Spring
Have Some Fun with Landscape Planning for Spring
As we approach the halfway point of winter and encounter some warmer-than-usual weather, you might start thinking about getting back out in the yard. But I warn you, the ground is most likely still a bit too soft to walk on, much less work on, not to mention that the return of snow is inevitable, […]
Repair Shrub/Tree Winter Damage
Shrubs can take a beating in winter. The wind can break branches. Snow piled on top of them can bend branches over, even to the ground. Overly saturated soil can cause the whole shrub to lean while frequent freeze/thaw cycles can cause them to come right out of the ground. Evergreen shrubs may have brown […]
Vertical Gardens A New Landscaping Trend
People will place plants anywhere they’ll grow. First containers gained popularity. Then raised beds became all the rage. Today, it’s vertical gardens. Vertical gardens aren’t new. Several decades ago, a local company manufactured modular, plastic vertical gardens that they marketed to grow food in areas like deserts that are difficult to farm. The Longwood Gardens […]
Check New Growth Before Pruning Evergreens
June and July are the best months in which to prune evergreens. That’s when new growth forms. However, like everything in nature, there are no absolutes, no definitive dates to start pruning. New growth forms at the ends of branches. When the new needles or leaves first appear, they are a lighter green than the […]
Pruning Spring Flowering Trees & Shrubs
Spring’s spectacular display of color is coming to an end. Granted, later blooming plants will continue to show color to some extent but the green curtain will close on trees and shrubs like dogwoods, cherries, rhododendrons and lilacs. They will now be attractive foliage plants until next spring,. Throughout the winter and spring, I’ve been […]
Planting Annuals
Planting annuals is a time-honored rite of spring. It might be the final transition from winter into the growing season. Before embarking on this annual tradition, be sure winter has actually taken its leave. Check long range weather forecasts to be sure no frosts or freezes are expected in May. There’s a reason why Memorial […]
Clean & Prepare Your Water Feature
Fountains and water features are designed into landscapes to provide soothing calmness and tranquility during the spring, summer and fall seasons. In winter, however, they have to be winterized to protect them. I have some helpful advice for transitioning your water feature from winter hibernation to summer pleasure. Water features are different in each landscape. […]
Spring Lawn Care
Our lawns are planted with cool weather grasses but even these grasses have their breaking point. Extended cold, wet periods can be especially bad for turfgrass. Rejuvenating winter damaged lawns is relatively easy, though. The first thing to do is check to be sure the grass is dry enough to support your weight and that […]
Celebrate Arbor Day
Banks won’t close; government offices and schools won’t close. But Friday, April 26, is a holiday. Most school children will learn about Arbor Day. Many will even bring home a seedling in a paper cup to be planted in your yard. Arbor day was first observed in 1885. In the 104 years between when Arbor […]
Spring Cleanup
At long last, spring has sprung! It seems as though it’s been a long time coming. As anxious as you’ve been waiting for winter end, your yard probably fared much worse than you. After all, you could retreat inside away from the wind cold, snow and ice. Your yard didn’t have that choice. It had […]