Just a quick reminder, if you haven't already started, leaf removal is an important part of fall yard maintenance. As the leaves fall and pile up, they become wet and soggy. This causes mold and rot. It also makes them more difficult to cleanup in the spring. Piles of leaves and debris are also a haven for creatures large and small. Bugs, spiders and rodents all love to burrow and hide in leaves and clutter. Piles of leaves and limbs close to your foundation is like a welcome mat for those creatures seeking shelter. Spiders will lay eggs in these locations, including window wells, barbecue grills, old flower pots, and other items left outside. Cover your patio furniture now and keep it protected from the elements. Wash your cushions, if possible, dry thoroughly and store in a dry place, preferably covered. As always, if you need help with leaf removal, trimming, yard and garage organization, or power-washing, give me a call. 615-310-6360 ask for Raymond!
0 Comments
I'm a huge fan of rock gardens, especially all of the great ground cover and ways to get creative. Here are some cool inspirational pictures that will get you motivated and planning your very rock garden this spring. Not only are rock gardens less water, they can also be lower maintenance if planned correctly. Try to make it look as natural as possible using stones, pebbles, and rocks native to your area or region. Also use native plants and grasses that are drought and cold resistant. Check out these pictures from http://www.hgtvgardens.com/garden-types/gardens-to-rock-your-world for your inspiration! HOstas are one of my favorite all time plants. They come in such a large variety and the are super easy to grow. Hostas can even be put in pots if you don't have yard space. A partially shaded patio or balcony would be a perfect spot to add a dash of elegant, cool green foliage to brighten up a drab spot or even soften an area that needs just a little something to make it feel homey. Here are a few hoatas varieties that you may like to check out. Hosta 'Halcyon' 'Halcyon' is a popular midsized hosta with leaves that are frosty blue green and pointed. The hosta is a superb grower with thick leaves that demonstrate good slug resistance. Its flowers attract both hummingbirds and songbirds. Hosta 'Elegans' 'Elegans' is a large hosta with deep, smoky blue, slightly frosted, heart-shaped foliage. Deep veins give the leaves a corrugated look. White flowers bloom in early spring. Hosta 'Buckshaw Blue' 'Buckshaw Blue' hosta has thick, textured leaves that are a deep blue-green. White flowers on 26-inch scapes appear in midsummer. Hosta 'Francee' As sun tolerant as it is beautiful, hosta 'Francee' displays dark green, heart-shaped leaves edged in clear white. In early summer, this hosta puts out stems full of lavender flowers. Hosta 'Lemon Lime' Hosta 'Lemon Lime' features a small mound of bright green, lance-shaped leaves with purple-striped flowers that appear in early to midsummer. Hosta ‘Vulcan’ Strong white centers surrounded by green edges make hosta 'Vulcan' leaves shine in the garden. Tuck plants into partial shade for best growth. Morning sun with afternoon shade or high dappled shade is ideal. Lavender blooms in mid- to late summer lure hummingbirds. Divide plants when they’re fully established—wait at least three years after planting if you are dividing to multiply plants. Otherwise, wait until five to eight years before dividing. 'Vulcan' is hardy in Zones 3 to 9. Hosta 'Sum and Substance' is a massive variety, featuring upright, heart-shaped, flat leaves that can reach 20 inches in length. The leaves have a glossy chartreuse hue that changes to gold when exposed to more light. White lilac blooms form on leaning scapes from late July through mid-August. The entire plant can reach 3 feet in height with a 5-foot spread, so make sure to give this hosta plenty of room to grow. Hosta 'Golden Tiara' 'Golden Tiara' is a small hosta variety featuring heart-shaped leaves that are medium green with chartreuse margins that turn gold in the sun. Its flowers are lavender on 24-inch scapes. Try growing this compact variety in mass as a border plant that will keep growing year after year. Hosta 'Gold Standard' 'Gold Standard' boasts medium to large, oval leaves that are light green edged in dark green. As the name suggests, this hosta's leaf centers typically fade to a golden yellow during the summer Hosta 'Hadspen Blue' Thick leaves that look velvety at first glance make hosta 'Hadspen Blue' a great texture plant, as well as shade plant. Try pairing it with purple, blue and white flowers to bring out the silvers and blues in this compact hosta. Hosta 'Sun Power' 'Sun Power' shows off a bright, slightly-twisted mound of golden leaves. Give this hosta morning sun or full sun in cool climates for best color. Hosta 'Kabitan' Not your average hosta, 'Kabitan' features long, narrow, light green leaves with dark green margin. Hosta 'Guacamole' 'Guacamole' is a medium-sized hosta with wide, oval leaves the color of—yep, you guessed it—guacamole. The avocado-colored leaves also feature darker green veins and margins. Its white flowers that appear in midsummer are extremely fragrant. Hosta 'August Moon' This large hosta can reach a height of 3 feet and a spread of 5 feet wide. The leaves of 'August Moon' are a light, yellow-green that turns gold over time if exposed to enough sunlight. Hosta 'Patriot' 'Patriot' is a unique, variegated hosta with deep green leaves that have creamy white margins. It's said to stand up to heat better than other hosta varieties. Growing herbs in your garden is one of the easiest things to do. Here are 15 herbs that can grow in shady areas around your yard or even indoors. They grow great in containers on patios and balconies if you're short space. A few basics like chives, parsley, oregano and cilantro can be used in a multitude of dishes and are great to have on hand. They are easy to freeze and use later. One way is to chop finely, place in small silicon ice cube trays and add a little water. when you're ready to use, just pop one or two out of the tray and drop in your sauce or recipe. www.hgtvgardens.com Mint is one of the best choices for a shady spot. The culinary favorite grows so fast and so easily that if not carefully tended to, it can take over other plants. For best results, make mint a container plant or pot it before adding it to garden beds. In the shade, mint can sprawl toward sunlight, so keep it trimmed to prevent it from getting leggy. Chives produce 6 to 12-inch clumps of grasslike leaves that can be clipped and added to salads, stews and other dishes. Though chives prefer full sun, they will tolerate a considerable amount of shade, especially in hot Southern climates. Parsley Flat-leaf and Italian parsley grow best with rich, moist soil and light shade. Though typically treated as an annual, parsley is a biennial and will overwinter in zone 6 and above. Tarragon is a perennial herb favored for its aromatic, licorice-flavored leaves that are used in salads, seasoning mixes and vinegars. It's easiest to grow tarragon from cuttings or seedlings; it appreciates sun in the morning and afternoon shade. - See more at: http://www.hgtvgardens.com/herbs/15-herbs-that-grow-in-the-shade#sthash.JVGFkHUL.dpuf Discover tough-as-nails perennials you don’t need a green thumb to grow http://www.hgtvgardens.com/perennials/15-perennials-you-cant-kill Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) A daisy is a classic, beloved flower, and Shasta daisy tames the wild part of this beauty to make it a solid garden performer. Choose shorter varieties like ‘Snowcap’ to prevent flopping and avoid staking. Clip spent blooms to extend the flower show for months. Combines well with: daylily, rudbeckia and catmint. Hardy in Zones 4 to 9. ‘Perry’s Blue’ Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica ‘Perry’s Blue’) Siberian iris brings on the color in spring, with flowers lingering about 4 weeks. Site in full sun to part shade and in various soil types, from dry, to boggy, to clay. Dry soils result in shorter plants. Let seedheads remain for winter interest. Combines well with: daylily, shasta daisy and roses. Hardy in Zones 3 to 9. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) Bee balm blooms stage floral fireworks in the garden. Blossoms resemble pincushions and beckon many pollinators, including butterflies, hummingbirds and bees. Flowers best in full sun but you still get a show in part shade. Combines well with: purple coneflower, Shasta daisy and rudbeckia. Hardy in Zones 3 to 9. Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) Feathery leaves fill part to full shade with beautiful green texture. Ostrich ferns do spread aggressively when happy; use care siting it near cherished plants. Combines well with: hosta, sweet woodruff or spring wildflowers, like trillium or trout lily. Hardy in Zones 3 to 9. ‘Stella de Oro’ Daylily (Hemerocallis ‘Stella de Oro’) Golden lily-type flowers punctuate a mound of strappy leaves. This is a reblooming daylily, so you can expect blossoms to open all season long. Full sun coaxes the most flowers to form. Combines well with: Siberian iris, purple coneflower and bee balm. Hardy in Zones 3 to 9. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) Purplish-pink petals dangle around an orange-brown central spiky cone. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds visit these flowers. Cut blossoms for bouquets. Combines well with: bee balm, toadlily, Siberian iris and Russian sage. Hardy in Zones 3 to 8. ‘Gold Standard’ Hosta (Hosta ‘Gold Standard’) Broad oval leaves bring on the color with deep green edges skirting lighter green centers. Leaf centers fade to gold during summer. This hosta tolerates dry soil better than other hostas. Combines well with astilbe, sweet woodruff and ferns. Hardy in Zones 3 to 9. Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis) Celebrate spring with the dainty white bells of lily-of-the-valley. These perfumed blooms hold up well in the garden or vase. Tuck into part to full shade for a deer-resistant show. Combines well with: ostrich fern, toad lily and sweet woodruff. Hardy in Zones 2 to 7. ‘Goldsturm’ Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’) This classic bloomer opens bright yellow daisies with dark brown to black centers. Spreads easily, giving you plenty of flowers to enjoy in the garden or vase. Pollinators visit blossoms, followed by birds that come to feast on seeds. Combines well with: Siberian iris, catmint and Shasta daisy. Hardy in Zones 3 to 10. Toadlily (Tricyrtis hirta) Exotic orchid-like blooms appear on plants in autumn and continue to open until frost. Plants are sturdy, withstanding full shade and clay soil. Deer leave these bloomers alone. Plants can spread aggressively when happy. Site them accordingly. Combines well with: hosta, astilbe and ostrich fern. Hardy in Zones 4 to 8. Daffodil (Narcissus hybrids) Greet spring with the cheery yellow flowers of daffodils. These easy-grows-it bulbs last for years in the garden. Critters leave both bulbs and blooms alone, and clumps spread over time. Look for varieties with pink, orange and white flowers. Combines well with: lily-of-the-valley, Siberian iris and Shasta daisy. Hardy in Zones 3 to 8. Catmint (Nepeta hybrids) Edge your garden with a flounce of gray-green leaves topped with spikes of lavender blooms. The flowers start in spring on this perennial and don’t stop until fall. Clip stems midsummer to keep them in bounds. Pollinators love catmint, while deer and rabbits leave it alone. Many varieties are available in different sizes. Combines well with: daylily, Shasta daisy and bee balm. Hardy in Zones 3 to 8. Mint (Mentha hybrids) Bright green leaves packed with minty fragrance and flavor make this perennial herb a welcome refreshment. Gather leaves for culinary use or simply enjoy brushing by them in the garden. Mint can spread aggressively. Take steps to contain this rambling beauty. Explore the many varieties available to find different leaf flavors and colors, along with different plant sizes. Combines well with: ostrich fern, bee balm and daffodils. Hardy in Zones 5 to 9. Goldenrod (Solidago hybrids) Goldenrod explodes in autumn with bright yellow blooms. The floral fireworks attract pollinators aplenty, making this a good choice for wildlife gardens. Plants spread by underground stems. Simply pull them when they wander beyond their bounds. The variety ‘Fireworks’ has a tidy size that suits smaller gardens. Combines well with: toad lily, catmint and Siberian iris. Hardy in Zones 4 to 8. Bishop’s Weed (Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’) Variegated green and white leaves create an eye-catching edging to planting beds in full sun to full shade. Lacy white flowers appear above the mound of foliage from late spring to early summer. This plant spreads by underground stems. It’s nearly impossible to kill, since the smallest piece of root generates a new plant. Combines well with: bee balm, rudbeckia and daffodils. Hardy in Zones 4 to 9. Are your tomato plants not getting enough drainage? Follow these steps on growing tomatoes in a raised bed. http://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoor-design/landscaping-and-hardscaping/how-to-grow-tomatoes-in-a-raised-bed
Materials and Tools: water topsoil edging material flour tomato plants compost cow manure vegetable-safe fertilizer mulch garden hose spade tiller tomato cages spading fork hard rake Steps: 1. Choose a site for the raised bed that's level and free of debris. Select a well-draining spot that's close to a water source and receives at least eight hours of direct sun daily. 2. Remove sod and use a tiller to turn and loosen the soil. If the ground is very hard and there isn't access to a tiller, use a spading fork to break up the soil. Deeply rooted plants to be planted in the raised bed will need to penetrate the soil below. 3. Create an outline of the raised bed with the edging material or even flour from the kitchen. Calculate the estimated volume of soil needed for the project by measuring the length times the width times the depth of the raised bed; the bed should be at least 12" deep to give the roots room to grow and allow for proper drainage. Lumber, cinderblocks or stone can be used as edging materials. They're heavy enough to keep a raised bed in place for a long time, and they can be inexpensive or free. The only cost may be the time and effort required to move them into place. 4. The soil is the key ingredient to a successful raised vegetable bed. Get enough topsoil to fill the estimated depth of the raised bed. Since tomatoes are heavy feeders and prefer a rich, organic soil, mix in two- to three-inch layers of compost and cow manure to the top one-third of the topsoil. Rake the soil smooth. 5. Tomatoes can be deeply planted since roots can form along the length of the stems. Plant them at 18- to 24-inch spacing. Don't worry about letting the plants lean to one side; in a few days, they straighten up on their own. Water tomatoes regularly to avoid blossom-end rot, which is caused when the soil is allowed to dry out. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and regularly feed plants with vegetable-safe or 10-10-10 fertilizer according to the label recommendations. Apply a two- to three-inch layer of mulch around the base of the plants. Tip: As tomato plants start growing, they'll need to be staked for support. Use wooden stakes, cages or wire supports to train tomatoes. Mix crops with flowers for a productive and beautiful flowering landscape. Many vegetable plants and herbs are beautiful in their own right. - See more at: http://www.hgtvgardens.com/vegetable-garden/design-a-classic-produce-garden#sthash.9BDiuIuz.dpuf You might start off with a few potted herbs or an annual crop of greenhouse tomatoes, but “growing your own” soon becomes addictive. Happily, there is a wealth of ingenious options for making even a small plot productive.
Mixing crops into flower borders, English-garden style, is useful if you don’t have a dedicated vegetable plot, and certain leafy crops are just as good-looking as they are flavorful. Runner beans produce delicate flowers, and the blooms and fruits of apples, cherries, and strawberries are as attractive as any grown for ornament. Red currants, followed by the autumn foliage of blueberries, also create eye-catching displays. Kitchen and formal knot gardens are dramatic, and even raised beds with decorative edging can make a statement. Maximize your culinary space by training fruit against walls, and by growing vines and climbing vegetables against a trellis. In a courtyard or patio garden many crops can be grown in pots or hanging baskets. Break up expanses of green with a line of purple cabbages and a colorful border of flowers. Key Design Elements for a Productive Garden
Looking for a way to make your kitchen garden as beautiful as it is useful? These examples of beautiful edible gardens will inspire you. - See all 23 kitchen gardens at: http://www.hgtvgardens.com/edible/23-gorgeous-kitchen-gardens#sthash.w1IoMoes.dpuf
25 Gardening Tips and Tricks
Shortcuts and DIY tips are everywhere these days! so WHy work harder when you can work smarter? I found this 25 tips on my new favorite website/blog Mom4real.com With Spring coming in full force, it is time to turn your eyes to the garden! I know gardening can be kind of a daunting task for a lot of people because they don’t think they have a green thumb. Well, I’ve got over 24 tips, tricks and ideas to make your gardening easy and fun. From gardening 101 basics to what to plant together to what to use to clean your hands after gardening, you are going to find everything you need to get started right here! Read the full story here: http://www.mom4real.com/25-amazing-gardening-tips-and-tricks/ http://blog.haywardpoolside.com/pool-care/spring-patio-clean-up/ spring Patio Clean Up If you’re like me and find the cost of cleaning products offensive, look to home-made remedies that are green and will save you a lot of green! This is a great article from our friends at Ehow.com. Cleaning your patio:
|
Archives
October 2015
Categories
All
|