Sprinkler Scape Landscaping and Sprinkler Repair

Lunaria

carol — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:15:12 +0000

Lunaria are often referred to as “Money Plants” because their seed pods resemble coins. The seed pods start out green and go golden brown. After the seed pods and stems have gone golden and dried, they make excellent dried flower arrangements that last an exceptionally long time. Lunaria are biennial plants, meaning that if you plant it one year, it will bloom the next.

Plant Luneria seeds in a location where they will be allowed to grow for years and years. Lunaria are very easy to grow and require little to no attention. They can grow in almost any type of soil, but should get at least four to six hours of sunlight every day. Water plants only during drought when the soil has dried out.

Weeds

carol — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:13:48 +0000

Stay ahead of weeds this month as they will serve as a home for pests and bugs. Destroying weeds before they are allowed to flower and seed will save you lots work in the future.

Summer Bulbs

carol — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:12:17 +0000

Dig up summer-flowering bulbs such as tuberous begonias, caladiums, cannas, dahlias, gladiola and tuberoses once their foliage has died back or as soon as they are killed by frost. You’ll want to gently clean the soil from the corms and tubers, but don’t wash them or force the tops off. They will shrivel and separate when they are ready. Store bulbs in a fine dry peat, sawdust, sand or vermiculite at no lower than 60 degrees with low humidity.

Columbine

carol — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:10:54 +0000

Columbine is an easy to grow perennial native to Asia, Europe and North America. If you are a hummingbird lover, Columbine is the plant for you. It is a favorite of hummingbirds and bees because the flowers contain lots of nectar.

Columbines produce large, showy blooms in shades of yellow, white, and pink, blue, purple as well as combinations.

Columbine grow well in partial shade and well drained soil. They do not require mulching or protection in the winter.

Slugs

carol — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:09:25 +0000

Slugs won’t give up now even though the weather is getting cooler. In fact you are likely to find them in all life stages from eggs, youngsters and adults. Use whatever method you prefer to control them. It’s best to catch them at early stages to prevent them from reproducing. Keep the ground raked and tidy to reduce their habitat.

Irrigation

carol — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:07:23 +0000

You can assist your overwintering plants harden off by changing your irrigation schedule. The cooler weather will slow evaporation from the soil as well as transpiration from plant foliage, so irrigation is needed less often. It is important to decrease the number of times, but not the length of time you water. For example, water once every two weeks instead of once per week, but still water for as long as you would have normally. Making this change will still provide necessary water to roots while allowing for longer periods for the soil to dry between watering. It will also discourage new frost-tender growth on your plants.

If you have broken sprinklers, or need help with other irrigation issues, please contact us to find out what we can do to help.

Larkspur

carol — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:06:02 +0000

Larkspur (Delphinium Consolida) actually belongs to the buttercup family. Colorful Larkspur blooms vary from white to blue to violet. Larkspur flowers are irregularly shaped and bloom in a loose, vertical grouping along the upper end of the plant’s main stalk.

Larkspur plants prefer full sun to partial shade. They grow very quickly and do very well in average soil in cool weather. Water plants during dry periods, once or twice per week.

Trees

carol — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:04:36 +0000

Now is the perfect time to start shopping for trees and shrubs as they are starting to show their true colors at the nursery. Planting can take place now and over the next few months to allow strong healthy roots to develop over the winter.

Environmental Benefits of Landscaping

carol — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:02:31 +0000

Now is the time to plant a variety of trees, shrubs and flowers to give them a good head start before the cold months of winter arrive. That is a lot to do with most of our busy schedules. Many people choose to depend on professionals to plan and complete all of their landscaping for them. If you are considering professional landscaping for your yard you might not realize the many environmental benefits of a carefully planned landscape:

Trees moderate the amount of heat created by extensive paved areas. Lawns can cool a home at the same rate as a one-ton air conditioner and also trap dust, absorb noise and provide a comfortable living area for children and adults.
One tree removes 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air every year and releases about 13 pounds of oxygen-enough for a family of four on a daily basis.
Plants reduce noise pollution up to 50 percent.
Plants control runoff and erosion. They allow soil to absorb water, returning it to aquifers… decreased runoff means less flooding.
Lawns slow the spread of wildfires to homes.
Plants provide food and habitat for wildlife, which contributes to biodiversity and a healthier environment.
Landscaping creates green space for human rest, recreation and renewal.

Simply contact us and we will be happy to discuss what we can do to help you achieve these benefits.

Candytuft

carol — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:00:52 +0000

Candytuft is a low, bushy plant that produces mounds of beautiful ice-white, pink or lilac flowers. Candytuft, though native to Europe, has adapted to all regions of the United States. This plant prefers gravely, well-drained soil in full sun. Candytuft will not tolerate damp soil conditions or shade making it the perfect plant for rock gardens.

After blooms have faded be sure to cut back the foliage to prevent the plants from becoming woody.