Helping the Pollinators That Help Your Landscape

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So many of the trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables we love and care for thrive because of the pollinators that do their work so well. Without them, the diversity and availability of the beauty and sustenance around us would be in decline. We owe a lot of gratitude to those creatures whose work goes mainly unnoticed.

Pollinator populations are in decline around the globe, primarily because of habitat loss and pesticide use. Like all living creatures, they need food, water, and shelter to survive.

You may think that what little we can do in our own backyards may be inconsequential. But even small gestures such as creating a pollinator house where these creatures can overwinter will help them survive to pollinate our gardens and multiply so we can ensure a brighter future for all who benefit from their hard work.

Bees are the most well-known pollinators. There are over 4,000 species of bees native to the United States. From fuzzy bumble bees and metallic green sweat bees to honey bees, they pollinate millions of plants when collecting pollen and nectar as food for themselves and their young. Many live solitary lives and it is these bees that benefit the most from a pollinator hotel.

Building a DIY Pollinator House

Building a DIY pollinator house is something you can do right in your backyard with everyday tools. It can even be a fun family activity. 

Four Rules

  1. Your house must have a sloped roof to deflect the rain.
  2. You cannot use treated wood.
  3. The house should be placed in full sun with the open side facing south to get the most warmth from the sun. It must be firmly placed so it does not sway with the wind.
  4. Fill your hotel completely. If you leave empty areas, paper wasps will move in and build their own home.

Six Steps

  1. Build or recycle an open-faced box.
  2. Add a sloped roof using additional wood. Add a few roofing shingles for extra protection from the elements.
  3. Use wood to break up the singular space of the box into a few fillable sections. Collect logs or blocks of wood at least 7 inches long. Drill holes that are 1/2 inch in diameter and 6 inches deep. Make sure the circular openings are smooth and free of splinters, or the insects can get injured when entering.
  4. Place your drilled logs or blocks into the box.
  5. To fill the areas between your blocks or logs, buy tubes at your local garden center or roll cardboard into tubes. You can even use stalks from daylilies, which are hollow. Place the tubes into the open spaces.
  6. Save some room for beetles and butterflies. Beetles love pine cones and straw. If you save a section that you can fill with pine cones or straw, you’ll be attracting beetles as well as the occasional butterfly to your hotel. You might even find ladybugs taking advantage of that area.

Rhodies & Azaleas

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The Enduring Popularity of Rhododendrons and Azaleas

There are many good reasons rhododendrons and azaleas have remained two of the most popular home ornamental landscaping plants: 

  • They are varieties that are native to the Hudson Valley.
  • They have beautiful flowers that come in many color choices.
  • They are an easy to care for perennial that can outlive us!
  • They come in both evergreen and deciduous varieties.

And, here’s something most people may not know – All azaleas are rhododendrons but not all rhododendrons are azaleas. These two plants are closely related to each other. Rhododendron varieties are usually larger in height, leaf size, and flower size while azaleas are more petite. In addition, most azaleas are deciduous while most rhododendrons are evergreen. 

No matter which you choose, their flowers are fulsome in spring and their leaves provide interest once the blooms are gone.

Their growing preferences are few. They both do well in partial shade in a spot that shields them from the wind, and they prefer acidic soil. Mulching is recommended. Deadheading helps redirect the plant’s energy into next year’s blooms instead of seed production.You can’t go wrong when choosing azaleas and rhododendrons. They will make a striking addition to any landscape whether planted by themselves, in a grouping, or formed into a hedge.

How to Keep Your Large Trees Happy

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Like most homeowners, we tend to fret over our shrubs and flower beds, while thinking our trees can take care of themselves. But this is not the case.

Trees are living things whose value and benefits only increase over time.In addition to adding beauty to our landscapes they provide shade and privacy, add to the value of our homes, and can cut utility bills by blocking out the wind and shading the house. But, they can succumb to weather, disease, and pests. Here’s how to care for and safeguard the beautiful trees on your property:

Pruning Trees

Removing dead or unhealthy branches or those growing in an undesirable direction is one of the most important things you can do to care for your trees. Prune in winter or early spring before any new growth has begun. 

Mulching Your Trees

Mulching protects trees from weeks, pests, and harsh weather. It also protects the roots by insulating them. Mulching should be an annual task, spread two to four inches deep in a circle around the base. Don’t pile it up against the bark or it can lead to rot. And, only use wood mulch. Rubber or rock are not recommended.

Watering Your Trees

Even trees need water when the weather gets dry for several weeks straight. Give trees a deep soaking around the roots. Slow watering is best so the roots have time to absorb the water. Watering is especially important for newly planted or young trees.

Providing the Freedom Your Tree Needs to Thrive

Keep grass and weeds away from the roots at the base of your tree as they will compete for water and nutrients. Keep power tools such as trimmers at a distance so you don’t nick the trunk.

Give Your Trees a Check-Up

Look for firm bark. Are the leaves full and the correct color for the time of year? Are there dead branches? Do you see pests or fungus?

The professionals at Augustine are tree specialists. We can help you troubleshoot any problems that might arise. Want a tree of your own to care for? Ask us about our tree farm and how we can help you plant a large tree in your yard.

Gardening to Stop Mosquitoes

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Nothing ruins a relaxing day in the backyard more than the buzzing and biting of mosquitoes. Worldwide, there are over 3,500 types of mosquitoes, 200 of which live in the United States. The most common way to keep mosquitoes at bay is to use chemicals either in your yard or on you and your clothing. You can also move to Iceland or Antarctica where mosquitoes aren’t able to breed.

But, if you have a green thumb, there are plants that repel mosquitoes and will let you reclaim your outdoor summer happy place.

Mosquito Repellent Plants

Mosquitoes are fussy about odors. Growing mosquito repellent plants is a clever way to make your yard uninviting while adding wonderful scents to your patio area and even delicious flavors to your cooking. Here are some plants that will add natural beauty to your yard while keeping those pesky mosquitoes away. And, you might even attract some butterflies and hummingbirds!

Lavender

Lavender is a perennial plant that has a wonderfully relaxing scent. It comes in multiple varieties and blooms from summer through fall. And, once the flowers are past their prime you can bring them indoors and create a potpourri.

Marigolds
These easy-to-grow annuals make a great border plant and also do well in pots that you can place around your patio and near your door to keep mosquitoes away. They are also a good companion plant to some vegetables including tomatoes. 

Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a fast growing plant that can reach 30 feet. Used in floral arrangements, it has a menthol aroma that repels mosquitoes. If you don’t want a 30 foot plant in a small space, just keep pruning it and bring it indoors where you can hang it in your shower for an invigorating experience.

Catnip
Your cat will love you for planting these hardy perennials. Their leaves contain a chemical called nepetalactone which is supposed to be more effective than DEET at repelling mosquitoes. They have a lovely purple flower and are notorious spreaders. When there spread becomes too much, just transplant some to a new area for added mosquito protection.

Lemongrass
Lemongrass is one of the most commonly used ingredients in natural mosquito repellents. These plants do not withstand a frost, but if you plant them in large containers, they can be brought indoors. 

Bee Balm
Bee balm is a perennial that will not only repel mosquitoes but bring bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies to your outdoor environment. It comes in red, purple, pink, or white and grows up to four feet tall. Some people make tea from the leaves.

Rosemary
Rosemary is a delicious herb with a woody scent. They are considered a tender perennial as they do not always survive winter. Plant them in containers and bring them inside for winter so you can continue making tasty meals with its leaves. If you live in a warmer climate, these plants will grow into bushes that can be pruned into shapes of all kinds.

Basil
Add to your cooking herbs by planting basil. Its pungent smell will turn mosquitoes away. You can plant these annuals directly in the ground or in containers. The more you clip their tops, the bushier the plant will grow. It is best to harvest all the leaves before the first frost as they will not survive.

American Beautyberry
American beautyberry is a larger shrub that can grow up to six feet high and wide. It has delicate, tiny berries that straddle the stalk. One nice thing about this plant is that the berries are present through the winter so it adds color to your yard when all the other plants go bare. But beware, deer love to eat these plants.

Sage
Another herb, sage is a perennial that has beautiful silvery green leaves. Left outdoors to winter over, it will come back more shrublike the following year. 

 

Landscape Tools Every Homeowner Should Own

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Whether you’re an avid gardener, do minimum maintenance doer or hire a professional to care for your landscape, there are some tools that every homeowner should have. Here’s our list of outdoor tools you should have in your garage or shed:

  • Gloves – No matter what chore you need to do, a good pair of gloves will save your hands from many getting cut up or scraped by thorns and sharp branches, blisters, poison ivy, and more. Gloves should fit tightly, have a closure around your wrist, and have gripping material. 
  • Hose & Sprinkler – Summer can get pretty dry, especially in August. While conserving water is always a good thing to consider, your lawn will turn brown if it goes too many days without water, as will your vegetable garden. 
  • Garden Rake – Rakes are a great all-purpose tool for both spreading things out and gathering things together. Equally great at spreading mulch as it is at gathering leaves. Rakes with plastic tines are better for lightweight materials like dry leaves and grass. Metal tines are better for chores that require deeper scooping.  
  • Wheelbarrow – A perfect tool for hauling leaves, mulch, and brush with much less back work. 
  • Shovels – Shovels come in lots of shapes and sizes so it’s best to think about what chores you would need a shovel for. Rounded shovels are good scoopers. Flat squared-off shovels are best for edging. Handheld shovels are a necessity for garden beds. And don’t forget the snow shovel.  
  • Pruners – Another tool with many uses, pruners are used for trimming, clipping, and taming bushes and flower beds. Smaller pruners work best with smaller branches. Larger ones usually have longer handles for larger projects. 
  • Weed Whacker – These are needed to trim spaces too narrow for a lawn mower. It’s also great for tall grasses. Go for a battery-powered one so you don’t have to drag a long electrical cord all over the yard. 
  • Trowel – This tool is invaluable for weeding garden beds. 
  • Garden Hoe – This is a handy tool for breaking ground and marking garden rows. A hoe with a longer handle will save your back. 
  • Leaf Blower – Leaf blowers will not only keep the lawn free of leaves but are great for quickly clearing a porch or patio of debris. A battery-powered one is best so no cord is needed. And usually, battery-powered ones are quieter. 

Once your garage or shed is well stocked, come into Augustine to find those shrubs, trees, and perennials that will being your landscape to life.

pruners

Beautiful Winter Backyard

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Yes, the days are growing colder and darker. The shrubs are pruned; the grass was seeded; flower beds are mulched; and garden tools are clean and waiting for the March thaw.

Even in the throes of winter weather, there is so much to enjoy and admire about your beautiful outdoor space. Whether you take a walk in the brisk December air or sit in your favorite comfy chair next to the window, there is something so quiet and clean about a yard under a blanket of snow.

It’s hard for gardeners and outdoor putterers to stop longing for the rebirth of spring or the warmth of summer days, but the annual arrival of winter doesn’t have to bring about gloom and longing.

Light a Fire: Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are perfect in winter temperatures. It’s surprising how much heat they generate. A family gathering round the fire with blankets and mugs of hot cocoa provides a great setting for holiday cheer and memory-making.

 

 

 

 

Feed the Birds: Winter birds will grace your yard all winter long if you hang a birdfeeder. It adds instant beauty to any window view, especially in winter. Bright red cardinals, blue jays, chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers are among the beautiful feathery friends you can count on if you feed on a regular basis. Black-oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds and suet cakes are favorite foods of winter birds. Download the app – Merlin Bird ID. It does an amazing job at identifying birds and also provides images, sounds, and a bit about the bird itself.

 

 

Decorate with Pinecones: Gather pine cones from your yard and bring some of your yard indoors with you. It’s easy to make scented pinecones. Here’s how: Soak them in water for an hour. Pop them in a 200 degree oven for 30 minutes. Once cooled, place them in a zip lock bag and sprinkle about 30 drops of your favorite essential oil inside the bag. Seal the bag and give it a good shake. Then let the bag sit for about a week so the pinecones can soak up the oils.

 

Bringing Herbs in for the Winter

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Just because it’s getting cooler outside doesn’t mean gardening has to end, especially if you love to grow herbs. Bring your herbs indoors so you can continue to enjoy them through the winter months.

Rosemary, lemongrass, ginger and verbena are tender perennials, but need protection from freezing temperatures to survive. But hardier herbs like thyme, lavender, sage, and tarragon can be grown indoors, as well. It’s also an effective way to divide your herbs that grow in clumps.

It’s wonderful to be able to experience their fresh flavors and scents all winter long and potting them is so easy to do. Here’s how:

  1. Select containers that are wide and deep enough to accommodate each herb’s root ball plus a little extra for growth.
  2. Put a layer of potting soil into each pot.
  3. Place your herb on top of it.
  4. Fill in all around the herb with more potting mix.
  5. Press down the potting mix, leaving about an inch of space between the mix and the top rim of the pot.
  6. Water them thoroughly.

You can also make arrangements that place several herbs in one pot. 

Newly transplanted herbs will need a bit of time to acclimate and may even drop some leaves. While they are in this state, keep them in indirect light. Once they pick up, you can increase in increments, the amount and time of bright sunlight they get. Herbs like a lot of light so southern-facing windows are best. If you don’t have enough sunlight, you can buy a grow light.

To maintain herbs indoors, turn them periodically so all sides get to face the light. Then you can snip spring whenever you cook your favorite recipes. If you want, you can bring them back outside once spring arrives.

Top 10 Fall Flowers for Your Garden

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Many mark Labor Day weekend as an end to summer but warm sunny weather can continue on way past September. There are many perennials to keep the color going in your backyard right up until the first frost. Many of these flowers have long, hardy stems and work great for bouquets too.  And while the birds, bees, and butterflies will thank you, many of these plants are deer resistant.

Platycodon grandiflorus Balloon Flowers

Balloon Flower

Balloon Flowers are profuse lavender/blue bloomers that are virtually maintenance-free. The buds will actually puff up like balloons until they pop open, revealing the beautiful bell-shaped flowers. Balloon flowers are deer resistant.

bugbane flowers

Bugbane

Bugbane can grow to about 6 feet tall with wispy white flower spikes that can smell a lot like honey.

Helenium

Helenium

Helenium is part of the sunflower family and produces masses of pretty, daisy-like flowers in shades of vivid yellow, orange, red, and bi-color.  Sometimes called Sneezeweed because at one time it was used as snuff. It looks similar to cone flowers. It is deer resistant.

Japanese Anemones

Japanese Anemones

Japanese Anemones start blooming in late summer and lasts until the frost. These delicate paper-like white blooms are maintenance-free and will self-sow. Japanese anemone spreads by underground runners, so keep an eye on your plants to be sure they aren’t crowding nearby perennials. They are also deer resistant.

Pineapple Sage

Pineapple Sage

Pineapple Sage is a hummingbird magnet. It’s bright red blooms need full sun and moist soil.

Purple Asters

Purple Asters

Purple Asters with their dainty lilac petals and yellow button centers grow to about 2-3 feet tall and are draught tolerant. These daisy-like flowers grow in sun or partial shade.

Russian Sage

Russian Sage

Russian sage starts off as a barely perceptible hint of blue before erupting into a hazy cloud of purple-blue that lasts for weeks. Not at all a sage, it is actually a member of the mint family and is deer resistant.

Sedum

Sedum

Sedum is a succulent that comes in a variety of colors that sit on top of a 2-foot tall stalk. Loved by butterflies, it requires little watering.  Best of all, these flowers dry in early winter. When the plants becomes too large, they are easy to divide.

Sunflower

Sunflowers

Sunflowers are most often thought of as the tall bright yellow giants of summer. But there are perennial sunflowers that bloom towards the end of summer, giving your yard smaller but plentiful bright yellow, daisy-like flowers.

Sweet Alyssum

Sweet Alyssum

Sweet Alyssum is a wonderfully fragrant plant. Unlike many tall fall flowers, sweet alyssum forms a low to the ground, lush carpet of white, pink, or purple.

Dog Friendly Landscaping

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Dog adoptions went through the roof during the pandemic.

Nearly one in five American households added a new pet to their family. Unfortunately many believe a nice yard and dogs don’t mix. However, we landscape with other members of the family in mind, why not add Fido into the mix?

A dog-friendly backyard is a place your pup can play, run, sniff, chase, and, basically be a dog.

Dog Safety

  • A fence is one of the most important elements of safety we can add for our furry family. Restricting them to your property or even enclosing a portion of your property can save them from the risk of getting hit by a car as well as the risk of a coyote attack. 
  • If your dog likes to eat plants, be aware that many common landscaping plants are toxic to dogs. This list includes hosta, english ivy, hyacinth, daffodil, and azaleas. Also, cocoa bean shell mulch should be avoided. Don;t hesitate to ask for help with plantings. 
  • Dogs that are outdoors for an extended period need to take shelter from the hot sun. Make sure you have a shade tree, pergola, or overhead canopy where they can take a break from the heat. 
  • They also need access to a source of water. A simple water bowl will do.

frolicking dog

Lawn Care

  • Hot spots are a common problem for dog parents. Two solutions are:
    • Try planting Bermuda Grass. It holds up better.
    • Create a designated dog area using an alternative to grass. Clover works well. 
    • Create a designated pee and poop area with residential artificial turf. 
  • A nearly invisible wire cage placed around trees will keep your dog from peeing on their trunks

Photo by Sebastian Comar for Pexels.

Play

  • A kiddy pool is a great addition for summer doggie fun. If placing it on grass, be sure to move it around so you don’t kill the grass underneath it.
  • If your dog loves to dig, a sandbox is the perfect place for them to do it. And, it will save your lawn and plantings at the same time.
  • A well-placed piece of agility equipment will allow your dog to climb and jump.
  • And when all the fun is done, an outdoor dog washing station will help keep your indoors clean.

Having a dog doesn’t require you to sacrifice a beautiful landscape. All it takes is a little imagination and planning.

The Magic of Mulch

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Many homeowners put mulch around their vegetable and flower beds as well as around the base of trees with regularity, but many do it solely because it looks nice. Turns out, mulch is very important for the health of your landscaping. It helps retain the moisture in your soil, controls weed growth, prevents your soil from eroding in a heavy rain, and protects plant roots from extreme hot and cold temperatures.

 

Mulch is simply a layer of material used to cover exposed soil and many materials can be used for this purpose including wood chips, bark, leaves, straw, and grass clippings.

No matter which mulch you choose, you’ll reap some of these important benefits:

  • Keeps soil moist and reduces evaporation so you won’t have to water as much
  • Prevents soil from compacting, reducing your aeration needs. 
  • Keeps soil temperatures stable. This prevents your solid from repeatedly freezing and thawing in winter which pushes plants out of the ground and damages roots.
  • Lessens weed growth so trees, shrubs, and flowers don’t have to compete with unwanted plants for nutrients.
  • Adds visual appeal by giving your yard texture and a pop of color. 
  • Protects trees and shrubs from mowing damage, so roots and bark stay healthy and intact. 
  • Reduces soil erosion caused by wind and rain, keeping the soil surface permeable and protecting your soil from harmful runoff. 

Here’s the best way to spread mulch:

  1. Remove debris: Clear the bed of twigs, sticks, and rocks from where you plan to apply mulch. 
  2. Weed the area: This prevents weeds from becoming embedded in your mulch as they grow.
  3. Spread the mulch at a desired thickness of 1-3 inches. Mulch that is spread too deep can damage your plants and soil. And, mulch should not make contact with the trunk of your trees or shrubs. Keep back about 2 inches. Mulch spread right up against a tree trunk creates the perfect pathway for pests and can also promote rot.
  4. Water the area to set your mulch in place.

Tiered Walls and Garden BedsTiered Walls and Garden Beds with mulch

Building a Bat Garden

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As more Hudson Valley residents become environmentally conscious, their landscaping and gardening habits are increasingly including the wellbeing of the birds and bees in the region. But what about bats? 

Bats are such misunderstood animals, bringing about feelings of revulsion and fear. But, in reality, they are incredible creatures that do a lot of good in the world. 

Bats 101

Bats are the only mammals that can achieve true flight. While many people compare them to rats, they are more closely related to humans than to rodents. There are about 1,400 species of bats in the world and New York State is home to six species. All bats are protected, some are endangered. Here are just a few bat facts:

  • In New York, the most common bat is the little brown bat. The Indiana bat, big brown bat, Northern bat, small footed bat, and the eastern pipistrelle are the other species that make the Hudson Valley their home. 
  • The majority of bats eat insects. Some bat species also eat nectar and fruit.
  • There are only three species of vampire bats and they live in Mexico, Central, and South America where they feed on the blood of livestock such as cattle.
  • Bats can consume up to 1,200 insects per hour.
  • Bats have an average lifespan of between 20-30 years.

The Good Bats Do

Bats are excellent exterminators. Attracting them to your home will help keep the mosquitoes and other annoying insects at bay. If you keep a vegetable garden, they will also keep harmful insects such as beetles off your plants. In one hour, a single brown bat can eat between 600 and 1,000 flying insects — that’s about 5,000 insects such as mosquitoes, beetles, and stink bugs in a single night.

How to Attract Bats to Your Yard

Bats need just a few simple items to entice them into making a home near your home. Then you and your family can benefit from bats’ extraordinary exterminating services.

Incredible Edibles

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Sometimes, there’s no better grocery store than your own backyard. Whether you love to cook with fresh herbs, are a salad lover, or simply love to pop some sunshine fresh berries in your mouth, an edible garden is perfect for you.

Edible gardens are easy to have success with and so satisfying:

  • You don’t need a lot of space. A small slice of backyard is sufficient or you can even grow your garden in pots on a deck. And, vertical gardening works great too.
  • Herbs are perfect for beginners or those who have little time for gardening. They are hardy, many are perennials, and they even grow well in mediocre soil.
  • You’ll be eating healthier and saving money too.

strawberries

Choose What You Love to Use

What are the best edibles to plant? What do you love to cook with and eat? That’s where you should begin. Here are some of the most common edibles to choose from:

Perennials – These are plants that will return the next spring.

  • Sage
  • Parsley
  • Strawberries
  • Chives
  • Lavender
  • Mint
  • Oregano
  • Thyme

Tender Perennials – These are plants that can return in spring but often don’t because the winter is too harsh for them. This is especially true in our climate. Bringing these plants indoors for the winter is key, so you might think about planting these in pots so you don’t need to jeopardize them by digging them up.

  • Rosemary
  • Sweet Bay
  • Lemon Verbena

Annuals – These are plants that will need to be planted each year as they do not return.

  • Basil
  • Anise
  • Borage
  • Dill
  • Cilantro

The only thing edibles do not like is too much water either in the ground or on their leaves. Water edibles in the morning before the sun is strong. This gives the leaves time to dry off. And do not overwater.

Another thing to look out for is bolting. Herbs grow quickly and will shoot up quickly. Once this happens, leaves will be sparse and your herbs will flower. While the flowers are pretty, it doesn’t help their edible qualities. The answer to this is to snip or pinch your herb plants at the top. Herbs such as basil love this. Snip it at the very top and that branch will split in two making your plant more bushy.

And don’t forget that Augustine is here to answer your questions. Just give us a call.