Tag Archives: landscape

Herbicides

Weedkillers or herbicides are a pesticide used to kill unwanted plants, but they can be harmful to the wanted plants in landscape as well.

Selective herbicides are used in order to kill specific target plants. These should leave the desired grasses and plants relatively unharmed, but should be monitored. Pre emergent herbicides interfere with growth of weeds. As mentioned in a previous post. These are often synthetic mimics of natural plant hormones that are disruptive to seed.

More evasive herbicides are used to clear waste ground, industrial sites and/ or railways and railway embankments. These are not selective! These herbicides kill all plant material with which they come into contact. Small quantities may be used in forestry, pasture systems, and management of areas set aside as wildlife.

There are some plants that produce natural herbicides. Adding these to landscape is a less invasive way to keep landscaping clear of weed growth.

Herbicides are widely used landscape management.

 

Preparing for Spring: Part One

Neglecting spring time lawn care and proper landscape preparation could leave trouble for the rest of the year. Spring lawn care does not entail nearly the amount of work that may be required throughout the summer months.

Some will need only to implement only some of the following tips, depending upon unique circumstances. In a few instances the task in question is better performed as part of your fall lawn care. Mother Nature provides cues for when to begin spring time tasks, for instance, when snow season is over, begin raking.

Raking is the first task tip of spring lawn care. Raking is for more than removing leaves, it can also control thatch. Thatch build-up of more than half inch is considered excessive.

Thatch is the reason why when raking leaves in fall, rake deeply. Don’t just skim the surface to remove leaves, a deep raking removes thatch. Even after a good fall raking, this is a good chore for spring. This also will remove grass blades that died over the winter. Another good reason for spring raking is to seek out any matted patches, in which grass blades are stuck together. This can be caused by “snow mold.” New grass may have difficulty penetrating matted patches. A light raking will solve this problem.

Check for Compaction

Lawns subjected to high levels of traffic year after year, may show signs of decline. Such cases are probably suffering from compacted soil. The presence of moss signals compaction. To get rid of moss and compacted soil begins with recognition that moss is not just another weed

Lawn aeration is the remedy for compaction. Postponing lawn aeration until fall is recommended but should be noted during spring. Awareness of compaction, can allow for planning on setting aside some time in the fall to take care of it.

Liming

Besides compaction, the presence of moss plants also signals acidity. Grass prefers a neutral pH. Acidic soil can be solved by liming.This is not a quick fix as the effects of liming are slow to take place.

A landscaper will first send a soil sample to the local county extension to determine the extent of soil acidity. The county extension will be able to advise how much lime per square foot is needed. Lime is applied using a fertilizer.

If the lawn is doing well and shows no signs of acidity do not apply lime. Liming is corrective, preventive. Soil that is too alkaline will also cause problems, too much lime is as bad as not enough.

These are just a few tips to prepare landscaping for spring.

 

Ideas for Spring Blooms

Spring is just around the corner and with it comes warmer weather and breezy days, perfect for planting new flowers and greenery to beautify your landscaping. Once spring cleaning is complete, it is time to purchase annuals to tuck into spaces that need a little pop of color.

Marigolds are an annual often able to withstand those last few cold snaps that come with early spring, but should wait a little longer if there is a possibility of overnight frosts. They do need a some sunlight and will do just as well even in afternoon or morning sun only.

Bachelor’s Buttons or Cornflowers are not often found at the nursery, but grow easily from seed and reseed freely. If started in spring, they perk up again in Fall.

Calendula look like a fall flower, with rich golden and rust colors, but they are equally beautiful in the early Spring landscape. They might even withstand light frost, if they are established. Many calendula will self-seed.

Diascia are relatively new in gardens but have become popular quickly in landscaping. iny, profuse trailing blossoms are perfect for container and are generally grown from cuttings.

Where summers are too extreme to grow Delphiniums, larkspur make an acceptable substitute. Start larkspur off in spring and keep it deadheaded throughout summer, a little extra food should revive it for a fall show.

Lobelia give out during summer, but given cool Spring temperatures, it blooms with profusion Once the flowers diminish, cut back a half and allow to regrow.

Landscapers think of petunias as a bedding mainstay. They do best blooming in cool temperatures and there are so many to choose from.

Snapdragons offer color and some height, depending on variety. Trailing snapdragons work beautifully for container accents.

You may still have pansies from last spring, languishing in garden beds. Look around and see if they are perking up for fall. Violas and pansies will bloom for weeks. Deadheading will keep them setting new buds. Look for some of the newer varieties that can handle a slight freeze.