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. 

Smart Landscaping 101

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Planning the landscaping of your personal corner of the world not only increases your property’s value but increases the enjoyment and comfort of your own yard. In addition to thinking about how you and your family use your yard (backyard BBQs, swing set, pool, and ball field), consideration has to be given to the shape, size, and slope of your property.

Your landscape is made up of two elements:

Softscape is comprised of the living plant life in your yards such as lawn, trees, shrubs, and flowers.

Hardscape is made up of non-organic features like decks and patios, fences, paved pathways, and decorative stones.

Planning a successful landscape will take these two elements into account, building out a plan that balances personal preferences with the following landscaping principles:

  1. Balance – A sense of balance is an important element and can be developed based on whether you prefer symmetry or asymmetry. Symmetry is a more formal approach, while asymmetry appears more spontaneous.
  2. A Focal Point – Your yard can contain one major focal point or several small ones based on groupings of outdoor areas based on uses. Many front yards contain the focal point of one large tree, while backyards can contain one or more focal points in recreation areas. In other words, your patio can contain its own focal point, while the kids’ play area has another.
  3. Simplicity – The adage, “Too much is never enough.” does not apply here. Simplicity allows us to better relax in our outdoor spaces, so choosing one or two floral colors, or one type of pathway paver is a good way to avoid a cluttered and overly complex look.
  4. Proportion – Finding the right proportion of large, medium, and small plantings in proportion to your property size, house size, and each other will bring harmony to your landscape.
  5. Unity – The goal is to create a landscape in which all the separate shapes, colors, sizes, and textures work together to create a unified whole. This is most often accomplished through the repetition of colors, patterns, and materials throughout the yard.

Whether you’re thinking of a new landscape design or redoing an existing one, you can count on Augustine Nursery to help you whether you have just one question or want us to design the whole thing. Happy landscaping!

Your Landscape Hard at Work in Winter

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Many believe their landscaping is asleep in winter, simply waiting for conditions to send plants a signal that spring is at hand. After all, the lawn has stopped growing and all the leaves are gone. The coming of winter does bring about a period of dormancy in your yard, but out of view, much is taking place.

Dormancy is much more than a period of suspended animation. During this time, plants have put in place an important survival mechanism to help them gear up for the warmer weather ahead.

Many plants will not flower in spring without first being chilled by winter. This is true of cherry trees, for example. Some garden vegetables are also in this category but we rarely see the flowers because we harvest the vegetable in fall. Carrots, beets, and cabbage are among these veggies. If we were to leave some carrots unharvested, the plant would bloom in spring, but in order to do so it would use up the nutrients in the carrot, leaving it shriveled and inedible. During winter, the gene that represses flowering goes through an alteration process called vernalization that allows it to bloom in spring.

During winter, most trees move sugars and carbohydrates from leafy areas down to the roots so the roots can get enough nourishment in the winter months to survive and begin new growth in spring. Evergreen leaves continue their photosynthesis during winter but at a much slower pace.

Seeds from either native plants or introduced plants from a cold climate are genetically programmed to survive winter. They are metabolizing at very low levels until spring. As the day’s light grows longer and the temperature rises, the seed’s hormones will trigger germination if it has enough water.

When you look out over your winter yard, just think of all the invisible work taking place to make your beautiful landscape come to life in spring.

Landscaping Problems That Hurt Home Value

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Aside from unkempt and overgrown yards, there are a few other landscaping situations that are a turn-off to potential buyers. So, if you’re considering putting your home on the market, even it that could be a few years down the line, to consider some of the following:

A sloping backyard

From the front, a house on a hill can be quite inviting. But, a house with a sloping backyard is not a benefit to most home buyers, especially those with children. Families tend to. Look for a level yard that can accommodate a play set, barbecue, and more. And savvy buyers might even consider the erosion and potential drainage issues if the slope pitches toward the house. If your backyard has a steep slope, you may want to consider creating tiers or terraces.

A Rotting Deck or Patio

While a nice deck or patio can raise the value of your home, one that is in disrepair is unattractive and unsafe. Whether rotting wood, or cracked concrete, plan to update this feature before putting your home on the market.

A Plain Yard

A landscape that is too spare is simply uninviting. Granted, not everyone has a green thumb, but if selling your home is in your future, it pays to put in foundation plantings, shrubs, and perhaps a tree or two to make your home complete both inside and out.

Seasonal Plantings

If you have a yard that is beautifully in bloom in spring and summer, but sparse in fall and winter, try diversifying your plantings so it will look good even if people are coming to see your home during colder temperatures. Evergreens and other shrubs are perfect solutions.

No Trees

As a rule, homebuyers do not like yards with only small plants and no trees. Consider planting at least one large tree to add interest and value to your home. When you buy a large tree from an experienced nursery like Augustine, we can deliver and plant it for you.

Ponds

While many love water features, some people view them as too costly and high maintenance. Even simple ponds can signify lots of work to some. If you have a pond on your property, do get a fountain for it. Circulation is key to keeping ugly algae away.

 

For Evergreen

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August and September are the perfect months to plant some evergreens. Just think, when the beautiful colors of the fall leaves are gone, evergreens can see you through the winter. They contribute not only their beauty, but practical benefits to our yards.

Add green to your winter months. Evergreens certainly take a back seat to deciduous trees in both summer and fall. But as winter progresses, snow-covered evergreens are one of the greatest mood boosters in our barren winter landscape. Add the red of a beautiful cardinal to complete the scene. And, the smell of pine and fir refreshes our senses on a cold winter day.

Evergreens provide year-round privacy. They are the perfect choice for sectioning off your yard from a neighbor, the road, or even storage or working areas. Whether relaxing on your deck or patio or just looking out your window, evergreens allow you to control what you see and what others see.

Evergreens shelter our homes from wind, snow, heat, and cold. The cold and wind of winter steals heat from our homes just as it does from our bodies when we’re outside. Strategically planted evergreens help us save on both heating and cooling bills in winter and summer.

Create a better wildlife environment. Evergreens provide an effective wildlife habitat for our favorite creatures all year round. They provide an abundance of food such as fruit, berries, insects and nectar. And they provide needed shelter from the cold for birds and squirrels.

We maintain a wide selection of trees, shrubs, and broadleaf evergreens to suit personal taste, yard size, and need. Plant it yourself or ask us to do it for you.

 

How Too Much Rain Affects Your Landscaping

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Every year has its weather challenges. But in this region, we’re usually dealing with too much heat and drought. With all the rain we’ve been having, we thought we would speak to how our lawns, plantings, and patios are faring. As with many things in life, too much of a good thing is actually too much of a good thing. Too much rain can hurt your yard in these ways:

Fungus – Lots of rain and humidity are the perfect conditions for fungal issues to arise. 

Erosion – If your landscape is hilly, the rain’s run off can take the soil with it. In addition to causing rutting, rivers of water running through your property washes away good soil with important nutrients in it. 

Pooling – When too much rainwater has no place to go, pools can accumulate in low areas. Flooded grass has a hard time processing the water and nutrients it needs from the soil and can turn yellow and even brown. Pooled water can also result in an increase in water-loving insects like mosquitoes.

Waterlogged Roots – The space between soil particles contain much need oxygen that plants draw upon via their root systems. When too much rain compresses the soil, the air gets displaced and the plants become deprived of oxygen. 

Solutions

Take note of what problems you are seeing and where they are occurring. Give your yard time to dry out. It can sometimes take a while to both dry and to begin to see symptoms like yellowing leaves.

  • Try not to walk on your lawn or dig in your garden if it’s muddy.
  • Don’t mow a wet lawn.
  • Some fungal problems will go away on their own as the weather dries out. If this is not the case with your plantings, try an organic fungicide.
  • Aerate your soil once it is dry to replenish oxygen.
  • Create a dry bed with gravel for future rainwater to have a better path to run off.
  • Bury your downspouts to keep too much water from flowing onto the surface of your lawn and garden beds.
  • Build a rain garden so water collected in a chosen area and allowed to slowly soak into the ground.
  • Create better drainage for your beds by planting in berms or artificial mounds.
  • Use mulch. It helps control water absorption. 
  • Empty rainwater from your container plants.
  • Redirect water away from your patio by changing the direction of gutter downspouts, drilling drainage holes, or by replacing it using permeable materials.

Your lawn and landscape are a part of nature just like the rain is, but sometimes it just needs a bit of our help to keep it safe.

 

Don’t Let Invasive Plants Wreak Havoc on your Landscape

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This past June, New York hosted its New York Invasive Species Awareness Week. If you missed it, here is a better understanding of what invasive species are and why we need to become more aware of them.

Invasive plants are plants that are not native to our region. They’ve been introduced from other regions and are extremely successful at spreading at a rapid rate. Left alone to spread, they cause ecological harm to our region. 

Invasive plants spread quickly because the insects and diseases that plague them in their native lands are missing from our habitat, giving the invasive plant free rein wherever they take hold. Their spread crowds out their competitors, which are our native plants. 

The following invasive plants arrived in New York from all over the world. Some are beautiful, but all of them can cause serious problems for native plants and even animal species.  Here are ten of the invasive plants affecting our area:

Common Reed – It outcompetes and replaces native plants. It also produces mesoxalic acid, which is a toxin harmful to many plants.

Garlic Mustard – This invasive herb chokes out native plants by controlling light, water and nutrient resources needed by other plants.

Giant Hogweed – This gigantic member of the carrot family is one of the most dangerous invasive species in New York due to its ability to cause permanent scarring by painful burns caused by its sap. Because of this potential harm, always call the DEC instead of trying to take these plants out by yourself. It’s size blocks the sunlight smaller plants need to thrive.

Honeysuckle – There are both native and invasive species of honeysuckle present in our region. Invasive varieties can primarily be distinguished by their hollow stems. These plants’ dense growth suppress other native species. They are also less nutritious and can harm migrating animals that eat the berries.

Japanese Barberry – Because it is shade tolerant, Japanese barberry can threaten native species in a variety habitats ranging from closed canopy forests, to woodlands, wetlands, pastures, meadows and wasteland. It grows in dense stands that can inhibit forest regeneration.

Japanese Knotweed – A member of the buckwheat family, this plant can grow up to fifteen feet tall and looks like bamboo. Its swift spread crowds out other plants.

Japanese Stiltgrass – This invasive decreases biodiversity by out-competing native grasses, sedges, and herbs. Areas infested by this plant often have high occurrences of other invasive plants.

Purple Loosestrife – While pretty, purple loosestrife can rapidly out-compete and displace native species. It creates a canopy that suppresses growth and regeneration, and can pose a problem for nesting birds and waterfowl. Their dense root system can also raise the water table and reduce water flow.

Swallow-wort – The quick growth of this invasive prevents native species from growing. This loss of biodiversity can harm native animal species that feed on native plants. Native birds and monarch butterflies are specifically threatened.

Wild Parsnip – Like giant hogweed, wild parsnip sap contains chemicals that can cause a severe burn within 48 hours. It can cause skin discoloration that can lead to years of light sensitivity. Call the DEC if you discover this plant.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension is offering free invasive species identification services this year to help stop the spread of these plants. You can email a photo of a suspected plant to dm282@cornell.edu.

Image by Dieter Staab from Pixabay

Getting to the Root of your Plantings

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Because roots are the unseen parts of our plantings, they’re often overlooked by gardeners. But roots play a critical role in the life and well-being of your landscaping.

  • They anchor the plant so its stem, leaves, and flowers are properly supported.
  • They absorb water and nutrients from the ground and send them upward.
  • They store carbohydrates and other nutrients that will be needed as a source of energy in spring for shrubs, trees, perennials, and biennials to begin a new season of growth.

Types of Roots

Root systems can be sorted into two types: Tap-root systems and Fibrous-root systems

Tap-root systems have one main root with smaller roots branching off. They are deep roots and usually associated with young woody plants, nonwoody perennials, and root vegetables such as carrots and beets. Once these roots are established, they need more water, but less frequency. Plants with tap roots are also more difficult to transplant as the main tap root runs deep into the soil. For propagating, try using a cutting or the plants seeds instead of dividing.

Fibrous root systems of grasses, annuals, and some perennials look like a dense mat that reside in the first few inches of soil. Once established, these types of plants require less water but more frequent watering. Plants with fibrous roots can be divided as they are easily dug up with a small section of its roots, leaving the rest of the roots intact.  

Tips for Keeping Your Roots Happy

  • Using mulch helps to regulate the temperature of your soil, keeping roots cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Mulch also conserves moisture, helping more of your watering get to roots instead of evaporating.
  • Breaking up your soil when planting makes it easier for roots to penetrate and grow, speeding establishment. This is why when planting a tree the hole should be dug two to three times as wide as the root ball. 
  • Roots need oxygen for their health. Oxygen is acquired from air pockets in the soil. Having a well-drained area around your plantings allows air to remain in these pockets. Soil that’s too wet compresses the soil, eliminating these air pockets.
  • Plants need extra care and attention when they are first establishing their root systems. Flowers and vegetables take about two to four weeks to establish. Shrubs take about one year, and trees can take about two years. 

Remember the saying, If Momma is happy, everyone is happy? Well the same goes for roots, If the roots are happy, the plant will be happy.

 

Outdoor Living Room Ideas

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For lots of folks, the inside of one’s home is where most of the care and emphasis takes place. But, if you
think of your yard as several additional rooms to your home, would you want to spend time there? If yes
doesn’t immediately come to mind, here are some things to think about.What would you like to do in these new outdoor rooms?

The Reading Room – If reading is your passion, perhaps a hammock or chaise under a big,
beautiful shady tree is your answer.

The Outdoor Kitchen – If your BBQ is calling you, you might want to think about expanding to
accommodate friends and family to a new or upgraded patio complete with beautiful stones and
plantings.

The Meditation Room – If solitude and peace is what you crave, you might think about planting a
privacy hedge that blocks out neighbors and their noise. Perhaps the sound of a water feature
would soothe your soul. And, you’ll want a lovely windy pathway to get you there.

The Morning Coffee Spot – Nothing starts the day off right like a hot cup of coffee on the front
porch surrounded by beautiful flowering foundation shrubs.

The Kids Playground – Think about leveling off an area for swings or ball playing with a cushion
of mulch for soft landings.

The Evening Gathering Place – An evening fire surrounded by Adirondack chairs and potted
grasses is the perfect location for family and friends to gather for s’mores, scary bedtime stories,
and a glass of wine.

No matter what kind of room is pulling on your heartstrings, you can count on Augustine to help you
plan it right. Did you know that a patio on the west side of the house will get too much afternoon sun for
a comfortable place for dinner in summer. And, a gathering place on the windy side of the house will
quickly extinguish that fire pit. We can steer you to the best location, plantings, and materials to make
your outdoor rooms a delight to spend time in.

relaxing with a glass of wicelebrating picnic table

The Symbolic Meanings of Trees

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Today, most of us plant trees as a way to create shade and privacy, and some are planted because of their beautiful flowers. But planting a tree can mean so much more.

Since ancient days, trees have been used to represent life, growth, wisdom, prosperity and more in legends, poetry, literature, and religion. We all know the symbolism behind an olive branch and the Tree of Knowledge from the Garden of Eden. 

Cultures around the world hold both deciduous and evergreen trees as sacred symbols. Here are some of most popular trees and their symbolic meanings:

Apple Trees represent goodwill, happiness, and the bounty of life. They are important to both Greek and Norse mythology. Bees and birds love apple trees.

Wisteria and cherry trees are cherished for their beautiful and fragrant flowers. They represent love and romance in many cultures.

Oak Trees are one of the most loved trees in the world. It is a symbol of strength, courage, and knowledge. wearing oak leaves was a sign of special status among the Celts, ancient Greeks, and Romans.

Birch trees represent new beginnings. Often thought of as a pioneer, the birch takes root  in landscapes where no other tree would before.

Elm trees represent life and eternal wisdom. No wonder so many college campuses plant elms along their entrances.

Maple trees represent balance, longevity, and generosity. One reason behind this symbolism is that maple trees have the ability to adapt to many different soil types and climates. 

Fir trees are a symbol of honesty, truth, and forthrightness because of the way they grow straight like a tower. When grouped together they symbolize long-lasting friendship because of their evergreen display.

Yew Trees symbolize longevity because of their long lives. The oldest yew is thought to be at least 3,000 years old.

Now is the perfect time to plant a large tree. Whether you choose which tree to plant because of its looks and size, or because of its symbolism, ask Augustine about choosing a tree from their tree farm along the Esospus. Why plant a sapling that takes years to produce shade, fruit, or blooms. Augustine can install a large tree in your yard that will provide instant gratification and a century of enjoyment.

Trees to plant at Augustine

Augustine Nursery

(Feature image by @veeterzy)