No matter the season, color in your landscape can be easy with a simple plan. Incorporate annuals, perennials and shrubs with different bloom times for continuous bursts of color within your landscape. Planting and Bloom Times The best suggested times to plant are during the spring and fall, when the weather is cooler. The new plants and bulbs have time to adjust to the new environment before extreme temperatures of summer or winter begin. Specific plantings, such as summer annuals, can be … [Read more...]
Spring Mulching and Planting
Reasons to plant and mulch every spring are in abundance. Mulching helps plants and trees hold in precious moisture. Spring planting adds color to your landscape for the season – or even longer – depending on what you choose to plant. Whether you plan to redesign your entire landscape or you’re just looking to maintain your existing one, a little work now will reap big rewards the rest of the year. Choosing the Right Mulch Before you apply mulch, you need to decide what variety you are going … [Read more...]
What’s Bugging Your Garden?
2017 looks like it’s going to be a tough year for bugs in Northern Virginia landscapes. Every gardener dreads dealing with bugs and other pests; it can be both time-consuming and expensive. The old adage, “the best medicine is prevention,” is also true for landscape pests, though. Following good gardening practices, encouraging natural predators, and frequently checking your plants can go a long way in avoiding pesky insect damage. Uncovering the Source of Your Pest Problem Once you have … [Read more...]
Spring Lawn and Landscape Tips
Whether you're a seasoned homeowner or a brand new one, winter is a great time to plan ahead and make a spring to-do list for your yard. There are activities you may tackle yourself, like raking and mowing, but others – like aerating and fertilizing - may require some professional help. Planning now will help you achieve the lush green lawn and beautiful garden beds you’ve always desired. 7 Ways to Prepare Your Lawn and Landscape for Spring 1. Inspect As soon as the snow has melted, it’s … [Read more...]
Tips for Cutting Ornamental Grasses and Laying Mulch
Laying Mulch Mulch provides many benefits in the garden and landscape. Not only does it enhance the garden bed’s beauty, but it also helps many plants as they begin to emerge flush, ensuring maximum growth. Mulch holds water and nutrients in the summer, keeping the water run off to a minimum. Acting as an insulator, it holds heat in the winter which is especially good for the root ball of the plant. Freshly laying mulch in the spring is crucial as it is a critical time to suppress weed … [Read more...]
Top Tips for Spring Lawn and Garden Care
With all the information out there from fertilizer companies, turf specialists, and lawn experts, it’s hard to know if and when (and if) you should fertilize in the spring. Spring fertilization is recommended as part of a complete lawn and plant care program, along with cleaning up garden beds and applying mulch. The trick is to make sure you are applying fertilizer at the right time so that you don’t throw off your whole landscaping program. Best Time for Spring Fertilization When … [Read more...]
Start Planning Now for Spring Planting
Does this harsh winter have you dreaming about warmer weather and enjoying your outdoor living space and landscape? Spring may seem a long time away, but designing a master plan now eases the way into a beautiful, renewed garden. Waiting until spring is already here before planning your landscape changes and additions can not only hamper your ability to complete the project, but it can also jeopardize the health and longevity of new plants that may not have been planted correctly. Develop … [Read more...]
Promote Healthy Growth with Proper Pruning
Keeping your garden and landscape in pristine condition requires work and dedication. Beyond what you plant where,it is about how to best keep those plants vibrant and healthy. While many homeowners know that pruning is essential to maintaining optimum plant health, unfortunately, many homeowners misunderstand the whys, the whens and the hows of pruning. Proper pruning promotes healthy growth, improves the form of poorly shaped plants, showcases the beauty of your landscape, and encourages more … [Read more...]
