The winter is a great time to observe our feathered friends in our yard. Their color stands out more and there are less obstructions for viewing. It is also a crucial time to provide them with the food, water and housing they need.
Unfortunately, during the winter months, a bird requires a higher caloric intake right when food is the most scarce. The cold weather requires them to burn a lot of calories to stay warm and you need to be sure to keep the feeders in your yard full. ESPECIALLY if you have been feeding them all summer. They become accustomed to the food being there and depend on it. If the food is gone during the crucial winter months, they can starve, as they have not been scouting other food sources.
Another major requirement is a clean, unfrozen water source. Dehydration is just as deadly in the winter as starvation. Not only do they need water to stay hydrated, but they use the water for the all important task of cleaning or “preening”. They preen their feathers to keep them in alignment and stay puffed up. This acts as an insulator from the cold. You need to provide them with some type of bird bath so they can drink and clean themselves. Again, if you do this all through the summer months, it is VERY important to keep it up during the winter.
We tend to neglect our outside activities during the winter and leave things to their own devices. We go inside, stay warm and watch the latest reality show. Our little feathered friends don’t have this luxury. If we have made them dependent on us all summer and suddenly take their food and water away when they need it most, they don’t have a very good chance at survival. We would have served them better not putting anything out at all to begin with.
Please be mindful of this during the winter months and give the little fellas a chance.
Today we did a product review of the kindling we carry at our garden center, Fatwood Fire Starter. Its a great product that we use everyday during the winter. We heat the store with a wood burning stove and we use Fatwood to start it everyday.
Fatwood is located over in Savannah GA and they are really fine people. The fatlighter doesn’t come from Pine trees in America because it is becoming too hard to get. Instead, they use a cousin of the Pine that grows in Central America. These trees are not harvested from rain forest areas and are not endangered, so you don’t have to worry about that when you buy it.
I wanted to demonstrate just how well it works and how easy it is to light your stove or fireplace with just ONE match. Check out our video review below.
-Renovating your lawn in the winter can have several benefits. Plant material and sod are less susceptible to heat damage and landscapers are likely less busy. Winter is also the best time to plant trees.
-Stock up on and get ready to apply pre-emergent weed killer. It will likely be cheaper this time of year and you will have it handy to apply ahead of spring weed germination. This needs to be applied around middle to late February.
-Now is the time to prune your perennials, Crepes and trees so they can flush out this spring.
-Winter is the best time to clean out your flower beds. Remove all clippings and leaves. Leaving them can cause fungus and rot when the temperatures start to soar.
-Get an estimate for your lawn care. Waiting until the spring rush could leave you out in the cold. Landscapers are usually overwhelmed in the spring. If you get on the schedule in the winter, you will already have an established routine in place.
Following these winter lawn care tips will make your transition into spring a lot smoother.
I hear people say “I need a French drain.” a lot. When in fact, nothing could be farther from the truth.
French DrainSurface Water Drain
A French drain is a ditch wrapped in filter fabric with rock and pipe in the center. This type of drain is used to wick moisture out of the surrounding soil. It is good for situations when water is coming from below, like a spring. A French drain is used to catch water before it gets to the surface and gives it somewhere to go.
A “Drain”, “Surface water drain” or “Storm drain” collects water from low areas on the surface and takes the water away quickly through a pipe and pipe only. There is no gravel involved. It is just a ditch with a pipe installed.
If your water problem is caused by rain or sprinklers due to a low spot and poor drainage, you need a surface water drain. A French drain would be an unnecessary expense. Adding a catch basin in the low spot and a pipe to carry the water away would do. Unscrupulous contractors will gladly install a “French” drain for you at a “French” price and laugh all the way to the bank.
If your drainage problem is a combination of groundwater and surface water, then a French drain with the addition of catch basins will be in order.
Drainage can be a complicated issue and each case is different. Always make sure you are dealing with a reputable contractor and keep these things in mind when getting a quote. Make sure you are getting what you are paying for and only getting what you need.
I’m sure you’ve seen it. A big old crepe Myrtle that looks more at home in a boxing ring than in a front yard. Those big knots on the end of the limbs ready to knock someone out. Don’t let your Crepe Myrtle be the bully of your landscape.
In the video below, I will show you how to properly prune your Crepe Myrtle and knot have it come out looking like Mike Tyson.
Boxwoods are very popular in Columbus area landscapes. Especially in the older parts of town.
They became less popular in the 90’s during the building boom and were replaced by the new, chic youpan. Things have a way of coming full circle and shrubs in the landscape are no exception.
A lot of people have starting using this classic again for its formal elegance and stately appearance. Though it has these traits, it’s suited in less formal settings as well, making it almost universal.
If you have recently renovated your landscape with them or are considering adding them, here are a few things to consider.
-Well drained soil
Boxwoods need well drained soil. Heavy soil, such as clay, can cause the roots to stay wet and develop root rot. When this happens, you will see it start to turn light brown in patches and eventually die.
-Fungus
When you trim your boxwoods, always clean up the clippings that get left behind. Dead leaves under and inside the shrub can harbor fungus and disease. Also, always prune back dying branches to healthy stock and thin the outer branches to encourage air circulation.
-Full sun
Boxwoods like full sun to light shade. Keep them out of full shade areas. They may live, but won’t thrive.
-Animal pests
If you have dead patches start to form on the lower branches, this could indicate a dog or cat marking it’s territory. If this happens, cut the dead out and spray with a repellent.
These are just a few tips for taking care of this classic shrub. Keep them in mind for your next landscaping project. Like I mentioned earlier, they are at home in almost any setting.
If you would like to know more, please give us a call and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
If you have an erosion problem, but can’t afford a retaining wall, Asiatic Jasmine may be the answer to your prayers.
Asiatic Jasmine is a low growing, compact plant that works wonders on hill sides. Once established it will hold the soil and slow the water coming off of the slope.
It is low maintenance and does a good job of choking out weeds. It’s not only good for slopes, but really any bed area that you want coverage and low maintenance.
Each plant will grow about 3 feet wide and won’t get about 18″ tall if never trimmed.
You can see the perfect application of it in the video posted below.
Note:
I would not recommend substituting other types of Jasmine for this type of application, as they generally are thinner and like to climb.
So if you have an erosion problem in your landscape or want a low maintenance bed, consider Asiatic Jasmine for your next project. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about it.
These are some basic tips to help you be more productive when getting weeds out of your yard.
1. Identify the weed
One of the biggest mistakes people make is guessing what kind of weed they are trying to get rid of. This can be a big waste of money due to ineffective treatment and damage caused to plants you want to keep.
Either way… IDENTIFY THE WEED. Once you know what you have, you can buy the right chemical to treat it.
2. Read the labeling
I know this sounds simple, but most people don’t read the labeling. Labeling may not be what you think. The label is affixed to the container. The LABELING is all of the paperwork that comes with the product.
The labeling lists all plants that the chemical will harm and which ones it is safe for. It also tells you what safety precautions to take when using it.
3. Only use recommended amounts
One main reason good chemicals are taken off of the market is misuse over long periods of time. The chemical gets into the environment in un-acceptable amounts and the knee jerk reaction by the govt. is to pull it. If they don’t take it off of the market, they at least make it a restricted use chemical and only available to commercial applicators like us.
Besides the possibility of losing access to a good chemical, you are also wasting your money. Dead is Dead and if you apply the chemical in the correct amounts, it will work just fine.Don’t fall for the ol’ “If 1 ounce is good, 2 ounces is better.” IT’S NOT! The proper rates can be found in the labeling.
4. Watch your temperatures
Yes, that’s right. When you spray or spread, the temperature matters. It matters a great deal in some instances. Some chemicals will kill everything they touch when it’s too hot during application. That would be very bad to burn your lawn up because it was 10 degrees too hot the day you sprayed. The proper application temperatures can be found in the labeling.
5. Wear the recommended PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
Most over the counter lawn chemicals are very safe for the general public, but you should always follow the labeling’s instructions. You most likely won’t suffer serious injury, but you could end up with chemical burns or a bad rash. I am only referring to incidental exposure during mixing and application. If ingested any chemical can be deadly! All of this information can be found in the labeling. (Notice a pattern here)
If you follow these basic tips you will achieve great results for all of your efforts. Remember the points above, use common sense and be safe.
We started a small landscape renovation on Hilton today. All of the plant material in the front around the house will be removed and all of the bed edges will be re-shaped and re-planted.
I will be posting videos of the job progress along the way. Today’s installment is a basic over view of us getting started. We were not able to do a whole lot, because the tree company was removing trees and pruning.
The next installment will show us re-shaping the beds and planting once the new plant material arrives.
When the project is finished, we will show all of the before and after clips side by side.
We hope you follow along as the videos are released.
The winter is a great time to observe our feathered friends in our yard. Their color stands out more and there are less obstructions for viewing. It is also a crucial time to provide them with the food, water and housing they need.
Dehydration is just as deadly in the winter as starvation. Not only do they need water to stay hydrated, but they use the water for the all important task of cleaning or “preening”. They preen their feathers to keep them in alignment and stay puffed up. This acts as an insulator from the cold. You need to provide them with some type of bird bath so they can drink and clean themselves. Again, if you do this all through the summer months, it is VERY important to keep it up during the winter.
Pruning Your Crepe Myrtles Properly
Boxwoods are very popular in Columbus area landscapes. Especially in the older parts of town.
If you have an erosion problem, but can’t afford a retaining wall, Asiatic Jasmine may be the answer to your prayers.
We started a small landscape renovation on Hilton today. All of the plant material in the front around the house will be removed and all of the bed edges will be re-shaped and re-planted.