make objects in front of it appear as silhouettes.

Shadowing - A light fixture in front of an object illuminates it and casts its shadow on a background surface.

Security Lighting – Flood lights mounted on poles or in trees provide broad illumination to discourage intruders.

With the right types of fixtures in the right places, your landscape can really shine!

New Trees and Shrubs Need Extra Attention

Installing new trees and shrubs is a great way to improve both the looks and value of your property. With the right care after planting, you can expect your new additions to provide many years of beautiful growth.

The first two to four weeks after planting are critical since the plantings will be adapting themselves to their new home while trying to establish a strong root system. The practices described here will help them get settled in.

Frequent watering. Until their root systems are developed, new trees and shrubs can dry out very quickly. They should be watered daily during the first week after planting, with a deep watering once or twice a week after that. Supplemental watering will be especially important during long stretches with no rainfall.

Mulching. This will help to hold moisture in the soil and protect tender roots from upcoming summer heat.

Fertilization. Applying a balanced, slow-release fertilizer right after planting will provide the necessary nutrients for initial establishment and future growth. Nitrogen will be used for top growth, phosphorus will stimulate root development, and potassium will help plants to retain water and resist disease.

Careful pruning. If any broken, weak or dead branches are present in new trees, they should be pruned away to promote good structure as the tree grows larger. It may also be beneficial to remove certain branches that are interfering with more desirably placed ones.

When it comes to new trees and shrubs, planting is only the first step. Providing proper care after installation will give them a great head start on a long and healthy life!

Early Spring News

3/1/11

Crackdown on Crabgrass
Managing a Repeat Lawn Offender

Crabgrass is very common in home lawns due to its tremendous reproductive capabilities. Just one crabgrass plant can produce thousands of seeds, and these seeds can remain in the soil for many years before sprouting. Since crabgrass is so prolific, eradicating it completely is unrealistic. Instead, successful control must rely on preventative measures.

It’s a Fact: Dense, Healthy Turf Has Less Crabgrass

The thicker your turf is, the harder time crabgrass will have getting established in your lawn. Your lawn can be made less hospitable to crabgrass through:

Regular Mowing – It's important to mow often enough so that no more than 1/3 of the grass blade needs to be removed at a time. Longer grass blades shade the soil, helping to discourage crabgrass seed germination.

Deep Watering – Frequent, light sprinkling should be avoided since this will promote a shallow root system and less hardy turf. Instead, it's best to irrigate deeply, letting the water penetrate 6" deep. This will encourage a deeper root system and a more robust stand of grass.

Proper Fertilization – Providing your lawn with the proper nutrients in the right doses will promote thicker, healthier growth. This will help to crowd out crabgrass plants.

Insect and Disease Controls as Needed – Left untreated, insects and diseases can do major damage to your lawn, thinning out your turf and leaving more room for crabgrass plants to grow.

Investing in your Landscape is only natural

Have you ever considered what it would take to replace the plantings in your landscape? For example, picture a full-grown oak or magnolia. It would be very difficult and costly to find a suitable substitute if either one was lost. However, each will continue adding value to your property with the right care.

You can’t go wrong by investing in your landscape, especially when you think in terms of curb appeal. Studies show that a well-maintained and designed landscape can add as much as 15% to the selling price of a home.

With that in mind, it makes sense to do whatever you can to prevent tree and shrub decline and promote good plant health. Properly cared for, your trees and shrubs will definitely improve with age, and some can last for generations.

It’s an investment worth making, and from an environmental standpoint, everyone can benefit!

 

Late Summer News

6/25/10

Resurrecting a Lifeless Lawn

At this point in the growing season, you may notice thinning turf or bare spots in your lawn and wonder what could be causing the trouble. There are plenty of possible reasons for problems like these, including:

• Compacted soil
• Excessive thatch
• Insect or disease damage
• Hot, dry weather

The good news is that your turf can be brought back to life again. Aside from sticking to proper mowing, fertilizing and watering practices, the following steps can make a world of difference.

Aeration
Compacted soil and excessive thatch can starve turf roots of the air, water and nutrients they need to grow deep and strong. Aeration can help. With this process, a machine known as a core aerator punches through your turf and pulls out plugs of soil and thatch, which are left behind to dissolve during rainfall or sprinkling. As the plugs dissolve, decomposition of the thatch layer is promoted. Plus, the holes created during aeration make it easier for air, water and nutrients to reach the roots.

Overseeding (with Aeration)
This is a great way to thicken up thin turf areas, and involves broadcasting seed evenly over any spots that need to be filled in. Keep in mind that seeding always works better when there’s good seed-to-soil contact. By having your lawn aerated prior to overseeding, the seed will have some soil to lodge in and germination rates will be improved.

Slice Seeding
This is the most efficient way to seed your lawn. A slice seeder (or slit seeder) makes vertical slits in the soil and deposits grass seed directly into the ground, all in one pass. This encourages high germination rates and thicker growth.

Late summer and fall are great times for renovation practices like these, since temperatures are milder and more conducive to new growth. In addition, new grass doesn’t have as much weed competition once the growing season starts winding down.

If your lawn looks like it’s struggling this summer, the above procedures can all help to get it back on track again!

Make a Splash with a Water Feature

Every property can benefit from the addition of a water feature. Not only do they make great conversation pieces, but they can help to create a more tranquil setting in your landscape when you need a place to unwind. Depending on the mood you’re after, there are plenty of choices. Consider the following:

Ponds
With numerous possibilities for adding plants and wildlife, ponds add a whole new level of interest to the landscape. These versatile water features can be simple or spectacular and come in all shapes and sizes. Keep in mind that if plants or wildlife are to be added, you’ll need to consider the type of habitat they require.

Fountains
Situated in a pond or self-contained, fountains can provide a simple spray of water or a complex pattern of dancing streams. You can choose from all sorts of designs, including tiered fountains, cascading fountains incorporating statuary, garden wall fountains and even simple pebble fountains.

Waterfalls
Moving water is pleasing to both the eye and the ear, and a waterfall can make your property much more conducive to relaxation. Preformed waterfalls are available, or customized versions can be constructed using liner fabric, rocks, concrete and a pump.

No matter how big or small your property or your budget, there’s a water feature option to suit every taste. Remember…even something as basic as a birdbath can bring added appeal to your landscape!

Deck vs. Patio: Which is Right for You?

Carefully planned and installed, a deck or patio can increase the value and enjoyment of your home by expanding your outdoor living space. The trick is to decide which one, and which construction materials, will fit in best with your current surroundings while meeting your goals for outdoor relaxation and entertaining.

When deciding between a deck or patio, here are some considerations to keep in mind:

Capacity – If you’ll be entertaining lots of people, or if you need to hold something heavy like a hot tub, a patio makes a sturdier choice. While decks can be reinforced to hold extra weight, this can take away from their looks.

Terrain – If you have a sloping yard, you may want to go with a deck. Though the ground can be built up to provide a level patio surface, this can cost extra.

Weather – How much sun, rain and snow does the site get? Too much sun can make deck surfaces painful to walk on in bare feet, while rain and snow runoff can be problematic on patio surfaces.

Once you’ve decided on a deck or patio, you’ll need to choose an appropriate construction material:

Decks – Synthetic decks made from recycled plastic are appealing due to their minimal maintenance requirements. Plus, they’re less susceptible to insect damage, warping and splintering. Wooden decks, on the other hand, are less expensive and provide a more natural look. However, they do require periodic maintenance.

Patios – Pavers are a durable, low-maintenance choice for patio construction and come in a wide variety of styles and colors. Or, if you’d rather go with concrete, you’ll be happy to know that the days of the dull, gray concrete slab are behind us. You might be surprised by the color and pattern choices available in concrete patios.

Remember, the last thing you want in your yard is unused dead space. Think ahead and thoroughly research your options for a deck or patio that you can enjoy for many years to come.