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. 

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.

 

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)

 

Picking Up After Old Man Winter 

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As the snow recedes and the days get longer, our yards might be as ready for renewal as we are.

The beginning of spring provides the perfect opportunity to take stock of everything that needs hauling, repairing, fertilizing, aerating, trimming, pruning, and mowing. This clean up is not just important for aesthetic reasons, but for the health of our largest asset – our home. And, if you’re a garden lover, you know how important it is to prepare the yard for the coming growing season.

The first step is assessment of not only the shrubs and trees, but of your outdoor living spaces. Winter can be especially hard on patios, decks, walkways, and driveways. Aside from adding new stones where walls have come undone or pebbles to garden paths, your plantings are depending on your care and attention to give them the best possible restart.

Perennial Beds

Begin by removing any dead leaves and stalks from perennials and ornamental grasses. Scissors are a great tool for this.

Lawns

A good deep raking will not only remove whatever leaves accumulated after your fall raking, but will help control the thatch build up that will smother new lawn growth. Wait until the ground is dry but the grass is still brown. Removing thatch will promote air flow, prevent mold and other disease, and will help new grass germinate.

Trees

Early spring is a great time to install new trees. Planting a larger tree means you don’t have to wait a decade for shade or for the tree to grow into the landscape.

Shrubs

Cut off any broken or dead branches caused by winter’s snow and ice. It’s also time to prune any shrub that is not a spring bloomer. Prune summer flowering shrubs in early spring before any new spring growth begins.

Should you have questions on what to trim, plant, feed, or fertilize, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re always happy to help. And stop by to take a walk around the nursery for inspiration.

 

February’s Landscaping Replacement: Landscape Art

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The weather is frighteningly frigid and getting back to working the greenery in our yards feels such a long way away. While fewer of us are venturing out of our homes, much less getting to dig in the earth, there’s still a way of maintaining the peace that nature offers us – landscape art.

In addition to the curb appeal of having a beautiful blooming shrub in our front yard or a giant oak or maple in our backyard is that “Human beings are naturally drawn to vastness in scenery,” explains David Chang, Chair of the Department of Art and Art History at Florida International University. He is right. There are very few people who can look upon any one of Monet’s garden series without feeling the beauty of nature he captured.

Our advice to beat the February – no gardening for me blues – is to look at art for arts sake of for your spring gardening inspiration.

Here are a few landscape artists worth looking up:

 

Claude Monet
French painter and founder of abstract expressionism, Claude Monet is known for his paintings of water lilies and his own garden. He loved to paint the same scene many times, looking to capture the changing light and seasons.

Garden in Giverny

Monet: The Artist’s Garden in Giverny (1900) by Claude Monet. Original from the Yale University Art Gallery. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel;

Thomas Cole

As a member of the Hudson River School, Thomas Cole created romantic portrayals of the vastness of nature, creating a sense of awe in its beauty.

Cole Thomas The Course of Empire The Arcadian or Pastoral State 1836

The Course of Empire The Arcadian or Pastoral State 1836 Thomas Cole (WikiCommons)

Camille Pissarro
Another French Impressionist, Pissarro was devoted to capturing a moment in nature instead of simply depicting it. Unlike many landscape artists, Pissarro’s work often included local peasants working within the landscape.

A View of L’Hermitage, near Pontoise 1874 by Camille Pissasro

Camille PissaroA View of L’Hermitage, near Pontoise 1874 (WikiCommons)

Georgia O’Keefe

Georgia O’Keefe was one of the most important artists of the 20th She’s best known for her paintings of large flowers and the New Mexico landscape that became her home after she left new York City.

Mesa Painting by Georgie O'Keeffe

Black Mesa Landscape, New Mexico / Out Back of Marie’s II, 1930
Oil on canvas, 24 1/4 x 36 1/4 inches
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
Gift of The Burnett Foundation
1997.6.15
Artist: Georgia O’Keeffe

Anselm Adams
Photographer Anselm Adams was a visionary in his patient approach to preserving the country’s beauty. Drawn to the beauty of nature’s monuments, he was a devoted environmentalist who establish photography as art in the early part of the 20th

Ansel Adams

By Ansel Adams – This media is available in the holdings of the National Archives and Records Administration, cataloged under the National Archives Identifier (NAID) 519986., Public Domain, WikiMedia)

photographer Ansel Adams has been a visionary in his efforts to preserve this country’s wild and scenic areas, both on film and on Earth. Drawn to the beauty of nature’s monuments, he is regarded by environmentalists as a monument himself, and by photographers as a national institution. It is through his foresight and fortitude that so much of America has been saved for future Americans.”

 

Winter: The Best Time to Plan your Landscape

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We know it’s cold outside. The ground is frozen and our trees and shrubs have entered a dormant period. While we hibernate in the warmth of our homes is the best time to plan for the landscape we want to create and enjoy in the coming warmth of spring.

Think of your yard as the biggest room of your house, albeit an outdoor room. And, it’s a room that is on public display too. So take a seat by the fireplace and get your creative juices flowing:

Practical Considerations

  • Does your yard have good drainage?
  • Is there a slope that makes part of your yard unusable?
  • Do you have the privacy you want?
  • Are patios and walkways in need of upgrade?
  • Do you have adequate night lighting?

By asking yourself these types of important questions, you can establish important projects that require your attention.

Wish List

Taking care of the most dire practical considerations makes way for the fun part. Invite your family to participate. Would your kids spend more time at home playing in the yard if that fixed slope gave them the space to play? Would an enlarged deck or patio make family BBQs more enjoyable?

The choices of what to plant and where to plant are both aesthetic and practical choices. If you are a gardener, a walk around your property can inform you of where you’d like a privacy hedge or what shade tree would really add to your curb appeal.

If you’re not a gardener, use catalogs, Pinterest, and our website and Instagram account for inspiration. Then give us a call in March to let us help you make that big outside room one you and your family will love to spend the summer in.

Indoor Gardening for Outdoor Gardeners

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For many of us, December marks a time when outdoor landscaping and we
yearn for outdoor gardening activities. When the need to work in the
soil is too strong, there are many worthy indoor gardening projects that
not only bring satisfaction but enliven and invigorate the home.

Growing a kitchen herb garden, forcing bulbs, starting a terrarium, or
caring for orchids are just a few of the directions indoor gardening can
take.  You can cultivate your own lemon tree from the seeds of lemons
you’ve used in your cooking. Or, perhaps cacti and succulents appeal.
And, if you’re low on space, try creating a living wall. And, don’t
overlook the opportunity to begin germinate seeds that will be once
again planted outdoors in the spring. You can cultivate your indoor
gardening passion by yourself or make it a family affair.

A Healthier, Happier You

It’s amazing what a walk in the park can do for our well-being. Feelings
of fatigue and stress fade after time spent out in nature. Growing
indoor plants have a similar effect. They not only improve the
aesthetics of our home but have been said to improve moods, increase
creativity, and most importantly eliminate indoor air pollutants. Most
wall paints, computers, and plastics in our home release compounds into
the air we breathe. In winter, when we spend more time with our windows
shut, the air quality at home suffers. Plants absorb these toxins, break
them down, and use them as food – making a healthier, happier you.

Being able to dig in some dirt, even during winter, is a great pastime.
And, before you know it, it’ll be spring again.

Ron’s Best Landscaping Lessons for Vacation Homes & Rental Properties

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So many people choose the Hudson Valley for their vacation home because of the beauty, recreation, and great food the region offers. And, it is because of this popularity that many are also able to earn income from renting their properties to weekenders. All of these homeowners have a common interest – keeping up their landscaping when they are not on premise to watch over their property. 

Taking care of any landscape during times when no one is home for long periods of time or when those staying in the home have no stake in its equity can be demanding. The key to success begins with the choice of plantings. Here are some suggestions that are not only easy to maintain, but beautiful too:

Choose Native Plantings

Plants that are native to our region will require less water, fewer soil additives, and less maintenance to keep them looking their best. They also adapt better to the change in seasons. 

  1. Fill in with Groundcover

    There are many low-maintenance ground covers that never need mowing to look their best. In addition, ground covers retain moisture better and reduce weed growth. Many flower, as well.

  2. Choose Grasses & Perennials Instead of Annuals

    Perennials and grasses can withstand summer heat and drought better than annuals. And, they come back year-after-year so you don’t have to spend time planning your beds and planting each year.

  3. Build low maintenance patios and walkways

    A patio is a great solution for taking up a section of higher maintenance lawn while also giving your family or tenants an outdoor space to congregate, BBQ, and enjoy the outdoors. For a rental spaces or AirBnB, a patio will enhance the desirability of your property.  Flagstone and pavers require less maintenance and will last longer than a material such as concrete that tends to crack over time.

     

  4. Use Barrier Cloth for Weed Control

Laying down a barrier of fabric or biodegradable material will help keep weeds at bay. Cover it with a layer of mulch that will enhance the weed control and keep moisture in the soil.

Have questions? Call on Augustine to help you make the best decisions regarding your landscaping. We are here for you whether you just have a few questions or need us to plan and implement a low-maintenance landscape for you.

Mum’s The Word

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Fall is coming quickly. The leaves are turning but they are not the only plants that like to show off their bold colors in fall. Chrysanthemums, better known as mums are as popular a fall fixture as pumpkins.

Long after many flowers have lost their will to bloom, mums will keep their beauty going until the first frost. There are two types of mums – hardy mums and florist mums. Did you you know that hardy mums are perennials?

Many people just buy a potted mum in the fall and toss it away when its blooms are done. With a little care and know-how, you can overwinter mums and even propagate them, so that the mum you bought in the fall can keep brightening your garden year after year.

How to Care for Mums

Mums are bred to survive outdoors and can thrive in either pots or beds. They produce horizontal runners beneath the soil which helps to produce new plants

Mums like sunlight and require six or more hours per day. They also require rich, well-drained soil. If your soil is dense or contains clay, just add a good amount of compost and work it well into the soil. They also like plenty of water but soaking them can cause disease. To help them winter over, plant them before the first frost and cover them with plenty of mulch after the blooms are gone. Mums like plenty of space, so in the spring once you are certain all frosts have passed, dig up the entire plant and divide it. Pinching off the growth at the top of the stems, even when new growth is coming will bring stronger stems and thicker flowers.

How to Pick Mums that Last

Human nature drives us to pick the plants that are already bursting with color. However, if you pick ones that are full of lush green foliage and lots of buds, they will last much longer.

(Photo by Alex Martin from Pexels)