Everything You Need to Know to Ace Spring Yard and Lawn Care

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Spring cleaning is a task usually associated with inside the home. However, after the harsh winter weather it’s good to get into a habit of outdoor spring clean-up and care as well.

1. Winter Debris Cleanup

  • Pick up fallen branches and remove the small rocks from the lawn that could damage mower blades or get flung at nearby vehicles or home windows.

2. Rake

  • One of the best things you can do for your lawn is to give it a solid raking to break up the thatching that will block water, fertilizer, and oxygen from reaching the root system. The best time to rake is right when the grass begins to green up.

3. Service Your Lawn Mower

  • Changing the oil, replacing the spark plug, checking on the air filter, and sharpening the blade will make the whole lawn mowing season ahead a breeze.

4. Aerate

  • If your soil and lawn has been compacted in heavy traffic areas, aerating will allow water and air to reach roots.

5. Test the Soil

  • The Cornell Cooperative Extension can test your soil’s pH. For acidic soil, add lime to your lawn. For alkaline soil, it’s best to add sulfur.

6. Overseed

  • Fill in bare spots and thicken your lawn by throwing seed down over existing grass. 

8. Fertilize

  • Fertilizing not only helps your grass grow but inhibits weeds and diseases.

9. Water

  • If we have a season with plenty of spring showers this step can be skipped. But, if you are applying seed and fertilizer in the spring, check the directions about if and when you need to water.

One last word. We know that most people want to eliminate dandelions. But remember, they are the honeybees first food of the season. 

Got lawn questions? We’re always here to help create landscape designs that work for your lifestyle.

What Made Those Holes in My Lawn & Who Ate My Flowers?

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Any time we are cohabitating with wildlife, there are going to be clashes. Many of the things we do to make our landscape beautiful and productive are the exact things that attract wildlife. But, there are ways to live side-by-side without them ruining our lawns or eating all the veggies from the garden.

Aside from deer –  the ultimate nuisance – rabbits, squirrels, groundhogs, moles, and some bird species all contribute to the unraveling of all your hard work. This is especially true in early fall when many animals try to fatten up in preparation for the cold winter ahead. 

Animals will live where there is food, water, and shelter. And, because we are continually encroaching on their habitats, they learn that where there is people, there is abundance. 

Well-maintained lawns that are rich in soil and nutrients is the perfect environment for moles and voles to tunnel in. There are plenty of worms, grubs and insects for them to feast upon. Fruit trees and vegetable gardens are a dream come true for raccoons, woodchucks, rabbits, and squirrels. The deer will eat practically anything when hungry enough. 

Here are some solutions to these pesky creatures:

  • Fencing goes a long way toward keeping critters away. For those that tunnel and dig, fences should be buried into the ground a bit. 
  • Keep your yard free of debris like piles of branches and overgrown shrubs. This provides cover and nesting sites for many animals. And if they decide to live in your yard they’ll eat your plantings. 
  • Don’t overwater your lawn. It attracts the grubs which are a favorite treat for moles and raccoons. 
  • Wrap the lower parts of trees to keep animals from stripping the bark. 
  • Don’t keep pet food and water outside. Bird feeders are also an attractant as seeds fall to the ground, small mammals find and eat it. 
  • Plant items with strong smells that herbivores dislike such as lavender, rosemary, and marigolds.  
  • Install a motion-detector sprinkler or light. 

Place a realistic owl decoy in a shrub near plantings. The more realistic it looks, the better. Hunting stores have ones with plumage.

Five Reasons Fall is a Great Planting Season

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Fall is a great time to…

When fall rolls round most gardeners begin to wind down their gardening activities to start getting their landscape ready for winter. Time is spent mulching, raking leaves, and cleaning tools before setting them aside til spring. 

What is often overlooked is that fall is a great time to plant trees, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs! Here’s why.

Moderate Temperatures

Warm temperatures coupled with cool nights are the perfect conditions for both gardeners to work without the searing summer sun and for new plants to begin to establish themselves. Planting in fall will yield wonderful surprises in spring. 

Fewer Plant Pests

Pests like aphids, caterpillars, and beetles are nowhere to be found creating a healthier environment in which plants encounter fewer bug assaults. 

Roots Take Hold

Planting trees and shrubs in fall gives them a  month or so of growing time before turning dormant for the winter. But you might not be able to see that growth because its not the usual above ground growth. Roots can grow in soil as cool as 45 degrees so fall provides root systems to expand. Plant a tree in your yard in fall and they will be well-established by the time summer comes around.

More Spring Perennials

Divide your perennials in fall and make a  new garden bed. Perennials sometimes have a way of spreading out beyond the borders we’ve created for them. Dividing in fall will give you more time in spring to do other tasks. Cover with mulch to insulate your bulbs.

And, don’t forget to plant new bulbs that will brighten up early spring with color and beauty.Tulips, daffodils, and crocus should be planted before the ground freezes.

Competition-Free Seed Starting

While the soil is still warm and the ground has adequate water plant grass seeds. They will germinate quickly and have no competition from weeds.

Welcoming Spring with Fabulous Forsythia

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While most modern homeowners believe forsythia is too ubiquitous to plant in their yard, it really is a bright harbinger of spring at a time of year when spring is desperately needed. Among the first flowers to bloom, they provide a joyful bright appearance for several weeks leading up to Easter.

Their reputation suffers because they often appear gangly and weedy. But periodic pruning, done right after they bloom, will help shape this shrub, not only eliminating its unkempt appearance through summer, but right up to its next spring bloom. With a little care and attention, forsythia make a nice hedge whose leaves take on a beautiful deep red color in fall.

forsythia and wallA Few Forsythia Facts:

  • The shrub was discovered by William Forsyth, a Scottish botanist, and member of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • It is also known as the Easter tree.
  • Forsythia also comes in a white variety. The white forsythia blooms a week or two earlier than the yellow variety.
  • Forsythia blossoms are edible. A bit bitter, they add color to salads and make a cheery garnish.
  • Forsythia buds are fully formed by autumn and can be easily forced indoors.
  • Cuttings from a parent plant will root and grow after being simply stuck in the ground.
  • They are deer resistant. Perfect for the Hudson Valley.

Forsythia are a tough breed indigenous to Asia. For those who like to tend to their gardens, pruning and shaping will allow you to tame this bright and cheerful shrub. And for those who prefer plantings that can take care of themselves, forsythia are perfectly happy to thrive without help as well.

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.

 

Fall Tree Maintenance

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Now that summer is officially over, landscaping tasks become more about cleanup, winter maintenance, and prepping for next spring. The trees are starting to display the change in seasons with foliage that ranges from bright oranges and reds to warm golds and rusts.

While many take this as a time to rest from landscaping til next spring, it is actually a great time to plant a new tree and to prep the trees you already have for winter. Your trees will be grateful for the fall TLC and will show their appreciation when spring rolls round once more.

In a forest, the soil remains quite rich in nutrients from all the organic matter present on the forest floor. These nutrients nourish the trees year round. In our yards, we have to supplement our soil to make it more like a forest floor for our trees.

Fall Fertilizing

To make sure our trees are well-fed through the winter, apply a slow-release fertilizer this fall. Slow release fertilizers best mimic the forest by providing nutrients in a slow and steady rate throughout the year. It’s the consistent access to the nutrients they need that helps trees maintain their health – growing healthy leaves, roots, and wood.

Mulch

Mulch not only makes your landscape look great but also helps your trees thrive. Mulch helps conserve moisture around trees, maintain soil temperature, and keeps the soil from eroding away. Mulch can be store bought, but it can also be made up of the ground-up leaves from your fall lawn clean-up. Just be sure not to over mulch; one to two inches of mulch is ideal. And, it’s best to keep the mulch an inch or so away from the trunk.

Water

As trees prepare to drop their leaves they need less water. This is because as temperatures cool, the trees enter a dormant phase and need less water. In addition, the soil naturally stays more moist in cooler temperatures. Continuing to water trees can result in root disease.

Trimming

Now is the time to prune dead, diseased, and unsafe branches from trees. This not only promotes better growth in healthy areas of the tree but can protect you, your home, and your car from falling branches.

Plant More

Fall is the best time of year to plant new trees. In fall, newly planted trees get a jumpstart on establishing healthy roots over the dormant season so they can then concentrate on their above ground growth in spring. Augustine has had its own tree farm for 25 years and can help you choose the right type of tree for your landscape. We carry trees of all sizes and specialize in large trees that don’t make you wait ten years before showing their full majesty. We can even deliver and plant it for you!

Calling All Lilac Lovers

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Is there anyone out there who doesn’t love lilacs? With beautiful blooms and amazing fragrance, lilacs are a perennial favorite. 

Fall is the perfect time to plant lilacs, so if your landscape is lacking this hardy and fragrant spring favorite we’ll tell you all you need to know to plant and care for your lilacs.

About Lilacs

Lilacs come in a wide range of varieties – trees and bushes, dwarf and standard sizes. Their flowers can be white, violet, blue, lilac, pink, magenta, or purple and they can bloom, giving off their incredible fragrance from April through June. 

Lilacs can take one to two years after planting to begin blooming, but once established they live for a long time. In your landscape, you can plant lilacs as hedges, foundation plants, in large borders, in groups, or as a stand alone.

One interesting and positive fact about lilacs is that they provide a great habitat for small birds and pollinators.

Planting

The best time to plant lilacs is in the fall after the leaves have dropped, but before the ground freezes. By planting in fall their roots get a head start growing before leaves start sprouting in spring.

Lilacs like areas with lots of afternoon sun and well drained soil. Planting them in a slightly elevated area is recommended as water will drain away provided the perfect amount of natural watering. 

Dig a hole large enough to place the roots in without bending them. Add a bit of peat moss, a great material for holding nutrients the lilacs can absorb over time. After planting, water well and add a layer of mulch to prevent weeks and maintain moisture.

If planting more than one lilac in the same area, space them at least five feet apart to prevent crowding, as they will bush out.

Caring for Your Lilacs

For those who are not experienced gardeners or those short of gardening time, lilacs are wonderful because they need minimum care. Fertilizing with a bit of bone meal in early spring can give blooms a boost if your soil lacks nitrogen. Otherwise all they need is a pruning after the blooms are spent. Simple cut back the tops of overgrown stems with clippers. If the bush has become dense, trimming some of the inner branches will improve air circulation.

Propagating Lilac Bushes 

Want more lilacs? Lilacs produce shoots from the base of its trunk. These shoots can be used for propagating more lilac bushes. Just dig down to expose some of the roots from the main clump and cut the shoot away from the main plant, including the roots. Then plant the shoot in a new suitable location and water it regularly until it takes hold.

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

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.