October 7, 2014

3 Ways To Increase Your Curb Appeal Dramatically

Curb appeal isn’t complicated, it’s all about looking good. You want your neighbors to envy your landscape, each and every time they drive by. Here’s three ways to quickly increase your neighbor’s jealousy.

Prune your plants, but don’t hack them to death. Train them into circles or squares, especially evergreen shrubs. . This softens the look and feels pleasing to the eye.

Ligustrum shrubs need pruning.

Ligustrum shrubs need pruning.

Ligustrum shrubs look nice and neat after pruning.

Ligustrum shrubs look nice and neat after pruning.

Next, add seasonal color (annuals) in front of your existing trees and shrubs. Choose begonias for the warm season and pansies/violas for the cool season. Curb appeal increases with uniformity. Add the same color or similar colors in more than one bed.

Lacks seasonal color and interest.

Lacks seasonal color and interest.

White pansies and ornamental grasses with black mulch add interest.

White pansies and ornamental grasses with black mulch add interest.

Finally, after cleaning up your hedges and installing seasonal color, add two inches of mulch. Choose pine tree nuggets, pine straw, or black/brown hardwood mulch.

You’re going to be so proud of yourself after a month. The annuals will grow quickly and fill the empty space. Curb appeal complete!

Filed Under: Establishment and Care Advice
August 22, 2014

Lawn Sprinklers Waste Time and Money for Freshly Planted Trees and Shrubs

Sprinklers work great for established, older plants. They are not ideal for newly planted trees and shrubs. When working with a new client, I emphasize watering the new plants almost daily. I worry when the client tells me “no sweat, I have a sprinkler system. The new tree will be fine.”

Soak the ground next to the stems. Be wary of sprinklers wasting water away from the roots.

Soak the ground next to the stems. Be wary of sprinklers wasting water away from the roots.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love automation and low maintenance lawn and shrub care. But sprinklers can create false confidence.

Lawn sprinklers are designed to irrigate a specific area consistently. The problem lies in the fact that new plants need all the water at the root ball. Not near the sprinkler and not in the grass outside the root zone.  Only at the roots and at the root’s edge. Remember to soak and allow the soil to dry.

Click here to learn how to water plants effectively.

Lawn sprinklers shouldn’t be used everyday. Allow the sprinklers to soak an area thoroughly. Check soil moisture with your finger and a shovel. If the ground is moist several inches deep then allow drying. When the top inch is powder dry, soak the area again.

If you’re unsure how to setup your sprinkler system, I would be happy to help. Water management is critical to succeeding the first time! Please leave a comment below with your best tip on being water-wise.

 

Filed Under: Establishment and Care Advice, Expensive Mistakes, Plant Install
August 11, 2014

What is the Best Season to Plant Landscape Trees and Shrubs and Why

The best season to plant trees and shrubs is Fall. Starting in late September until December or until the ground freezes.

If you’ve never planted a tree or shrub before, read this.

This foundation wall was planted Nov. 2013.

This foundation wall was planted Nov. 2013. (Before)

Green velvet boxwood transplanted Fall 2013.

Green velvet boxwood transplanted Fall 2013. (After six months)

Fall planting encourages the roots to grow into the new soil and get a head start for Spring. Fall soil temperature is higher than the air temperature so the roots will continue growing until Frost.

Less irrigation is needed during the fall and dormant season from December to March it’s almost nonexistent. That means less watering work.

What to do when installing in Fall

  • Mulch the plant with pine tree bark, fir bark, or pine straw. This helps lock in moisture
  • Make sure to back fill the hole with loose soil and irrigate the plant to eliminate air pockets
  • Check the soil moisture with your finger right on the root ball. It doesn’t matter anywhere else. Irrigate if needed.

The second best season is Spring, followed by Summer. During the growing season, more water is needed to help the plants through transplant shock toward establishment.

Heck, you can even plant during Winter. Just not when the ground is frozen. Get started today!

Filed Under: Establishment and Care Advice, Plant Install, Speak Landscape Like A Pro