Rotating Annuals provides color rotation which is a great way to spruce up bare spots and problem areas. Annuals can also accentuate a simple pot or window box and have a tendency to create a nice back drop. In most of Virginia one can change annuals three to four times a year. In our area we have many different options to choose from depending on what time of year it is. The first color rotation of the year would be the spring. During this part of the year one would want to … [Read more...]
Container Gardening: Something for Everyone
Every household is unique with unique gardening needs. Individuals that live in townhomes or apartments may have different needs than those that live in single family homes in the town or in the country. For a variety of reasons, container gardening might be an advantage. Container gardens come in a variety of forms such as hanging baskets, patio pots, window boxes, herb and vegetable container gardens, succulents, or vertical gardens. Before determining which container garden is best for your … [Read more...]
Watering Guidelines: First Year Plantings
Proper watering is critical to your plant’s health. Epling is committed to everlasting and vigorous landscapes. Our goal is to educate and practice the best home care and watering techniques. Regular watering will help maximize flowering and proper growth. However, NO watering schedule is a substitute for observing the daily conditions of your landscape. Frequent shallow watering leads to shallow root systems that are not drought tolerant. Open-ended hose: An open-ended hose should be … [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...]
January 2014 Newsletter
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...]
Fireplaces and Firepits: A Dramatic Focal Point for Any Backyard
Do you want to enjoy your backyard every season? Would you also like to add a stylish focal point, and extend your outdoor living space? This can all be accomplished with the addition of a fireplace or firepit. There’s nothing quite like the cozy glow of an outdoor fire. Most people find them an irresistible gathering place to warm up on a chilly night and perhaps even roast a marshmallow or two. Fireplaces and firepits are becoming more common features of outdoor living spaces. While … [Read more...]
Fall Fertilization: A Jump Start to Spring Growth
Don’t fall behind, jump start! Fall fertilization benefits extend throughout the year by strengthening your plant and lawn roots. Giving them a strong base in the fall to thrive in the spring is as important as planting the initial seed. Early in September, the grass is recovering from a long, hot summer and maybe coming out of a drought-induced dormancy. While a September dose of fertilizer is important, an application at the end of October or early November is essential. The final lawn … [Read more...]
